If you're already looking a bit pale and pasty, help is on hand with our step-by-step guide to a healthy, tanned glow.

Sunkissed skin may not be high on your list of beauty priorities now that winter is drawing near, but a bit of radiant colour will perk up your Christmas party outfit.  Follow these five easy steps to perfect bronzing, without the dreaded orange streaks!

Step 1: In the morning, scrub away dead skin with a body polish, shave if necessary, then apply a nourishing body moisturiser.  Pay particular attention to dry areas such as feet, ankles, knees, elbows and hairline. This will prepare your skin so that you don't get any nasty orange areas when tanning.

Step 2: Put on some latex gloves, so you don't get orange hands after applying. You can pick some up at a chemist, but your local pound shop may also do a bargain box of them for half the price.

Step 3: Start applying self-tan to your feet and work up the body, focusing on just one part at a time. Smooth self-tan evenly over face and body, rubbing gently in a circular motion. Leave the skin in a moist condition and allow it to absorb into the skin. Over-rubbing will leave it streaky.

Step 4: Apply some body moisturiser to your hands and apply a small spot of of self-tan to the top of hands. Using both hands, rub tops of hands together to the tips of each finger. This will tan the hands without making the palms orange.

Piz Buin Self Tan Foam, £8.99, Boots

Step 5: Allow the self-tan to absorb for at least 15 minutes before going to bed - it will take 3 hours for the colour to develop. Don't worry if it looks streaky, as you will shower away the excess colour the next morning.

Tip: To maintain your tan, moisturise every day and apply self-tan 2 to 3 times a week. Exfoliate once or twice a week to scuff away dead skin cells.

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