How To Personalize Your Tan

What do you want your body art to say to the world, and where do you want it to be? Much like a tattoo, your graphic or phrase should represent who you are—or at least, who’ll you’ll be until it fades.

Which gifted artist will be applying your body art? Be thorough in your selection process. You may not be able to see or approve the final, painted-on design, so it’s important to trust your technician.

Change into your swimsuit. If you’re using skin-safe stickers to make your design—instead of having it all hand-painted— clean and dry the area, then apply the sticker.

Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or below over all exposed areas, and hit the sun.

Using a high SPF sunscreen as paint, have your artist quickly apply your image or phrase with a paintbrush. In a pinch, a finger will suffice.

Take about an hour to lie in the sun, or spend an adequate amount of time in a tanning booth. Be sure not to smudge your design.

If the sun’s not for you, apply your design using nonporous liquid latex. Allow it to dry, and then use a sunless tanner based on DHA, a natural sugar that stains the skin.

Once your design is burned in or painted on, take the next five to 10 days to show off your statement.