Isabel Alysa is in a hurry. She’s on her way to a spray-tan appointment with Kim Kardashian. It’s just another day for one of Hollywood’s most in-demand tanning experts: Kylie Jenner (who recently said, “Sometimes I think I’m depressed. Then I get a spray tan, and I’m like, I was just pale.”), Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus all rely on Alysa for their glow. Not to mention: Alysa is also the founder of Dolce Glow, the self-tanning brand beloved by TikTok and celebrities alike. Even Hailey Bieber is a fan.
When it comes to self-tanner, it’s safe to say few people know more than Alysa. Here, she shares her best advice for a sunless summer glow sans streaks and splotches. Read on for the self-tanner tips you didn’t know you needed.
The most common self-tanner mistake
“Shaving on the day you apply self-tanner is the number one cause of streaks,” Alysa says. Why? It acts as a form of exfoliation, revealing fresh skin that absorbs self-tanner more intensely.
Her advice: always shave or exfoliate the day before applying self-tanner. “If you want to shave again, wait until at least day three. Otherwise, the tan will fade faster.”
Before applying self-tanner, Alysa also recommends keeping your pre-tan shower simple. Avoid heavy soaps or shower gels, since residue left on the skin can interfere with an even application and lead to streaking.
She also notes that DHA—or dihydroxyacetone, the active ingredient in most self-tanners—works best on clean, balanced skin. DHA is a sugar that reacts with proteins in the outermost layer of skin to create a bronzed effect without UV exposure.
The areas that make a fake tan more obvious
Dry areas like elbows, knees, hands, and feet naturally absorb more pigment, which is why they tend to turn darker. Alysa’s trick? Use much less product—or skip those areas entirely during the initial application. Alternatively, she recommends using a lighter tanning mist or tanning water with a lower DHA concentration for these areas.
When tanning hands, she sprays in circular motions while keeping the fingers slightly spread in what she calls a “bear claw” position. This helps prevent stained palms and streaking between the fingers and knuckles—two classic signs of a fake tan.
Wrists are another giveaway. “When you’re lying in the sun, you don’t have your arms fully extended,” Alysa explains. “A natural tan is always lighter on the inner sides of the arms. A self-tanner should mimic that.” For the same reason, she avoids applying self-tanner directly to the underarms.
Another key factor: shade selection. If you have fair skin and choose a formula with a high DHA concentration, you’re much more likely to end up with an orange tint.
How to make a spray tan last longer
When it comes to making a faux tan last, Alysa says skin hydration is everything. To extend the life of your spray tan, she recommends moisturizing once or twice a day, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding harsh scrubs in the shower.
Surprisingly, however, she says dry brushing won’t necessarily strip your tan. By day four or five, dry brushing mostly removes dead surface skin cells, while the color itself sits slightly deeper. In fact, dry brushing can even help refresh the skin and restore glow.
SOS for self-tanner streaks and spots
If your faux tan turns patchy or streaky, don’t panic. “Get in the bathtub, apply something very oily to your skin, let it sit for twenty minutes, then scrub it off. That removes some of the color immediately.”
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