The smell of biscuits is definitely on the horizon. With summer being in full swing many of us will be wanting that glowing bronze goddess tan and instead of sitting in the sun for hours on end to achieve a natural tan - as this is incredibly damaging to our skin, always wear suncream - will want to fake it. There’s a few different ways to do this and a few paramount steps to take in order to achieve the best, natural looking, fake tan you can so here are my top tips.

Exfoliate | To prevent tan clinging to any dry skin be sure to exfoliate everywhere you’ll be tanning, legs, arms, chest, the lot. Pay special attention to places like the knees, elbows and ankles as tan tends to especially gather in these areas. Great body scrubs out there include Soap & Glory Scrub ‘Em And Leave ‘Em & The Breakfast Scrub and the Sanctuary Salt Scrub is a great exfoliating and moisturising scrub too.

Moisturise | Moisturising is paramount to achieving a smooth, streak free tan. Not only is moisturising your skin generally good for smoothing everything out and looking after your limbs it will prevent any unwanted patchy tan. I like to use an after sun rather than an actual body moisturiser as they tend to be lighter in formula so sink into the skin faster but still give heavy hydration. Clarins After Sun Gel Ultra-Soothing is a lovely after sun as is the Garnier After Sun, for a more affordable option.

Barrier | The step a lot of people forget is to barrier off places that don’t need tan or tan easily gathers. If you’re using an instant tan this step can be skipped but if you’re using a fake tan that will be sticking around for at least a week this step is essential. To do this use Vaseline - petroleum jelly - and apply to the ankles, heels, knees - front and back -, elbows - front and back -, collar bones, wrists, under arms and around your hair line.

Tan | To apply fake tan always use a mitt. Whether its instant tan, a mouse, lotion, whatever your preferred tan is always, always, always use a mitt. Using a mitt will mean the tan is easily worked into the skin, is streak free and evenly applied but also that your hands aren’t left stained a lovely shade of orange. Apply a little at a time instead of going in with a massive dollop and not be able to blend it in. Work in sections so the tan doesn’t start drying before you’ve finished working it in and only use the excess left on the mitt to brush over the tops of your hands and feet. Great self-tanners include the St Tropez Bronzing Mouse, the St Tropez Express Tan Mousse and Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe. Great instant tanners include the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan, the Fake Bake Bronzer Instant Tan Lotion and the Clarins Instant Smoothing Self Tan for the face. The Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body is a great alternative for those of use who are scared of fake tan but still want the bronzed goddess look or add even more shimmer on top of your tan.

Do you have any tanning tips?

~ Jade xx