Contouring is not only an effective method for shaping and accentuating our best facial features, it’s recently gained widespread popularity for necks, collarbones, bust lines, and more. But why spend countless hours re-applying your contour, and wasting hundreds of dollars on replacement bronzers, when there is a better way? There is a long hidden secret used by celebrities to achieve a semi-permanent, lustrous contour, and it has always been around. That secret is self-tanner! Continue reading to learn how you can contour your arms, abs, legs, and buttocks with a self-tanner of your choice.

Contouring With Self Tanner

Before you start contouring with self-tanners, practice with bronzer to gauge where and how much you want to contour. Do not be afraid of the semi-permanency of self-tanning products. As long as you only apply a little bit at a time, in thin layers, you should not have a problem attaining the desired affect you’re after. And if you do contour incorrectly, a thin layer of self-tanner will fade in a few days after a few showers. With practice, you can get very precise and artistic with your contouring, and feel confident increasing your contouring capacity. You will be able to sculpt your arms, stomach, legs, and rear without months of intense exercise and dieting! All you need is a medium-sized makeup brush or cotton ball, and some quality self-tanning lotion.

Here’s a guide for getting started:

Contouring Arms

To find the proper area to contour on your arms, start by facing a mirror and pointing your index finger straight down to the floor. This will emphasis your tri-cep muscles on the back of your arms. This is where you can make your arms looked more toned with self-tanner! Using a medium-sized make-up brush, apply your self-tanner in thin layers to the crease directly under your tri-cep bulge. Next, look in the mirror again and flex your biceps (raise elbows and clinch fists). Trace under the area of muscle that dips in the middle of your bicep (half-moon shape), with thin layers of self-tanner. Do this for both arms to make them appear taught and toned.

Contouring Abs

Contouring abs is a bit more complicated since you don’t want to use lines that are too thick or too thin. Find the right width by starting small, and adding on as you go. Start by dipping your makeup brush in your self-tanner, and then trace the line from the middle of your cleavage down to your belly button. Next, draw 2 half ovals on each side of your belly button, starting at the rib cage and ending at your hip bones. Repeat this step a few times, while slightly overlapping the lines each time, to achieve an hourglass appearance.

Contouring Buttocks

Use the same techniques mentioned above, but instead, trace half-ovals directly on the lower, outer portion of your cheeks. Keep the middle and upper areas of your derriere light to achieve the illusion of a tighter rear end. But be sure not to cover too much of your buttocks by making the half ovals too thick. You only need a slight contour to get the desired illusion in this area.

Contouring Legs

Using your makeup brush, trace along the INNER sides of your legs where the muscle naturally occurs. Simply stand up straight, and then lift your leg in front of you. You will see your leg’s natural inner muscle line along the insides. Within these natural lines, apply a thin layer of self-tanner to make your legs appear more toned. Be sure to stay within the natural muscle lines. Next, point your leg downward and flex to reveal the front muscle called your quadriceps. Trace along the sides of your natural quad lines, starting from the bottom of your derriere and ending right above knee. But wait, you’re not done! Look to your lower legs and trace the outside of your calf muscle, starting just below your ankles and ending right below the knee cap.

Check out next month’s block for recommended self-tanners!

Broad Ripple Tanning Salon

Call Broad Ripple Tans at 317-257-8262 to buy quality tanning products and lotions at an unbelievable price. We are a neighborhood tanning salon that offers a wide range of tanning services, including tanning beds, spray tans, tanning lotions, moisturizers, self-tanners, and more! We also offer huge savings with our tanning coupons and tanning packages. Call 317-257-8262 to request a free estimate
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