How to Personalize Your Tan

you're bronzed and beautiful, but that golden brown color just isn't enough. Make your tan a unique personal statement, and let the world know who you really are.

Warning
Unprotected or prolonged exposure to UV rays is dangerous, and can greatly increase your risk for skin cancer and other skin damage.

Step 1: Pick your statement and placement
What do you want your body art to say to the world, and where do you want it to be? Much like a tattoo, your graphic or phrase should represent who you are—or at least, who’ll you’ll be until it fades.

Step 2: Select your artist
Which gifted artist will be applying your body art? Be thorough in your selection process. You may not be able to see or approve the final, painted-on design, so it’s important to trust your technician.

Tip
We strongly recommend that you do not do your own artwork.

Step 3: Grease up
Change into your swimsuit. If you’re using skin-safe stickers to make your design—instead of having it all hand-painted— clean and dry the area, then apply the sticker.

Tip
Tanning stickers are fairly inexpensive—you can usually buy 1,000 for under $10.

Step 4: Apply sunscreen
Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or below over all exposed areas, and hit the sun.

Step 5: Apply your art
Using a high SPF sunscreen as paint, have your artist quickly apply your image or phrase with a paintbrush. In a pinch, a finger will suffice.

Step 6: Tan
Take about an hour to lie in the sun, or spend an adequate amount of time in a tanning booth. Be sure not to smudge your design.

Step 7: Use sunless tanner
If the sun’s not for you, apply your design using nonporous liquid latex. Allow it to dry, and then use a sunless tanner based on DHA, a natural sugar that stains the skin.

Step 8: Show off your art
Once your design is burned in or painted on, take the next five to 10 days to show off your statement.

Did You Know?
An SPF (or sun protection factor) is actually a ratio. It shows how much time it takes for sunscreen-protected skin to burn as compared to bare skin.