How to Ensure Your Skin Stays Perfectly Bronzed

1. Catch streaks early If streaks do appear as your self-tan develops, you have two options. One is to scrub down the color (ideally within four hours) with a strong exfoliator like St. Tropez Tan Remover ($18, Sephora). "Scrubbing will make any unevenness less noticeable," explains Lewis. Or, tan again. "If you've botched your self-tan, you may think the last thing you want is a do-over, but the fact is, those spots and streaks are popping up in the areas you've missed," says Enochson. Simply rub self-tanner on any areas that have turned out lighter, buffing or feathering it out so as not to create more lines.

2. Fend off odor Self-tanners have a deserved bad rap for being stinky. That's because DHA's reaction with your skin also releases an odor. So don't expect that pleasant coconut-scented perfume to last. Showering eight hours after you've put on self-tanner will minimize the smell by washing away any excess DHA, says Enochson. And thankfully, technologies similar to those used to mask or eliminate household aromas are increasingly turning up in self-tanners (St. Tropez has "Aroma Guard"; Beautisol, "Pure Scent"). If you're not sure whether your pick has an odor masker (or if you still think you're smelly), Xen-Tan has introduced Scent Secure ($32, Nordstrom), a plain body moisturizer with scent-neutralizing ingredients that can go over any self-tanner and Febreze it, so to speak.

3. Skip the long swims (and showers) "A self-tan lasts between four and 10 days, till the outer layer of your skin sheds — and your self-tan goes with it," says Enochson. Anything that speeds up that natural process, including body exfoliation or long soaks, will put the kibosh on your tan. "If you're in the pool for half an hour, you're going to lose a lot of color. Limit your dips to 10 minutes, and then pat, don't rub, yourself dry," she says. If you're on a seaside or pool vacation, Enochson advises using a gradual self-tanner in place of your usual moisturizer to help keep your tan going over the course of a week. Try the Jergens mentioned above, or Nivea Sun-Kissed Firming Moisturizer ($8, drugstores); note that it's not for faces.

4. Keep skin hydrated The drier your skin, the faster your self-tan will flake off. And since DHA is dehydrating, it leaves skin especially parched. "Moisturize daily, and you'll get more mileage out of your tan," says Enochson. Plus, dryness can make your color look splotchy or uneven — not like the glowing finish you desire.