Tantouring: Contouring with Self-Tanner

Tantouring is another viral beauty trend originating from the UK that involves using self-tanner as a contour.

Unlike bronzers and traditional contour creams and powders, “tantouring” provides a semi-permanent, natural-looking way to define your features. Once the tanner sets it won’t budge or smear the way makeup can, and it allows for swimming, showering, and sleeping all while maintaining a subtly chiseled glowing complexion that lasts for days.

The idea is to apply self-tanner just like you would a bronzer or contour product. After blending it thoroughly (we don’t want dark, harsh lines here), let the tanner sit and absorb for a few hours before washing it off. The result is a naturally sculpted effect that doesn’t wash away at the end of the day.

Want to give tantouring a try? We’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide just for you:

1. Prep Skin

It’s important to keep the face hydrated and moisturized the week leading up to tantouring, but not the day of. Moisturizer may hinder the tanning agent’s ability to bind to the skin, which can cause an uneven application or a lighter overall tan.

You can still spot moisturize extra dry, flakey patches just before tanning, though, with an oil-free moisturizer. Dry patches absorb more tanner than the rest of the skin and become darker.

As is always the case with self-tanning, you need to begin with a smooth, flake-free canvas. Start your tantour by exfoliating your face to eliminate rough dry patches and dead skin cells for the most even application possible.

2. Prime with a Base Tan 

A light layer of tanner applied to the entire face provides a healthy glow and even base for tantouring. Lotions and creams are preferable to mousses for this step. The thicker, heavier consistency is easier to work into skin for the most even coverage.

L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion is perfect for the base coat, and it has a subtle shimmer that gives the skin a healthy, golden glow. Apply a small amount to your entire face and neck, then blend it into the skin using a beauty blender, foundation brush, or kabuki brush.

Ideally, you should do this step the day or night before, but at least 30 minutes prior to tantouring will suffice in allowing the tanner to fully absorb and dry.

3. Sculpt

For this step, choose a self-tanner that is three shades darker than your natural complexion and one that has a built-in bronzer as a guide color. This will be helpful to see exactly where—and how much—you are applying.

This foam from Bondi Sands works well because it’s light, easy to work with, and you can see exactly where it is going. However, feel free to use whatever product you are comfortable with.

You can basically use any self-tanner to tantour, and it doesn’t even have to be one made specifically for the face (although those formulas tend to have more bells and whistles as far as hydrating and protecting the facial skin).

All self-tanners, whether for the face or body, have the same basic formula: They both use dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is a sugar that safely darkens the skin on both the face and body.

Now, it’s time to contour.

You’re going to use more or less the same technique, placement, and blending as contouring with traditional makeup.

Use a plate or flat lid as a palette for the tanning product so you don’t dispense too much directly onto your contouring tool of choice.

To apply, you can use a beauty blender, contour brush, or your fingers. If using fingers, be sure to wash after to avoid discoloration.

If using a brush, it’s probably a good idea to have a separate one for tanning that you don’t use for makeup. This dual-ended brush from Huda Beauty is a great option as the larger brush can be used on the forehead, cheeks, and jawline, while the smaller one is perfect for the nose and eyes.

Always use a small amount of product to start. It’s easier to add more than to take away.

I like to start at the temples and work the color along the forehead at the hairline while being careful not to get any in the hair itself. Then I carve the cheekbones by running color under the bone from the ears toward the mouth and stopping at the center of the lower eyes.

From there, I run tanner down the sides and across the tip of the nose in a long “U” shape. This will shadow the sides and naturally highlight the bridge of the nose.

You can even apply some color to the creases of the upper eyelids for a natural eyeshadow effect.

Finish the contouring with the jawline by running color from the back of the lower ear to the chin on both sides of the face.

Now it’s time to blend. I recommend a brush for this step as it will really buff the product into the skin for a natural finish, and it will get into smaller areas more easily. Blend in an upward, outward, light circular motion until the desired effect is achieved.

4. Allow to Dry & Develop

Always read the directions for the specific product you are using and follow them.

Some formulas require washing them off, others you can leave on. Other formulas develop a more intense color payoff the longer you leave them on.

Be aware of, and adhere to, the instructions of your self-tanner choice.

5. Aftercare

Tantouring lasts for three or four days with proper aftercare as opposed to a traditional body self-tan which can last up to 10 days.

Facial self-tanners break down faster due to exposure and daily cleansing. To maintain your tantour, reapplication is necessary every few days.

Always exfoliate between applications. To maintain a longer tantour, avoid using skincare products with acids, exfoliants, or face oils as they will break down the self-tanner faster. However, do keep your skin hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer to prolong the tan and prevent fading.

6. Body Tantouring

Tantouring is not just for the face; it can be done on the body as well.

Body tantouring is not about painting on fake abs and muscles that you don’t have, but rather following the natural contours of your body to streamline them.

For instance, to slim and elongate the legs you can—while using a tanning mitt—sweep color down the outside of your thigh from the top of your hip to just above the knee. Repeat this on the other leg as well.

Next, apply color to the inside of the thighs stopping at the knees. Then do both legs from the base of the knees to the ankles, inside and out, and blend it well.

For the arms, use a beauty blender or brush. Tighten or flex the arm and follow the contours, lightly shadowing the natural definition. To give the illusion of a trimmer waist, swipe the mitt from the center of your belly down and out toward your hip, then again up and out toward your armpit on both sides. Be sure to blend all areas into the skin well.

7. Bottom Line

Whenever attempting something new, mistakes may be made. Don’t sweat it. Learn from it.

If you accidentally use too much product or place it in the wrong area, you can buff away the excess using a soft, dry cloth. If you must start over or are unhappy with the results, you can completely remove it with a self-tan remover like this one from St. Tropez.

If done correctly, tantouring can give you a natural glow and subtle sculpt that will last for days. And possibly, it may even boost your confidence!

For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com