Style Birmingham

There’s no doubt we look and feel better with some colour in our cheeks. However, with all the warnings about dangerous UV rays, faking a tan is the safest – and quickest – way to bring out your inner beach goddess.

We asked Xen-Tan – the revolutionary new product beloved by the A-listers – to help us create the perfect sun-kissed look. And when your celebrity clients include Gok Wan, Lisa Snowdon, Alesha Dixon and Hollie Willoughby, these guys know what they are talking about.

1: Preparation: Shower using a body scrub. Make sure you pick an exfoliator tat doesn’t leave behind a film of oil which can act as a barrier against tanning ingredients.

2: Legs: Start by applying the fake tan in a circular motion to thighs and blend down lightly over knees before continuing the circular motion again around your calves. A good tip when applying to your feet is to use a cosmetic sponge or cotton wool pad to give a smoother application.

3: Chest and back: Again, use a circular motion to apply your product. If you want to tan your whole back, and don’t have a friend handy, cut off a piece of cling film 1½m long. Fold it over to make a long strip and then apply dots of tanner to it and use it to smooth over your skin.

4: Hands and feet: It can be tricky to get these right, so Xen Tan suggest you apply a small amount of lotion to the backs and then blend with a make-up sponge. To get rid of tell-tale orange application marks, wash your hands with soap for a minute and check there is no colour between your fingers.

Xen Tan’s range starts from £15.95 for the Face Tanner. You can find the complete collection at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.