A sunless tanning lotion is the perfect solution for those who are looking to give their skin a boost of color without exposing it to harmful rays. It is easy and it allows you to avoid tan lines on your body. Below are some useful tips and tricks on how to choose the right sunless tanning lotion and how to apply it for flawless results.

First and foremost, you must buy the right sunless tanning lotion for you. To be on the safe side, always choose one that is only a few shades darker than your own skin color. This will help you avoid the well-known "Oompa Loompa" look caused by an oxidation reaction between the product and the skin. Always go with an animal-friendly product as well. The animal proteins used in most brands of sunless tanning lotion are what causes the repulsive smell they have and can speed up the oxidation process even more.

Two to three hours before applying your sunless tanning lotion, create a smooth canvas for it by getting rid of body hair. You can do that by either shaving or waxing. Taking a warm shower and exfoliating will kill the harmful bacteria on the surface, remove the dead skin, and help you achieve a streak-free application. Pat your skin dry before you rub the sunless tanning lotion onto it to avoid mixing it with water.

Feel free to apply the sunless tanning lotion anywhere on your body, but be sure to avoid the pubic area in direct contact with the genitals. Never apply a sunless tanning lotion on your face without applying the same color on your neck. Otherwise it would look very unrealistic. If the product settles into fine cracks on areas where your skin is the most dry, such as your elbows and knees, it can look very dirty. You can avoid that by wearing some colorless lotion underneath it.

It is highly recommended that you use gloves for rubbing the sunless tanning lotion onto your skin. If you ignore this step, the palms of your hands will turn into an orange color that might persist for days. If you want to be extra cautious, wash your hands at least every couple of minutes to get rid of the excess product.

Apply no more than one thin coat of the sunless tanning lotion evenly all over your skin for the best results. You may not see the dark color right away, but it will start to appear over time. You do not need to have several layers of tan on your skin for it to be visible.

Choosing a sunless tanning lotion with some tint to it will give you a temporary tan that will help you avoid streak lines and missed spots. It will later on develop into a long-lasting tan. A creamy formula, as opposed to a spray tan, makes the process even simpler because it gives you greater control over the amount of tan to use.

Avoid ruining your clothes by allowing enough time for the sunless tanning lotion to dry. If the instructions say that the skin will absorb it for five minutes, put on your clothes after ten. It helps if they are dark and loose-fitting, so the sunless tanning lotion does not rub off onto them. If you follow the above guidelines, you should be able to enjoy the sun-kissed look, hassle-free.