I get green armpits when I tan, but I promise it’s good
A self-tanning enthusiast shared her golden rule for getting a golden glow — including a surprising shade.
Some of the methods may seem unconventional, but she swears they’ll give you the sunny glow of your summer dreams.
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TAKE IT (BROWN) UNTIL YOU MAKE IT
Reddit user Pixelperfect728 isn’t green when it comes to a perfect tan, but one tip can turn you green – literally.
“If you suffer from sweaty armpits, wear deodorant while tanning! It can turn your armpits green, but it’s temporary and washes right off,” she said.
“Green armpits that last for a few hours are better than pale armpits because you sweat it all off,” she continued.
She suggested treating the sweatiest parts of your body, including the backs of your knees, the insides of your elbows, and your armpits, with a large brush and powder.
Her favorite product also gave her a tan.
“Shave and exfoliate 24 hours beforehand. I love the Japanese exfoliating washcloths because they are so easy to exfoliate your entire body and back,” she said.
“If you apply self-tanner right after shaving or waxing, you will get little dark dots on your open hair follicles,” she continues.
If you want to try it out for yourself, you can purchase the Goshi Exfoliating Washcloths on Amazon for $17.49.
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To really make your grooming routine a success, make sure you finish your manicure or pedicure before you go sunbathing.
“Nail polish remover, soaking, and rubbing with a towel will all remove your tan,” she said.
Also, don’t make the mistake of hydrating your entire body before tanning.
Instead, apply a small amount of lotion to your knees and elbows and leave it on for ten minutes.
She also recommends applying Vaseline to the cuticles of your fingers and toes, then simply wiping your greasy palms with baby wipes.
HAIR OVER HAIR
There is another trick that helps to avoid tricky situations.
If you have blonde or bleached hair, it’s best to apply some sort of barrier to your hairline, such as a thick conditioner.
Why does self tanner smell?
According to the authors of this article, many self-tanners are said to have an odor similar to the smell of burnt meat or cat urine. NBC News.
This unpleasant odor is caused by the chemical reaction between your skin and dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the main ingredient commonly found in self-tanners.
This ingredient also causes your skin to turn yellowish or yellow-brown.
It’s also the perfect time to pamper your hair with a hair mask.
“You definitely want to blend the self-tanner into your hairline, but it can stain bleached hair,” she said.
“My hairdresser said to wash my hair with dish soap and a heavy-duty conditioner afterwards if this happened,” she continued.
To avoid small white lines forming on your joints, such as your knuckles, elbows and knees, make sure you are bent over when applying the self-tanner.
Her self-tanning strategy involves smearing the areas with any leftover product from the glove.
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“Make a claw shape with your hands, and don’t forget the webbing between your fingers,” she said.
To prevent the appearance of ‘pale circles’ around your mouth, do not skip the areas around your lips. Also, do not forget to treat the areas behind your ears, on your neck and at the hairline around your head.
It may sound gross, but washing your hands while your skin is darkening can cause major problems when it comes to tanning.
“Pale hands are bad. Wipe your palms and fingers with baby wipes instead,” she said.
For best results, wear loose, dark clothing for a perfect glow-up. Even better, go naked.
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“You can get a tan at night, but if you sweat or get hot at night, you don’t want to think about it,” she said.
“When you shower off the tan, rinse your hands with warm water – not hot water! No soap! No loofahs!” she continued.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU AVOID?
For streak-free cleaning, avoid hot tubs, hot water, chlorine, or any form of soaking. Also, stay away from products that contain lotions with oils, especially mineral oil.
Chemical exfoliants, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are also known to fade tan.
Finally, don’t rub yourself dry after showering, but gently pat yourself dry.
“Shave with lots of lube, a new razor, and gentle strokes,” she said.
To keep her fake tan looking beautiful for as long as possible, she uses Tanceuticals Everyday Tan Extender.
She said the hydrating lotion contains a little DHA, so the color stays even all week.
