5 foolproof tips to self-tan your feet without any patchiness or buildup this sandal season

When it comes to fake tanning your feet, it's not always as easy as slathering it on – many of us have been there, waking up to orange, patchy feet with no idea what went wrong. Fortunately, we've discovered the foolproof expert routine for seamlessly self-tanning your feet, ready to slip into your flip-flops.

With summer in full swing and the sun making frequent appearances, your attention might turn to getting your legs and feet in tip-top condition, ready for sandal season. Reaching for either the best fake tan for mature skin or one of the best gradual tans is a quick fix, but ending up with patchy, uneven-looking feet is one of the most common fake tan mistakes.

Luckily, we can forget streakiness, patchiness and tangerine hues, as we've quizzed the founder of self-tan brand St. Moriz on her easy routine to ensure seamlessly bronzed feet with every application.

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A step-by-step to self-tanning your feet, as per a fake tan expert

Self-tanning your feet is no easy feat; in fact it can be quite a tricky task. In the height of summer, it's likely that you'll have your feet on show more than usual, which means it's important to nail your fake tan routine for seamless results. Thankfully, tanning expert and founder of St. Moriz, Melanie Brownlow is here to save the day as she reveals her top tips for unlocking a natural-looking tan from head-to-toe.

Step 1 – Exfoliate

If you already know a thing or two about fake tanning, you might know the importance of prepping the skin before application to ensure a smooth, natural-looking finish – ie., exfoliating.

As for your feet, Brownlow recommends: “If you’ve been wearing flip-flops or sandals, your heels may be feeling more dry and rough than usual, so doing this thoroughly is important. Use an exfoliating scrub to help remove any dead skin cells and leave you with the perfect smooth base to build your tan."

As for when you should be doing this, Melanie suggests: “Timing-wise, aim to do this 24 hours prior to application rather than immediately before. This will even out your tan as the skin's pores will have closed by the time of application.”

Step 2 – Hydrate the skin with an oil-free moisturiser

Sticking with the preparation, you'll then want to focus on hydrating the skin. As Brownlow says: “Concentrating on the heels, apply an oil-free body lotion to your feet, helping to create a barrier between the skin and self-tan to prevent the tan clinging too heavily to dry areas. Make sure you leave at least 30 minutes between moisturising and application so that it sits on the skin evenly.”

Step 3 – Choose your self-tan

There are a few different formulas you can opt for to ensure a flawless tan on your feet. If you're new to self-tanning, you might be best suited to a gradual tan, as Melanie says: “Gradual tans are generally more “fool-proof” than your classic mousses, so if you’re newer to tanning, this is a good place to start, especially on those trickier areas such as feet and ankles."

While a gradual tanning product "gives you a little bit more control, enabling you to build your tan over two or three days until you achieve the colour you desire", Brownlow says you can also "use a tanning mousse if you are looking to achieve a deeper complexion."

Step 4 – Apply tan

When it comes to the application process, the St. Moriz founder advises: "Tanning your body as usual using a tanning mitt before rubbing into the foot area, using only the excess product. Never apply the product directly onto your feet or ankle bones as this is likely to cause a buildup. Less really is more when it comes to tanning feet."

There are also a few areas worth avoiding applying fake tan entirely, Brownlow notes: “Skip the sides of your feet and soles entirely. The idea is to emulate a natural sun-kissed glow, and as the sun wouldn’t hit these areas, product build-up in these spots is a clear giveaway that it’s not a natural tan. Finally, take a small buffing brush and lightly work the tan into the foot, encouraging the product to blend in flawlessly as it develops.”

Step 5 – Remove any excess product

While the tanning application is important, there's one step in the process that's essential not to miss – removing excess product. Brownlow advises: "Letting excess product sit on the skin and develop - especially around the ankles and toes where skin is thinner - is what will cause a tan that looks patchy, uneven and a little orange."

"As the skin around the foot area is thinner, the skin absorbs pigment at a quicker rate than other areas of the body such as legs and arms. Avoid this common fake tan faux pas by re-moisturising. It may seem like a strange step at this stage in the process, but applying a small amount of moisturiser can work to dilute the tan ever so slightly, helping it to develop subtly.”

Step 6 – Protect the feet with water-based SPF

Fake tan doesn't protect your skin against harmful UV rays, so it's still crucial that you prioritise applying SPF over the top of your faux glow when out and about. As for a formula that won't disrupt your tan, Brownlow recommends: "Opting for a water-based sunscreen will help keep your tan intact longer, as oily products can break the product down, something you especially want to avoid when it comes to your feet - one of the biggest telltale areas of a fake tan.”