Preparation

The golden rule for applying a tanning product is a good body scrub and moisturisation carried out 24 hours in advance.

Sylvie Thery, beauty specialist at the Lancôme Insitute, gives her recommendations.

Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes the maximum amount of dead cells in order to get an even, long-lasting, beautiful tan. The technique is simple: apply a small blob all over your arms in ascending circular movements, rubbing well around the elbow and up to the back of the shoulder. Next, apply in back and forth movements to the nape of the neck. Then go for the middle of the back (quite tricky to reach) and descend to the base of the back, still with a circular movement. Continue onto the stomach and then, more lightly, to the delicate chest area. Move down to the leg, rubbing well around the ankle and go up to the knee. Finally, scrub the top of the thighs and buttocks and... rinse!


Moisturisation
Moisturising encourages absorption of the self-tanning product. The more the epidermis is moisturised, the longer the tan will last. This step is easy: apply all over the body using circular and ascending movements. The principle is the same as exfoliating!

These two steps are essential.