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All the best tanning mitts – including one that reaches your back
Say goodbye to streaky legs… say hello to radiant skin
There’s nothing we all love more than a sun-kissed glow. Thankfully, achieving a natural-looking, radiant tan in the comfort of your home has never been easier – no sun needed! A good bottle of fake tan will give you a beautiful, bronzed complexion while avoiding the risks of UV damage. Don’t worry, the days of a patchy and streaky fake tan are long gone (we’ve all been there!). The secret to a flawless fake tan lies in the application – and trust us, a great tanning mitt is the key to success.
Sophie Evans, St. Tropez’s tanning expert says: ‘It’s always worth having two mitts on the go: a “tanning” mitt and a clean mitt, for buffing. Or try the St. Tropez Dual Sided Velvet Tan Mitt, which has two sides. Definitely take the time to buff post-tanning – this is what a professional would do after a spray tan, to help remove tan from tricky areas such as hair lines and nails. Use the clean mitt (or even just the clean side of your mitt) to remove tan from the hair line, cuticles and nails. Around the hands, ankles, wrists and knees, use it to buff in fast, feathery motions over the skin. This helps to achieve a more natural finish.’
When it comes to tackling application in those trickier areas, James Read, founder of self-tan brand Self Glow, advises: ‘When applying self-tan to the face, add the product to the top of your tanning mitt, then fold the mitt to gently dilute the formula. Unfold and apply to the face for a soft, even glow.’
He adds: ‘For areas such as hands and feet, always use the leftover product on the mitt rather than applying more directly — this helps achieve a natural-looking finish. The same goes for arms: glide any excess product downwards to ensure a gradual fade.’
Perhaps the most challenging of them all is the back. While we’ve included a dedicated back applicator in our list, James shares a clever DIY trick: ‘Secure a mitt to a wooden spoon with an elastic band and apply the product to the back using the long handle.’ Who knew?
If you’re unsure where to find a good tanning mitt, don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best fake tan mitts you can shop now. Happy tanning!

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