Not Particularly Orange: How to Apply Fake Tan

Shaving: shave your legs at least 24 hours before applying any tan to the skin. This allows time for the pores to close and prevents the skin from reacting to the tan product.
Prepare your skin: before applying any fake tan you need to exfoliate your skin in the shower using body scrubs or exfoliating gloves. Pat your skin dry with a towel and moisturise at the elbows, knees, hands, wrists and ankles. These are the areas that the tan tends to stick because the skin is more dry and by moisturising it can prevent this.
Applying the tan: get a tanning mitt for applying the tan. This prevents the tan from leaking through onto the palm of your hand. Start to apply your tan on the legs first and work your way up the body. Put a blob of the tan of your choice onto the mitt and rub it in circular motions onto the body. Leave the tan to dry on your skin for at least 15 minutes before putting clothes on over it. Try to wear lose fitted clothing after application to prevent any of the tan coming off.
Tanning your hands: when it comes to applying tan to the hands less is more. To prevent the tan from sticking to your knuckles make sure to moisturise your hands and then use the excess tan left on the mitt and apply it to the hands.
Tanning your face: remove all makeup from your face and apply a light moisturiser. Applying petroleum jelly under the eyes to prevent the tan from darkening the bags under your eyes, also apply some to the eyebrows to prevent the eyebrows turning orange. Put a small bit of the tan product onto the mitt and gently rub it into the face. Rub the excess product up onto the ears to give them a bronzed look.
Prolonging your tan: to make the tan last longer moisturise your body after showering. Avoid shaving your legs after applying the tan as this removes the layer of tan.