Holiday Tips: How to Apply the Perfect Fake Tan

Although self-tanning products have been improved immensely, it's still not foolproof. When you jet off on your holiday, the last thing you want is to look like you've been tangoed or have a body covered with uneven streaks where your fake tan went wrong!

The safest method to get a great, sexy fake tan is of course to book an appointment with a professional. But after you've booked your holiday and bought your capsule wardrobe, forking out a wad of cash for a pro fake tan may seem a bit much. That's ok though, because you can get great results at home with a bit of care and effort.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

fake-tanning product
a long-handled sponge
self-tan remover
vaseline
self-tanning mitt or latex gloves
hair band or ties

You might be worried about what kind of colour you'll get from your fake-tanner. If so, choose an inconspicuous patch of skin (try your stomach, for example) and apply a bit of tanner a week or so beforehand. The colour will develop in a few hours and you'll be able to see what kind of result you'll get. Remember this year's tan is all about subtlety - a soft, sexy glow instead of a dark tan, so light-to-medium products are best in most cases.

In order to avoid streaks, you need to prepare your skin properly, which takes a bit of time. The day before self-tanning, carefully exfoliate. If you shave or wax, now is the time to do so. If you exfoliate after self-tanning, your tan will fade more quickly and you are much more likely to get streaks if you don't do it. For difficult areas (such as knees, elbows and the backs of your ankles), exfoliate twice.

The night before you apply self-tanner, make sure to moisturise. Make sure your skin is hydrated when you apply self-tanner or the result could end up looking uneven. If it's not too hot, wear long trousers and sleeves to bed to keep in as much moisture as possible.

When it comes to applying your self-tanner, first swipe vaseline over your nails and eyebrows. Begin at the ankles and work your way slowly up the body for good, even coverage. Apply less product to areas such as knees, elbows and ankles to avoid dark patches. Just remember to use a tanning mitt or latex gloves to apply it to get an even tan and avoid the dreaded giveaway of orange palms! Do not shower for at least several hours after application. Put aside a set of loose, dark clothing to wear while your self-tanner works its magic, since many fake-tanners contain a bronzer which is easily rubbed off.

Even if you are using a gradual tanning product, you still need to blend and massage it in properly. If you're using a spray, hold the can at arm's length: you get a finer mist that way. This can be frustrating when you don't have a lot of time, but trust me - the results will be worth it!

When applying tanner to your face, mix half-and-half with your usual moisturiser. Apply only a tiny amount to your eyelids and under eyes. Remember you can always swipe off extra product with your fake-tan remover. If you have particularly dry skin or are over forty, try using a facial tanning product with collagen for added benefits. Alternatively, try a gradual tanner to build up colour slowly.

If you're worried about trying fake tanner on your face, a similar look can be achieved with the careful application of bronzing makeup.

To avoid blocked pores, exfoliate gently every second day. With a gentle product, the colour of the tan should not decrease. Make exfoliating part of your beauty routine.

Remember, however: self-tanner will not protect your skin from the Sun! Make sure to use at least SPF 30 while out in the full sun. It will not decrease your tan and will protect your skin.

Happy tanning!