Spray Tan Contouring: The Secret to Hiding Cellulite
Spray tan your way to a chiseled body. (Photo: Getty)
The first time I tried to make up my face with an airbrush, I was overly ambitious and tried to contour myself into Kim Kardashian. Using the airbrush pen, I drew two heavy lines down the sides of cheeks, aiming to make my face look more angular, but instead I looked like a kid who just discovered that Magic Markers are way more fun without paper.
The fact is, I was on to something: some dark shadowing can transform your look dramatically. Recently, I got my first spray tan from St. Tropez’s Sophie Evans, who has bronzed all of the Spice Girls. I learned that spray tanning isn’t just for making you look like you spend your weekends in the Maldives. It can become a regular part of your beauty routine. The handheld Temptu Air ($195) also just launched, and it includes a spray-tan option, which means you can ostensibly DIY spray tan. If you, like me, are worried about your unsteady hand, take heed of these tips from Temptu makeup artist Nicky Posley and Evans. It turns out airbrushing isn’t just for experts, or the Kardashians.
I’ve tried using the Temptu Air at home — and it was too hard considering my lack of hand-eye coordination, even though I’ve already had two Temptu makeup artists attempt to teach me so far. The idea is that once you master the airbrush technique, you won’t have to use your hands ever again, but finger-painting comes naturally to me.
You can contour your entire body.
Evan tells Yahoo Beauty that she has been contouring with self-tanner for over a decade, but now it’s easier with more innovative products on the market. “A layer of self-tan will naturally make you look more toned and defined, but we can go one step further by using a self-tan darker than your all-over base coat to really etch out and define,” she says. Her favorite area — and the most popular one—is under your bottom because it gives the illusion of lift — “no squats required.” You can also contour your thighs with self-tanner. “If we shade a half-circle onto the bottom, and then shade down the inner and outer thigh, this will instantly tone, elongate and hide the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks,” Evans advises.
Contouring preferences vary by culture and region.
Evans’ Middle Eastern clients in London love contouring like the Kardashians. “They are also not afraid to have severe contour lines as they say it looks better in photos,” she explains. Trendy girls in the Harajuku district of Tokyo, on the other hand, are enjoying super deep tans to contrast with their pale bleached blonde hair. And you can even find parallel traditions in similar culture (or climates!): Both on the Jersey Shore and in the North of England, you can find very extreme, almost artificial tans, Evans notes. Her personal skin idol currently is fellow Brit Rita Ora: “It’s not too deep but it’s a gorgeous glow that looks fantastic with her bleached locks — a very global on-trend look.” Posley adds: “Makeup oxidizes differently on everyone. That means that when it hits skin and air, it could be a different color. You really have to try out different shades to see what works for you.”
Spray tans can contour your face.
Sure, it sound intimidating, but it’s very doable with some practice. “You won’t need as much make-up and it will last a few days on the face,” Evans says. First, apply a base layer of self-tanner, like St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil ($35), that is lighter than the shade you use for contouring. “If you use the same color all over and just apply more to an area, it won’t make a difference once the self-tan has developed as your skin can only absorb a certain amount and the darker contours will simply blend in once you wash,” she explains. Consequently, you need to use two different formulas two different self-tan agent levels. Using the darker formula, spray six inches away and sweep along the cheekbones and under the jawline to slim. If you’re feeling ambitious and you want to contour your nose, eyelids, and other small areas, Evans recommends applying a dark self-tan lotion with a makeup brush and blending with a cosmetic sponge. “Do this at night time so that you can let the tan develop overnight,” Evans advises. “Then, cleanse in the morning to remove any self-tan instant bronzer, and you will have a natural contoured glowing face.” Both Posely and Evans recommend working with two solutions lighter than your contouring shade for base.
Related:
Confessions of a Spray-Tan Newbie
