Self-tanning phobes are too willing to blame bronzing products for the creosote-like streaks that develop on hands and feet. The reality is, however, that they probably haven’t spent enough time applying it. You can’t expect to slap on the fake tan in 30 seconds (or, worse, after a round of mojitos) and expect to wake up with Gisele-like, honey-coloured skin.

Self-tanning products have come on leaps and bounds since the first whiffy, orange potions of the 1980s – some, such as St Tropez, are so good, they can put a real tan in the shade – but even the most expensive tanning products will streak if they are not applied carefully.

The key to a flawless fake tan is an artful application, being meticulous about the areas where the product tends to stick. Our guide is put together from years of professional tanning advice, and while it may look laborious, any girl worth her Eres bikini will tell you that it’s time well spent.

TANNING TOOLS

— To prevent your hands getting stained, you will need latex gloves, £2.50 for five, by St Tropez.

— A back applicator for hard-to-reach areas – try Au Courant Sponge on a Stick, £3, from www.hqhair.com.

— A body exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and soften hard skin – try Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator, £12.50.

— Wipes for removing self-tan from telltale areas – try Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, £3.

— A simple moisturiser to dilute the self-tan and soften dry areas. A good option is L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion, £17.50.

BEFORE YOU START

Nichola Joss, the celebrity beauty therapist and self-tanning expert, suggests starting the process the night before, by exfoliating well from the feet right up to the face. “Really spend time massaging it in,” Joss says. She then suggests applying moisturiser to the entire body, then double moisturising the toes, ankles, knees, elbows, knuckles, armpits and ears. The next day, after showering, moisturise these areas again before applying any self-tanner.

TANNING FACTS

The key ingredient in self-tan is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a natural sugar molecule that, when it comes into contact with amino acids in the skin, turns the skin bronze. The more DHA used, the deeper the bronze and the stronger the biscuit-like smell. As yet, there is no better ingredient, so the smell is the price you pay for beautifully bronzed skin.

Some companies, such as Clarins, also use erythrulose, another natural sugar that adds a reddish-brown tone to the more yellowish colour that DHA creates, providing a more natural-looking tan.

Face and neck

A really brown face can look trashy, so make sure you use a product specifically designed for the face. Alternatively, dilute the self-tanner you use on the body with some moisturiser, before applying it over the face and down the neck. Using a facial wipe wrapped around a finger, remove any product from the eyebrows, hairline and nostrils.

Breasts and stomach

Using big, sweeping strokes, apply the self-tanner over the collarbone, breasts, under the breasts and all the way down past the knicker line, blending it out across the hips and round to the back. Don’t forget to apply it to the area to the side of the breasts and around to the back, too. Remove any self-tan from the belly button with a wipe, as it has a tendency to collect there.

Back

Depending on how flexible you are, apply the self-tanner by taking each hand to the opposite shoulder and the opposite side of the lower back. For that hard-to-reach area in the middle of the back, use a back applicator (see tanning tools).

Hands

Do these last. Remove the gloves and rub the backs of your hands on your bottom – this gives just the right amount to cover them. Then, using the forefinger of each hand, blend the product down the fingers, before using a wipe to removed any self-tanner that’s left between your fingers or on the palms and inner wrists. Wait 10 minutes before dressing.

Arms and underarms

Dilute the self-tanner with moisturiser, and apply it to the elbows, armpits and underside of the arms. Also apply this diluted version to the feet, ankles, toes, knees and bikini-line. Then apply the concentrated self-tan to the outer arms.

Legs and thighs

Apply the self-tanner with big, sweeping motions from the ankles up to the bikini line and over the bottom. Using a wipe, remove any excess from between toes and from toenails.

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