Years ago, I frequented many a tanning salon, burning my skin to a frazzle to achieve the “I’m just back from a beach holiday” look.

I never thought for a second about how damaging the sun bed was or how much harm I was doing to my skin by sitting out with my girlfriends covered in oil. Not a sunhat or sun factor in sight. Back then, people even went to the extreme of having tanning injections and swallowing tanning pills in the hope of getting bronzed skin. How crazy is that?

I have to admit I’m a devil for a tan and love having a light sun-kissed look all year round. I’m certainly not alone, as Irish women are the biggest consumers of false tanning products in Europe. However, I think we will all admit that even if we have followed all the rules, we can sometimes end up with a less-than-perfect fake glow. Worry no longer, because I’ve put together a few tips to help you get the best faux tan you can.

And if you have teenage girls, then get them to read this too, because if your teens are anything like mine, then tango orange, patchy tan will also be a constant problem in your house!

1 The most important start to your tanning journey is to prepare the skin. Take off all jewellery and tie up your hair properly. Get rid of any unwanted body hair before your shower, then exfoliate your body and face in the shower. Tan will stick and clump on dry, hairy skin and look uneven and blotchy, so it is very important to exfoliate well.

When exfoliating, don’t forget to gently scrub your elbows, feet, knees, ankles, hands and neck. I like to use Garnier body tonic sugar scrub, from stockists such as www.boots.ie (RRP €10.69).

2 After your shower, pat your skin dry and then apply your moisturiser, rubbing it in well. Stand on an old towel in your bathroom and nowhere near anything white when applying your tan. Have a sink full of warm water in front of you, as you must wash your hands throughout the process to avoid orange hands and nails. Have an old towel by the sink to dry your hands each time you wash. When you apply your tan, do use a tanning mitt for your body, but apply face tan with your hands. St Tropez Tan has a great tan applicator mitt from stockists including www.littlewoodsireland.ie (€5.99).

3 If you do have a tan nightmare, simply add two teaspoons of baking soda made into a paste and mixed with lemon juice – both will naturally act as a super gentle version of bleach to lighten unwanted streaky skin patches. For best results, wear the tanning mitt/glove to apply the remover paste. Wash off the paste and moisturise. Pat dry your skin and then re-apply your tan lightly.

4 If the colour gets on to clothes, turn the fabric inside out and run under a cold tap to loosen the product. Always dab the garment but don’t rub as this will simply make the product soak into the cloth. Mix a small amount of washing powder with warm water, then dab, dab, dab until the stain is removed.

5 If you are tanning your body, don’t forget to apply a small amount to your face, ears and neck. Never apply faux tan in a hurry and always let your tan dry properly before you put on your clothes. CL

>> Top tans

As I am a bit of a tan-a-holic, I have a few favourites to share with you:

1 Skinny Tan gradual tanner (stockists including www.boots.ie €19.99). I adore this brilliant product, which was catapulted into stardom by The Dragons Den TV show last year. Skinny Tan is a tan and toning product all in one. It claims to help diminish cellulite and highlight muscles, whilst at the same time giving a golden tan that lasts for up to seven days.

This tan has a tint in it so you can see exactly where you are applying it. It takes five to eight hours to develop, so apply the night before. If you have sensitive or dry skin, this is a good tan to use. This is not a tan you can lash on and dash out. Skinny Tan smells of a light coconut aroma. Gradually build it up over a few evenings if you want a really dark effect. You are not going to go from milk white to Caribbean bronzed over night. I use Skinny Tan over two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, and by Friday I’m the perfect colour for my party weekend ahead.

2 Fake Bake “flawless” self-tan and professional mitt (including www.debenhams.ie €23.38) is the world’s largest independent tanning brand for more than 25 years and is the go-to tan for celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Scarlett Johansson and Victoria Beckham. Fake Bake has no artificial preservatives. It’s non-streak, non-smelly and won’t stain your clothes. You can feel secure that you are using a safe and healthy product, which you can also use safely on your face. Each application lasts a week. This moisture-rich formula dramatically softens skin, making Fake Bake a tan that is actually good for your skin.

3 Bondi Sands dark self-tanning foam (stockists including www.carapharmacy.com €17.95) is a unique and lightweight foam that is perfect for anyone who wants a flawless, deep dark tan. Enriched with aloe vera and a tropical smell to die for, this tan will leave your skin looking like you have spent the day on Bondi Beach!

Don’t be alarmed when you first use the foam as it comes out with a slight green hue to it. Apply whilst standing on a towel or in the shower. Rub it in properly and it dries completely in less than 20 minutes. This tan will only last two to three days, but if you like dark tan, this product is definitely for you.