Start from the face, take a selfie with the flash on and apply mist where the light hits to look slimmer: Celebrity fake tanner beloved by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shares top tips

  • James Read is a British-based celebrity fake tanner who works with big names
  • As his collections launch in Australia, he caught up with FEMAIL to share tips
  • According to James, you should start from the face down when tanning
  • He recommends taking a selfie with the flash on if you don't know how it looks
  • James shared his fake tan tips, as well as how you can 'tantour' yourself slimmer 

With summer in full swing, many women around Australia will be looking for that bronzed, sun-kissed look.

But you needn't bake yourself in 30 plus degrees Celsius temperatures - all you need for that summery glow can come from a bottle (or two).

As celebrity fake tanner, James Read's, products become stocked in Mecca Cosmeticas around Australia for the first time, FEMAIL caught up with the British celeb-loved self-tan expert.

Just in time for your New Year's parties, he shared his top fake tan tips.

As celebrity fake tanner, James Read's , products become stocked in Mecca Cosmeticas around Australia, FEMAIL caught up with the British self-tan expert (pictured: his products)

As celebrity fake tanner, James Read's , products become stocked in Mecca Cosmeticas around Australia, FEMAIL caught up with the British self-tan expert (pictured: his products)

James (pictured) shared his top fake tan tips with FEMAIL

James (pictured) shared his top fake tan tips with FEMAIL

According to James - who has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey and British model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured) among others in the past - the number one thing to remember when it comes to fake tan is that less is always more
According to James - who has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey  (pictured) and British model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley among others in the past - the number one thing to remember when it comes to fake tan is that less is always more

According to James - who has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey (right) and British model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (left) among others in the past - the number one thing to remember when it comes to fake tan is that less is always more

According to James - who has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey and British model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, among others in the past - the number one thing to remember when it comes to fake tan is that less is always more:

'Never over-apply,' he told FEMAIL. 'This will make your fake tan look unnatural and fade badly.

'Treat your skin like a canvas and make it clear before you apply your new tan,' he added.

'This season, it's all about illuminated skin - as if you've just stepped out of a pool with golden skin, but also have that light reflecting look.'

James recommends using a self tan that is also a skincare product in order to get that 'wet hydrated look on your skin'. 

He recently launched a coconut melting tanning balm, which has skincare benefits - as well as tanning.

'Start from the face and work down the body in stages so you don't miss bits,' James recommended - adding that you can 'tantour' to make yourself look thinner

'Start from the face and work down the body in stages so you don't miss bits,' James recommended - adding that you can 'tantour' to make yourself look thinner

Next, James said you need to plan and be prepared in advance.

How to 'tantour' yourself to look thinner 

* Apply your tan the night before, then wash it off in the morning and stand in front of a mirror.

* Use a bronzing mist on all of the areas where the light hits - like the front of the legs, shoulders, décolletage and the tops of your arms.

* Leave this on for two hours to add a contoured effect in these areas. 

Source: James Read 

'Wax and shave 24 hours before tanning, exfoliate over a 48 hour period to remove old tan, and moisturise the dry areas on your skin such as your hands, feet, knees and elbows before tanning,' he said.

James said you need to use a tanning mitt, and it can be a good idea to work from the top down:

'Start from the face and work down the body in stages so you don't miss bits,' he explained.

'When it comes to the hands and feet, apply the leftover tan on your tanning mitt from the arms onto the hands and the leftover product from the legs onto the feet and ankles.

'You can do your back with a tanning mitt attached to a wooden spoon with an elastic band wrapped around.'

James recommends you 'take a tan selfie with the flash on' once your tan is on 'this will show if it suits you' - he also recommends using the right self tan for your skin tone (pictured: products)
James recommends you 'take a tan selfie with the flash on' once your tan is on 'this will show if it suits you' - he also recommends using the right self tan for your skin tone (pictured: products)

James recommends you 'take a tan selfie with the flash on' once your tan is on 'this will show if it suits you' - he also recommends using the right self tan for your skin tone (pictured: products)

Finally, James recommends moisturising every single day once you've got your tan on - to help the glow to 'last longer and fade more evenly'. 

'Don't wash your hands after tanning if you can,' he said - 'to avoid that white hands/brown arm look' and stick to a self tan that suits your skin tone:

'If you're really pale, you'll look much better with a gradual tan. If you have medium or dark skin, go for a mousse of bronzing mist that are darker in colour.'  

If you're not sure, James said you should 'take a tan selfie with the flash on' once your tan is on 'this will show if it suits you'.

You can shop James Read tan products in Australia here. 

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