If I were to list one of my absolute "must-have" accessories for every season, I would have to say it would be my self tanner. I chose to write about using self tanner this week because it's a "how to" question I answer for my friends a lot, especially this time of year. I'm half Norwegian and half German; so let's just say that I've been "pigment-challenged" all my life. And now in my later years I've even actually acquired an allergy to too much sun – is the universe trying to tell me something or what?  Could be, but I will still continue to "worship" the sun, only now a "sun in a bottle" because nothing makes you feel better or look better than "a little color", am I right?

I have to start off by saying I consider myself somewhat of an expert on self tanners as I've tried nearly every brand in the book over the past 10 years of dedicated application. And over those 10 years I have self-educated myself on how to apply it properly and evenly, how to keep it off my clothes, and how to keep the shade of darkness in check – even on the really dry spots. With the rest of the article I will share my knowledge of how to make the most out of this genius product because although self tanner will never replace the sun, it IS the smartest thing to do for your skin and your health this summer.

Let's start with what you will need to purchase:

-Buy self-tanner as well as a basic lotion to mix with it. The self tanner I highly recommend and use myself every day is: Dove Energy Glow, for medium to dark skin for $10.49* available at drugstore.com, or if you're lucky you'll find it at your local Target or Walgreens. The basic lotion I recommend is Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 for $8.29 at drugstore.com. * A tip for my readers, like I wrote I've tried all the tanners, cost not necessarily being a factor and this extremely affordable Dove brand is simply the best.

-Buy a loose robe/sundress/t-shirt to toss on after you've applied the lotions. Make it cheap and make it anything but white as it will discolor even if you wash it regularly after many mornings of use while you're skin is still drying. I wear a cheap and short strappy cotton sundress I got from Gap Body and it does the job perfectly.

-Buy a loofah or use your current loofah at least once/mo.

Now a list of "how tos":
-Take a shower and scrub off as much really dry skin as possible. And by "really dry", I mean don't obsess about normal dry-ish skin, but do concentrate on exfoliating dry knees, elbows and feet; and ankles are a must.

-After your shower apply tanner in combination with lotion. First dab a little of the basic non-tanning lotion to the "dry" spots, (all of your joints and your feet - tops/sides/back as feet seem to suck this stuff up fast). Next apply the combination of lotions and the ratio's like this: if you want to look like you're tan, use 3/4 tanner and 1/4 lotion; if you want to look like you have a light sun-kissed tone to your skin, use 1/2 and 1/2. Squeeze both of these lotions in your hand and mix, then apply as evenly as possible to your body. I would recommend starting with your legs, work on rubbing in the lotion until it feels like it's 99% soaked in. Then wash your hands. Reload your hands with the combo and tackle your torso, arms, tops of hands, and I always dab a little on my cheeks, tip of nose and forehead followed up then by my normal moisturizer over my entire face. Wash your hands thoroughly again - always with soap because self-tanner can stain.

-Put on your cover-up and continue on with your morning and/or getting ready. Ideally you will be able to give your body a chance to soak in the lotion as to avoid any streaking or residue on your clothing, but honestly at times I barely give that process 10mn and the result seems to be the same.

Finally a few more tips about tanner:
-Be careful when you're wearing white or a light color over your "tanned" body not to itch yourself hard enough where the fabric rubs your skin roughly as the fabric will most likely pick up some tanner. It will show up as a little spot that you can get out in the wash only.

-Be prepared for light colored clothing to stain over time upon consecutive tanner use. Frankly, it doesn't bother me enough to stop using the stuff, nobody else can see it but you as it typically just effects the inner lining of pants, or maybe a collar of a shirt or jacket on a really hot day or over numerous wearings.

-Self-tanner is not sunscreen and it is not permanent. I love to prep before the beach by getting a nice glow, but I know that I still need to apply more of my Lubriderm as sunscreen over it, (yes, the Lubriderm lotion is the best sunscreen in the world because it works, 100% the same as "suntan lotion" and it doesn't smell!). And the no-so-permanent aspect of it?  Let's just say it does eventually sweat or wash off, so you will need to reapply after a day at the beach to get that glow again.

-Self-tanner does help "extend" your tan. You would not belive how many times my husband has said post-mini vaca that my tan has lasted so much longer than his has. We both have the same white skin, but I'm using tanner every day - so you do the math.

-Self-Tanner is more effective with daily or multiple-day usage. The more days you use it in a row, the deeper the shade of "tan" you'll see. So if you're prepping for an occasion, start early, I would suggest at least a week prior to the day.

Jennifer Bakken is a San Francisco based wardrobe consultant. For more information: cabinetdenvie.com.