Let's be honest — a good fake tan can do a lot. It can make you look like you just got back from a weekend on the Amalfi Coast (when really, you've been glued to your laptop). It can add just the right amount of warmth to balance out a bold outfit. And during Australian Fashion Week? It can be the confidence boost that ties your whole look together.
But if you've ever had a tan fade patchy by day two — or worse, cling to that one dry ankle spot like it's holding a grudge — you know the secret to a long-lasting glow starts before the colour even touches your skin. This year, I finally cracked the code to a fake tan that stayed fresh all week — and it came down to a little bit of prep and one very underrated product.
The Unsung Hero of My Tanning Routine
I used to think a quick exfoliate and pray-for-the-best approach was enough. But when I committed to a proper pre-tan routine ahead of AFW, I realised what I'd been missing: actual hydration. And I'm not talking about drinking water (though, yes, please hydrate). I'm talking about locking in moisture with a body lotion that's doing more than just sitting on top of the skin.
NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion has long been a staple — the kind of product that's been quietly doing the work in bathroom cabinets for years — and now it's had a glow-up of its own. With Pure Hyaluron in the mix, it delivers serious hydration that lasts up to 72 hours. Translation? Your tan stays smooth, even, and glow-y from the first runway to the final after-party.
My Routine, Step-by-Step (Because We Love a Process)
Here's what I did to make my tan (and outfits) pop all week:
- Exfoliate the night before — I used a dry brush on dry skin before hopping in the shower to gently buff away old tan and dead skin.
- Shave, rinse, chill — Nothing fancy, just giving myself a clean base and not rushing it.
- Apply NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion — This step is non-negotiable. I applied it after my skin was towel-dried but still a little damp, focusing on those notorious tan-clingers — ankles, knees, elbows and wrists.
- Wait until the next day to tan — Giving the lotion time to really soak in made a huge difference. My skin felt plump and smooth, not sticky or slippery.
- Hydrate every day after — This was the game-changer. I kept reapplying NIVEA morning and night, and my tan stayed even and fresh way longer than it usually does. No scaly chest, no weird fade on the thighs. Just a soft, subtle glow that looked intentional.
Why It Actually Worked
Turns out, when your skin is properly hydrated, it holds onto your tan better. It fades more evenly, looks more natural, and doesn't cling to dry spots like your ex clings to your Insta stories. And the updated NIVEA formula feels luxe without being heavy, which meant I could keep layering it throughout the week — no weird film, no clogged pores. Just skin that felt soft, looked healthy, and made my outfits pop.
Plus, the new packaging is made with 50% recycled plastic, which feels good, too. Because we care about the planet and our knees.
Final Thoughts — Don't Sleep on Prep
Honestly? The pre-tan prep made me feel like I had my life together. It turned getting ready into a ritual, not just a rush. And that little shift — choosing to take care of my skin instead of just covering it up — changed the way I moved through Fashion Week.
The clothes were fab, the shoes slightly painful, and the tan? The best I've ever had.