Gone are the days where applying a self tan left you looking a lovely shade of orange. New formulations mean you can get a subtle tan the safe way without anyone guessing you faked it. Sarah Simpson investigates the best ways to apply your self tan.

EXFOLIATE
To ensure a streak-free application, exfoliating is essential. Using a body scrub and a loofah or body mitt, give yourself a good once-over, making sure you pay particular attention to dry areas such as knees, elbows and your feet.

TAN
There are many products on the market these days, and they come in a variety of formulations, such as a gel, mousse or spray. What you use generally comes down to personal preference. If you want just a hint of colour, a gradual tanning lotion is the perfect choice as you can build it up day by day to the intensity you are after. A tinted tan has the advantage of being able to monitor the areas you have already applied to so you don’t go over the same area twice. TIP: Dry areas (knees, elbows, feet) will soak up tan faster, so try to apply less to those areas, or rub a dry cloth over them to remove some of the tan.

AFTER-CARE
To keep your tan looking its best, it’s important to moisturise daily. This prevents the tan wearing off too fast. If you are vigilant with this, you should expect your tan to last for five to seven days before it needs topping up. Once you notice it starting to wear off, help to remove the tan with a thorough exfoliation before you start the process again.