How to do your own tan
Have you considered doing your own tan but not sure where to start? Here is a DIY guide to the perfect show tan using Pro Tan.
You will need:
Tupperware container
Gloves (preferably latex free)
2x tanning mitts
Loose fitting black clothing
Vaseline
Shower cap/hairband/hair net
Applying your base coat
Before applying your base coat, make sure you have nothing on your skin
Grab a black towel and place it on the floor to stand on
Apply a thin layer of vaseline to your finger nails and toe nails to avoid tan stains
Put on your gloves and pour the base coat into a Tupperware container
Dip one of your mitts into the tanning solution. No need to be tentative with how much, it is actually easier to apply with the mitt a bit more saturated. Apply the tan as you would a normal fake tan, using long strokes and making sure it is blended in. We don’t want a streaky tans do we!
Tip - Start from the bottoms of your legs and work upwards so you don’t miss anywhere. Do areas such as your feet, elbows, knees, neck and face just before you need to re-dip the mitt in the solution again. As tan tends to stick better to these areas.
You might need to ask someone to help you get your back. If you are flying solo, you can stick your mitt on the end of a spatula to reach those trickier areas! You can thank me later ;)
Tan your hands right at the end with what is left on the mitt.
Here is a handy video tutorial to help you apply your base coat:
How many base coats do you need?
The number of applications you need will depend on how dark your natural skin tone is, how dark you want to be, and how well your skin absorbs the colour.
Typically bikini/figure/fitness/physique competitors with light to medium skin tones need 2 applications. For bodybuilders, we recommend 3 applications.
More than 2 coats in one day is not recommended and usually will not make you any darker.
When should you apply your base coat?
Your base coat is traditionally applied the night before your competition, with your top coat being applied on show day, on top of the base coat.
Having recently done my own tan, and being someone who needs more than one base coat I would recommend:
2 days before the show: Apply one layer of base coat
1 day out AM: wash the base coat off
1 day out PM: apply another base coat but this time do not wash it off. If applying a 3rd layer wait for this layer to dry before applying another.
show day: apply top coat
My DIY tan for the 2Bros Pro Tan Naturals Cup
Applying your top coat
No need for any tupperwear this time as the top coat comes in a nice easy to use mousse.
Grab a fresh mitt (or turn the original mitt you used inside out) and squeeze the top coat directly onto the mitt before applying. Application follows the same principles as the base coat and again it is much easier to apply if the mitt is well saturated.
For Bikini and Physique competitors we recommend the Pro Tan Competition Top Coat, where as Figure, Wellness, Fitness, Bodybuilding, and Classic we recommend the Pro Tan 3x Super Dark Top Coat.
With the top coat, one application should be enough.
What to take with you backstage
Take your top coat, mitt and some gloves backstage with you, that way if you have any tanning accidents you can tidy them up.
In terms of glaze, take show shine or muscle juice backstage with you. Ask a fellow competitor just to spray you with a few squirts of glaze front and back, ensuring you have a small amount covering all areas before you go on stage. Just be careful where you do this, if it gets on the floor it can be very slippy!
As always, any questions at all please send us an instagram DM @kompakwomen / @kompakmen or via our contact page here.
DIY Tanning: our most popular tanning products.
Includes tanning mitt (not shown in product photo).
Your base coat is the foundation of your competition tan. Get this right and everything that goes on top works harder.
Pro Tan Overnight is the base coat we recommend most — it's the product that gives you control. You decide how light or dark you want to go, you can trial it before your first show, and it reduces the cost of buying a full show tan package. A lot of competitors do their own base coat and then book a tanner for the top coat on show day — this is exactly the product for that.
One bottle lasts a female competitor at least 3 shows, and males around 2 shows depending on how many coats you use.
How to use:
Before application, wash the entire body with Get Buffed for maximum colour absorption. Shake the bottle well before use.
Tip contents into a clean container or tupperware. Dab the mitt into the solution and apply over the body using lighter strokes around hairlines, knees, elbows and ankles.
You'll get an instant colour guide — this helps you apply evenly. The tan will deepen considerably within 3–5 hours. Allow around 30 minutes to dry before contact with clothing or bedding.
Sleep in the tan. Wear loose, dark clothing and use black bedding to avoid staining.
On show day — do not shower. Your tanner will apply the top coat directly over your base coat.
These bottles can also be poured directly into a standard spray tan machine if you prefer to apply that way.
Watch our application demo video below for a full walkthrough.
For a photoshoot: apply your base coat the evening before, then shower it off after 24 hours.
As a day-to-day tan: use fewer layers and shower off normally once you've reached your desired colour.
Back to back shows: after your first show, use the 60 Second Tan Remover to strip everything back, then repeat the process from the beginning.
How many coats do you need?
This depends on your natural skin tone, how dark you want to go, and how well your skin absorbs colour. As a guide:
Bikini and physique competitors — around 2 applications
All other categories — around 3 applications
Very fair skin — start your first 1–2 layers a full day before you'd normally begin. Tanners often recommend this and it makes a significant difference to the final result
For a darker base, mix with a small amount of Pro Tan Super Dark Base Coat.
Want to buy everything you need in one go? Browse our tanning kits — we've put together packages so you don't have to figure out what to order separately.
Gloves and sticky feet are a must for application — both available separately below.
Please note: avoid using antiperspirants or lotion before application. This product does not contain sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Keep out of reach of children.
Ingredients: Aqua, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetone, Dihydroxyacetone, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 15985, CI 16035, CI 42090, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde.
Includes tanning mitt not included in product photo.
The final layer of your competition tan — applied on show day directly over your base coat.
Whether you've used the Pro Tan Overnight Base Coat, the Super Dark, or a mix of both, this top coat goes on last. It's an ultra-dark bronzing mousse with a mahogany tone — non-streaking, fast drying, and suited to all categories. It can be applied by yourself, your coach, or your tanner.
Unlike the base coats which are liquid, the top coat comes out as a mousse — making it easy to apply evenly without streaking.
How to use:
Shake well before use. Pump a generous amount directly onto the applicator sponge and apply one body part at a time. Spread evenly. Allow to dry fully before contact with clothing or water.
The bottle can also be poured directly into a standard spray tan machine if you prefer to apply that way.
Be careful not to get any on your posing suit or bikini. Rinse the sponge with soap and water after use.
Caution: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water. Discontinue use if skin irritation occurs. This product does not contain sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Keep out of reach of children.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Propylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Phenoxyethanol, CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 17200 (Red 33), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, CI 14700 (Red 4), Ethylhexylglycerin.
The finishing touch before you walk on stage.
Show Shine is applied just before you start pumping up — by yourself, your coach, or your tanner. It's a light dry oil mist that gives your skin the perfect contest sheen under hot stage lighting, bringing out muscle definition and eliminating the flat, washed-out look that bright lights can create.
It sprays out as a light mist — gently massage into skin if needed.
Some competitors find the glaze absorbs into their skin quickly. If that's you, simply reapply as needed before you head out. Having your own bottle in your backstage bag means you're not relying on your tanner every time.
Works across all categories. For Wellness, Classic Physique, Women's Physique and Bodybuilding competitors who aren't using Muscle Juice, you'll want to build up a few more layers to get the right level of sheen.
It's also useful after your base coat for a photoshoot — apply once you're happy with your colour for that same competition-ready finish.
How to use: Spray directly over the entire body. Gently massage into skin if needed. Be careful not to get any on your posing suit or bikini. Reapply for added sheen.
Size: 118ml / 4.0 oz
Fragrance: Tropical Mango Lime
Caution: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water. Discontinue use if skin irritation occurs. Keep out of reach of children.
Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate.
Includes tanning mitt not included in product photo.
The Super Dark is Pro Tan's darkest base coat — the same trusted overnight formula as the original, but with added super dark instant bronzers for a deeper, richer colour. It's particularly popular with competitors in Wellness, Fitness, Classic Physique, Women's Physique, Bodybuilding and Women's Bodybuilding where a deeper, darker base is typically needed.
It works as a standalone base coat or mixed with the Pro Tan Overnight Base Coat for a deeper result. How many layers you need depends on your natural skin tone, how dark you want to go, and how well your skin absorbs colour — it really is individual. If you're unsure, drop us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
Develops fully in as little as 4 hours. Streak-free formula that applies evenly and dries quickly.
How to use:
Tip contents into a clean container or tupperware. Dab the mitt into the solution and apply over the body using lighter strokes around hairlines, knees, elbows and ankles.
You'll get an instant colour guide — the tan will deepen considerably within 4–8 hours. Allow 5–10 minutes to dry before contact with clothing. Avoid sweating or contact with water after application.
Sleep in the tan. Wear loose, dark clothing and use black bedding to avoid staining.
On show day — do not shower. Your tanner will apply the top coat directly over your base coat.
These bottles can also be poured directly into a standard spray tan machine if you prefer to apply that way.
Lighter skin: apply the day before the show. Reapply after 4–8 hours for a deeper colour if needed. Rinse off between applications with warm water. No more than two applications. Do not rinse the last coat.
Darker skin: apply the day before the show. One application only. Do not rinse the last coat.
Note: do not apply antiperspirants or lotion before application. Do not spray directly onto the face — spray onto the mitt first, then apply. Wash hands after use.
Please note: this is 100ml — smaller than the original Pro Tan Overnight Base Coat.
Caution: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. In the event of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water. Discontinue use if skin irritation occurs. This product does not contain sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Keep out of reach of children.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetone, Dihydroxyacetone, CI 15510 (Orange 4), CI 60725 (Violet 2), Parfum (Fragrance), CI 19140 (Yellow 5), CI 15985 (Yellow 6), CI 16035 (Red 40), CI 42090 (Blue 1), Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde.
A backstage essential for competitors who want to look their best under stage lighting.
Muscle Juice is a posing oil applied backstage before you go on — it enhances muscle definition, adds a sheen to the skin and helps your physique stand out under the bright lights.
Suitable for all categories where a glazed look is appropriate — particularly popular with bodybuilding, figure, wellness and physique competitors. Not typically used in bikini or men's physique, look at Show Shine for that.
Apply a small amount to hands and massage into the skin backstage, shortly before going on stage. Build up gradually — a little goes a long way.