how soon should I apply? my prom is the 12th of april

I would do a coat before bed on April 10th. Wash off the guide in the morning. Do another coat before bed on April 11th and wash off guide morning of April 12th. Make sure you moisturize with body butter or something thick the morning of the 12th to keep your skin nice and moisturized and hydrated. I'm very very pale so one coat is not enough for my liking. I always do two nights in a row for whole body and sometimes even third night just on my legs because they never seem to take color as good as rest of my body. Hope that helps. Oh also don't forget hands. After you're done with whole body, whatever is left on mitt run over top of hands and fingers.

Can you use it on your face?

I use it on my face. I use this stuff two days In a row once a week. when I use this on my face I do my whole body first and what's ever left on the mit I blend in my face. but I only do it once a week. and make sure you scrub your face good so your pores don't turn dark. if it ever ends up to dark I use a lighter base make up. I also think they do a fake and Baker for your face too. never tried it.

1st time use. I ended up w/dark circles here & there on my face. Can tell I applied a tanning product. How can I correct this/not happen again?

For anyone using this on the face -- I use a tiny bit of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (any non reacting cream will do, odorless one) put in my palm just a pea size. I break that up in a small circle, then I spray a small amount of the Fake Bake. I swoosh this around with a gloved finger tip to mix it all up then I apply on my face. like a moisturizer. Put in on your face like you would moisturizer and be quick but through but also don't rub it in roughly. Use light strokes try to remember your tanning where the sun would actually hit you, this isn't make up so if you are going to miss the hair line some if you're using the fake back mixed with moisturizer, it's not going to be so severe.. Good luck---from a fake baker of many years who always fake bakes a face as well.

Does it stain clothes and sheets?

I haven't used this & gone to bed so don't know about sheets. I've only used a 2 or 3 times. I had on loose fitting clothing and did not put that on for at least a couple of hours. The couple times that I used it, I took a shower and then put it on my legs without putting any lotion or anything. The next day when I took a shower the water was kind of orange looking running off me when I first got in, so I don't trust ANYTHING until I see for myself. Sorry I don't have a better answer.