It wasn’t so long ago that I spent my summers basking in the sun by the pool—sans sunscreen. With a natural olive complexion, achieving a deep bronze glow came easily and I didn’t think twice about the potential for sun-damaged skin. Now, with my days spent in an air-conditioned office instead of my parent’s backyard, I have begun to familiarize myself with the self-tanners on the market. Unfortunately, my experiences have left my skin smeared with orange patches or with a short-lived tan. When I mentioned how envious I was of my boss’s faux glow, she suggested I try Vita Liberata’s Tinted Lotion in Medium. On the label, it says the tinted lotion develops into a lasting tan over four to eight hours and leaves a medium golden bronze finish that lasts up to seven days. Other perks include a quick-drying formula, a moisture-locking system for 72 hours of skin hydration and Odour Remove Technology for zero smell.

Vita Liberata Self Tanning Tinted Lotion in Medium, $38, sephora.ca.

The results? I followed the instructions, applying the product in circular movements, then waited until the next morning to rinse the product off. I noticed that there was very little smell. Though the depth of the colour was impressive, the formula appeared darker in certain spots. The issue was quickly resolved by using an exfoliating brush on the problem areas. In terms of lasting colour, Vita Liberata stayed true to its label. For nearly a week, I had a natural-looking bronzed complexion. My tips for achieving the perfect fake tan:

1. Exfoliate. This is the single most important step—and the one you’ll most likely forget. In order to achieve flawless colour, your skin needs to be rid of dead skin cells. Use a shower mitt or an exfoliant in the shower to prep your skin for application.

2. Use a tanning mitt. There is nothing worse than having stained fingers and palms—and it’s a dead giveaway that your bronzed glow isn’t the result of a vacation in St. Kitts. Plus, the mitt allows you to have more control over how the product is applied to your skin.

3. Let it dry. Trust me, your bedding will thank you. After applying the self-tanner, ensure that you allow the product to set into your skin before hopping into bed. If not, you’ll have to deal with stained sheets in the morning.

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