Your Guide to Using
A flawless finish comes down to even coverage — spread it thin and even, and you'll never miss a spot.
Skip to the streak-proof method →
Step 1
Exfoliate the night before — not right before, or skin grabs unevenly. On the day, skin should be clean, dry, and bare: no lotion, oil, deodorant, or perfume, since they block even color. Then smooth a little moisturizer onto dry zones only — hands, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet — so they don't take too much.
Step 2
Work one section at a time, spreading it in thin, even layers with no gaps. Load a mitt and sweep in long, even, overlapping strokes across one area (a leg, an arm) before moving to the next. A mitt gives the smoothest coverage and keeps your palms clean. Prefer using your hands? Wash palms right away and wipe between your fingers.
Step 3
The longer it stays on, the deeper your color. Leave it about 4 hours for a lighter glow, or up to 8 hours for a deeper tan, then rinse. Wear loose clothing and avoid water and sweat while it sets. Don't rinse before the 4-hour mark — it needs that time to develop. Want to go deeper still? Apply a second layer the next day to build on your color.
Step 4
Rinse with warm water only — no soap or scrubbing on this first rinse — until the water runs clear, then pat dry. Your tan keeps developing for several more hours after you rinse, so it looks lighter right away and settles deeper over the next few hours.
Step 5
Moisturize daily so it fades smooth and even. Reapply to refresh or build deeper — but don't layer a heavy new coat over old, uneven tan. If it's fading patchy, gently buff first, then apply a thin, even layer.
The Streak-Proof Method
Streaks and missed spots come from uneven application, not the formula. Spread it thin and even, and your color develops smooth all over.
Spread it evenly, section by section. Work it in thin, even layers — no thick spots, no gaps. Good light and a mirror help you catch the backs of your arms, shoulders, and calves before it develops.
Go in the same order every time. Pick a route — say, ankles up to shoulders — and stick to it, one section at a time, so nothing gets skipped or doubled up.
Overlap every stroke. Blend each pass into the last so there are no gaps or hard lines where sections meet.
Don't go back over a developing area. Once a section is done, leave it. Re-rubbing after the color starts to set is what creates dark streaks.
Dark spots? Barrier them first. Smooth a little moisturizer over sun spots and discoloration before you apply, use less over them, and blend with what's left on the mitt — so they don't take more color than the skin around them.
Your shade is set by time, not by how much you apply. More product doesn't mean darker — it means streaky. Want deeper color? Leave it on longer, don't pile it on.
Even, Every Time
Run through these and your coverage stays even, golden, and streak-free.
Exfoliate the night before. Clean, dry, bare skin on the day — nothing freshly scrubbed raw.
Barrier cream on dry zones only. Hands, elbows, knees, ankles, feet — no lotion or oil anywhere else.
Mitt, long overlapping strokes. One section at a time so nothing is missed or doubled.
Bright light, near a mirror. Check every angle before the color develops.
Time your shade. About 4 hours for a lighter glow, up to 8 for deeper — then rinse.
Rinse gently, warm water only. Pat dry — it keeps developing after.
Hands and feet get the leftovers. Wash palms; wipe nails and cuticles right after.
Moisturize daily. Buff gently when fading so it never goes patchy or orange.
Quick Fixes
Application went on uneven, so a spot was missed.
Next timeSpread in thin, even layers; overlap every stroke.
Went back over an area as it was developing.
Next timeApply once, then leave it undisturbed to set.
Left on longer than your skin needed.
Next timeRinse sooner — shorten the develop window.
Rinsed off before it fully developed.
Next timeLeave it on longer, closer to 8 hours.
Dry or unprepped skin grabbing unevenly.
Next timeExfoliate and barrier the dry zones first.
Too much product settled into those areas.
Next timeUse leftover only; wash palms right away.
Even coverage is about method, not amount — work in sections, overlap, and let it develop undisturbed.
Using Both?
Use the Gradual Tanning Butter as your nourishing, everyday base, then the Clear Mousse to boost or deepen when you want more. Let the mousse fully develop and rinse first, then keep it up with the butter on off days. Never layer both on wet at the same time.
See the Butter guide
