Perfect Tans for Busy Moms

1. First, exfoliate with a body scrub to help the tanner glide on evenly, says Rita Ukis of Avon Salon & Spa in New York City. Moisturize, then be sure you're completely dry before you start.

2. Ukis advises clients to wear latex gloves while applying tanner to protect hands and nails and to minimize streaking, but it's not essential. "If you don't wear gloves, just be sure to wash your hands with an exfoliating scrub immediately after tanning," she says.

3. Apply tanner to your legs first, in long, even strokes, avoiding the knees and ankles. "Areas with rough skin like your knees, ankles, and elbows absorb more color, so it's best to tan these parts when there's very little product left on your hands," Ukis says.

4. Follow the same procedure with your arms, tanning elbows last. Apply tanner to your chest and shoulders, then a small amount to your face.

5. If you make a mistake like applying too much, Ukis recommends wiping the area with a towel "quickly, because once the self-tanner dries, there's no way to fix errors." Your new tan should appear within four to five hours and last about a week.