Let’s face it, the cold, wintry months often turn even the brownest of tans into a muddled shade of transparent.  And, while wintertime often projects images of beautiful snow and ice, there are those of us that do not wish to blend in with the scenery.

If you are thinking about taking the plunge and using your own self-tanner this winter, take it from us, there are things you should do and things you definitely should not do.

So, in order to avoid looking worse than your pale white self, read on to find out the best dos and don’ts when it comes to self-tanning.

1. Take Care to Prep

Before applying any self-tanner, make sure to do everything else first.  And by everything else, we mean shave your legs, get a mani/pedi, and even color your hair.

However, do not shave right before you apply.  This is because shaving can create micro cuts to the skin that you don’t even notice, but definitely will once you apply self-tanner.  You do not want the irritation that follows.

If you don’t prepare beforehand, you run the risk of removing some of the self-tanner you meticulous blended into your skin leaving you a splotchy mess.

2. Exfoliate

Another important thing to add into your prepping routine is exfoliation.  Self-tanners can soak into dry skin leaving dark patches that will make you look terrible.

Exfoliate all skin that you will be applying self-tanner to, paying special attention to rough spots like your elbows, knees, and heels.

And for goodness sake, make sure you dry off 100% before applying the self-tanner.  Unless you want it to drip down your body as it stains your skin.

3. Add Back a Little Moisture

Knowing that dry skin soaks in self-tanner and turns it into an ugly shade of dark and gross, make sure to add a lightweight moisturizer back to the driest parts of your skin.  This might include your elbows and knees, ankles and heels, and even parts of your face of your skin type is dry.

However, don’t use anything oil based because the leftover residue will streak your self-tanner.

4. Pick the One

Choosing the best self-tanner is tough. There are so many options and they all differ in one way or another.

That said, here are some helpful tips:

• If you are looking for ease of application, go for a cream
• For hard to reach areas, a spray is your best bet
• Choose a shade that is light to medium if your complexion is naturally fare
• Darker skin tones such as olives should opt for a darker formula
• When using gradual formulas, take your time and allow the final shade to set in, since it takes a few hours

In addition, make sure to wear gloves if hand application is required.  Also, wear loose clothes until the self-tanner has set, don’t add a second coat (it will rinse off and is just wasteful), and never ever apply too much to your face!

In the end, applying self-tanner can be challenging at first.  However, knowing which shade suits you best, how best to prep for application, and ways to avoid looking too dark, blotchy, or orange, can make this fun wintertime beauty ritual much easier.