"Choosing the right brand of product is the most important first step," advises Locke. But with all of the brands and product options available, it can seem like a bit of a guessing game. Locke recommends going with a reputable brand, reading reviews and gathering a collection of sample self-tanning products in stores to get a better idea of how to apply them and how they work with your skin tone.

And while looking at the ingredients might be a great way to go about choosing your wrinkle serums and under-eye creams, it's not the case when it comes to selecting self-tanners. Locke says most self-tanners have the same basic ingredients, but it's the amount of these ingredients (which, unfortunately, isn't listed) that determine whether your tan will be a natural caramel color or a shade of orange only found in a Crayola box.

Whether you want a faux glow for a special event, or you're trying to keep up the I-was-born-this-way bronzed glow charade all summer, you need to plan accordingly. Most self-tanning lotions, sprays and mousses take six to eight hours to develop and require you to avoid water and sweating throughout that duration. You also need to allow several minutes for the product to fully dry before getting dressed, so if you're in a hurry or plan to hit the gym, save your application for later.

You also want to make sure you're happy with the color and coverage before you walk out the door. Locke's quick advice: If you're going to the beach tomorrow, tan today, but if you're self-tanning for a big event, give yourself at least two to three days so you can increase the color, if desired, and fix any mistakes.

It's important to exfoliate skin before applying self-tanner in order to remove old skin cells from the surface, says Locke. This allows the skin to soak up the self-tanner evenly and help the tan to fade more evenly.

Locke suggests using a scrub made specifically for use before self-tanning, like Vita Liberata Super Fine Skin Polish, $20, which won't contain oils that will prevent your skin from absorbing the tanning product. Make sure to give an extra scrub to your knees, feet and elbows, which are the most skin-dense and tend to absorb more color.

Unless you don't mind being hairy for a few days, shave immediately before applying self-tanner. The reason: Shaving your body in the day or two after applying self-tanner can strip away the color. If you wax, make sure to do so at least 48 hours before applying self-tanner to avoid skin irritation.

To make sure your tan is even, Locke says it's important to make sure the skin is hydrated. Make sure the driest parts of your body -- typically your feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists and elbows -- are properly moisturized by applying a light layer of lotion so they aren't over-absorbing product.