As I've mentioned before, I am a total tanning re-convert. If that makes no sense, let me reiterate. Back in my teen years and early twenties I wore a lot of tan. Back then, it smelt awful and I probably looked a state and thankfully a lot has changed since then. For one, you don't have to spend a small fortune on your tan to get a high quality result. I rarely if ever spend more than a tenner on a fake tan now because I've tried them all and I know the good from the bad. I also have my tanning routine down to a fine art.
So, here it is, prepare yisser selves! And as it's party season, there's no better time to perfect your own tanning routine! I have daily steps listed to bring you from today right up to New Years Eve on Thursday!
1. So first up, I exfoliate the bejaysus out of myself. I'll be doing this part today as I generally do this the day before I tan so my skin is smooth and calm by the main event.
I'm always trying new exfoliators so in my shower at the minute are; Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. This is a brand new tub cause I'm using up another as we speak but this fella is a well known classic so you probably don't need a run down but here goes; it smells incredible and is a nifty little body scrub. I would eat it if I could but my brain has a built in life-preserver so here we are.
Next up is The Body Shop Coconut scrub. I've used several different Body Shop scrubs and they're all excellent. Generally they all smell wonderful and contain fair trade ingredients so you're on to a winner. Lastly, I'm loving this scrub from Kiehls. I'm a big fan of the brand and this has a gloriously comforting scent. It's more like a shower cream that has a very fine exfoliator in it so it's a pleasure to use and it smells vaguely like holidays which is always lovely. I usually dry exfoliate first; this means I apply the scrub to dry skin first with a circular motion, then wash it off while using a circular motion again. I also do any shaving that I need to during this shower.
I'm always trying new exfoliators so in my shower at the minute are; Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. This is a brand new tub cause I'm using up another as we speak but this fella is a well known classic so you probably don't need a run down but here goes; it smells incredible and is a nifty little body scrub. I would eat it if I could but my brain has a built in life-preserver so here we are.
Next up is The Body Shop Coconut scrub. I've used several different Body Shop scrubs and they're all excellent. Generally they all smell wonderful and contain fair trade ingredients so you're on to a winner. Lastly, I'm loving this scrub from Kiehls. I'm a big fan of the brand and this has a gloriously comforting scent. It's more like a shower cream that has a very fine exfoliator in it so it's a pleasure to use and it smells vaguely like holidays which is always lovely. I usually dry exfoliate first; this means I apply the scrub to dry skin first with a circular motion, then wash it off while using a circular motion again. I also do any shaving that I need to during this shower.
2. I lightly moisturise.
By this I mean I use a light body lotion, again I'll be doing this today. I want my skin to be moisturised after the exfoliating but I don't want so much moisture that it leaves a residue and causes streaks when I apply the tan. So, at the minute I'm using this body lotion from Victorias Secret, which is lovely and smells delightful. It adds enough comfort to my skin so that it's no longer dry and itchy but not so much that I feel greasy. Yay for not feeling greasy!
A long term favourite is the Ginger Rush Body Cream from Origins. Although this has a light texture, it's still deeply moisturising and it smells unbelievable!
A long term favourite is the Ginger Rush Body Cream from Origins. Although this has a light texture, it's still deeply moisturising and it smells unbelievable!
3. Tan! Tan! Tan!
So you have loads of options here but I promised a bargainous post, so:
At the minute I'm loving St. Moriz. Truth be told I never tried this brand until a couple of months ago I was sent these to try and I was pleasantly surprised. These are really, really good. My absolute favourite is the Instant Self Tanning Lotion in Medium. It says Instant but it also says to leave it for 4-6 hours so I leave it overnight. It has a guide colour so you can see exactly where you're putting it, I've never had a streak from it and it smells lovely.
As it develops, there is a hint of a fake tan scent but apparently it's not that obvious because the first time I used it my husband said "did you put tan on last night? You look tanned but there's no smell". If a man notices, you know you're on to a good thing.
Also in the range are the Instant Self Tanning Mousse and the Instant Self Tanning Mist. I really like the mousse but feel I have less control with the mist. Either way, your end result is a natural bronzed glow- no orange tones here. If I want to be a bit darker, I put two coat on the night before. Otherwise, just the one. I'll be doing that tomorrow night.
Also in the range are the Instant Self Tanning Mousse and the Instant Self Tanning Mist. I really like the mousse but feel I have less control with the mist. Either way, your end result is a natural bronzed glow- no orange tones here. If I want to be a bit darker, I put two coat on the night before. Otherwise, just the one. I'll be doing that tomorrow night.
4. Extra bronze & sparkle.
This isn't a necessary step but if I wake up on Thursday morning and feel like I was too light handed with the overnight tan, there's Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan.
This is the matte version but you can get it in shimmer too. I've been using this one since I was a teenager and it's pretty much fool-proof. Plus it has a lovely scent that makes me reminisce about going out back in the day in ridiculous get-ups that you need the confidence of youth to pull off.
This is the matte version but you can get it in shimmer too. I've been using this one since I was a teenager and it's pretty much fool-proof. Plus it has a lovely scent that makes me reminisce about going out back in the day in ridiculous get-ups that you need the confidence of youth to pull off.
I'm also liking this Instant Tan Bronzing Gel in Shimmer from Cocoa Brown. This product came out just a few months back and comes in a matte version too.
Lastly, I usually add a bit of powder bronzer to my clavicle and neck and then up onto my face for cheekbones to die for. I love the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow but it's a bit too light for when I have tan on so there's also bronzers from; St Moriz, Chanel, and Florimar.
Lastly, I usually add a bit of powder bronzer to my clavicle and neck and then up onto my face for cheekbones to die for. I love the Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow but it's a bit too light for when I have tan on so there's also bronzers from; St Moriz, Chanel, and Florimar.
So that's that. Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned? What's your preferred tanning method?
XX
*This is not a sponsored post but does feature some products I was sent for review. All opinions are my own, as always!
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