Body Prep Is Key
Before you apply Elle Effect, gently exfoliate the whole body (pay special attention to between fingers, toes, knees and heels). This buff and polish will ensure even application and result in a longer lasting tan. Applying colour over skin that hasn't been exfoliated will only fade as the cells shed, and we're not about that. Always make sure your skin is well moisturised ahead of tanning time and babes, if you need to wax any areas, make sure you do so 24hrs prior to applying tan.

Hands Up
It might go without saying, but do NOT use your bare hands to apply tan. Always use the ELLE Effect Mitt for an even, streak free finish. Start with a small amount of product on the mitt and make sure you blend the tan into your skin so it looks natural. Sweeping, circular motions distribute the product more evenly and ensure you have a flawless finish.

Do It Differently
We all know knees and elbows need extra attention – make sure they are well moisturised ahead of tanning and use less product – but knuckles, hands and toes need a little loving too. To avoid the tell-tale signs of a faux glow, simply use the excess tan on your mitt after body application and remember to blend between fingers and toes. These areas soak up the tan so don’t go overboard and you will have a bronzed, natural looking body.

Baby Got Back
If you’re getting into a spin trying to tan your back yourself, try either one of these foolproof tricks:

1.Put the applicator side of the mitt on the back of your hand as this will give you greater flexibility to reach more of your back.

2. Or simply ask your housemate, boyfriend, girlfriend, mum or anyone else who’s at home.

Lets Face It
The ELLE Effect Tan is designed to give the perfect glow to your face as well as the body. Start in the middle of your face and blend out to your jaw line. Don’t forget to apply to your neck also. The Aloe juice in the ELLE Effect will keep your skin extra hydrated so you won’t get patchy, though we like to tan the face every three days as cell turnover here means it will fade faster than other areas.

Dot to Dot
If you ever see brown dots appearing on the legs, it’s probably because you’ve shaved right before application. Shave or wax at least 24 hours before so the pores have time to seal over again. If you want to do it all at once, (because #timepoor), blast your legs with cold water before application to minimise the appearance of pores.

Slow and Steady
Start with one even application of ELLE Effect and build to your desired tan depth. Thin layers dry quickly and allow you to control your desired colour. You want to set time aside to apply your tan and don’t want to rush it.

At ELLE Effect HQ we sleep in our tan, this gives maximum development time and it dries immediately after application, so don’t worry about ruining your linen. If a speedy tan (but not application!) is required ELLE Effect Tan can be washed off after 4 hours.

When showering off, do not use any soap or shower gels, rinse the tan with water and pat your tan dry with a towel. Your tan will remain perfect for longer if you don’t have long boiling hot showers or baths.

Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
You need to take care of your tan while it develops (loose clothes, no workouts and don’t do the dishes) but just as importantly, you need to maintain your tan once you’ve washed the developer off. After showering, pat dry the body and apply moisturiser ALL over.

Ok, lets get you glowing. Shop ELLE Effect Tan here.