Kelly Richardson gives a contestant a once-over.

We were lucky enough to link up with Kelly Richardson of Sonoma Airbrush Tanning. She knows a thing or two about tanning the most beautiful bodies in the good US of A — she’s been in the industry  for years and has quite the following with a number of Miss America contestants.

And with spring just around the corner, the desire for a getting a great looking tan looms dangerously ahead.  For years, men and women, have kicked off the sunny months by heading to the tanning salon, to get a jump-start on a bronze glow.  This year the trend has changed, and they are reaching for a faux-glow. Read on for Kelly’s tips on how to achieve your best glow yet — and it doesn’t mean reaching for the sugar scrub just yet.

“The days of being “orange” and “smelly” are gone,” explains Richardson. “Now new sunless alternatives are available including fabulous self-tanners, aerosol spray mists, and spray tans, to give you a long lasting tan…all summer long.”

She explains that the key to getting optimum results with sunless alternatives is exfoliation.  Before you reach for that fabulous sugar scrub in your shower, reach for a loofah, washcloth, or even better a water-based, oil-free scrub.  Any oils on the skin prior to a spray tan, or self tanning product application will inhibit the active ingredients from reaching the amino acids on the skin, keeping the tan from developing.

After application of any sunless tanning product or spray tan, allow a few minutes for the product to set on the skin.  Refrain from putting your clothing on too quickly, and if you can go without the undergarments, all the better!

The most important advice that I can give is to moisturize.  Using a high quality moisturizer, twice daily, will keep your tan alive and from prematurely fading.  Even better,  use a moisturizer with tan extending agents every other day.  Avoid body scrubs, waxing, and lightening creams during the duration of your sunless tan.  The results could be disastrous.

If you choose to utilize spray tanning to get your faux glow, make sure to pick a reputable tanning technician, ask your friends for recommendations, and make sure the technician has taken a “hands-on” training course.