Tan and Tone: Choosing the right tan for your skin tone
TONE!
Whats YOUR skin type?
Have you ever actually achieved a natural tan?
What level of pale are you?... chicken skin veiny blue pale or a creamy alabaster pale?
All jokes aside (about paleness) there actually is a way to categorise your skin tone and in turn decode the best colour base tan to use. Intrigued yet?
It all started back in 1975 when Thomas Fitzpatrick in Harvard Medical school developed the Fitzpatrick scale AKA the Fitzpatrick skin type test or the Fitzpatrick Prototype scale.
Fitzpatricks scale basically classifies a persons COMPLEXION / skin tone in relation to their tolerance to sunlight. Type 1 being very sensitive to sun and sunburning quite easily in comparison to Type 5 being minimally sensitive to the sun and tanning with ease.
Image via pinterestWhile the scale is provides a reference point for people to use to get a better idea as to how much sun exposure they can handle, Spray Tan Techs worldwide use this chart to access a clients skin before a spray tan. Now you can use it too, the next time your staring at the endless number of self tanners in the store!
I'm pale with bluey veins, HEAPS of freckles, blue eyes and naturally brown hair; definitely a type 1, honestly have never achieved a natural tan..sad face!!.
Use the chart above to work out your type?
TAN!
Most of you might know there is mainly GREEN, VIOLET and BROWN base tans available today. Knowing your skin tone and choosing the correct colour will help neutralise your skin tone to give your the best possible natural looking glow, that won't look FAKE.
Green based: Green is opposite to pink / red on a colour wheel which means it has a neutralising effect on the pinky red tones of the skin. Its the 'pink corrector' and it suits almost all types of skin tones. However if your pale pinky toned typically type 1 / 2 or veins that show a bluish tone than green is your go to!
Violet based: Violet is opposite to yellow on a colour wheel which means it neutralised those with yellowy olive undertones typically your type 4 and 5. A violet based on a type 1 or 2 can look too reddish and should be avoided.
Chocolate based: A chocolate base colour is perfect for those already brown or olive toned or who brown easily and veins show off more of a green tone typically Type 4, 5 and type 6. A brown base can be used on Type 1 and 2 but it may through some pinky, red or even orange tones where as a more green base will naturalise the pink.
There you go babes! Tan and Tone decoded, go forth and check the tan you use on the daily and maybe based on the info above its time to buy a new tan?
I hope you enjoyed this read
Let us know you thoughts!
Thanks
Fi