Three Benefits of Using a Tanning Mitt

The easiest way to spot a faux glow? Orange streaks around the wrists and hands. Avoid these stains and score a perfectly even application with a tanning mitt. Here are our picks and tips for creating a streak-free tan all year.

The first step to an even tan is to exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner. This creates a smooth, blank canvas for your tanner to glide over. A mitt pulls double duty since you can use it to apply your exfoliant. For best results, exfoliate the night before you plan to self-tan.

Just one or two pumps of self-tanner is all it takes for each body part. Then glide, don’t rub, the mitt along your skin, in circular motions. Once you get the hang of it, you can use a smaller mitt, or the side of a large one, to contour and add definition to muscle tone.

If you’re new to self-tanning, you’re already on the right track to avoid steaks by using a mitt. To take your efforts one step further, apply a dollop of lotion before your tanner. This smoothes dry patches, so the tanner won’t stick to them and leave you with random dark spots.