In the past, I’ve always assumed fake tan products weren’t for me. When I was a teenager, I religiously watched the The Only Way Is Essex and Made In Chelsea cast wearing their ultra-bronzed tans, which only cemented that belief. Self tan was only marketed towards one demographic: white people.
But as a Black woman with Trinbagonian and Ghanaian heritage, I always look forward to achieving a sun-kissed tan whenever I go back home. Here in the UK, the harsh lack of sunshine means that I’ve now lost my tan from back in the summer, and I’m eager to get that healthy glow back. Recently, I’ve been inundated with TikTok-approved self-tanning hacks and benefits – so I thought why not try it?
Today, tanning brands are becoming more inclusive with their marketing – so I’m intrigued. When I told my mum that I was interested in trying fake tan to get my summer glow back, she laughed in disbelief: “You don’t need fake tan!” Believe me, a year ago I would have said the same thing. But I want to dispel the narrative that fake tan isn’t for Black skin. As a beginner self tanner, I’m keen to get a radiant glow and even out my complexion – but most importantly to see if they really work on Black skin.
But… where do I even start? “Self tan affects the top layer of your skin, which renews itself every seven days, so preparation is the most important step for a flawless self-tan,” Nicola Matthews, founder of Sienna X, tells me. She adds: “start by exfoliating your skin at least 24 hours before application, focusing on all areas, especially those prone to dryness, like hands, elbows, knees, and ankles.”
Since I’m keen to achieve that healthy glow I’m so used to after a summer spent back at home, I wonder if there’s anything else I can do to get that gleam. Melanie Brownlow, founder of St. Moriz, adds: “my biggest piece of advice for getting that sun-kissed glow is to always layer your self-tan with illuminating products, such as body oils or shimmers – particularly in winter, as our skin is typically more dull and dry. It’s all about creating a radiant finish, that sense of a natural glow from within.”
