How to Apply Fake Tan Like a Pro

A streaky tan is never the vibe. The difference between a glow that looks like you just got back from a holiday and one that screams "supermarket self-tanner" isn't just the formula; it's the method. Here's exactly how the pros do it, and how you can replicate those results at home.

 

Key Tips

• Prep is non-negotiable. Exfoliate 24 hours before, shave at the same time, and moisturise dry patches
• Always apply with a mitt, never bare hands
• Work in sections using circular motions, starting from the legs up
• The formula itself matters. Skin-loving ingredients like argan oil make for a smoother application and a longer-lasting result
• Maintain with a tan extender to keep the colour even as it fades

 

The Real Secret? It's All in the Prep

Professional tan artists will tell you this every time: a flawless finish starts before you open the bottle. Exfoliate, shave, and moisturise your skin 24 hours before self-tanning. Shaving opens pores temporarily, and tanning straight after means the product sinks into them and creates dark dots. Give your skin a full day to settle.

When you exfoliate, slow down on the spots that tend to drink up more colour, such as the ankles, knees, elbows, and the backs of heels. Spending a little more time exfoliating where your skin is thickest helps the tanner go on evenly. Then, right before you tan, apply a light moisturiser to those same dry zones. This creates a barrier so the colour doesn't cling and go three shades darker than everywhere else.

Avoid heavy body butters or oils immediately before application. They create a barrier that stops the DHA (the active tanning ingredient) from properly bonding with your skin.

 

Choosing the Right Formula for Your Skin

Mousse is quick-drying, lightweight, and buildable, which is ideal for beginners or those who want more control over shade. Lotions are more hydrating and deliver a longer glow. Airbrush sprays offer fast, even coverage from all angles, including the face.

A green-based Original formula with 10% DHA is particularly suited to normal to oily skin, delivering a natural to medium colour. For those wanting a deeper, cooler-toned result, a violet base neutralises any warmth for a natural finish.

Application: How the Pros Do It

Pump your mousse or lotion onto your mitt,never directly onto your skin. Then work in sections, using long, circular strokes. Starting from the bottom up and applying methodically helps make sure you don't miss any patches.

For tricky areas like hands and feet, use only what's left on the mitt after covering your arms and legs. The residual product is more than enough, and going in with a fresh pump here is what causes the telltale orange foot.

For a natural look, lightly extend the tanner from your wrists to your hands and from your ankles to your feet. On the knees, ankles, and elbows, dilute the self-tanner by rubbing lightly with a damp towel or applying a thin layer of lotion on top.

Once you're done, wait at least 10 minutes before dressing. Go for loose and dark clothes while the tan develops.

 

How Long to Leave It On

The perfect shade is about adjusting the time between application and wash-off. Shorter times give a touch of colour; longer develops a deeper, darker tan. Most formulas are designed to be rinsed off with warm water but no soap.

Quality self-tanner typically lasts 5–7 days before fading naturally as skin cells shed. Well-moisturised skin holds colour longer, which is where a tan extender earns its place in the routine.

 

Lock It In: Making Your Tan Last

This is the step most people skip. Moisturise every single day, not just when your skin feels tight. The Moroccan Tan Glow Extender doubles as a moisturiser and a gradual tanner, so each application both tops up the colour and keeps skin hydrated. 

Avoid long, hot showers and chlorinated pools if you want the colour to stick around. Pat dry rather than rubbing with a towel.

 

The One Product Upgrade Worth Making

If there's a single switch that changes the quality of your result, it's the formula. Moroccan Tan is Australia's #1 salon tanning brand, refined over a decade in professional treatment rooms, and that same professional-grade performance is now available for at-home use.

Our self-tanning range covers every preference, all formulated with organic argan oil, organic rosehip oil, and organic aloe vera to nourish and rejuvenate skin so the glow is noticeable to others.