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By Hair and Make-up Stylist Deborah Monday

The sun, the surf, the skimpy clothes - it must be summer! Time to hone up on the beach bunny routine, lose the love handles and leave behind those lily-white limbs. It may be Hawaiian Barbie that I aspire to, but the reality, at this stage, is more 'pasty blonde voluptuary'.

Most of us are fully aware of the perils associated with sun baking. Irreversible skin damage, skin cancer, unsightly sun spots and of course premature aging are just some of the unfortunate side effects of over exposure to the sun. Yet a great deal of us still desire at least a smidgen of colour to celebrate the baring of the skin.

There's something glowing and healthy looking about sunkissed, golden skin and thanks to the latest innovations, there's no need to put yourself at risk in order to obtain your desired result. I am of course talking about fake tan. Before you recoil in horror at the thought of an orange streaky mess, bear with me while I explain the joys of the contemporary natural looking tan.

Why spend hours of your precious time cooking yourself to a crisp, getting sand up your bum and swatting flies, when you can get the same 'beach' tan in the comfort of your own home. It's simply a matter of slathering on some cream and while your at it, put on a CD, have a bit of a dance around, pour yourself a nice cuppa, do some online shopping, have a lie down and wake up with a perfect golden hue to your skin. Sounds a little bit like a summer fantasy and I confess a little bit too good to be true? Faking it does require a little practice but I am here to arm you with some serious fake tanning know-how. It is from experience that I speak, as many a morning I've thrown back the covers in expectant glee to view my bronzed miracle body and instead have found a streaky, botched up excuse for the 'I've just been to Barbados' look. Of course when this little tragedy occurs, you usually have a full social calendar, most of which involves midriff flaunting, short skirt wearing and sleeveless little slips of nothing that draw attention to the brown mess you will now refer to as a 'rare tropical skin disease' acquired on your last trip to Ibiza.

Here's how to avoid the aforementioned fiasco and how to keep your skin safe this summer.

The Tan Commandments

Before you attempt to tan your hide, the skin needs some post-winter preparation.

• Set aside some quality time (at least two hours) when you don't have to be anywhere. Allow approximately an hour before going to bed, as the tan can stain your bedclothes.

• Exfoliate your body with a loofah or body scrub. This removes the dead skin cells and provides a nice canvas for even tan application.

• Shave your legs before, not after you tan. It will only prove painful.

• Apply a tiny amount of moisturiser to the hands, knees, elbows, ankles and feet and allow to soak in. This will ensure that these areas won't be too dark and blotchy.

• If using a self tanner on the face make sure that the product is suitable. When tanning the face apply Vaseline over the eyebrows and any other areas you wish to avoid, ie pimples and moles - as they too will turn a darker colour.

• Apply face tanner with a small latex cosmetic sponge for even coverage.

• Apply a liberal amount of tanning lotion to your body, saving the knees, elbows, ankles and feet till last.

• The back can be the most awkward place to reach, but it is possible with a little stretching. Or you can find someone to help you.

• After the first layer soaks in, apply another to ensure adequate depth of colour and cover.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after application, making sure you scrub under your nails and get in between your fingers to avoid the tattle tale signs of fake tanning.

• Don't forget that a fake tan doesn't mean you are protected from the sun's damaging effects. Always wear a high protection sunscreen and reapply often when swimming or outdoors.

• Tanner can be applied as often as needed in order to achieve a desired depth of colour. Most tans last for about five days before they start to crumble or fade. It's important to moisturise daily to avoid dry, itchy skin and subsequently a blotchy, cracked tan effect. A great all round, non-irritating moisturiser is Alpha Keri bath oil. This fabulous product really moisturisers and prolongs your tan. I recommend a gentle daily loofah with this product. It promotes a natural fading of the tan rather than having to scrub the whole thing off after a week, before starting again.

With a little practice your fake tan will be undetectable and natural looking and without the scary effects of those deadly rays.

Shop around for a tanner that suits you. You may prefer the simple, non-sticky formula of a spray, or find that some smell better than others. My personal favourite is inexpensive and gives me a great colour - Le Tan Fast - extra dark. There are many on the market. It's up to individual preferences.

How to look hot and stay cool

• Gloss looks like it's here to stay. This season gloss is not only on the lips but on the eyes as well. Glossy eyes may sound a bit sticky but there are eye glosses out there that give the look of a gloss but the staying power of a shimmer. Just a smear across the eyelid is a quick way to achieve summer polish.

• Gold and silver look great for the party circuit. Use metallics on the eyes, lips and a shimmering across the cheekbones. For added dazzle use metallic eyeshadows wet. Using a fine brush, dip it in some water, mix with the eyeshadow to form a paste, then apply to base of lashes on the eyelid like eyeliner. This technique gives a more intense colour and really brightens the eyes.

• A tinted moisturiser is a great summer alternative to foundation. They are easy to apply, give a great healthy glow to the skin and even provide some UV filter protection.

• Avoid panda eyes by getting your eyelashes tinted.

• Put on the glitz by using stick on sparkling jewel tattoos on the arms, ankles or face. Visit your haberdashery store and buy some fake jewels or diamantes and stick them on with eyelash glue or spirit gum.

• Keep your lip and eye pencils in the fridge to keep them firm and make application easier.

• Keep a refreshing atomiser of mineral water in the fridge and give your face a spray before heading out the door. This will refresh you and your make-up.

• Have regular manicures and pedicures. Make sure your feet don't let you down when you expose those pinkies in strappy sandals. Nail varnish on toes in metallic and pastel shades are hot at the moment.

• Get a great hair cut. Hair and nails grow faster in the summer, so you can afford a good trim.

• You've heard it before, but you really do need to drink more water in summer. Keep yourself hydrated and healthy by drinking more than you feel like. The signs of dehydration don't always initially include thirst. Headaches, lethargy, dizziness and irritability are just some of the symptoms you can experience through dehydration.

Now all you have to do is swim, surf, frolic and make the most out of the long balmy days and nights.