Take a spraycation with St Tropez

According to research conducted by St. Tropez, nearly half of the UK plans to stay at home this summer rather than fly abroad for their holiday.  I think I may end up becoming part of that statistic as a new home, new job and so many exciting things happening in the UK this year as well as an extreme lack of funds means a sunny beach holiday may be off the cards.

St.Tropez ambassador Millie Mackintosh of Made in Chelsea fame

Statistics also tells us that over half of Brits feel better and more confident with a tan so thanks to St. Tropez, we can have a 'Spraycation' instead of a vacation!  St. Tropez is going on tour across the UK, tanning the nation and bringing a beach themed pop-up to a city near you, giving luxurious skin finishing treatments regardless how deep or honey a tan you desire.  The tour kicked off last week in London at Westfield but is heading north this week at the following venues:

Bullring Birmingham 22-23 June
Trafford Centre, Manchester 28-29 June
Glasgow Braehead 6-7 July
Dublin Pavillions 13-14 July

There is also an online competition running in tandem with the tour, asking you bronzed lovelies to send a 'virtual postcard' of where your ideal spraycation in the UK would be and why.  You can find out more about the competition at the St. Tropez facebook page www.facebook.com/sttropeztanuk

Will you be taking a spraycation?

x

Famous Dave

I started using Famous Dave's Gold Edition Tanning Mousse a few months ago now and I have been dying to write up my review since then but I'm only getting round to it now.

I had high hopes for Famous Dave and I wasn't disappointed. My preferred fake tan is a mousse (other than Sunbrushed) so I knew I would have no problems with application etc, but this actually proved better in all respects than I had imagined.

APPLICATION: Famous Dave has a great colour guide. It's just dark enough to see everywhere you have applied but not ridiculously so and not green tinged like other tans. This means you could probably get away with a sneaky application and still leave the house if you had to. As I normally do I apply with a tanning mit which I find is the best way to apply mousse tan. Now, the best thing about application is that this tan dries almost instantl but doesn't dry so quick that you don't have time to work into the skin. There is no damp feeling, literally seconds after smoothing onto the skin it feels dry and looks smooth.

SMELL: It just smells like fake tan. That's all I can say really. There is no gimmicky perfume/vanilla/marzipan fragrance that later turns to soggy biscuits but I like that about Famous Dave. It just smells of tan, deal with it.

RESULTS: I applied at night and showered off the next morning. The results were lovely, an even, smooth coverage with no streaking or patchiness. The colour was very natural but there was an evident change in shade which is what we are looking for. The colour was more golden and sunkissed and gave the appearance of a sunny glow to the skin which was lovely.

LONGEVITY: The colour lasted around 4 days or so befor it started to fade. This is where I get to my only sticking point with Famous Dave. When it starts to fade, unless you are vigilant with exfoliation and moisturising, it can go a little bit on the patchy side. This is easily rectified though with a little scrub over the problem areas.

I bought the 200ml bottle of Famous Dave Gold Edition Mousse for £23.95 which I think is pretty good value considering Xen Tan charge £21.95 for 118ml. I found the 200ml lasted me about a month and I got at least 2 full body applications a week with that.

In summary, I think this tan is fantastic and I will continue to repurchase. I love the kooky and unassuming name and I love the results. It definitely sits up there in my Top 5 Tanning products.

Anyone else in love with Famous Dave?

x

Update: St Ives Healthy Brilliance: Renew & Glow

Remember a few weeks ago I had a traumatic time dealing with the lack of St Moriz in my local Semi Chem??

Well, you will remember that I picked up a St Ives gradual tanner instead ....
I haven't worn a stitch of fake tan since my holiday - simply because I've been too darn lazy but I did try this out this week. I used it 3 nights in a row and I applied it as I would any moisturiser. There is no colour guide so sometimes it was a bit of guess work as to whether I had covered everywhere.

After the first application, I noticed no colour change at all the next day ... better luck for day 2, I thought. Nope, day 2 and still no colour. Third time lucky? No. This gradual tanner does not like me. It's just not working as a tanner at all but on an high note my skin did feel nicely moisturised and the smell was pleasant enough.

Oh well, I'm off to the shops tomorrow and fingers crossed Semi Chem has stocked up on my beloved St Moriz again!

x

My heart sank .........

.... when i stumbled upon this sign in my local Semi Chem!!! St MORITZ TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK!!!!! *faints*

I am down to my last bottle of St Moritz - and it's not even a full one!! Happily I sauntered to the shops to re-stock - oh what horror to be faced with! It wouldn't be so bad but this is the 3rd branch of Semi Chem I have tried and all of them are sold out of St Moritz!

As I stood there, lifeless, mourning the whereabouts of my next St Moritz, I noticed a full shelf of these ...

St Ives Healthy Brilliance - Renew and Glow retailing for £2.99. It's a gradual tanning product that contains anti-oxidants. It's not quite the same as my beloved St Mo but seeing as we are entering cold weather a gradual tanner may be a good idea instead of a full on false tan. Time will tell if I can cope without it ....

This product promises to 'gradually give your skin a healthy looking "sun-touched glow". Formulated with age-defying anti-oxidant complex, with grape seed, pomegranate and green tea extracts that fight the signs of ageing, for younger, visibly healthy looking skin'.

Interesting. So it moisturises, it tans, it helps protect the skin and it fights the signs of ageing!! This all sounds too good to be true but being ever the optimist - I will give it a go :) Hopefully it will turn me into Giselle - not too much to ask is it? ;p

Has anyone else tried this? What do you think of it?

x

Saskia's Guide to Streak Free Tanning!!

I was asked to do a post on how I apply a my false tan while avoiding nasty streaks and patches, so I have put together a list of what works for me. I understand everyone applies their fake tan differently and it really is about experimenting and finding what works best for you but here are my top tips :)

• I ALWAYS use a tanning lotion/mousee with colour guide - this means the lotion/mousse is usually brown in colour as opposed to white/clear
  
• I exfoliate a day or 2 before I tan, NEVER on the same day. Whenever I have exfoliated on the day, I find it never sits well
• I also never moisturise or shave my legs on the day of tanning as again it never sits well and tan can get clogged in pores. Instead I usually de-fuzz my legs the day before
• I DO moisturise my knees, heels, elbows and any other areas prone to dryness beforehand as the tan will stick to these areas and create dark patches
  
• When applying my tan I always wear gloves, this in itself helps give a smoother effect and avoids orange palms! If I am using a mousse tan I use a tanning mit (like the st tropez mit)
• I usually tan in front of a full size mirror so I am getting to see where I apply from all angles, ensuring that no part of my body is missed
  
• I try and take my time when tanning but with more practise the quicker you get
• I tend to wait about 5 minutes before I dress after application to make sure everywhere is dry. I also usually tan at night before bed which makes the whole process easier to deal with
  
• When showering my tan the next morning, I will wait until most of the excess colour has drained away before using any shower gel. Even then I will use minimal shower gel and stay in the shower for the least amount of time possible
• Once it has showered off I usually don't moisturise until later that day or evening (I actually don't know why I do this)
  
• Everyday thereafter I moisturise my full body
• If there are any streaks I usually use exfoliating gloves to scrub and get rid of this and if need be I will re-apply a small amount of tan to that area, buffing down any excess with a mit
• About once a week I will exfoliate my whole body and remove all traces of the false tan in time for starting over again!

Phew!! Yup, I know that seems pretty long winded but as I say, practise makes perfect and the whole process gets quicker and quicker. I honestly don't spend a lot of time applying fake tan, 10-15 minutes tops but I have been doing it for years. In the Summer, I usually apply tan 2-3 times a week to achieve a darker look but in the Winter I usually stick to once a week.

I hope these tips are useful to some of you but the key is finding your own method that works for you.

Does anyone else have any tips for a streak free tan?

x

St Moriz Self Tan

This week I got a phone call from my sister's daughter in law, Cherie .... she told me she had found her holy grail fake tan. This excited me a lot! Just to put you in the picture, Cherie has the palest skin and red hair so very similar colouring to myself. Obviously I had to go try what she was using.

It turns out it was St Moriz self tanning mousse which I have already heard a few people rave about. I bought it from Semi Chem for £2.99!!! wow! I would never buy a tan this cheap unless recommended ... the snob in me would assume it was rubbish. tut tut Sask!
Optimistically, I bought 4 of these as I trust Cherie's judgement on all things fake tan. I applied this 2 nights ago for the first time. I applied just before going to bed but I was in a bit of rush with it as I was so tired.

First off, I would say the application process is pretty easy ... it's a mousse with colour guide. Pretty much the same as St Tropez and Fake Bake mousse. I always think its best to work a mousse in quickly as the tanning process starts immediately. The smell of this tan is almost soap like which makes a change from the soggy biscuit aroma I usually go to bed sporting! I missed out on the buffing stage, I was too tired and couldn't be bothered. I think to achieve a smooth tan I would definitely recommend this if using a mousse but it's not always necessary. The whole performance was finished in about 5-10 minutes.

Next morning, I woke up to a slightly more biscuity smell but it wasn't overwhelming. The results of the tan were amazing though. I did have some streaks and missed areas but this was purely down to my rushed effort. The colour was brown. Not orangey-brown - just brown. It looked like a real tan. Impressive! I can't believe the quality of product versus price ratio.

Next time, I may apply some moisturiser before applying to see how the results differ. I never moisturise beforehand as it can affect the colour but this tan is quite dark so I am sure it would be fine. I will also buff next time and take much more care so to avoid missing bits and streaking. I have yet to judge the longevity of the product but I am sure it will stand up to it's more expensive counterparts. Will keep you posted though.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, you can buy this in Semi Chem for £2.99. So far in England, I only know of 2 places, Boyes and Home Bargains where you can purchase. They also sell on ebay for £7.99 so hold off until you find it cheaper. There is also a website I found called Sandy's cosmetics who sell it. If anyone tries this, let me know what you think or if you have tried it already - do you like it too?

xx

Friday bargains!

Every Friday I finish up early and usually head into town to do a bit of shopping. Today, I decided it would be best to go straight home as I am desperately trying to save money and will also be in London next week so spend, spend, spend. However, having to buy a birthday card for a friend, led me past Superdrug, Sally's and The Body Shop!

First, I headed to Sally's. I really would like to meet 'For Audrey' by China Glaze in person but unfortunately they didn't have it in stock. I managed to resist everything else in Sally's but narrowly missed purchasing a large, thick barrelled curling tong (i've wanted this for ages) ... i managed to convince myself it could wait until I had tried my new slim barrelled curling tong! Really, how many hair curling instruments does girl need?? ....... Frankly, I don't care, I want I want I want! Anyway, shop number 1 - result!! No purchases.

Then onto Superdrug. The other day I picked up a few bits and pieces from Rimmel as they are on a 3 for 2 offer. I NEVER buy Rimmel products. The only Rimmel product I think i've purchased is their blemish stick, which in all honesty i loved. So today, I thought I would take a look at the offer again, with the intention of NOT buying. Now, I have to admit the first item I reached for, is something that I bought my friend a few weeks ago for her birthday. She swears by Rimmel mascara so I bought her the new sexy curves. I never thought to purchase for myself until I watched Pixiwoo use it. I'm so pathetic that I had to wait for Pixiwoo to recommend something before I was convinced. Shame on me. So anyway, that was the first purchase along with a nail polish and 'Foxy' lipstick. Shop number 2 - FAIL. 3 purchases.

I will be trying out this mascara tonight. I bought it in 'Intense Black' as I have very fair lashes so i like them to look as thick and dark as possible. It has an unusual shaped wand .. kind of inny outy (thats a technical term you may not recognise). My current mascara of favour is Chanel, alternating with Diorshow or Lancome hypnose so I will keep you posted on results.So after Superdrug, I headed to The Body Shop. A few of us will be attending the beauty bloggers event with Body Shop next week so I thought I would pop in and have a look. I love their Vitamin E cream and used to use it religiously so this was the first display at looked at. I spotted a gradual tanner. It was called 'Cocoa Butter Everyday Summer Body Lotion'. Now I am very big on my fake tan and also have a lot of gradual tanners which i rarely use. However, the other day I purchased Palmers cocoa butter gradual tanner so I thought it may be good to compare both these products. I will start using over the weekend and will update on the progress. They both simply smell of cocoa butter with no colour guide as you would expect from a gradual tanner anyway. So far it is difficult to detect any undertone of the tanning system odour, although I am sure this must come out eventually once on the skin. There was a 2 for £14 offer so I also picked up the 'Vitamin E Everyday Summer Face Lotion'. This will be great as I can tan and moisturise with the fabulous Vitamin E at the same time. Shop number 3 - FAIL. 2 purchases.You will be pleased to know after my vow of 'no purchasing' failed, I did still remember to buy the birthday card that I initially visited the shops for!

If anyone has used these products already it would be great to hear from you.

Also if anyone else will be attending the Body Shop event next week, get in touch .. I will be at the afternoon session, it would be great to meet everyone!

Anyway, I probably won't be on too much over the weekend, have lots of plans including a birthday party, shopping, visiting family and having a good old spring clean of my flat!

Have a great weekend Everyone!! x

Self Tanning - Sunbrushed

I am a self confessed self tan junkie! I have really pale skin and freckles and I cannot stand for people to see me without tan. Sometimes I am happy to go pale but only pale with an element of tan. It's not that I don't like my freckles but the contrast against my pale (blue tinged) skin is just too much!

I have tried nearly every tan under the sun and now I can pretty much tell by looking at or smelling a tan whether or not it will work for me.
St Tropez is awful on my skin, gives practically no colour but it is fine when teamed with a moisturiser.
L'oreal tans just streak all over my skin.
Clarins worked ok but sometimes too orangey.
Tan Truth good but dries out the skin.
Any form of tan towel = horrendous streaks and dryness.
So far, Fake Bake has always been my saviour. I use the lotion, the mousse and in the Summer I usually go for regular spray tans.
However, about 2-3 years ago, i discovered SUNBRUSHED.

Sunbrushed is an American product and as far as i know it is not sold here in the UK unless your particular area has a sales rep and therefore may distribute to salons in the area. I was lucky enough a friend of mine became a rep and ever since I have purchased this tan. I buy the tanning kit which comes with the tub of tan, gloves, micro-fibre cloth, exfoliator, tan extender and a hair bauble. The kit is supposed to supply enough for 6 full-body tans but i find i can get a lot more out of it.

Friday night, I applied this in time for the weekend so thought I would take some pics to give you an idea of what it all looks like and how it works. Basically the contents of the tub is what would appear to be dye. Its a dark brown liquid. There is a smell from it in the tub but it's like marzipan. The smell of tan can really put people off but this is the nicest smelling tan I have used.

The best thing to do is pour some of the liquid into a tupperware container, as big as you can find. I used a tiny one which is not practical at all! Then you dip your microfibre cloth into it (with gloves on, of course) and keep dipping in the dye and wringing it out until it is covered in dye but not sapping wet, just moist.
Looks disgusting doesn't it? Its really not that bad though!

Next step, is to start 'washing' it over your body. It will go on with a slight tint so you can see if you miss any areas. I usually start at my feet and work my way up. When it comes to my hands, i take one glove off and wash over that hand then put the glove back on and repeat with the other hand. My hands always look fine by doing this. You can leave the product on for 4-6 hours but I usually sleep in it.

Next day, you will have a streak free, smooth, sunkissed tan. It is impossible to streak it unless you miss huge chunks of your body. You can also achieve a darker tan by not wringing out the cloth as much but again never use it when it is sodden wet.

I did try and take before and after photos but the lighting in my flat is so bad the camera wasn't picking up the colour well so it would be pointless to show you. However, I did have a glowing bronzed tan in time for Saturday night!

I love this fake tan because it is super quick to use. I can do my whole body in 5 minutes flat. Another great thing is it dries instantly, so no hanging around the bathroom naked waiting to dry before you can dress again. I even take it on holiday and have been known to apply it and go out for dinner after!! It gives a lovely natural colour that can last up to a week or more. It probably looks pretty disgusting from the photos but it is so quick and easy and relatively mess free.

Has anyone else tried this self tan? What are your favourites?