There’s no doubt about it, a holiday-deep colour come December will always look a bit odd. But that doesn’t mean you should hide behind your 100 deniers all season while simultaneously packing up your fake tanners. With a few simple changes and tricks, a healthy winter glow needn’t look out of place.

1. Invest in oils

Oils feel easier and quicker to apply than other self-tan products, and they also nourish dry winter skin much better while giving just a subtle sheer glow. Bazaar recommends Vita Liberata Marula Self Tan Oil packed with skin-soothing argan oil.

Vita Liberata Marula Self Tan Oil

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2. Go easy

It sounds obvious but it bears repeating; always wait for one layer of colour to develop before going for a second coat. It’s easier to build colour than to fix mistakes, so be patient.

3. Powder up

Many experts recommend having Johnson’s Baby Powder to hand post-tan and applying it to elbows, knees and armpits. Basically, think of any areas that may sweat - that’s where you should be sprinkling. It will set the tan to prevent any streaking or creasing faux pas in your LBD.

4. Make it last

A winter glow is great for disguising less than healthy-looking skin, including the skin mottling caused by temperature changes. Tanning expert Nichola Joss uses St Tropez Gradual Tan once a week to keep colour ticking over. “It’s enough to keep skin looking healthy while prolonging your fake tan, but it also maintains a focus on your body, which encourages you to take better care of it.”

St Tropez Gradual Tan

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5. Stock up on lemons

Lemons? Yes, you heard right. Most self-tanners can be removed with a little lemon juice and a soft flannel, but we’re talking body only here, as the acid will be too abrasive for the face. It’s a particularly good trick for just small areas that need retouching. Follow up with a lighter coat of instant tan on any patches.

6. Do everything else first

If you’re getting a wax or a manicure, or even shaving your legs, do it before applying any self-tanner. All of those types of treatments can cause patches, or completely remove large areas of your colour. Tip: use an electric shaver as, unlike razors, this will only remove the hair without taking your top layer of skin with it.