A glowing tan is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas party look – but there’s nothing worse than a streaky, orange disaster. The Hut caught up with tanning aficionado Jules Heptonstall at The Clothes Show, who let us in on some failsafe tanning secrets to ensure you’ll be a bronzed goddess this Christmas…
Meet Jules...If there’s anybody who knows the ins and outs of tanning, it’s Jules Heptonstall; a male grooming presenter, blogger and YouTuber, Jules is the tanning expert for celebrities. Having worked with some of the hottest names in showbiz, such as Kendall Jenner, Sienna Miller and Millie Mackintosh, Jules knows tanning inside out!
Jules featured at The Clothes Show this year, and The Hut made sure to note down his top tips for an even, beautiful tan…
How should we prepare our skin for a Christmas tan?‘Tanning is all about exfoliation,’ Jules revealed. ‘I see a lot of clients who need to exfoliate – I’ve even sent Sienna Miller into the shower before applying her tan.’
Make sure you’ve thoroughly exfoliated before going anywhere near your tanning lotion, mousse, or spray. We love the Monu Tanworx Exfoliating Body Cream – a luxurious, creamy exfoliator designed especially for your pre-tan routine. Apply to wet skin using the Hydrea London Sisal Natural Exfoliating Sponge for an intense skin cleanse; this sponge massages, regenerates and de-stresses whilst buffing away impurities.
‘Moisturise your hands and feet before tanning – it stops the tan clinging to your skin,’ Jules advises. ‘Use a moisturiser with aloe vera in too; the aloe vera acts as a conditioning agent.’
Aloe vera is renowned for leaving skin silky soft and thoroughly moisturised, and is the perfect way to prep skin before applying your tan. We think the Bliss Aloe Vera and Grapefruit Body Butter smells divine; a blend of sweet pink grapefruit and fresh, crisp aloe vera, this body butter is perfect for everyday application.
For a really intense pop of aloe vera, try Jason Aloe Vera 84% Moisturising Cream, which keeps your skin hydrated, smooth and supple all day long.
‘Don’t put body oil on after tanning, and don’t put anything oil based onto your skin beforehand!’ Jules tells us. ‘Oil acts as a barrier to the skin, so your tan won’t take.’
Make sure any products you use to prep you skin are oil-free, to avoid the dreaded patchy tan. We like the Fake Bake Oil Free Moisturiser and Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturiser, neither of which contain oil and are ideal for tanning pros!
For those who like a soft, gradual tan, the St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tanis the ideal tan companion. Apply daily to achieve a lovely sun-kissed glow, whilst moisturising and soothing the skin. The St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan features Aromaguard fragrance technology, which reduces the fake-tan smell, meaning this lotion is perfect for regular application.
For quick tan application, try the St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse. Perfect for those in a hurry, this bronzing mousse dries in sixty seconds and washes off to reveal a natural, golden, streak-free tan.
Tanning expert? The St Tropez Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousseis a must have. Be totally in control of your tan and determine the depth yourself; leave on for an hour for a sun-kissed shimmer, two hours for a golden glow or three hours for a deep, dark bronze.
A good mitt is a tanning essential, and the St Tropez Applicator Mitthelps to evenly distribute your self-tan across your whole body. Spongy, soft and a perfect antidote to ‘tan-hands’, this applicator mitt is guaranteed to give you an even, all-over glow.
