The Tan Commandments

Forget baking, clever girls fake their tans. Here's how...

 

• Self-tanning isn't a job you want to do in a hurry - keep an evening free and forget about cutting any corners. Practice will eventually make perfect, but it's worth spending time and effort on your first few attempts.

 

• A fake tan is only as good as the surface you slap it onto, so prep your skin with thorough exfoliation - this will stop the tan from grabbing onto any dry, rough skin and help it last longer. Use your body scrub on dry skin rather than wet - you'll get far better results that way. Pay close attention to knees, elbows and heels, which are often drier and rougher than anywhere else. Gently scrub your face with a dry flannel, or an exfoliating face scrub.

 

• Once you've polished your skin to a smooth, flake-free surface, make sure you've washed away any last traces of perfume and deodorant - if they react with your self-tan, they can turn a not-very-fetching shade of green.

 

• Today's self-tans contain hefty doses of moisturisers, but you'll need to apply a no-frills, perfume-free body lotion to the drier bits of your body - knees, elbows and feet. Do the same to any areas you don't want to look as dark - your face, your knuckles, between your fingers, and on the backs of your knees.

 

• A few clever tools can make the job much easier. Protect your hands with a pair of gloves - they should be as tight as possible, as any loose creases in the fabric can cause smearing. The best are the ultra-thin surgical gloves you can buy from any chemist. Using a long-handled Back Applicator means you can reach the small of your back without resorting to contortionism.

 

• Now set to work with your chosen product, applying it firmly and evenly all over your body - even under your arms. Be generous - streaky tans are caused by using too little product rather than too much.

 

• Tinted self-tans are easier to apply than colour-free ones - you'll be able to see any areas you've missed. Try  St Tropez Whipped Bronze Mousse £20. Spray-on tans are quick and mess-free - try  Nivea Sun Touch Self-Tan Spray, £6.65.

 

• Many self-tans are available in varying shades to suit paler or darker complexions.  Nivea Sun Touch Self-Tan Lotion comes in Fair and Normal/Dark, £8.49 each. It's also worth splashing some extra cash on a separate product for your face, which should look a little lighter than your body.

 

• Tango'd hands are a dead giveaway. Once you've removed your gloves, moisturise your palms well, dab a tiny bit of product onto the back of each hand and rub them together. Use your fingers to blend the product along the edges of your fingers carefully and then wash your palms well.

 

• Wait till your tan feels dry to the touch - then wait some more. Slip into something loose and comfortable (that means no jeans and no tight underwear) and settle back to let your tan develop.