I Tested & Ranked Tons of Self-Tanners— These Are the Ones That Are Actually Worth Your Money

Tips To Achieve a Flawless Fake Tan

Regardless of the type of self-tanner you use, there are few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way to ensure you can achieve a flawless tan every time.

First things first, exfoliate your entire body before you tan to help remove dead skin and create a smooth base for application. You can use a scrub or an exfoliating mitt like the one we found from Saint + Solita.

Then, use a rich moisturizer to hydrate your elbows, knees, ankles, and other dry areas to help prevent patchiness.

Be sure to use a tanning mitt (or latex gloves) to ensure an even, streak-free application. This way, you’ll also keep your hands free of tan, which is not only hard to remove but can also be a dead giveaway that your tan is, well, not courtesy of the sun. The application mitt we picked out from Sunnee Baeskin is a great option.