COCO & EVE BLOG

How to Tan Your Back – The Complete Guide

It’s a predicament most self-tanners will have faced at some point or other. How to fake tan your back when your partner/ roomie/ friendly neighbour is out, and you’re stuck at home alone! Without a spare set of hands, tanning your back can involve some gymnastics at best. And a dislocated shoulder at worst (or is that just me?).

Thankfully, we’ve come to the rescue of faux glowers everywhere with our brand-new back tan applicator. And this glow-to tanning guide. To learn how to tan your back for flawless, even results, read on.

Prep by exfoliating

Just like the rest of your bod, your back needs to be well-prepped to ensure an even, streak-free tan. This means using an exfoliating mitt, body brush, loofah or body scrub to slough away any dry, dead skin cells. Not only will this remove dull, flaky bits and any left-over tan, it will also help unclog pores for a smooth, blemish-free back.

Pro-tip: If using a body scrub, do this 24 hours before and make sure you shower again before tanning. This is because scrubs often contain skin-softening oils that can leave a residue that will interfere with tan development. If using a brush, mitt, or loofah, it’s fine to exfoliate a few hours before applying tan.

Choose your self-tanner wisely

To make sure you don’t miss any spots when tanning your back, it’s a great idea to use a fast-absorbing tanning mousse with a handy guide colour. Like our Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, for example. In medium, dark, and ultra-dark, the nasty-free, tropically scented tanning foam spreads like a dream and is tinted, so you can see where you’ve applied it. And any areas you’ve accidentally missed.

Our cult tanning foam is also formulated with a green-grey base and 100% natural DHA to prevent any orange tones. Plus, it smells like tropical mango and guava – instead of that overpowering biscuit pong so many tanners share.

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Apply with a back tan applicator

If you’ve been making do using your hands until now, back tanning’s about to get a whole lot easier. In a velvety soft, hypoallergenic material, our Back Tan Applicator ensures an easy-peasy, flawless application in the most-hard-to reach of places.

Simply apply a good pump of our tanning foam onto the centre of the applicator. Grab a handle in each hand and pull the applicator side to side, kind of like a towel, working slowly from the top to bottom of your back (or vice versa). Voila! A perfectly applied layer of natural-looking back tan!

Need to spot correct some bits? We got the perfect tanning glove for that!

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Moisturise that back

To prolong the life of your sunless tan, moisturising is key. It’s also super important in the lead up to fake tanning day. Some self-tanning products can be drying, so you want to make sure your skin is soft and hydrated. DHA (the most common tanning agent) also clings to any dry patches and tends to go darker in these areas. So, up your self-care in the week before tanning for patch-free, glowing results.

Once you’ve tanned, make sure you moisturise each time you shower. For smooth, supple results, try applying our Body Moisture Whip to slightly damp skin. Rich in antioxidants, virgin coconut and cacao oils, it’s formulated with CellushapeTM to promote firm, youthful-looking skin.

@coco_and_eve Made a tanning mistake or in need of a fresh tan? #cocoandeve #selftan removal #beautytips #fyp ♬ original sound - Jaz Turner

Remove all traces of tan before reapplying

So, you’ve followed all the steps above and are wearing your fave backless dresses and tank tops on repeat. (Hurray!) The next step is to ensure your fake tan fades evenly by lightly exfoliating every three days.

If you’re planning on tanning again, you’ll also want to remove all traces of old tan. Exfoliate your back (and the rest of your body) thoroughly to prevent a patchy, uneven hue.

Happy tanning!