How To Apply Fake Tan: Your Definitive Guide To Getting A Flawless Faux Glow

With the 1970s firmly set as this summer’s super-trend, a fake tan is a must. Luckily, the latest innovations guarantee the best – and fastest – results yet. But a fabulous faux glow is nothing without the right prep and aftercare. So we've quizzed the tanning experts to bring you the definitive guide to getting your best at-home faux glow ever.

How to prep for a fake tan...

St Tropez tanning expert Jules Heptonstall shares his rules for a flawless finish:

1. Don’t wax before tanning as this will open pores and leave you looking more plucked chicken than chic.

2. Always remove make-up, deodorant and perfume.

3. Exfoliate, concentrating on feet, knees and elbows.

4. Use a cotton bud to apply Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £26, round nails, brows, lips and hairline to stop tanning here.

How to fix a fake tan disaster...

Practice makes perfect, but when your fake tan goes awry, try the following:

1. Avoid blotchiness with pre-tan exfoliation. A smooth, even canvas is essential for a flawless finish. Try Ameliorate Skin Smoothing Body Polish, £19.50, combines gently exfoliating lactic acid with micro-dermabrasion granules and a moisturising complex to slough away dead skin cells and smooth lumps and bumps.

2. To remove any unwanted tan, swim in chlorinated water and follow with a sauna and a good ol’ scrub with exfoliating gloves. Repeat in the tub with bath oils if required.

3. In the absence of said pool or sauna (no, we don’t have a pool either), remove stubborn build-up by soaking an exfoliating wipe in facial oil and rubbing away the tan.

Still not streak-free? We've got more handy hints on how to remove fake tan here.

How to make your fake tan last longer...

Make your glow last with these top tips...

1. Tans crack from lack of hydration, so moisturise daily to reduce patchiness and ensure an even fade.

2. When wearing fake tan, steer clear of shower gels containing essential oils as they can break it down. Try All My Eternity Tan Saving Shower Gel, £12.99, a pH-balanced body wash that won’t strip off your glow.

3. The chlorine found in swimming pools can also rapidly dissolve your tan so head to the ocean for your daily dip instead.

Ready to glow? Here's our pick of the best speed fake tan for face and body...

Photo credit: Karina Twiss. Model: Tallulah Morton Smith at Premier Model Management. Skin: Mel Arter at CLM Hair & Make-up using St Tropez. Make-up and nails: Mel Arter at CLM Hair & Make-up. Hair: David Wadlow at Premier Hair & Make-up using Bumble and bumble. Additional product photos by Marco Vittur.