First of all make sure you are freshly showered. Get rid of that dead layer of skin by exfoliating with the Bondi Sands exfoliating mitt from head to toe. Once you get out of the shower, make sure you do not put on any moisturizer or deodorant. Also make sure you are completely dry. You want your skin to be like a blank canvas, completely bare and ready to be painted. If you wish, you can put a little bit of moisturizer on your hands, feet, elbows and knees. The moisturizer will work like a barrier to the tan and by applying to those areas you will find they do not go too dark! (The tan likes to grab to these drier areas more than others)

Now that your body is prepped, find somewhere with good lighting, in front of a mirror. Being able to see where you applying will ensure you have covered and rubbed in all areas.

For an even streak free application use the Bondi Sands application mitt. Using an application mitt will also eliminate the chance of ending with tanned palms.

We have your back, so why not use our Bondi Sands back applicator to get those hard to reach places? Start in the centre of your back and work your way outwards.

Once applied you can wash the tan off after just 1 hour, but for a deeper longer lasting tan leave on your skin for up 8 hours. It really is personal choice. Sometimes we double coat when we want to be extra delicious, we wait half an hour after applying and then go again.

After showering pat yourself dry and why not try our Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk to moisturize the skin and prolong the life of your tan.

You can reapply once a week or once every two weeks. It is a personal choice and it is all about finding out what works best for you!

Once you tan don't forget to upload a picture to Instagram using the hashtag #bondisands or if you took a before photo, make a before and after picture and upload that. We have a weekly competition where we give away a product to our favorite B&A of the week. Dont forget to tag Bondi Sands!

• Skin Tone: self tanner shouldn’t be one size fits all. Find a sunless tanner that is formulated for your skin tone—whether that’s fair, medium, or already somewhat tan.

• Instant Tanner vs. Gradual Tanner: Instant tanners provide results that show up immediately after applying, while gradual tanners slowly tan your skin over a few days.

• On-the-Go Options: If you’re busy and don’t have a lot of time to tan, a wet skin moisturizer, designed to be used after showering, or self tanning wipes can be great options.

• Ease of Use: Some self tanners dry quickly and can be tricky for new tanners. Choose a lotion that can be easily applied and integrated into your daily routine. Gradual tanners are a great option for beginner tanners.

• Shave and Exfoliate Before Applying Self Tanner Tanning products go on better and last longer is your skin is exfoliated prior to application. Use a body scrub to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth canvas for your self tanner. Also be sure to shave before applying self tanner as it can make your tan fade.

• Apply Self Tanner in a Cool, Dry Place After showering, pat your skin dry and apply sunless tanner in a cool, dry place to prevent excess sweating. If you're applying tanner in a hot climate, opt for a tanning mousse—these types of tanners dry much faster.

• Apply the Product Evenly to Your Skin Starting at the bottom, begin applying your sunless tanner in sections (feet, legs, torso, chest, arms, and face). Massage the product into your skin in a circular pattern, being careful to blend well at the wrists and ankles. Make sure you use enough tanner so that you get an even tan all over your body. If you apply a thin layer in one area and a thicker layer in another area, your tan may look patchy and uneven.

• Take Extra Care When Applying Tanner to Hard to Reach Areas When applying tanner to trouble spots—such as your back—you can ask a friend or loved one for help, or use a tanning mitt. To get the perfect glow on the backs of your hands, don’t forget to blend your hands! Use a makeup brush to apply a small amount of tanner to the backs of your hands and wrists.

• Say “No” to Orange Palms To avoid orange palms, we recommend using a tanning mitt or washing your hands thoroughly between sections. Make sure to clean your nails and cuticles because they will react with the DHA in self tanner. Use a nail scrubber or washcloth with soap or body wash to clean off any leftover self tanner after you’re done applying.

• Let Your Skin Dry Completely After Applying Self TannerOnce you're finished, allow your sunless tanner to dry for about 10 minutes before getting dressed. If you're in a rush, you can help speed drying with a hairdryer set on its coldest setting.

• Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing and Avoid Sweating To avoid rub off and streaking, choose loose-fitting clothes and avoid sweating for the first few hours after application. “You want the tanner to dry to avoid any rub off on clothing which could cause streaking. Especially tight clothing should be avoided until the tan is completely dry to avoid streaks," says Hailey Hemmer, a scientist at Jergens® Skincare.

• Apply Additional Product for a Deeper Tan If you want a deeper color after applying, simply reapply tanner. You can also use a combination of multiple tanning lotions to achieve your perfect glow. For example, apply an instant tanner for immediate color and then apply a gradual tanner in the following days to maintain your color. Well, there you have it, our top tips for how to apply self tanner.