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Step 1
Read the label on the bottle to find out what skin tone the self tanner is designed for. Most products will let you know whether they are intended for light, medium or dark skin tones. It is even possible to find products designed for medium-dark and dark/very dark skin tones. Determine your skin tone by matching it to a color swab, which you may be able to find on the product. Also consider asking a tanning or beauty salon employee.
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Step 2
Choose a different sunless tanning product for the face (preferable the same brand). It will be less harsh and tends to blend in easier. You may also want to think about keeping the face a somewhat lighter shade, such as medium-dark instead of dark-dark.
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Step 3
Opt for a self tanner that comes in spray form. Spray tans tend to provide a more noticeable change in the skin tone than lotions do. If you want a more dramatic effect or to obtain the darkest appearance you can, a spray self tanner is likely your best option. Keep in mind that there are some very good self tanning lotions for dark skin tones on the market, however.
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Step 4
Ask at a tanning salon or beauty supply store what self tanning product you should use. These professionals will be able to recommend tanning products that will work well with your particular skin tone. If you are a newbie at sunless tanning, this may be the easiest way to find the right product.
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Step 5
Pay attention to how you distribute the self tanner on your body. Remember that how much you put on is ultimately going to determine how dark it looks on your skin. If you want to keep it lighter, apply a light coat. If you want it darker, apply one or two coats to get the effect you want. In any case, make sure that you evenly distribute it throughout your skin.
