Get set to glow Your guide to fake tan

Fair-skinned ladies might well want to boost their natural colour for that summer-ready sheen and, with the right products and know-how, it's not difficult at all.

Ann-Mari Shea, brand director of Famous Dave, says: "If you are naturally fair-skinned, a dark self-tanning product will often make you look unnatural. You should aim to achieve the same colour you would normally get from being in the sun, as anything more is likely to look unnatural and fake." Famous Dave's Fair Skin gradual tan is designed specifically for lighter skin tones. The lotion is formulated with aloe vera and jojoba to make application as smooth and effortless as possible.

Ann-Mari suggests tanning novices start with a light application. "Use a light shade of self-tanner and build up the colour over several applications 24 hours apart. Remember you can always go darker with further applications," she says.

Not ready to dive into the world of bronzing with a self-tanning product? You can still take a commitment-free dip with the ever-expanding range of wash-off tanning products. The instant results and easy removal mean they're perfect if you're an impatient tanning fan, or if you want complete control of how long your tan lasts.

You might wonder what fake tan could do for already-tanned, dark-skinned damsels. Complexion enhancers can take a natural tan and give it some oomph for the baring-on-the-beach season.

Nichola Joss, St. Tropez skin finishing expert, reckons there's a multitude of ways to play up your natural tan by using complexion enhancers, like the St. Tropez skin illuminators. "Accentuate your natural glow by sweeping the illuminator on to the top of the collarbone and the sides of the décolletage," she says.

Want to create the illusion of pins a supermodel would be proud of? "Used sparingly from the mid-shin down to the top of your feet and mid thigh to the upper thigh, the Illuminators help create the appearance of elongated legs," says Nichola.

Tan products can also do darker skin a favour by helping to camouflage uneven skin tone and imperfections. Using a medium-toned bronzing spray such as L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Express Pro Spray creates a subtle, radiant glow.

• Exfoliate – Exfoliation removes the dead and dry skin cells that can make skin look dirty and unattractive. To get the best results from exfoliation, work an exfoliating scrub into dry skin, paying particular attention to elbows, knees, knuckles and ankles.


• Shave – It's advised you shave before applying tan – doing so after you have tanned may create a patchy effect.


• Condition – It's generally advised that you should not moisturise within 24 hours of tanning, as this will create a barrier and affect the development process. The only areas that you should apply moisturiser are to very dry areas, such as elbows, knees, the sides of your feet and ankles.