When Azure Tan founder Roula Guta set out to create the perfect self-tan, she wanted benefits beyond a bronzed glow. Fast forward to today, and her DIY tanning range offers scientifically proven active skincare ingredients and natural-looking colour. Editor Trudi Brewer shares a tan collection that has just landed here in New Zealand to prepare you for summer.
Image Beauty & Azure Tan
The days of tanning under the sun are well and truly over, considering 80 per cent of skin ageing you see is directly related to UV damage. But showing off an evenly tanned, glistening silhouette is not. Here is the latest faux glow-giver that contains bioengineered sugar-derived dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to tan the skin and active skincare ingredients to improve it. Say hello to Azure Tan.
Azure Tan founder Melbourne-based Roula Guta.
“We don’t just tan; we repair, rejuvenate and treat skincare concerns. Azure Tan is an active skincare brand with the added benefit of providing a glowing tan.”
Where did you get your inspiration for Azure Tan?
Drawn from over a decade of knowledge and experience in the sunless tanning industry and listening to the needs of sunless tanners worldwide. Our goal was to create a brand that not only tackled existing issues but would also go above and beyond that and offer more value to self-tanners and skincare enthusiasts. From a customer-focused approach and the desire to innovate, we were guided by real-world feedback, which was so valuable. A question I often hear from self-tanners is, can I mix my active skincare with my self-tan, and in what order should I apply it? The solution became clear: combining active skincare and sunless tan into a single product. This innovation offers a quick, cost-effective solution to any beauty regime.
What sets it apart from other tanning brands?
Azure Tan goes beyond traditional tanning by focusing on active skincare and addressing skin concerns. We don't just tan; we repair, rejuvenate and treat skincare concerns. Azure Tan is an active skincare brand with the added benefit of providing a glowing tan. Before Azure Tan, I used to apply body moisturisers infused with active skincare ingredients for hydration, firming and toning, then a separate self-tan. This routine was not only time-intensive but also expensive. This guided us to combine self-tan with firming body lotion. Hence, our Firm & Tone Tanning Butter was born.
The tanning butters
Azure Tan FIRM & TONE TANNING BUTTER, $28.
If you want a quick firming boost to the skin with a helping of natural-looking sun-kissed tan - this is it. Those glow-giving ingredients guarana, caffeine and shea butter, firm the skin while keeping it golden bronze.
Apply daily with your palms in circular movements, then wash your hands.
AZURE TAN SHIMMERING TANNING BUTTER, $28.
This rich yet fast absorbing luxe-y body butter melts into the skin and gradually builds a golden, shimmery tan. Also nourishing and circulation-boosting thanks to guarana, caffeine and shea butter. This body butter is addictive.
Apply daily with your palms in circular movements, then wash your hands.
How many products are in the collection?
There are 20 products in total. We have considered individuality, distinct skincare requirements and preferred tanning methods. Our product range contains diverse self-tanners, from coloured self-tanning mousse to gradual tan lotions and serums. We recognise people have different skin concerns, from anti-ageing to pigmentation, so we've curated a selection of products that meet those specific needs and give the added benefit of a sunless tan. I refer to this as "Your Glow, Your Way."
The Serums
Balanced with active ingredients while adding a golden glow to the skin, four complexion serums are in the range. Thanks to that moisture magnet hyaluronic acid, the Plumping Face Tan Serum is ideal for anyone with dry skin. An Antioxidant Face Tan Serum, loaded with niacinamide (vitamin B3), helps strengthen the skin’s barrier and fade pigmentation. An Anti-Ageing Face Tan Serum packed with nourishing ceramides and retinol (a vitamin A derivative) speeds up your skin’s cell turnover and boosts natural collagen production. Finally, Night Repair Tan Serum is infused with glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and improve the skin’s texture while fading dark spots while you sleep. Also, each serum is free from nasties like parabens, sulphates, and mineral oils.
Azure Tan Plumping Face Tan Serum, $35. Azure Tan Antioxidant Face Tan Serum, $35.
Azure Tan Anti-Ageing Face Tan Serum, $35. Azure Tan Night Repair Tan Serum, $35.
How do you use the colour-correcting mousses?
They work with your skin's undertone, the key to achieving a stunning natural tan without any unwanted orange cast. We believe acing your colour base is the first step to achieving the best self-tan results. Skin undertones can be classified into three categories: warm, cool, or neutral. Warm undertones are shades of yellow or gold (you have green-looking veins under the skin). This is where a violet base colour-correcting mousse comes into play. At the same time, cool undertones (you have blue-looking veins under the skin) have hints of red or pink. This is where the green base colour corrects by cancelling that high colour or redness, unveiling an olive-brown tan. Neutral skin tones can use both the violet or green base tanning mousse. If you are unsure what colour base suits you, we have a quick Ace Your Base quiz to find your perfect mousse match.
colour-correcting Self-Tan mousse
AZURE TAN SELF TAN MOUSSE VIOLET BASE, $30.
Stacked with hyaluronic acid, vitamins B3 (niacinamide), B5, C, and E to also helps nourish and protect the skin’s barrier, while prolonging the tan
This Violet base tan comes in two shades: Medium to Dark (pictured here) and Extreme Dark. Both the mousses develop in an hour.
AZURE TAN SELF TAN MOUSSE GREEN BASE, $30.
This mousse also doubles as skincare, (with those same skincare ingredients) helping to hydrate, nourish, and of course tan without those damaging UV rays.
This Green base tan comes in two shades: Medium to Dark, and Extreme Dark (pictured here). A tan mitt offers a streak-free finish.
What makes the Gradual Tanning Butters unique?
The Body Butters are enriched with caffeine, guarana and shea butter for skin firming and nourishing while offering a gradual sunless tan. A standout, and my favourite (a world first), is the Shimmering Tanning Butter, which addresses the common concern with shimmer oils and lotions feeling greasy or staining clothes. This self-tanning butter not only tans your skin but also leaves light-reflecting mica a shimmer that stays on the skin even after rinsing off the product.
How do you use the Colour Boost Tan Drops?
Incredibly adaptable, the beauty of these drops is that you control your tan by the amount of drops you add to your skincare or body products. The versatility extends to tailoring your glow according to the depth of tan by adjusting the number of drops you use. Also, these drops can be seamlessly integrated with any Azure Tan products.
Azure Tan Colour Boost Tan Drops, $30.
Mix with your serum or moisturiser or add to your favourite tanning product to increase the colour depth. Along with active tanning ingredients, these drops are loaded with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin while adding a natural-looking bronze glow.
Mix in four to six drops, and the tan will develop within three hours.
The Tan Drying Powder is fab; where did that technology come from?
Feedback from spray tan professionals was they needed a powder that wouldn’t leave white residue on the skin. So, we created a solution with natural Moroccan lava clay powder, which leaves no white cast and has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit the skin. It allows you to set your tan in place, preventing streaking or sweat-induced fading, and you can comfortably dress and carry on with your day while your tan develops.
What are your fool-proof self-tanning tips?
Regular exfoliation is crucial for achieving a flawless, streak-free, self-tan application. Smooth skin serves as the ideal canvas. Post-application, use a blending brush to soften harsh lines, particularly on ankles, knees, neck, ears, wrists, and hands; this guarantees a seamless finish.
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