As far as fake tan goes, I’m really not an advocate but understanding the pale skin dilemma that many an Irish person finds themselves in, I understand the temptation. So if you are going to apply fake tan, make sure you do it right. It goes without saying the orange oompa-loompa or tanorexic looks are a major no-no. Self-tanning products have come on leaps and bounds over the past couple of years and they’re some fantastic products on the market. Even though it’s the start of summer, we’re still getting lots of requests looking for tips on how to achieve the perfect faux-glow.

So we asked the expert peeps at He-Shi for their tanning tips. So if you’re tan suffers from elbows being too dark, knees being patchy or just streaks, here’s a step by step guide on achieving a flawless tan

1. Preparation

This is the key to a good tan, whether its one you are applying yourself or going to a salon to get a spray tan, you must prepare your skin. Exfoliate the day before tanning paying special attention to the elbows, knees, ankles and any areas of dry skin you may have.

2. Application

Read the instructions before you apply your tan. With some tans you need to moisturise before application. Use a tanning mitt to glide the tan over the skin, and with a good strong bronzer you are guaranteed to see exactly where you are applying the tan. All this means that you have no excuse for any streaks or missed bits. The tan dries in minutes so there is no need to wait around for hours before you get dressed.

* Helpful hint! – Apply some moisturiser to the hands, elbows knees and ankles after applying the tan to stop them becoming dark and patchy.

3. Maintenance

Moisturise every day to protect the tan and prevent flaking of the skin. This will give you an even wear-off, keep the skin hydrated and give you a smoother and softer looking complexion.

The end result will be an even and natural looking faux-glow! For your nearest He-Shi tanning products stockist log onto Euro Products.