Getting a Fake Tan For Dancing: Tanning for Dancesport

Well honestly you don't. If you are of African, Polynesian or Hispanic ethnic origin, you probably don't need to tan for dancing. If however you are white - the short version is you do.

Why? Now take it from me - I've never used fake tan before I took up dancing. But after a few competitions it becomes obvious to me why you need to tan. There are two reasons:

• one to make you not look "washed out" under lights - the same reason TV presenters wear make up; 
• it makes you look slimmer and it makes your body look better - that's why the body-builders use fake tan which make the ballroom dancers look subtle!

You mean natural skin damage - like a light burn? Because that's what a natural tan is. Whether you use the sun or sun beds - "natural" tanning is not recommended for anyone anywhere. In fact I think sunbeds should be illegal. I may however be biased, its just my mother died of skin cancer, and its not a nice way to die. Other side effects is making you look older than you are. And for most of us you will never tan dark enough. Am I being clear on this? Fake tanning is far safer than sunbeds or the indeed the real sun.

Ideally you do not want a tan that is dark out of the bottle - you want one that goes on clear and then develops into a tan overnight. Why? Because it will stay on you and not get on your dresses nearly as much. At least men's shirts can be washed, but most ladies ballroom and latin costumes are not designed to be washed frequently. Particularly if you have a white, or otherwise light colored dress - make sure you get tan that will not come off.

These products are used by professionals on Dancing With the Stars and are recommended by professional dancers. 

Both the brands below have a "green" base rather than a "red" base  -so even on fair skins they won't go that unpleasant orang colour. 

Mousse or lotion is a personal choice - mousse is slightly easier to get even if you haven't tanned before, but in my experience lotion goes further and is therefore usually cheaper. 

Before you tan make sure you defoliate and moisturize your skin - preferably for a couple of days before the big day. This will really help your tan from coming out even. Be particularly careful of elbows and knees - both of which tend to dry out and then pick up too much tan - leading to dark spots!

If you are tanning at home - you will probably need a friend to help - most of can't reach our backs! I tend to only tan the bits that show - but this looked pretty weird when I went on holiday to a winter-sun location, after a competition with very brown lower legs and arms and everything bright white from the winter!

If you are not very experienced - don't try to tan in just one application - two applications will make it much easier to get an even tan. 

I will generally moisturise for two mornings after my shower, and on the second evening put the first layer of tan on and on the 3rd evening (the day before the competition) put a second layer of tan on. That way its easy not to shower for 8 hours after you've tanned.  

Air brushing is great - it gives a very nice even tan. However if you go to a commercial studio try to find one that understands dancers - you don't want a "natural" look - you want a much darker tan than they are used to applying.

A solution to this is buying your own air brush applicator- these are pretty cheap - and you could share with a friend - and then tan each other. Make sure you do it in a space that is easy to wash down afterwards though!