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Many people feel confident in the summer than they do in the colder months – after all, who doesn’t love a golden glow?

The best (and safest) option for getting a winter tan is to fake it, of course, but there are a few things to bear in mind when bronzing up for the colder months.

And according toMelanie Brownlow, founder of cruelty-free and vegan self tan brand St Moriz, there are a handful of simple tricks that can ensure the results are gentle and warm, rather than frighteningly orange

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Speaking to the Daily Mail, she stressed that prep is her top tip when it comes to achieving a naturally sun-kissed effect.

‘Preparation is crucial all year round and this really does lay the foundation for a healthy-looking glow,’ she said.

‘It’s so important to ensure the skin is hydrated before, during and after the tanning process – even so in winter when our skin tends to become drier as it battles with the elements and central heating.’

And for even hacks – our beauty editor has tried and tested some of the best fake tansso you know the brands that are worth buying.

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But first, here’s how you can make sure you end up looking like you’ve just come back from the South of France (rather than just nipping out to the shops) in these glacial temperatures…

How to prep the skin

‘Your self tan preparation should start with exfoliating and shaving at least 24 hours before you plan on applying your self tan,’ Melanie shared.

‘Then using a primer that uses natural grains will prepare your skin ready for tanning by removing dead skin cells and evening out the skin’s surface to help your tan last for longer.’

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Before tanning, people should moisturise any dry areas – notably elbows, ankles, hands and knees – as this will help avoid build up in those places.

Melanie continued: ‘If you are someone who suffers with dry skin, use a thin layer of moisturiser that is oil free as this will also avoid unwanted tan grabbing to those areas.’

She noted that ideally, people will havezero (or as little tan as possible) before starting a fresh tan application.’

Application tips for a natural finish

While applying the product, there are techniques that can be used to make sure a tan is even as possible.

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Areaslike knees, elbows and hands can be some of the trickiest to tan.

‘To avoid streaks, bend your knees and elbows when applying and form a claw shape with your hands, you may feel a bit silly, but it’ll all be worth it when you become actual glow goals,’ Melanie said.

‘Using a self tan setting spray will also speed up the drying process and lock in transfer free colour.’

After letting the colour develop, the expert advises washing the excess product away, avoiding any soaps, shower gels or shampoo.

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There are also post-tanning steps that can be taken to maximise the glow.

Melanie said: ‘After tanning, keeping the skin hydrated can help extend the life of your tan, especially in the colder months.

‘Your tan will last longer the less skin cells that are shed, so moisturising after tanning will help prolong your glow.

‘Products such as creamy butters are great for this as they will provide deep moisturisation before your skin can become dry.’

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Choosing the right shade

Melanie also explained how to pick the right shade of fake tansaying: ‘We know that skin tones range from very deep to light in colour, but the undertones are the shade within that colour.

‘Your skin tone may change throughout the year, depending on the season, but your undertone will never change.’

She added that there arethree types of undertones – warm (includes golden or yellow undertones), cool (includes peachy, pink or red, and sometimes blueish undertones), and neutral (which means you are a mixture of warm and cool).

Those with pale skin should opt for peach undertones – ‘They help to add warmth to paler skin tones so it’s the perfect undertone for balancing and brightening. The peach undertone will also help counteract any blueish shadows which is common for paler skin tone,’ said Melanie.

Those with redness in their skin should opt for green understones – ‘Olive undertones work just like a colour correcting concealer or primer would, it helps neutralise any redness in the skin. As red and green are opposite ends of the colour spectrum they are complementary colours that offset each other,’ revealed the expert.

People with yellow tones should opt for purple undertones – ‘They help neutralise yellow tones in darker skin, helping to counteract any sallowness and ultimately have a brightening effect on the skin,’ Melanie explained.

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For people who are a little ashy, honey undertone are the way to go. ‘They help to brighten and add a golden warm glow to ashy shadows which is common for darker skin tones,’ she said.

Avoiding self-tan buildup

Build-up is an accumulation of self tan product over time and typically looks uneven in colour with darker patches or streaks. This is common in the winter months as there is less humidity in the air, causing our skin to be susceptible to dryness.

According to Melanie, to avoid self-tanner building up on the skin, it’s essential to exfoliate.

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She explained: ‘We’ve all heard this, but it really is the key to a flawless, natural-looking tan. Areas such as our hands and feet are often neglected in the exfoliating process and as they tend to absorb excess tanning product, it can lead to unnecessary build-up.

‘To perfect your micro-exfoliating, you want to concentrate on your knuckles with a self tan remover, followed by a high-quality skin primer.

‘The small exfoliating beads get to work evening out the skins surface to create the optimal base for your tan application.’

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Try a gradual tanner

For those looking for an effortless glow, which also hydrates the skin, Melanie recommends a gradual self tan face and body lotion.

She said: ‘Developing over one to three applications, gradual self tan will give you an undeniable holiday glow, while hydrating your skin! By switching to gradual tan, you are also able to easily adapt the shade of your tan- perfect for any upcoming events.’