FASHION & BEAUTY

How come we accept strap marks and tan lines as an inevitable consequence of a natural tan but expect perfection from a self- tanner? Finding a faux tan that doesn’t leave a tell- tale mark is almost impossible. Tanners are made from an ingredient that oxidizes when it makes contact with the skin, staining the surface. The colour sloughs off when the skin sheds dead cells (never uniformly), leaving noticeable patches and discolouration. Proper application — always exfoliate and moisturize before applying — can increase the evenness and longevity of your tan, but it will never be perfect. The best approach is to downgrade your expectations and upgrade your preparations with a product such as Joyce Blok’s Auto Bronzing Cream ($ 50).