What is tantouring? How to contour with self tan

Discover how to create a sculpted-looking, sun-kissed complexion with my guide to tantouring and how to contour using self tan.

Darlings, there’s nothing like a natural golden goddess tan that island life gives you! But sunbathing can be damaging to your skin – that’s why I always recommend turning to magic beauty products for achieving a beautiful bronzed complexion!

One of my favourite beauty tricks is contouring with self-tanning drops (also known as ‘tantouring’!)! Read on to discover everything you need to know about how to create a sculpted-looking, sun-kissed glow using the magic of contouring with self tan!

Tantouring model shot

What is tantouring?

Tantouring is a combination of ‘tanning’ and ‘contouring’ and leaves you with a sun-kissed complexion with a facial framework that looks defined and enhanced!

While contouring relies on the use of deeper makeup shades like my Hollywood Contour Wand and Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer, tantouring involves using self-tanning products like my NEW! Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops to visually sculpt and add dimension to areas of your face using the effect of shadow and light with a longer-lasting finish. If you love having that lit-from-within island glow and feeling with the added look of depth and definition, then you’ll adore this magic beauty trick!

Tilbury Tip: Brush up on your tanning and contouring knowledge before tantouring. My How to Contour: What is makeup contouring? and What are tanning drops? guides tell you everything you need to know.

How to contour your face with self-tanner: tantouring tutorial

Read on to discover my MAGIC steps to contouring your face using self-tanner…

  1. Charlotte's Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser 3-in-1 foaming cleanser

    1. Cleanse

    Always make sure your face is cleansed before tantouring! Use my Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser to deeply cleanse and rejuvenate your skin as the first step in your routine. I also recommend applying Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir to give your skin an extra hit of hydration before contouring with tan. Don’t forget to wash your hands before application, darlings!

  2. Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops bottle and dropper

    2. Mix Tanning Drops with Moisturiser

    Mix my NEW! Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops with my Charlotte’s Magic Cream or Magic Water Cream moisturiser in the palm of your hand. The more drops you use, the darker your results! You can personalise your flattering finish using my magic GLOW-O-METER

    2-4 drops… for a natural sun-kissed glow! 5-8 drops… for a golden bronze glow! 9-12 drops… for a deep bronzed glow!

  3. Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Bronzer Brush is a domed, synthetic, Kabuki-style brush for blending out bronzer

    3. Apply with a bronzer brush

    Take my Beautiful Skin Bronzer Brush, pinch it for precision and use it to apply your combined formula to large contouring areas, concentrating on your cheekbone hollows and the sides of your forehead and temples.

    Stop pinching the brush, then buff out the edges of your contouring to create a more diffused effect.

  4. Hollywood Complexion Brush, a double-ended, synthetic makeup brush for blending out creams and liquids

    4. Create a contour effect

    Take my Hollywood Complexion Brush and use the angled head to contour smaller areas of your face including the sides of your nose.

  5. Body care duo including Charlotte's Magic Body Cream and Supermodel Body body shimmer

    5. Wash your hands thoroughly

    Immediately wash your hands after application and allow your tan to work – its magic streak-free formula develops in 6-8 hours*!

    Tilbury Tip: Don’t forget to take your tan from head to toe by applying my Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops alongside Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream and Supermodel Body.

Charlotte’s best self-tanning drops for tantouring

When it comes to tantouring, my NEW! Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops are your self-tanning must-have! Available across two shades – Fair/Medium for cool undertones and Tan/Deep for warmer undertones – my face tanning drops pair perfectly with your magic skincare routine and give you a golden goddess glow with supercharged skin benefits!

Infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, nourish and plump the look of your skin, Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops feature tan-enhancing molecules boosted by erythrulose, a natural-keto sugar to make the colour look more even and natural! Developing in just 6-8 hours* and lasting for up to 4 days*, they also feature light-reflecting pigments to give pearlescence to the skin for an instant radiance boost and visible, enviable glow!

Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops are also buildable and customisable – simply dial up the drops to deepen and sculpt your look! They’re easy to use, non-drying and long-lasting and can also be used to create a natural sun-kissed glow, a golden bronze glow, a deep bronzed glow and faux freckles. My guide to how to use tanning drops tells you everything you need to know.

Now that you know how to tantour using my Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, a sculpted, sun-kissed beauty look is all yours!

Tilbury Tip: After applying Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, I always recommend giving your beautiful bronzed look an instant dewy glow with Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist.

*Tested on 63 people

Share article

Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.

Related Posts