Self-Tanner Emergency? Here's How to Fix the Most Common Mistakes

POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio
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Modern self-tanners are so advanced now that orange patches and unsightly streaks should be a thing of the past. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still end up with discolored palms, patchy ankles, or a tan that seems to disappear in flakes. We know there are a few ways to remove a tan in an emergency, but what about blending, refining, or fading a tan that you don't want to get rid of completely? And how do you get the perfect color when no self-tanner seems to be perfectly formulated for your skin? These simple hacks should help you turn a problem tan into a perfect one — even if you forgot to use a mitt.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: The Color on Your Wrists or Ankles Is Patchy
Pexels | Lukas

Self-Tanner Snafu: The Color on Your Wrists or Ankles Is Patchy

Lemon juice can help to dissolve and break down uneven patches of self-tanner, but since it's an acid, don't use it all over your body. Save the stuff for small areas like your ankles, wrists, and the palms of your hands. For extra streak-busting power, mix your lemon juice with a tablespoon of sugar or baking soda and use the mixture to exfoliate the area.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: You Have Dry Streaks Down Your Legs
POPSUGAR Photography | Julia Sperling

Self-Tanner Snafu: You Have Dry Streaks Down Your Legs

If your tan isn't as smooth and flawless as you'd like, run a hot bath, but instead of adding bubbles, pour in a generous glug of bath oil (olive oil will also work in a pinch). Soak your skin for at least 15 minutes, allow the oil to soften and loosen dry patches, then gently rub at the problem areas with a washcloth. You should find that the worst of it lifts off, allowing you to blend away any patches.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: The Color Is Not What You Expected
Flickr user Harold Navarro

Self-Tanner Snafu: The Color Is Not What You Expected

If you just can't seem to get the level of color correct, try switching from a self-tanning product to a gradual tanner, like Jergen's Natural Glow ($12) or St. Tropez Gradual Tan ($25).

Gradual tanners contain less of the active ingredient (usually DHA) and more moisturizing agents, which will allow you to build up the color in layers while keeping your skin looking and feeling good. If your self-tanner took you too dark, try using a gradual tanner for just a couple of days. If it was too light, try applying the gradual formula daily.

It might be tempting to keep layering up your self-tan for a deep, dark result, and Jules von Hep, celebrity tanner and creator of Isle of Paradise, recommends this for big events like festivals. However, as most self-tanners are quite drying, you could end up with flaky skin that fades unevenly if you do this regularly.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: It's Fading All Wrong
POPSUGAR Photography / Maria del Rio

Self-Tanner Snafu: It's Fading All Wrong

If your self-tan has faded after a few days and left you with uneven patches, reach for a self-tan eraser. These work best if you've had your tan for at least three days, as they're formulated to break down the dead skin cells, removing remnants of the tan to leave you ready for your next tanning session. Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser ($27) comes in a spray bottle and uses glycolic acid and micellar water to dissolve away the remnants of a tan. Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser ($24) is a foam formula that you leave on the skin for five minutes before rinsing, wiping with a washcloth as you go. You won't believe what that cloth looks like when you're done.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: You're Short on Time
POPSUGAR Photography / Maria del Rio

Self-Tanner Snafu: You're Short on Time

If you've got no time to remove or refine your tan before being seen in public, a wash-off bronzing product will be your secret weapon. Apply it sparingly with a mitt; it will hide patches, blend streaks, and cover any missed areas. Look for a matte formula in a shade similar to your skin tone, and always look out for products that are transfer-resistant. Vita Liberata Body Blur ($45) looks so natural, it might just convince you to give up self-tanner for good.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: You Have Tiny Dots on Your Legs
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

Self-Tanner Snafu: You Have Tiny Dots on Your Legs

If you shave your legs and then apply a self-tanner within 24 hours, you may find that the product settles into the hair follicles, leaving you with dark dots all over your legs. This probably won't be as noticeable to others as it is to you, but shaving again can help fix it. You may need a tan touch-up after, as shaving removes the top layer of tan, but at least it'll take those pesky dots with it.

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Self-Tanner Snafu: The Built-In Bronzer Looks Uneven
POPSUGAR Photography / Maria del Rio

Self-Tanner Snafu: The Built-In Bronzer Looks Uneven

If you're using a self-tanner with a guide color in it, you may find that no matter how much you massage it in, the finished look is patchy until you rinse that guide away in eight hours' time. Industry expert Nichola Joss says the best tip for making that built-in bronzer look better while your tan is developing is to go back in with a clean mitt (like the Vita Liberata Tanning Mitt [$7]) after 30 minutes and "buff" the bronzer to remove any lines or tell-tale streaks. This won't affect the results, but it'll make the temporary color that sits on top look better as your "actual" tan develops below.