The $13 tanning mitt that gives professional-looking results (even for rookies!)

Image: Supplied.

I’m the kind of person who actually gets paler in summer (yes, it’s possible). One careless minute in the sun and I go red as a lobster, so I’ll religiously keep slip, slap, slopping the SPF 50 on well into the evening to protect my fair English skin.

As a result, I’ve never trusted myself to do anything more hardcore than gradual tan because a) I get strange looks like I’ve dared go outside in crocs and b) I’m too scared of waking up orange and streaky.

Then during a recent chat with The Glow, Jennifer Hawkins recommended I try the JBronze Luxe Application Mitt ($12.95), a tool she swore could deliver a streak-free tan for even the biggest tanning rookies. I accepted her challenge.

The process

The night before T-Day, I gave my legs a bit of TLC, taking care to shave, exfoliate and moisturise.  I also washed my mitt with warm water as instructed. 24 hours and one dry mitt later, it was time.

Using the tanning mousse I put two pumps directly on the mitt each time before rubbing in circular motions across my skin.

The glove itself feels velvety in texture and looks deceivingly like an oven glove (please don't get the two confused). A great feature is the handy thumb part that not only allows more controlled and even coverage but also ensures you don't look like you're wearing oversized baby scratch mitts.

(WATCH: How to apply bronzer like a pro. Post continues after video.)

The mitt made it easy to disperse excess product all over the skin and even hard to reach places were made manageable. (Post continues after gallery.)

The verdict

The next morning I woke up expecting the worst and was pleasantly surprised. Those hard-to-do bits like knees and elbows were not patchy, my legs were streak free and even my shoddily-applied back looked naturally sunkissed.

Even my sister, a tanning aficionado was suitably impressed enough to steal it from my bathroom drawer for her own use. If you're reading this, don't think I didn't notice.

Given it was my first time using proper tan, I was probably a little conservative with the product, but nevertheless loved the natural glow-y results and plan to top up with another layer and maintain with gradual tan.

Now that I know I can give myself a streak-free professional looking tan from the comfort of my bathroom? All year long Aussie bronzed babe, here I come.

What tanning mitt/product do you swear by?