I have fair skin, this gets me dark. I do two to three coats. I’ll probably buy the darkest color when I reorder as I have the second to darkest. I leave it on all day. Then wash it off the next morning. By the time I shower any color that comes off is very minimal- just the color guide which is a slightly gray tint. I end up coming out of the shower as dark as I was going into the shower, just with a beautiful brown color minus the slight gray hue. I, like many here, have used almost every self tanner on the market. This stuff is cheap and gives you a deep, dark tan, what more could you ask for? The color doesn’t settle right away so you can check it out once done in one area and you have time to even it out if you need to. I never have streaks or am blotchy. Just be sure to properly prep your skin, this is the key to an even, beautiful tan. If you’re a beginner do your research, or read the pro tips below. I wish someone had given me these tips before I first started on my self-tanning journey. Here is how I prep and how I keep my tan lasting as long as possible.- Start exfoliating two to three days prior to tanning. (Here’s why this first step is MOST important: If you just exfoliate once, you’re going to get a bunch of dead skin cells off, but you’re not going to get everything off. When you tan dead skin cells, those dead skin cells are going to eventually shed themselves not at the same time as the other skin cells, and so you’ll left looking patchy or spotty. I use Indie Lee’s ‘Coconut Citrus Body Scrub,’ but any salt or sugar scrub you like will do. If you have dry skin, use a moisturizing body scrub as exfoliating can be abrasive and remove moisture.- Remove hair the day before with an epilator or by waxing, something long term so you don’t have to shave your color off. If you must shave, shave the day of tanning when you shower, not the day before.- Shower the day of tanning- but WAIT to tan. You want your skin to be clean when you apply your self-tanner, but you should wait a little bit post-shower to slather on tanner. When you get out of the shower, your skin is more absorptive and the self-tanner or the bronzer [can] seep into your pores, which can leave you with a speckled appearance, almost looks like blackheads or freckles. **If you're in a hurry to apply, you can run ice cold water over skin for 15 seconds to prevent seepage, but your skin should be completely dry before applying tanner to prevent uneven application.- Protect your hands and feet, apply a fragrance free moisturizer because if you don’t they will be orange. Go for a non-oily moisturizer that absorbs quickly. Make sure whatever you use even if it’s something you have to use in a bind, that it COMPLETELY absorbs into skin first. For dry skin do two coats. I VERY lightly apply moisturizer to knees and elbows and lightly apply tanner on these areas as well.- Use a tanning mitt, for small areas like feet you can use a make up brush, it works just as well as a tanning brush- trust me I’ve used both. Doing this ensures a subtle tan in those areas also. I use one for my face also, and blend it into my hairline in circular motions.- Work from the feet up. Your body creases and so will your tanner if you don’t.- If you forget to pick up a sling tanner for your back, use a spatula and put it in your mitt. (Don’t judge 😂)- WASH HANDA IMMEDIATELY AFTER. Use a makeup brush to blend the areas around your hands and wrists so that you don't finish with a line.- To preserve your self-tan for as long as possible, take lukewarm showers. Once you get out of the shower, be sure to pat yourself dry instead of rubbing and always moisturize. If you need to wear something tight like a sports bra, apply talc-free baby powder onto your skin before you wear it to make sure your tan stays glowing.To keep up with your tan for as long as possible be sure to use these showering tips towards the bottom. When you remove hair try a cream hair remover, avoid shaving if you’re gonna keep up the tan. Reapply as needed, every few days should do the trick.