Self-tan isn't a men's or women's product. Skin is skin, and self-tan works the same on everyone. If you're curious but not sure where to start, the short answer is: keep it subtle, take it down to your neck and ears, and shave before you tan, not after. Below are the questions most men ask before trying it.
Will it look natural?
Yes, if you keep it light. A shade or two warmer than your own colour is what most people read as healthy. Go darker than that and it starts to look obvious.
What gives self-tan away is rarely the colour. It's the edges: a line at the jaw, a pale strip at the hairline, white ears. Get those right and people notice that you look well, not that you've tanned.
Does it change how I shave?
Only the timing. Self-tan sits in the top layer of your skin, and shaving takes a little of that layer off. Shave the evening before or the morning of your tan, not right after, so the razor doesn't remove the fresh colour.
The areas you shave will fade a bit sooner than your forehead and nose. A quick top-up on the cheeks and jaw midweek keeps it even.
What about stubble or a beard?
Stubble. Tan as normal with a light layer, then wipe the stubble with a damp cloth so product doesn't sit at the base of the hairs.
A full beard. True Tan can be misted over facial hair, so you don't need to work around it. Light or grey hair can pick up a little colour, so keep the first mist short, wipe the beard with a damp cloth straight after and check it the next day.
Eyebrows. Same idea. A little moisturiser on the brows before, and a wipe straight after, keeps them their own colour.
I have short hair. Anything to watch?
Short hair shows every edge. Wipe the hairline with a damp cotton pad afterwards, so there's no darker band at the forehead or temples.
Take the tan onto your ears, front and back, and down the back of your neck. With short hair they're on show, and a tanned face next to pale ears is a common giveaway.
How do I actually put it on?
Wash your face, dry it, and apply one thin, even layer to your face, neck and ears. Then leave it alone until it's dry.
If you've never used self-tan, a mist is the easiest way in: there's nothing to rub into stubble, nothing to blend along the hairline and no colour on your hands. With the MultiMist you hold it about 30 cm from your face and mist. The longer you mist, from 10 to 50 seconds, the deeper the colour. For a first try, mist for 10 to 20 seconds. Close your eyes and mouth while you mist.
True TanA clear self-tan for the face, with a light, fresh scent. Lasts up to 7 days.Read more
Anything to do afterwards?
Keep your skin hydrated, especially after shaving. Freshly shaved skin can feel dry, and dry skin lets the tan fade unevenly.
In the COMIS routine, that's Supreme Serum, misted once the tan is dry, after 5 to 10 minutes. Run a couple of Cleaning Drops through the device first, when you switch from True Tan.
Self-tan doesn't protect you from the sun. Keep using SPF.
Tanning DuoTrue Tan and Supreme Serum. The tan and the step after it, both for the MultiMist.Read more
Nothing to rub in
The MultiMist mists self-tan onto your face in a thin, even layer. No hands on your skin, no colour on your palms.
FAQ
Is self-tan for men different from self-tan for women?
No. Skin is skin. What differs are the details around it: stubble, beard lines, short hair and shaving.
How do I stop it looking orange?
Keep the layer thin and build slowly. Orange usually comes from too much product at once, or from tan collecting in hair at the brows, hairline and beard line.
Will people notice?
Not if it's subtle and the edges are clean. Start light; you can always add more next time.
Will self-tan colour my beard?
It can tint light or grey hair a little. True Tan can be misted over facial hair, so keep the first mist short and wipe the beard straight after.
How long does it last?
It depends on the formula and how often you shave. True Tan lasts up to 7 days; shaved areas fade a little sooner, so top up the cheeks and jaw midweek.