Self-tan doesn't show straight away. The colour builds over a few hours as the tan reacts with the top layer of your skin, and True Tan is fully developed at 24 hours. Below is one face, filmed straight after misting and again at 2, 5, 8 and 24 hours.
The timeline at a glance
| Time | What you see | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Straight after | Nothing yet. True Tan is clear. | Wait 5 to 10 minutes until it is dry to the touch. |
| 2 hours | A first hint of warmth. | Carry on as normal. It doesn't transfer onto clothes. |
| 5 hours | Colour you can clearly see. | Don't judge it yet. It keeps building. |
| 8 hours | Close to the final colour. | A good point to go to bed. |
| 24 hours | Fully developed. | Check it in daylight, next to your neck. |
Hour by hour
Straight after
True Tan goes on clear, with no guide colour, so your face looks the same as before you misted. It is dry to the touch in 5 to 10 minutes. After that you can put on skincare or makeup.
2 hours
A first hint of warmth shows. The tan is now reacting with the surface of your skin, which is where the colour comes from.
5 hours
You can clearly see colour now. It is tempting to decide here whether you like it, but the colour keeps building for hours yet.
8 hours
Most of the colour is there, and the last part comes over the next hours. That is why misting before bed works well: you sleep through the wait.
24 hours
Fully developed. This is the colour to judge, in daylight and next to your neck. True Tan lasts up to 7 days from here.
True TanClear self-tan capsule for the face. Fully developed at 24 hours, lasts up to 7 days.Read more
While it develops
Makeup and skincare. Wait until the tan is dry to the touch, 5 to 10 minutes with True Tan. Then mist Supreme Serum or put on makeup as usual.
Sleep. True Tan doesn't transfer onto bedding, so you can mist before bed and wake up with the colour.
Washing your face. There is no rinse step. Cleanse as usual the next time you wash your face.
Heat. A warm room, a workout or a hot shower in the first hours makes the tan smell stronger. Keep those hours cool. More in why self-tan smells.
Watch the full 24 hours
Mist tonight, see it tomorrow
The MultiMist puts True Tan on in seconds, with no hands on your face. By the morning, the colour is there.
If you want more or less colour
Judge it at 24 hours. Adding more before then can leave you darker than you wanted.
Change the time, not the routine. With the MultiMist you mist for 10 to 50 seconds, and the longer you mist, the deeper the colour. Go up or down a few seconds next time.
Smooth skin first. Dry patches hold more tan and go darker. If your skin is flaky, exfoliate gently the day before. More in how to self-tan your face.
Keep it going. For a tan that fades evenly over the week, see the seven-day plan for a longer-lasting face tan.
FAQ
How long does self-tan take to develop?
True Tan starts to show within a few hours and is fully developed at 24 hours. Other self-tans differ, so check their instructions.
How long should you leave self-tan on before washing it off?
True Tan has no rinse step. Let it dry, then cleanse as usual the next time you wash your face.
How long does self-tan take to dry?
True Tan is dry to the touch in 5 to 10 minutes. After that you can put on skincare or makeup.
Can I put self-tan on before bed?
Yes. True Tan doesn't transfer onto bedding, so you can mist in the evening and wake up with the colour.
Why can't I see anything straight after?
True Tan is clear, with no guide colour. The colour comes from the tan reacting with your skin, which takes a few hours.
How do I get a deeper colour?
Mist a few seconds longer next time, anywhere from 10 to 50 seconds. Judge the result at 24 hours before you add more.
More questions about the device and capsules? See the MultiMist FAQ.