5. CONSIDER APPLYING A SELF-TANNER

Fake tanners have gotten a really bad rap over the years and for good reason: they can look fake. Luckily, these products have gone through significant improvements in recent years. The new brands of self-tanners are virtually streak-proof, and some even come with built-in SPF. Self-tanners do not injure the skin and you'll be able to pick out the exact shade of tan you want. There are a bunch of options available in self-tanners. You can choose between gels, lotions or sprays. Be careful though. Just because your skin will be golden, doesn't mean you won't burn. So keep applying that sunscreen whenever you go in the sun.

Applying a self-tanner is virtually idiot proof. How else do you think all those pro wrestlers get that bronzed look? If they can do it, so can you.

  1. The first thing you'll need to do is exfoliate. For those of you who don't subscribe to Vogue, this simply means getting rid of all the dead cells on your body. This will help the tanner to go on more evenly. To exfoliate, merely go to a beauty supply store or drug store and get an exfoliation kit or loofah sponge.

  2. Make sure your body is completely dry before applying the tanner. If there is any moisture, the tanner may come out blotchy.

  3. Try to find a brand that you can see going on (read: the cream itself should be colored, not clear) so that you won't miss any areas.

  4. The next thing you'll have to do is apply the tanner:

    • Get a pair of surgical gloves, preferably latex - they'll help keep your hands from getting stained.

    • If applying a cream, use upward strokes on all of the body except the chest area.

    • For the chest, horizontal strokes will help keep the coverage balanced.

    • To avoid dark stripes, use less of the tanner on joints such as the knees and the elbows.
  5. Wait about 20 - 25 minutes, and you'll look like you've been sun bathing for days. Besides, with all the hours you'll save not having to bake yourself in the sun, you'll have time for more important endeavors such as breaking into that 6-pack. Oh, it's now a 3-pack? Good - you learn fast.