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Ask a makeup artist: How to master self-tanning

Get that beach-ready tan without going outside. (Thinkstock)
Get that beach-ready tan without going outside. (Thinkstock)

"You don’t want to “look like you rolled around in Doritos.”

That’s advice from celebrity makeup artist Tami El Sombati that you can apply to every day life, but specifically, she’s talking about the art of applying self-tanner.

With warmer weather finally arriving for many Canadians (and hopefully on the way for the rest of us!), we're ready to ditch our winter coats and jeans in favour of cute sundresses -- but we really don't want our legs to blind people.

Enter the self-tan. It’s a notoriously hard beauty procedure to master, but it is possible if you have the right guidance before you get to work.

That's where El Sombati can help. She’s responsible for the enviable faux glows of too-many-to-count models and celebrities, so you can trust she knows what’s up when it comes to not transforming yourself into a human cheesy snack.

“Some of the biggest mistakes when it comes to self-tanning are uneven colour, streaks, dark patches, and worst of all - orange hands.They’re a dead giveaway,” she says.

Needless to say, a natural glow is your ultimate goal and prepping your body is key.

“A crucial step before applying any kind of self-tanner is to exfoliate your entire body. Any kind of built up dead skin cells can result in uneven colour,” explains El Sombati.

“A great tip for problem dry areas (such as your elbows, heels, knees) is to apply moisturizer before applying the tanner so there can be a bit of a barrier between the tanner and your skin. This way, the colour won’t become too dark in those areas. You should also shave or wax the day before so there’s no irritation to the skin.”

The business of applying self-tanner also requires strategy for the best, most long lasting results.

“Focusing on one area of the body at a time is the easiest way to apply self tanner,” she says. “Try to apply it evenly in long strokes to achieve a consistent tan. Starting at your legs and feet is your best bet for a botch-free job because you don’t have to bend over or disrupt what you would have applied on your upper body.”

Making your self-tan last is the final step in your journey to a respectable faux glow, says El Sombati. Plus, proper maintenance is an incentive to avoid having to go through the harrowing procedure again any time soon.

“Moisturizing every day between applications is a great way to make your tan stretch. At the same time, you may need to exfoliate when you notice your colour fading and getting uneven. Some light exfoliation will help it fade evenly, and you can always re-apply. Try to avoid any tight clothing (including socks) or showering for 6-8 hours after you’ve applied so the tan can fully develop.”

Do you have any tips for the perfect self-tan? Share them in the comments below or tweet @YahooShineCA.