I am a fake-tan addict! I live in a little town in the South West of Scotland near the coast where we only get sun once or twice a year (okay, I'm kidding but it's pretty miserable weather here). My skin used to be ghostly white all year round until my 2 weeks away in the sun where I might go the tiniest little bit bronze-ish and then back to my normal white.

Well, one day (a few years ago) I bumped into my cousin while on the beach and commented on her lovely golden tan and asked if she'd been on holiday. Turned out she'd gotten from a bottle and it put the idea into my head. I forgot about it for a little while until I had a big party for a friend I hadn't seen in months coming up. Was far too afraid to fake tan myself so instead I went into a salon and booked myself in for a spray "Fake Bake".

On the day of my Fake Bake I was a little nervous - I couldn't imagine myself standing semi-naked in front of a stranger while she studied me and sprayed me all over. I didn't have anything to worry about! I went into the salon, was shown into a little room with a screen and a big fan and asked to strip down into my underwear. I kept my bra on this time and just tucked my straps into the front being the shy girl I am! Then she knocked and came back in and started talking away to me as she sprayed me. It only took me a minute or two to relax and all I had to do was hold my legs and arms out here and there and it was over and done within 10 minutes. Afterwards she told me to stand infront of the fan for 5 minutes and then get dressed and go back through to the front of the salon. Easy peasy!

The tan was flawless and gorgeous and became the start of a (so far) 3 year long addiction! I've been to different salons and found the experience pretty much the same although there's quite a difference in price and the brands of fake tan. Price seems to range from £15.00 - £30.00. My favourite brands are Fake Ban and California Tan. I also like Xen Tan but it's pretty much the same results for a bit more expensive.

I soon realised that I really couldn't afford to have my tan done professionally every time and decided to have a go at DIY. I went to see my usual beautician who sold me a bottle of Fake Bake and gave me some tips. I went home and tried it out and the results were actually pretty decent. I then went on to try different brands and types of tan. I only ever get a professional tan applied when I'm going on holiday now! My top 3 for applying at home are -

1) St Moriz mousse - Only £2.99 a bottle in TJ Hughes, it's a nice light brown mousse and a bottle lasts ages. You can see exactly where you are applying and if you have any streaks. I really like this because you can choose how thickly to apply it and see exactly how dark it will go. Your tan will develop into the same colour as the guide colour on your skin.

2) Fake Bake lotion - This would be my No1 if it wasn't for the price! It costs about £15 a bottle although cheaper if you can find it on the internet. It's dead easy, just slap it on as thickly and messy as you want before you go to bed and shower it off in the morning. Looks a bit like a mud pack when first applied but well worth it in the morning.

3) U-Glo spray - Again, I found this in TJ Hughes for about £3.00 but I haven't been able to find it cheap since. It's a small spray can and usually lasts 1 application plus 1 light top-up application. Unlike my other favourite products it doesn't have a guide colour but it does leave a mist on your skin so you can see if you've missed any places. I like this one because you don't have to rub it in and it only takes a few seconds to dry.

Hopefully one of these works for you! I also have a few tips which will help you to get the hang of fake tanning and stop wasting money at the salon!

Tips
Day before tanning day - take a long hot shower/bath and exfoliate well using a loofah on body and a face scrub. Shave/wax - do not do this on the same day as you'll get funny patches! Moisturise.

Immediately before tanning - put gloves on or use a tanning mit. Put moisturiser thickly on knees, elbows, feet and the back of your hands (not your palms). Dont rub it in.

Apply the tan in circles all over avoiding the moisturised places and your face. Rub a tiny bit of tan into your hands and mix it in with all the moisturised places. Mix the tan half and half with moisturiser before applying to your face or you'll go orange! Also rub in moisturiser between your wrists so you can't see a line between your palms and arms!

Get dressed when your skin is touch dry (speed it up with a hairdryer if you want). If you're using a tan with a guide colour put old clothes on as it DOES stain no matter which brand you use. It will wash out of most things except whites where it goes a funny pink colour.

Rinse off next day/8 hours later and you'll have a lovely tan! Moisturise every couple of days to keep your tan and top up once or twice a week.