At my beauty salon in Maghull, party season brings a lot of questions about waxing before fake tan. Plenty of my clients tan at home before a night out, especially when bare legs or a strappy dress are involved. The most common question is simple. Which comes first, and how long should you wait in between?
Get the order wrong and you can end up with stinging skin or a streaky finish. Get it right, and your tan goes on smoothly and lasts longer. So here’s my advice, based on more than 25 years of waxing women’s legs.
Why Waxing Before Fake Tan Works Better
Always wax first and tan afterwards. Waxing lifts the hair from the root, and it also takes away a little dead skin from the surface. If you tan first, the wax will pull much of that colour off with the hair. As a result, you’ll be left with pale patches exactly where you wanted colour.
Tanning first can also make my job harder. Some tanning products leave a film on the skin, so the wax may not grip the hair as cleanly. Then you’ve spoiled both treatments at once.
How Long to Wait Between Waxing and Tanning
I suggest waiting a day or two after your wax before you apply fake tan. Freshly waxed skin needs time to settle. The follicles have just been opened, and the skin can feel a little warm and sensitive for a while.
If you tan straight after, the product can sting. It can also sink into the open follicles and leave tiny dark dots on your legs. In other words, a little patience gives you a smoother, more even colour. So book your wax a couple of days before the night out, then tan the evening before.
What I Do During Your Leg Wax
I use the Lycon waxing system at the salon. Before the wax touches your skin, I always test its temperature first. Then, as the wax comes off, I support the skin with my other hand. That keeps the skin firm, so it feels more comfortable and is less likely to go red.
I also check your legs before I begin. I won’t wax broken, sunburnt or sore skin, even if your party is that weekend. Instead, I’d suggest we move the appointment, because waxing over damaged skin only makes things worse.
Moisturiser is worth a mention too. Please skip heavy body lotion on the morning of your wax, because oily skin makes it harder for the wax to grip. Then, once you’re home, a plain, gentle moisturiser is fine. Just leave perfumed creams alone for the rest of the day.
Exfoliating Gently Before You Tan
Exfoliating helps fake tan go on evenly, because it removes dry, flaky patches. However, don’t scrub hard straight after a wax. Your skin has already been exfoliated a little by the wax itself.
Instead, wait until your skin feels calm, usually the day after. Then use a gentle exfoliating mitt or a mild scrub, paying attention to knees and ankles. Afterwards, moisturise dry areas lightly, because those spots tend to grab more tan.
Why Shaving Before Your Wax Doesn’t Help
Some women shave a few days before a wax so their legs look tidy in the meantime. Unfortunately, that leaves the hair too short for the wax to grip. My post on why you shouldn’t shave before a waxing appointment explains this in more detail.
Leg waxing results last up to around four weeks, depending on your hair growth cycle. So if you plan your waxing appointments ahead, you can usually avoid the razor altogether. That also means fewer nicks and less stubble showing through your tan.
When Your Tan Goes Patchy
A patchy tan after waxing usually comes down to one of three things. Firstly, the tan went on too soon, while the skin was still settling. Secondly, the skin wasn’t moisturised evenly, so dry patches drank up more colour. Finally, tight leggings or jeans rubbed the tan before it had developed.
If that happens, don’t scrub at it hard in the shower. Instead, let it fade gently over a few days. Then, next time, leave a little more time between the wax and the tan. Also, apply the tan in a warm room with dry skin, rather than straight out of a steamy bathroom, so it goes on more evenly.
Fake Tan Doesn’t Protect You From the Sun
This is worth saying clearly, because so many women assume otherwise. A fake tan gives you colour, but it gives you no protection from the sun. So if you’re jetting off for winter sun or a Christmas break abroad, you still need a proper sunscreen.
Freshly waxed skin is more sensitive too, so protect it well. The NHS has clear advice on sunscreen and sun safety if you’d like to read more before you travel.
Waxing Before Fake Tan for Party Season
December gets busy in Maghull, with work dos in Liverpool, nights out in Ormskirk and family parties at home. So if you know the date, plan backwards. Book your wax two or three days before, then tan at home the following evening.
If your diary is packed, tell me when you book. I’ll help you plan your waxing before fake tan so everything lines up. You can also read more about my leg waxing Liverpool appointments before you decide.
Book Your Leg Wax in Maghull
I’m the only therapist at the salon, so you’ll see me every time. As a result, I get to know your skin and how it reacts after a wax. That makes it much easier to give you sensible advice about timing.
Clients come to me from Lydiate, Aintree, Formby and Crosby, and the salon is easy to reach. Call me on 0151 909 6116 or contact us to book your wax ahead of party season.
