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Ask The Queen

Got a Question? – I have an answer!  Either post your questions in the “comments” section of the HOME page, click on the CONTACT page or email me directly:

CLICK HERE to email me

Or do it the old fashion way and use the address: thequeen@selftanningqueen.com


You can also ask your questions on any of these sites, too!

QUESTION: What is the best way to maintain my tan?

After about a week, my self tan ALWAYS tends to flake in certain areas: my neck, chest, cleavage, hands and arms always tend to get splotchy and gross!  I must admit…I am not always the best about exfoliating. But even when I am pretty good about remembering to exfoliate (every 3-4 days), I still somehow end up looking like I have a weird skin condition.
I was wondering if you could lay out a schedule for me for how often I should exfoliate and re-apply the tan?

Thanks so much!
Emily

ANSWER:
Hi Emily,

Two things are key to a great self-tan fading evenly.  First, as you mentioned, exfoliating 3 to 4 days in is very important.  Don’t vigorously exfoliate, but rather use exfoliating gloves with some body wash and do a light exfoliation all over the body, then follow up with exfoliating in this way every other day.  Second, keep moisturized!  I recommend moisturizing twice a day.  Keeping your skin evenly hydrated works wonders against that alligator appearance.  With this schedule, you should find that the self-tanner diminishes evenly and can apply another coat when you find you want to pick it back up again.

Happy Glowing!
Self Tanning Queen

QUESTION: How do I tan the tops of my feet?

How do I get the tan look on the tops of my feet and toes? I read how you applied it to your hands and I wondered if you could walk me through the foot application?

Thanks so much!

Jenny

ANSWER:
Hi Jenny,

When it comes to the feet I usually apply the self tanner to that area when I do my legs with gloves on. (I personally start with the lower half of my body and work my way up) I protect specific areas that tend grab a lot of color such as; the back of the heels, the tops of the feet and my toe nail cuticles with a bit of moisturizer. When you put moisturizer on the tops of the feet it does two things:

1. It makes rubbing into the foot area easy as it slips and glides effortlessly and if it is too dark you can wipe it fast with a dry wash cloth to lighten the application.
2. It slightly dilutes the self tanner so it makes feathering or fading onto the feet easy.

I think slightly lighter feet look better as they tend to rub off faster with socks and closed shoes etc… I will take my time and blend the color from my calves and lower leg into the top of the foot area. I will then wipe whatever residue is left on my gloves into the webs of my feet so that way when I am wearing flip flops in the summer I don’t have bright white webs in between my toes! Remember you can always add more product the next day if you want to go darker on your feet.

The other thing you can do is use a spray product such as MODEL and Co. or L’Oreal Sublime. Still protect your feet with moisturizer and then spray your feet outside in the yard or in the tub. Just do a light dusting!! I am hoping to do a video this weekend and upload it for you to see how I do it and will email you when that is complete!

Thanks so much for the question! Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

Happy Glowing!

Self Tanning Queen

QUESTION – Brown Palms?

I like your site it has some great info. and a lot of info! But I didn’t see the answer to my question and one of my biggest peeves when it comes to self tanner. How do you easily self-tan the top of your hands and then wash your palms without messing up the tan you just applied? I can use gloves for the rest of my body but the hand thing is a real problem. especially for a perfectionist like me. I want tan on the sides of my fingers like it’s real but not the palm stain.
How do you do it??

Julie

ANSWER:

Hi Julie,

Thanks so much for your comments!! Oh the question of “how to tan the tops of the hands?” is a good one!! I think what I am going to do is upload a video of how I do mine so you can see how I do it – I think that might be easier. But, in the mean time, what I do is apply self tanner to my entire body with tight latex gloves, then when I get to my hands I take off the gloves and very carefully turn on the water very slowly. I then carefully rinse the glove residue off my lower hands and towel dry them, at the same time wiping away any excess self tanner from my wrists and wrist bone. Next I take a dime size or less of self tanning lotion or mousse and put some on the top of one of my hands. I then take the other top of my hand and rub them together – so it is top of hand to top of other hand. To feather into the fingers I take the flat, outer side of one of my hands / the outer pinky area and run it trough the other hands finger webs, that way when I flex or spread my fingers out you don’t see bright white webs!! I then take make a fist and rub my forefingers on the top of my hand or arm to pick up some of the residue of the self tanner. (I think it is best to gradually have lighter fingers than the tops of your hands so it is a gradual color change) I know this is not the easiest when you read it but I will do a video soon and email you when it is done so you can see the process more clearly!

Hope this helps!

Self Tanning Queen


QUESTION:  Self tanner and Retin A?

Hi Self Tanning Queen

I have a skincare question for you! I have recently started using a micro Retin-A formula every other night. I love it – peeling has been minimal. When would you suggest I do my facial self-tanner? Night or morning? Presumably I’d do it on the alternate days when I use the Retin-A? I’ve always been confused about how to work self-tanner into a routine when you’re using other products on your face. Obviously, this isn’t an urgent thing, but I’m curious if you have an idea on this?

Thanks,

Jennie
ANSWER:

Hi Jennie,

You can do your facial self tanner either time as long as you are not too sensitive or red from the Retin A. If you are using a lotion formula I would say use that one at night on the nights you are not using the Retin A but if you want to use an everyday / gradual self tanner for the face you can use it in morning as your moisturizer.

Hope this helps!

The Queen