Joanna Connell is a world-renowned celebrity makeup artist. She is responsible for creating the silky, all-over-tanned bodies in Baywatch, and has "tanned" countless other celebrities and movie stars
Joanna Connell is a world-renowned celebrity makeup artist. She is responsible for creating the silky, all-over-tanned bodies in Baywatch, and has "tanned" countless other celebrities and movie stars
In the tips below, Joanna shares her foolproof, "never forget" rules for a perfect Baywatch-style self-tan. Simply combine these tips with your own technique. For step-by-step instructions, more tips and product information, check out our Self-Tan package. (And, tell us what you do after you apply self-tanner and you're waiting to "dry."
In the tips below, Joanna shares her foolproof, "never forget" rules for a perfect Baywatch-style self-tan. Simply combine these tips with your own technique. For step-by-step instructions, more tips and product information, check out our Self-Tan package. (And, tell us what you do after you apply self-tanner and you're waiting to "dry."
- Exfoliate your skin. Joanna has created a product called Micro Pearl Abrasion, which has become the skin smoother to the stars. It reduces the appearance of fine lines
-- but it's also excellent at evening out skin tones, and, most importantly, it smoothes away dead skin before you "tan." - Exfoliate your skin. Joanna has created a product called Micro Pearl Abrasion, which has become the skin smoother to the stars. It reduces the appearance of fine lines
-- but it's also excellent at evening out skin tones, and, most importantly, it smoothes away dead skin before you "tan." - Make sure you wait 10 or 15 minutes between showering and applying a self-tan product. Warm water can open your pores and you may end up with a spotty look.
- Make sure you wait 10 or 15 minutes between showering and applying a self-tan product. Warm water can open your pores and you may end up with a spotty look.
- To prevent skin from grabbing self-tanner unevenly, always apply a light moisturizer over the entire body and face immediately before applying the self-tanning product. Pay particular attention to ankles, knees, feet, elbows and neck.
- To prevent skin from grabbing self-tanner unevenly, always apply a light moisturizer over the entire body and face immediately before applying the self-tanning product. Pay particular attention to ankles, knees, feet, elbows and neck.
- For a first-time tanner, do a patch test on a small hidden area 24 hours in advance to check your color.
- For a first-time tanner, do a patch test on a small hidden area 24 hours in advance to check your color.
- When you're ready to begin, start by applying the tanner in round circular motions. (This will help you avoid streaking.) Begin with your legs so those areas can be drying as you continue. To achieve a uniform base color, apply a self-tanner three nights in a row.
- When you're ready to begin, start by applying the tanner in round circular motions. (This will help you avoid streaking.) Begin with your legs so those areas can be drying as you continue. To achieve a uniform base color, apply a self-tanner three nights in a row.
- Use only the residue of the product on areas of the skin that tend to absorb color fastest: knuckles, ankles, feet, elbows, knees and neck.
- Use only the residue of the product on areas of the skin that tend to absorb color fastest: knuckles, ankles, feet, elbows, knees and neck.
- Baywatch stars tan everything
-- including their hands. If you don't want tanned hands, apply the product wearing gloves, or scrub hands after application. Make sure you cleanse the spaces between your fingers and the area around your nails. (Or see below for the best way to tan your hands.) - Baywatch stars tan everything
-- including their hands. If you don't want tanned hands, apply the product wearing gloves, or scrub hands after application. Make sure you cleanse the spaces between your fingers and the area around your nails. (Or see below for the best way to tan your hands.) - To tan your hands, you want to focus on the backs of your hands and fingers, not your palms. Bend your fingers like a claw to get the product into the ridges of your knuckles. Be sure to go between fingers, and don't forget the sides. A commonly missed spot is the side of the pinky. To self-tan the rest of your hands, apply a small amount of product to the tops of both hands and rub them together up to the tips of each finger. (If your palms get tanned, apply Blue Cross white liquid cuticle remover with a terry cloth towel. Rub palms together and wash hands. Or you can also fade color with St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover.)
- To tan your hands, you want to focus on the backs of your hands and fingers, not your palms. Bend your fingers like a claw to get the product into the ridges of your knuckles. Be sure to go between fingers, and don't forget the sides. A commonly missed spot is the side of the pinky. To self-tan the rest of your hands, apply a small amount of product to the tops of both hands and rub them together up to the tips of each finger. (If your palms get tanned, apply Blue Cross white liquid cuticle remover with a terry cloth towel. Rub palms together and wash hands. Or you can also fade color with St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover.)
- If you use a product that contains a bronzer, you'll see potential streaks immediately. To even out streaks, apply a light mist of water and blend the product to correct.
- If you use a product that contains a bronzer, you'll see potential streaks immediately. To even out streaks, apply a light mist of water and blend the product to correct.
- If you can't tell where you've applied the product and where you haven't, place yourself in a good light, look for a "sheen" on your skin and apply product where the skin is matte. You'll have that sheen for several minutes after application.
- If you can't tell where you've applied the product and where you haven't, place yourself in a good light, look for a "sheen" on your skin and apply product where the skin is matte. You'll have that sheen for several minutes after application.
- Before applying any product, put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your eyebrows, hairline and sunspots to prevent them from darkening.
- Before applying any product, put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your eyebrows, hairline and sunspots to prevent them from darkening.
- When choosing a product, look for the ingredient erythulose, which helps prevent streaking. Erythulose is found in the Starmaker product Endless Tan. (For more information, call 1-888-737-3637)
- When choosing a product, look for the ingredient erythulose, which helps prevent streaking. Erythulose is found in the Starmaker product Endless Tan. (For more information, call 1-888-737-3637)
