Doing Jennifer Lopez’s tan is a real pinch-me moment for any beauty expert, but that was the case for Niki Furniss this year. The Belfast-based artist flew to Europe twice this summer to tan J-Lo ahead of her sell-out gigs in Madrid and Istanbul on her Up All Night tour.
Specialising in bridal tanning, Niki has shared her must-read tan tip for choosing the right tan for your big day – essential for getting your look just right.
Expert Self-Tan Tip for Brides
The first of Niki’s self-tan tips is crucial. She says the choice of self-tanning product can have a big impact on how the tan turns out. She advises against any tan that has a visible guide colour when applied to the skin.
“Clear tan is not new, but people are starting to understand it a bit more. The guide colour is a bronze cosmetic makeup that’s added to see where you have applied the tan, but it is more drying on the skin. Therefore if it is free of this colour, it’s more hydrating. This will give you the most natural-looking glow.”
Niki says, your photographer will appreciate a more natural looking tan too. “Wearing a tan with a guide colour can give the skin an orange tone. What we’re trying to do as professional tan artists is to warm your skin up. The heavier tans will show up in pictures, and if your hands are streaky, you may be asked to keep them hidden on the day. I’ve seen that a lot in professional photography, and you just know it was a bad tan job.”
The Best Clear Tans For Brides
A medium clear tan is the best option for a wedding day look. The shade is warm on the skin but not too dark. We like:
Colour-Correcting Tans
Tanning options are advancing all the time, and Niki says it now possible to get colour-correcting formulas that work better with your skin’s undertones. “The innovation is really coming in colour-correcting for different skin tones to neutralise pink or sallow undertones. And hydration is another big factor. Today, brands are infusing skincare ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid into their tans, so they look better and fade away in a less patchy way. Back in the day, that wasn’t really a thing, so that’s why tans used to be so drying.”
For a more precise tan that suits your skin, we rate:
Nail Your Self-Tanning Trial
We always recommend wearing your chosen tan to your makeup trial if you plan to wear it on your big day, and that includes if you’re getting a professional spray tan. Be sure to stick with the same brand and shade for continuity. Niki suggests having a spray tan trial as well.
“All of my brides have a minimum of one trial tan because I need to understand skin type and undertones before applying the right shade,” she explains. “I also need to know what your desired look is for the day, and if you want a natural-looking tan. Communication is key, and having a trial means your tan will be bespoke and perfect when the big day rolls around.”
Prepping For Your Tan
Exfoliating is crucial for getting that flawless, bronzed finish. Prepping properly reduces streaks, avoids clogged pores, and also minimises the chance of the tan looking concentrated on elbows, knees, and ankles.
- 24 hours before you plan to tan, wax or shave where desired.
- Use either a loofah, body brush, or scrub to remove old tan and dead skin cells.
- Your skin is now ready for a layer of hydrating body lotion or body butter (not body oil, which can ‘break up’ the tan on the skin). Apply all over, and your skin is prepped for a self-tan.
If you’re planning to DIY your wedding day bronze, check out our self-tan tips for a flawless skin and make sure to follow us on Instagram for tips and inspiration!
