With such a glorious run of hot weather, we are showing off our sun-kissed legs thanks to a little help from James Read. Whether you’re going away or staying put, ensure you go with a glow with tanning artist James Read’s top tips.

StyleNest have teamed up with leading self-tanning expert James Read to bring you exclusive tanning tips to help transform your porcelain skin into a golden goddess.

With over twelve years of experience, James Read is one of the UK’s first tanning experts, innovating tanning finishes and pioneering tantalizing tans.

Tip 1.

Exfoliate your skin over a 48 hour period before your tan to remove dead skin and old self tan. Sisley’s Energizing Foaming Exfoliater is a great product and is utterly luxurious.

Tip 2.

Wax and shave 24 hours before to ensure for a clean free canvas.

Tip 3.

Just before you tan, use a Nivea wipe over your skin to remove tan that is not visible to the naked eye. The most important thing to do is moisture the dry areas on your body like the hands, feet, knees and ankles, plus any dry areas.

Tip 4.

Start from the face and work down your body in stages, leaving your hands and feet till last.

Tip 5.

When using a bronzing mousse or gradual tan use a tanning mitt, it helps achieve an even tan and allows you to build your tan in fine layers. Apply using sweeping strokes, blending thoroughly as you go.

Tip 6.

When using a bronzing spray, spritz lightly down your body and build your tan up in fine layers. Leave your tan on for 4 hours for a light glow or 8-12 hours for a deeper tan. The easiest method for tanning for hard-to-reach areas, such as the sides and back is to spray over your shoulders then leaning forward so the tan settles lightly on the back.

Tip 7.

When tanning your face, rub an ice cube over the face first to seal your pores, then apply a thin layer of moisturiser so your tan is lighter than the rest of your body. Pick a good face product for your face such as Sleep Mask Tan which is great to add hydration and smooth your skin at night, whilst also giving you a hint of colour.

For more information visit www.jamesreadtan.com.

Click here to see StyleNest’s roundup of the best self tans for a subtle glow.