What is competition tan and what does it do on stage?

It is a cosmetic colour for external use. Pro Tan base coats contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the self-tanning ingredient, and leave a guide colour straight away while the competition colour develops over the following hours. After the show the top coat washes off with soap and water; Sunless Tan Remover deals with any colour left.

What is the difference between a base coat and a top coat?

The base coat builds the colour: Overnight Competition Color Base Coat (250 ml) and the darker Super Dark (100 ml and 1 litre) are applied with a sponge. The top coat is the finish: Instant Competition Color Top Coat (207 ml and 1 litre) is a mahogany mousse that gives instant colour over the base, and Quick Bronze adds a glossy bronze final layer.

How many coats do you need, and when do you apply them?

There is no number of coats that suits everyone: it depends on your natural skin tone and how deep you want the colour. Exfoliate first with Get Buffed; apply the base well before the show, because it needs hours to develop (about four for Super Dark). The top coat can be reapplied to deepen the colour, and Quick Bronze goes on thinly just before you step on stage. Plan coats and timing according to each product's label.

Which competition tanning kit should you choose?

A kit puts every step in one box. The Single Show Mini Kit and its Super Dark version contain scrub, base coat, top coat, Show Shine oil and a sponge for a single event; the Male Competitor Kit and Body Building Kit come in full sizes. For bikini, fitness and physique: the Female Competition Tanning Kit, Female Fitness Kit and Female Physique Kit, with the Bikini Bite roll-on for your posing suit.