Get an amazing tan with this helpful guide

PREPPING YOUR SKIN

Keep your skin free of lotion and moisturisers; this ensures the tanning treatment can penetrate the skin and create a nice, even colouring all over.

Also, remember to wax or shave at least 24 hours prior to tanning. Shaving in a hot shower or bath opens your pores, and the tan will pool into them, eventually drying into unsightly tiny dots.

For a smoother finish run a cold pack over your legs to seal your pores.

SET-UP

Apply your self-tanning product within a well-ventilated bathroom.

If you are concerned about staining your bathroom, you can protect the surfaces with an old sheet or plastic bags.

APPLICATION

Make sure to use a tanning mitt to avoid the tell-tale orange hands, then place a small amount of tanning lotion on the mitt and work the product onto your skin in circular, repetitive motions, going over the same patch of skin a couple of times.

Start at your ankles and work your way upwards towards your torso, then complete your torso and arms.

Make sure your strokes are even; don’t cover one patch of skin more than others.

BLENDING

Mix the tanning lotion with a moisturising lotion and blend in the areas on your ankles, the tops of your feet, and your wrists, elbows and knees to create a more natural-looking tan.

As these areas are naturally lighter than the rest of the body, they tend to absorb fake tan easier.

FACE AND NECK

Sparingly apply the tanner to your cheeks, chin and the bridge of your nose. Using steady circular motions, smooth the tanning lotion outward to cover the rest of your face, ears, neck and back of your neck.

Tip: Don’t apply too much tanning lotion on your upper lip, as this spot absorbs more lotion than other areas on the face.

GETTING DRESSED

Avoid contact with anything for 15 minutes, then dress in loose fitting, dark clothing and thongs or slides, as tight clothing might rub the tan off.

Avoid contact with water or strenuous activity that will cause you to sweat and wipe off the tanning lotion.

Wait seven to eight hours before entering the shower and washing off excess tanning lotion.