Alicia Lartey is a professional spray tanner and aesthetician, so it's safe to say she knows a thing or two about keeping her face fresh and healthy – and getting a glow on. Here, we asked Alicia to spill on her daily routine, plus her top tips for bronzing safely.
I try to keep things simple when it comes to skincare – instead of using twenty different products, my biggest tip is consistency. Most people don't have the time to keep up with so many steps every day, so by streamlining the products you use you're more likely to stick to a routine.
When it comes to solving skin issues, I try to think outside the box. I've recently been exploring solutions to disguise my hyperpigmentation, and I realised that fake tanning could offer so much more than just a glow – in fact, I now see it as semi-permanent foundation.
Want in on my skincare secrets? Then here are the most important lessons I've learned and how I incorporate them into my mornings and nights.
My Morning Routine
6am: One of the most important steps in your tanning routine is skin prep – a clean base gives you the best chance of an even tan. I kick things off with a cleanser (which I apply in the shower as the steam helps dilate the pores and dislodge any debris), like the Simple Kind To Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. Containing glycerin and vitamins B5 and E, this wash removes any remnants of the night before without stripping your skin. I'm also acne-prone, and the vitamin E in this does wonders to calm my skin.
6:30am: Once I’m out the shower, I don't dry my skin completely. Leaving it damp is ideal for any humectants, like hyaluronic acid. I use the Ole Henriksen Barrier Booster Orange Ferment Essence for hydration, which blends antioxidants with humectants to prep my skin for the rest of the day. If I’m feeling especially dry, I'll add the Simple Booster Serum 3% Hyaluronic Acid & B5 to my routine.
6:35am: Recently, the Transparent Labs PIH Treatment Serum with tranexamic acid and niacinamide has been a staple in my morning routine to reduce hyperpigmentation. It exfoliates the skin to shed those outermost layers and can help to stop the production of melanin. I'll skip this step if I'm tanning all over my face, as you don't want any exfoliant in the areas that you're tanning because they make the tan patchy.
6:50am: Now that my skin is prepped, I go straight into tanning with the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam One Hour Express in Dark. The ingredients are more or less the same in this product as ones especially for the face, which tends to control oiliness more, which I don't especially need.
The best way to apply fake tan to your face is with a dense brush, moving in small circles to ensure the tan is evenly distributed. After the tan has developed I go back in with the same Simple cleanser and massage away the tanning solution.
8am: An SPF is non-negotiable, and unless your tanning product of choice contains it, you'll need to slather on some sunscreen. As a good rule of thumb, I opt for factor 30 at the very least. If you've already put your makeup on, don't worry! SPF sprays can give you a boost of protection – try the Sports Invisible Protective Mist SPF50+ from Shiseido, which is ideal for combination skin and leaves the most gorgeous glow.
As the tan is hydrating, I skip a moisturiser as the SPF takes care of that (but remember to reaply during the day for extra protection). If I'm not tanning, I'll add that step back into my routine. If I'm wearing makeup, I'll look for a primer that has skincare benefits to it as well.
My Nighttime Routine
7pm: I do my evening skincare routine as soon as I get home – otherwise I'd fall asleep before getting to it!
The layers of sunscreen tend to build up throughout the day, so I reach for the Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil. I massage the oil into my skin before I get into the shower, and only emulsify the cleanser once I step in to give the oils extra time to break down any debris from the day.
Post cleanse, I head straight for the moisturiser. Tatcha's The Silk Cream, which uses a complete liquid silk protein that parallels the amino acid structure of human skin, is a luxurious and relaxing way to end the day.
Simple Kind To Skin Facial Wash Gel
Ole Henriksen Barrier Booster Essence
simple Booster Serum 3% Hyaluronic Acid
Transparent PIH Sun Spot Fading Treatment
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam One Hour Express
shiseido Sports Invisible Protective Mist
Tatcha The Silk Cream Moisturiser
Try Simple Kind To Skin facial washes as part of your skincare regime and enjoy healthy, smooth & soft skin after every wash
