Want a sun-kissed glow the safe way? Here’s how

No sun? No problem. You do not have to expose yourself to the harmful UV rays of the sun to get some colour. In fact, you can get a natural-looking glow at home without spending too much time. The self-tan mousse from Meraki is pure self-indulgence and a good alternative to sun-bathing, so find a moment to do something good for yourself before a vacation, or if you just feel like getting a nice glow.

We guide you on how to prepare your skin so that the self-tanner absorbs properly, provides even coverage, and leaves your friends wondering where you've just come back from. And it doesn't hurt that the whole routine encourages you to pamper yourself with a scrub that gives silky-smooth skin.

Exfoliate your skin

First things first. You need to prep your skin for the self-tanner. Smooth skin gives you the absolute best result, and you get this by removing dead skin cells. There are several ways to do this – it depends on what you prefer. 

If you like 2-in-1 products, our bath mitt is perfect. It is made of jute to exfoliate your skin while the handmade soap inside cleanses your skin. The glove makes the skin soft and smooth, almost feeling like a spa treatment. That’s shower and exfoliation done.

 If a scrub is more your style, we have three different ones that gently scrub away dead skin cells and nourish your skin. If you already use scrubs during the week as part of your skincare routine, you're on the right track.

Regardless of your choice, exfoliated skin helps the self-tanner look its best. It settles in the top layer of the skin, and the colour won't last long if you haven't removed the dead skin cells. You may also risk uneven colour if you have dry patches that absorb the tanning mousse differently than the rest of the skin. So, exfoliation helps make the skin a blank canvas.

Remember the moisture

Before you bring out the self-tanner, apply a good layer of lotion to avoid dry patches, especially on your elbows and knees. Spend the extra minute on this step to ensure an even glow instead of dark knees that won't complement your outfit.

  • Self-tanner as a mousse

    Our self-tanner is in mousse form and is instant. This means the colour starts to show as a nice shade within 2-6 hours and doesn't need to be built up gradually like a lotion self-tanner. The mousse gets its colour from caramel and DHA, a sugar substance. It is certified organic and contains aloe vera and glycerin, keeping your skin moisturized, soft, and well-nourished.

    The colour will gradually fade after a few days as the skin sheds its dead skin cells. But you can extend it by applying another layer and control how long you want to keep the glow. The consistency of the mousse is light and airy, and you can confidently apply it to both your body and face.

  • How to apply the tanning mousse

    You may have tried applying self-tanner before, only to experience streaks and colour differences. The whole point of self-tanner is that it should look natural. That's why at Meraki, we have an application glove you can use to achieve an even colour. Its velvety material helps spread the self-tanner mousse all over, although you might need some assistance for your back.

    If you're in a hurry and forget the glove, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid them getting dark. Wait until the mousse has fully absorbed before putting on clothes. When you no longer want the glow, you can either wait for the colour to fade naturally after a few days or scrub it away with an exfoliating scrub.

Now you're ready to face the world with a beautiful and natural glow. However, always remember sunscreen, as the self-tanner mousse does not protect you against harmful sun rays.