The Most Important Tool in Your Tanning Kit
You can buy the most expensive self tanner in the world, but if you apply it with your bare hands, you'll get orange palms and streaky legs. A tanning mitt is the single most important tool for achieving a professional-looking at-home tan. Here's everything you need to know.
Why You Need a Mitt
A tanning mitt serves three critical purposes. First, it creates a barrier between the product and your palms, preventing the telltale orange hands. Second, the velvet surface distributes mousse evenly and smoothly across your skin — much better than fingers can. Third, it allows you to blend edges and feather into tricky areas (wrists, ankles, hairline) without harsh lines.
Types of Tanning Mitts
Velvet/Microfibre Mitts
The most popular type. Soft, easy to clean, and provides excellent product distribution. Best for mousse and foam formulas. This is what most professional tanners use.
Double-Sided Mitts
One side velvet for application, one side exfoliating for prep. Convenient for travel but the exfoliating side can be too harsh for some skin types.
Kabuki Brush Mitts
A flat brush pad that clips to your hand. Best for face tanning, where you need precise, light application. Gives the most natural facial tan result.
How to Use a Tanning Mitt Properly
Pump mousse directly onto the mitt — never onto your skin. Start with one pump per body section (one for each leg, one for each arm, one for torso front, one for back). Apply in long, sweeping strokes — always in the same direction, like you're painting a wall. Never use circular motions, which create swirl marks.
Work in sections from top to bottom: face (if using the same product), then neck, then shoulders and arms, then torso, then legs, then feet. Save hands and feet for last — use only the residual product left on the mitt, no fresh pumps.
Common Mitt Mistakes
Using too much product on the mitt — it should be damp, not dripping. Not blending at the wrists, ankles, and hairline. Pressing too hard — let the mitt glide. Not washing the mitt after each use — old product on a mitt will cause streaks next time.
Caring for Your Mitt
Rinse your mitt in warm soapy water immediately after each use. Squeeze out excess water and hang to dry. Replace your mitt every 3–4 months, or sooner if the velvet surface becomes matted or stained. A fresh mitt makes a visible difference in application quality.
The Perfect Combo
Pair a quality velvet mitt with Australian Glow Express Mousse for the best possible at-home tanning experience. The mousse's lightweight, quick-drying formula is specifically designed to work with a mitt — it glides on evenly, dries in minutes, and develops into a streak-free, salon-quality tan.