Apply Self-Tanner for a Safe Tan

Successful self-tanning requires that your skin is free of hair, dirt and dead skin.

Remove hair. Shave or wax at least 12 hours before self-tanning. Otherwise, self-tanner sits in your pores, making your skin look speckled. Learn how to wax your legs.

Set up. So you can work quickly starting, have your self tanner, body lotion and latex gloves on the bathroom counter.

Mix some of the self tanner with an equal amount of body lotion, to use on ankles, tops of feet, knees, inner arms, elbows, neck, face and backs of hands. The lotion prevents darker lines on rough or pale areas. If you're not sure of your self-tanning skills yet, you can use this half-and-half mixture on your entire body for a more subtle tan.

Shower and exfoliate. Shower using a non-oily soap. Then exfoliate your whole body well — from face to feet — really scrubbing rough areas such as heels, ankles, knees and elbows. Learn how to exfoliate.

Put on gloves. Put on latex gloves so the tanner doesn't stain your palms. You're ready to give yourself a faux summer glow!

It should take 10 to 15 minutes to apply self-tanner to your whole body — take too long and your tan won't be seamless. As you apply the tanner, deeply massage it into your skin until it's absorbed, to prevent streaks.

Start at the bottom. Begin with your ankles and deeply massage in the half-and-half mixture until it's entirely absorbed around the ankle and top of the foot.

TIP: Use this massage technique on every part of your body when applying the product to prevent unsightly streaks.

Move to the middle. Next, apply self-tanner to the middle of your calves, and then spread it both down and up.

Moving up the body, apply the half-and-half mixture to your knees, overlapping lightly onto the top of the claves to prevent a line.

Use full-strength self-tanner on the thighs, hips, lower back, derriere and stomach.

Apply to your shoulders next and then your mid-back, outer arms. Switch to the half-and-half mixture and apply to your wrists and the inner arms, blending up into the chest.

Finish at the top with face and neck. Mix more of the half-and-half mixture and dab onto your forehead, nose, cheeks, chin and neck. Massage vigorously in every direction until completely absorbed. Don't forget the ears and back of the neck. Wipe any excess self tanner from around the eyebrows and along the hairline.

Don't forget the hands. After your body and face, take off your gloves and use the half-and-half mixture on the backs of your hands for a seamless tan from wrist to hand, lightly sweeping over your fingers. Wash your palms and use facial tissue to wipe residue from your cuticles and nails.

Stay in the buff. Don't put on clothes right away! Wait at least double the time recommended on the bottle.

Stay dry. Ensure your seamless application stays that way by avoiding water, heavy sweating, exfoliation and body products — lotion, fragrance, soap and body makeup — for at least 8 hours.

Fix mistakes. If you notice dark blotches within 4 hours of applying the self -tanner, use a self-tan remover (yes, they exist!) such as the St. Tropez Self Tan Remover.

Go darker. Your color develops fully in 8 to 12 hours. If you want to go darker, reapply.

Repeat. Self-tan every 5 to 7 days for a summer-long glow.

Get an even fade. Moisturize daily and gently exfoliate weekly to maintain an even tan and prevent patchy fading.