Tanning With Sunless Products: 5 Quick Steps to Tanned Legs

Our arms and face usually get more sun than our legs. Here are 4 steps to tanning with sunless products that will give you summer-ready legs quickly and easily.

Step 1. Picking the Right Tanner
Stop by a drugstore to pick up a sunless tanner in lotion, gel or spray form. For tanning only your legs, choose a color that will be subtle yet effective. Chances are that a deep bronze will make your legs stand out too much, and for all the wrong reasons. Choose a product brand that you trust.

Step 2. Prep
Make sure that you exfoliate your legs thoroughly before you apply anything else. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and gives the product a smooth surface to stick to. This reduces the chances of splotching or streaking.

Apply moisturizer in areas that you don't want too much color to soak in such as your knees and the tops of your feet. Let the moisturizer soak for a couple of minutes before you begin applying the tanner.

Make sure you don't need to be anywhere besides home before starting this process since tanners can take 30 minutes to dry and several hours to ensure that they don't stain any clothing.

Step 3. Clothing
Throw on bottoms that you are comfortable in and that you wouldn't mind staining. To get even coverage, many women do this in their undies so make sure the house is warm. a pair of loose short shorts will also work well.

Step 4. Application
Lotions and gels should be applied in fair amounts starting from the top of the thigh, down to right above the knee. Once you are certain that you've smoothed on the product thoroughly enough to prevent streaking, take a lesser amount into your fingertips and work lightly into the knee area. Make sure that the back of the knee is smoothed out with a thin, even layer as well. Once the color starts to appear, if you feel that your knees may be getting too dark, wipe off the lotion immediately. Don't worry, a shower or two usually helps even out any inconsistencies in your color.

Work the lotion or gel on your calves, lightly around your ankles, and very lightly on the tops of your feet.

Spray tanners should be applied in much the same way. If you see your spray start to streak, dab a cloth on it and even out the color. Respray the area and move on. Try not to spray in one area for too long and instead, keep a constant, even motion throughout your entire leg.

Step 5. Final Product
Once you've let your tan dry for the recommended time limit, you could be ready to go. However, it's recommended that you wait 2-4 hours then take a quick shower in order to prevent any rub off on clothing or furniture. Remember not to scrub in the shower, just let the water cascade over your legs and pat dry.

Experiment with products and methods when you aren't prepping for a special occasion. This way, just in case you really mess things up, no one will have to know.