Gather your materials

• Tools of the trade. Be certain you have the necessary supplies on hand to achieve your best tan, including:
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Disposable gloves
  • A small, clean paintbrush
  • Exfoliating cream
  • Body lotion
  • Old clothes and towels
  • Time
• Shades of tan. When choosing your shade, match the formula as closely as possible to your natural skin tone to avoid an artificial-looking tan. Dark shades are best for those with naturally dark skin tones. Look for an advanced streak-free formula such as Dr. Michelle Copeland Sunless Tanning Bronzer SPF 15, Bliss A Tan for All Seasons or Cellex-C Bio Tan Sunless Tanning Gel.
• Cover up. Plan on wearing loose-fitting old clothing while applying your tan, especially if you're using a tinted formula. However, don't worry if you get a touch of tanning lotion on your favorite white shirt—most tanning formulas wash out fairly easily. Also, use a pair of rubber or latex gloves to apply the lotion, so you don't end up with orange palms.

Prep for the tan

• Hair-free. Prep your legs, bikini area and underarms before tanning by either shaving or waxing. Your self-tanner will apply more easily to hair-free skin. Also, you shouldn't shave once the tan has been applied, because shaving acts as a mild exfoliator, which can strip away and prematurely fade your new tan. If youre going to wax, do so one to two days before you plan on self-tanning to give your skin a chance to recover.
• Exfoliate. This is probably the most crucial step in achieving a realistic, fake tan. Sunless tanners use the FDA-approved chemical DHA, dihydroxyacetone, which is "a color additive that darkens the skin by reacting with amino acids in the skin's surface," according to the FDA.

  In order for your skin to look smooth and even, you must remove all dead skin cells prior to application. Steer clear of sugar or salt scrubs that are oil-based; the residue from the oil may impede absorption of the self-tanner. Instead, try a scrub such as Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub.

• Hydrate. After exfoliation, reach for a light-weight body lotion that hydrates and dries quickly. Murad Body Firming Cream contains vitamin C to firm and tone the skin. Pay close attention to the knees, elbows, backs of hands and around the feet and heels; these areas are often drier than the rest of the body and therefore harder to tan evenly.

Time to apply

• Even application. Working in small sections, apply the self-tanner to the skin with smooth, circular strokes and rub only until the product is smooth and set; don't keep rubbing until the product is completely absorbed or you run the risk of actually rubbing it off. If the tan is a spray-on, lightly mist over the body with long strokes and massage in extra product when needed.

  When applying to your feet, grab a small paintbrush and paint the tanning cream onto this knobby area. Not only will the paintbrush evenly apply the product, it'll also allow you to get into small crevices, such as around the nails, without applying too much. The paintbrush trick also works well for applying the tanner to the backs of your hands. For extra-dry areas, mix the self-tanner with a dab of body moisturizer.

• Dry time. Once you've applied the self-tanner, your skin might feel slightly damp or even a bit sticky. This is completely normal. Allow the tan to air dry for at least 30 minutes before getting dressed. Some formulas dry quicker than others.

  Regardless of which self-tanner you pick, you should refrain from sweating, exercising or swimming for at least four hours after application. Because self-tanners work better the longer they're left on the skin, you'll achieve superior results by applying the tanner before going to bed.

• Self-tanning mishaps. Applied way too much self-tanner? As soon as you can, simply wash the extra self-tanner off with soap and water. For areas of the body like the feet, ankles or knees, use nail polish remover to lift the extra tan from the skin. Dip a cotton swab or ball into the remover and gently scrub the over-tanned area to fade the pigment.

  For more delicate areas, such as the face, try exfoliating the area again with a scrub or glycolic acid wash. If you aren't happy with the results, don't worry — artificial tans typically last four to six days.

After glow

• Beware of UV rays. Most self-tanners don't contain sun protection and thereby won't shield your skin from harmful UV rays, so slather on the sunscreen. Try MD Skincare Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion.
• Maintenance. Remember that self-tanner delivers a tan gradually, so for a darker tan, plan on re-applying self-tanner two to three nights in a row until you've reached your desired shade. Once you do reach that shade, maintain your color by exfoliating and reapplying the self-tanner about every three days.

  A great way to prolong your self-tan is to moisturize each day with a lotion that contains alpha hydroxy acids. These ingredients help extend the life of your tan by keeping the skin smooth. Try Pevonia Preserve Body Moisturizer to maintain your tan.

Self-tanning is easy, convenient, affordable and most importantly, safe. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy golden glow year-round.