Prepare
Choose a light or medium-toned product, for a more natural looking result.
Before using the self-tanner, wash and exfoliate your skin with a wash cloth and exfoliating product such as L’Oréal Paris Body-Expertise Exfotonic to remove excess dead skin cells and avoid a streaky or patchy result.
It is recommended that legs are waxed or shaved 12 hours prior to application for an even result.
Do not apply self-tanner immediately following a hot shower or bath or when the skin is sunburnt. The heat in the skin can affect the result and contribute to a patchy result. Ensure the skin is always clean, dry and cool.
Apply
Apply the tanning product lightly and evenly. Use a little less product on dry or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows as these areas tend to absorb more product and appear darker. A little body moisturiser applied to these areas before you start will help to slow the absorption of the tanner giving a more even result.
Lightly rub lotion around wrists and the backs of your hands blending evenly up to your arms. Rub lotion around your ankles and the tops of your feet, blending evenly up to your legs.
After
After applying the product to your face and body, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid colouring your palms and use a wet wipe for the soles of your feet. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the product to the top of each hand.
To prevent staining your clothes, wait until the product dries completely, about 20 to 30 minutes. Cream formulations will take up to 30 minutes to absorb and dry, but sprays and fast-drying gels will only need a few minutes.
Most tanning products don't contain a sunscreen and therefore don't protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun's rays. If you spend time outdoors, be sure to apply a sun protection cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 before going outside.
Apply moisturiser to your 'tan' every day and reapply after 4 to 5 days. Once every 7 to 10 days you will need to exfoliate and ‘start again’.