How to... fake tan (Part II)

Source: weheartit

I seem to have become something of a fake tan addict this summer. After a promising April in the UK when I managed to develop a pretty convincing base to my summer tan and topping up sessions in Ibiza in May and Valencia in June, a disappointing July and August in Britain has left me pale and pasty. So I have found myself faking it.

Sunny Valencia

Further to my previous How to... fake tan post and various other fake tan related posts, this post responds to the questions I've been asked and the knowledge I've acquired. These are my 10 top tips for tanning – the fake way:

1. Use a mitt or gloves. I haven’t personally used gloves as I tried a mitt first and love the results. I get mine from Boots – they’ve been on offer most of the summer and I only just realised but apparently they can be put in the washing machine on a cold wash – mine’s going in with my next delicates wash. Beats trying to hand wash it!
2. Use a gradual tan if you’re scared of the proper thing or have had a bad experience in the past.
3. Instant tans are a great quick fix if you want to wear a dress but your pins are pasty.
4. Mousse fake tans are generally lighter and less greasy than lotions.
5. Remember to fake tan your feet – I try to go all the way to the edges so that any line is almost on the bottom of my foot and therefore covered by any footwear.
6. Remember also to tan the backs of your hands. Often forgotten as they are inside a mitt or gloves. Don’t overdo it but a little tan left of the mitt is often enough.
7. Don’t wash the mitt straight away as you’ll wash the tan off your hands and leave it patchy!
8. Whilst most people recommend putting fake tan on at night I find it annoying having to wander around letting it dry, so instead I tan in the morning and let it dry before dressing as I dry my hair and put my make-up on – that’s usually enough time. Just wear a darker colour and nothing too tight. Saves getting tan all over your bed sheets too.
9. Either fake tan your face or use a bronzer – otherwise you’ll look sun kissed and ill at the same time!
10. Finally, do not put any shoes and socks on until the tan is completely "fixed" - and don't exercise or shower for a good 6-8 hours. Believe me, I speak from experience.



Source: weheartit



What are your top tips for fake tanning? Did I forget something?

Beauty Review: St Moriz Instant Self Tan Mousse

Last weekend, I wrote about my take on Instant vs Gradual vs Full-on fake tans. This week, I'm reviewing St Moriz's Instant Self Tan Mousse which brings all three together.

Now, until I tried this mousse, my new favourite tan had been St Tropez's Wash Off Instant Self Tan Mousse (you can read my review here). Until I tried this mousse. 



St Moriz's Instant Self Tan Mousse works like St Tropez's mousse, in that it instantly gives some sun-kissed colour to my legs when I apply it. But, unlike the St Tropez mousse, when it washes off when I shower, it leaves me with a lovely sun-kissed shade rather than the usual bare white colour. Granted, the colour is not perhaps as deep as some might like but being so completely scared by fake tans in general, this is a good things for me. It also allows for a build-up of colour, so you can apply again the next day, or leave it a day or two, depending on the depth of colour you desire. There is also now the St Moriz Instant Self Tan Dark Mousse which the lovely people at St Moriz kindly sent to me when they heard I had been converted. The Dark Mousse gives a deeper colour with just one application.

The brilliant thing about this tan is that you can apply in the morning, wait for it to dry, dress and look sun-kissed instantly. It smells like a lovely and light moisturiser when first applied and smells no different throughout the day.

St Moriz Instant Self Tan Dark Mousse: right leg (on the left!) with tan and left leg (on the right) without

Again, I would highly recommend using a tanning application mitt. For more tips on how to achieve a great self tan, check out my How to... fake tan post.

The lovely people at St Moriz also sent me their self tan lotion and bronzing powder to try out. I haven't managed to try either yet but will report back soon. Watch this space!

Best of all, the St Moriz Instant Self Tan Mousse is dirt CHEAP! I found mine in my local Savers store for £2.99 and on Amazon for just over £3 for a bottle.

Have you tried St Moriz's Instant Self Tan Mousse? Which fake tan do you swear by?

If you fancy some fabulous prizes - why not enter my 200 follower and 2 year anniversary blog giveaway - which ends later today?

Please nominate me in the "Established Fashion Blog" category

BEAUTY REVIEW: Instant vs gradual vs full-on fake tan

Who doesn’t love a tan? Now, living in the UK it is difficult to get a tan without a little help from a bottle. I’ve tried a fair few fake tans in my time, my legs in particular refuse to change to anything from the bright white they naturally are. (I’ve reviewed a fair few on the blog, here, here, here, here and here.)

So I thought it was about time I did a little analysis on which works better, or worse:

Instant fake tan	Gradual fake tan	Full-on fake tan
Washes off	Fades gradually and evenly	Lasts up to a week
No missing ANYWHERE	Can build up which gives better coverage	I’m prone to missing bit – like the back of my ankle
Not so much choice of colour	Can build up or lay off – depending on desired depth of color	Different colour depths available
No smell	Standard fake tan smell	Strong fake tan smell
Instant	Develops gradually	Develops gradually

For me, I think I have come to realise that instant fake tans work best as I’m not really organised enough to apply my tan the night before and when I do, I often find I’ve missed the back of my ankle or something and have a glaring white mark! The weather is also so unpredictable that for 99% of the time, I don’t really need to have fake tan on because I’m all covered up, so it is nice to have the flexibility to just apply it on those days or nights when I want to expose a little flesh and want it to have a little golden glow!


Update: Which tans do I recommend? Well, personally I'm currently addicted to St Tropez's Wash Off Instant Mousse.

Which tanning method do you favour?


If you fancy winning some fake tan - among other fabulous prizes - why not enter my giveaway?

Please nominate me in the "Established Fashion Blog" category

Beauty Review: St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse

Last summer I reviewed St Tropez's Wash Off Instant Body Lotion. I've been using the lotion a lot on my legs this summer as they never seem to take on any colour and I nearly always end up with streaks when I fake tan - nothing to do with the tan itself but my application of it. But the lotion is quite thick and not only takes a while to rub in properly but also feels quite heavy on my legs for the rest of the day. This is fine my legs when I'm wearing a skirt but for my arms and decolletage, it is a little less appealing. So I decided to try St Tropez's Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse. And let's just say, I'm bought!

The mousse is light and rubs in almost instantly and feels light as a feather - or better, as I really can't tell I'm wearing it, apart from the change in colour. For most the colour will be too subtle - although it can be layered up to create a darker colour but this obviously detracts from the ease and speed appeal of the product. If you want to see the colour difference, here are my hands, the right hand (on the left of the photo) has the tan on and the other doesn't:

It definitely takes the white sheen off my skin and adds a healthy glow which will be great for all year round.

Tip: Just be careful when applying as it will turn your hand quite a muddy brown colour, so either make sure you have industrial strength soap on hand or use a mitt or latex glove to apply.

The best thing about instant fake tans? The don't smell!!

Next week I'm planning to do a fake tan special with an instant vs gradual vs all-out fake tan - let me have your thoughts below, or email me.

Have you tried an instant wash off fake tan? This one or another?

Please nominate me in the "Established Fashion Blog" category

BARGAIN OF THE DAY: Dorothy Perkins Scalloped Hem Dress

This gorgeous, simple scalopped hem dress from Dorothy Perkins would be perfect for a summer wedding or even in the office and it is now only £12!! (Down from £50)

Go on, you know you want to!!

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

Nothing better than waking up to the sunlight pouring in through the window...

Mani of the Week: Boots 17 Down Town

When I got sent the Boots 17 Miami Pop Summer Collection to try out, I decided that I wasn't perhaps the best person for the job - so I sent it to my super stylish sis to play with as she's off on her holidays to Ibiza - right now, in fact!!

For her holidays she chose to paint her nails with the Down Town shade which is a bright colour pop in a hot orange shade which is on trend this summer:

Super stylish sis said: "fab colour and went on very easily", adding only slightly against it that, "it doesn't last hugely well". But then, when it's summer and you have a ton of different shades to play with, what does it matter?!

What colour are you wearing this week? Have you tried the orange nail trend yet?

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

Source

BEAUTY REVIEW: Boots Beautiful Bronze Soltan Self Tan Lotion

When I was asked to trial Soltan's Beautiful Bronze Self Tan Body Lotion I couldn't wait. And then I did. I waited then six weeks. Because I suddenly remembered that as much as I like to have a tan, I don't actually like fake tanning - I don't like the stress of worrying over whether it will look alright or whether I'll be left with streaks or white patches, as have been the results of many a fake tan experiment when I was a student. So the bottle sat on my dressing table. Taunting me. Then last night, I decided to take the plunge and try it. After all, the forecast said rain for the next few days, so if it went wrong, I could hide under my skinny jeans. My arms tend to a take a little colour in the sun anyway, so it is really only my legs that remain an offensive whiter than white colour this time of year. So I tried the tan on them:

The verdict?

It worked.

You wanted more than that? Oh, ok then. It came out of the bottle in a gold shimmery gel-like lotion which smelled a little of chocolate as I applied it with the mitt (which was a great idea as it left me with no tell-tale brown palms!). By the morning the smell had reverted to the generic fake tan smell that we all love to hate but I'm not too bothered about the smell if I can wash it off in the shower and then apply a sweet smelling body lotion. The colour was good after one application - good enough for me, I mean. I didn't want my legs to go any darker than my arms but if you tan better than me - not hard - you'll probably want another application. The tan was even - except for where I had forgotten to apply it on the back of one of my ankles! And it lasted well too and faded gradually and evenly.

For less than a tenner, I'd say it's good value and would recommend.

Which fake tan do you use? Have you tried Boots' Soltan range?

Pedi of the Week: Boots No 7 Me! Me! Me!

How do you spend your Sunday evening? I spent my Sunday evening doing chores and painting my toe nails:

When Boots sent me a couple of the new No 7 Stay Perfect nail polishes to try out, this hot pink polish - Me! Me! Me! - was amongst them. I'm not such a fan of hot pink on my finger nails but on my toes? Yes please!

The new Pigment Rich Colour means that the shade is rich and powerful while the new wider brush with a curved end makes painting your nails that bit easier.

What colour do you paint your toe nails for summer?

Want to know what your nail colour says about you? This article tells you.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Boots No 7 Summer Collection

Last week, I told you about Boots' 17 Summer Collection, this week, I have the fabulously glamorous Boots' No 7 Summer Collection to tell you about:

If hot pink polish and lipgloss isn't your thing, don't fear. The No 7 limited collection is glossy and glittery and grown-up. The collection consists of a matt three-toned bronzer, with a convenient mirror in the top:

A metallic cocktail of four richly pigmented bronzed eyeshadows:

Two lipglosses, in two alluring shades, Sultry Red which epitomises the 70’s glamourpuss look and Sultry Nude which oozes sophistication:

And two nail polishes, Golden Palms and Sultry Sands:

The collection includes everything necessary for your summer make-up bag, I know I'll be needing nothing else. Which is a shame, because Boots No 7 are currently offering this gorgeous free gift when you spend £22 or more on No 7 products.

What make-up do you wear in the summer? Do you change your make-up routine in the hot weather?

Mani of the Week: Boots No7 Golden Palms

When Boots sent me the No 7 Summer Collection I wasn't too sure about the polishes. Both are glittery and I'm never too impressed with metalic glitter polishes - they are never very opaque end up looking a little like a child got left alone with a tube of glitter glue and my nails! But I thought I'd give them a go - for the sake of the blog, you understand! And I am so pleased I did.

This polish, named Golden Palms, is opaque after two coats, glamorous and lasts a long loooong time! Honestly, I put a coat on one evening, which actually looked nice enough on its own, but the next evening decided to add a second coat which looked even better. Then I set about cleaning the bathroom, washing up and a whole host of other chores that had been waiting for me to get off the sofa! And the polish was still there and intact after all of this! Now that is some staying power, right there!

And the colour? Well, it is in daylight a pink base with broze coloured glitter, and indoors, it is more bronze than pink.

If you're looking for a polish to accompany sunny summer evening cocktails, this is it!

And right now, if you spend £22 on No 7 products, you get this free gift. What are you waiting for?

What colour are you loving for sultry summer evenings?

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS: The Sugar and Spice Summer Book Club

This is pretty much how the space beside my bed looks right now - an ever-growing tower of books to read this summer:

In fact, apart from the bottom one - Minding Frankie - I have already finished them all and so will be needing some new summer reads before very long at all. In the meantime, I thought I'd show you the books that have kept me company on my two trips so far this summer, to Ibiza and to Valencia.

Before I headed to Ibiza, I asked my Twitter followers:

Anyone got any good book recommendations? Want chick lit for easy beach reading :)

And they stepped up! With @SuburbanYogini telling me: try I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk. You'll love it. Read it on the plane to Aus!

And @mrsbossa saying: Chick lit ain't really my bag, but The Enchanted April is the loveliest holiday read EVER!

I could not have had two better recommendations, as I found myself lost in both books.

The first, I Heart New York came with me to Ibiza - a real piece of girly chick lit for a real girly holiday! As I lay by the pool in the heat, I was transported to the heat of a New York summer and the life and loves of Angela Clarke as she escapes to the Big Apple to get over her cheating ex! It is an easy and fun read which takes you on a tour of NYC as Angela finds her feet in a new city.

The Enchanted April accompanied me to Valencia. The story in this is a little more complicated but no less entertaining. I found myself laughing and crying by turns with the characters of this "enchanting" story. Four women - each escaping something or someone in their lives - find themselves answering an advert to rent a dilapidated castle high above a bay on the Italian Riviera and the story tells of their month long sojourn.

Lizzy Harrison Loses Control is another in the chick lit genre.Lizzy Harrison is in control - of everything! Something I find very difficult to relate to!! But then, in the same week that her best friend suggests it's maybe time to loosen up a little, she is thrown into the arms of her boss's number one client (she works for a PR firm). And just like that - she loses control - of everything! What ensues is a funny story which is also sweet and poignant. (The first chapter of this book was included in an asos order!!)

The penultimate book in the pile is one that I read a couple of years ago but that my mum just read and enjoyed immensely. The Bolter is the true story of Idina Sackville - the woman, so they say, who scandalised 1920s society and became White Mischief's infamous seductress - told by her great-granddaughter, Francis Osborne - who also happens to be the wife of George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The book has all of the ingredients for drama, intrigue, romance, suspense and the definite ability to shock, more than a little. Completely un-put-down-able!!

And finally, and probably a little uncool and out of place with the others, is Minding Frankie. The latest offering from Maeve Binchey. If you've always given her books a miss, just try it. My darling grandmother always used to buy me her books as Christmas presents (usually the lovely but rather cumbersome hardback copies) - she loved the stories of Ireland and has passed that love on to me. I am just over half-way through this book - it is a little difficult at times as it deals with a young man thrust into the role of being a father to a tiny newborn just as he has vowed to give up the drink. The large cast of characters are many of those from Binchey's earlier books which is usual and how all of their lives are entangled with the baby, Frankie.

What are you reading this summer? Do you have any recommendations for when I finish these?

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up

BEAUTY REVIEW: Boots 17 Miami Pop Summer Collection

Those lovely people at Boots obviously realised that my bank balance needed a break from all of the spending I keep doing and offered to send me some samples to try out - to which I said, yes please! Naturally.

So, I was pleased to receive the Boots 17 Miami Pop Summer Collection in the post last week. The packaging cute and candy coloured - just what you want to fill your make-up bag with in the summer, no?

The collection includes a shimmer bronzer - which will look perfect swept on with a large powder brush for summer evenings - and a hot pink lipgloss - which will brighten up any make-up look. In addition, there are two limited edition nail polish colours - Palm Beach, a hot pink colour, and Down Town, a bright orange  - I'd suggest painting one colour on your toe nails and another on your finger nails!

Boots 17 are also currently offering a 17 Nail Bar in a Bag free with any two purchases from the 17 collection:

Have you tried any of these products? What summer make-up do you use? Does the make-up you use change between summer and winter?

PS. I stumbled upon this post which suggests How to Wear Bronzer (and How to Avoid Mistakes).

What Was I Wearing: Joe Browns' denim jacket

When I was contacted recently and asked if I would like to choose something from the Joe Browns' website to review, I jumped at the chance. Joe Brown is a specialist in the sort of boho chic fashion that has been popularised in recent years by the likes of Sienna Miller. From women's dresses to knitwear and jeans - Joe Browns caters for all tastes.

I knew exacly what I wanted the minute I checked out the site: a denim jacket. I had one as a teenager but for some reason it was a massive size and therefore completely swamped me, so for a while now I have been trying to hunt down a cropped fitted jacket in a faded denim and I hit jackpot!

I'm not sure I'm brave enough just yet to pull off the double denim look but think that over a summer dress, like this maxi from Very, it is a great cover-up for a chilly evening, such as this evening, when these were taken, just before I went out to the theatre!

Many of the pieces on Joe Browns are currently on offer - so if you're quick, you'll grab yourself a bargain!

BARGAIN OF THE DAY: Dorothy Perkins' mustard platform sandals

Brighten up any outfit with these fabulous - and bargainous - mustard-coloured platform sandals from Dorothy Perkins. Yours for £25!

Mani of the Week: Boots No 7 in Tangy

This week's mani is Boots No 7's Tangy. A gorgeously richly pigmented orange coral colour which is just perfect for the summer and against tanned and pale skins alike. The polish is opaque after one coat and two coats extend the life of the mani for a week. This polish has firmly earned its place in my summer make-up bag.

What colour is your mani this week?

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter!

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

Friend Friday #44: Food

This week's Last week's Friend Friday topic was food, glorious food! Katy asked us to, share the recipe to your favorite seasonal dish... the one you love to make and love to eat this time of the year. Before I headed off for my long weekend away, I didn't have time to post my recipe, so when I made it this evening I figured now would be as good a time as any to post it.

This really is a terribly easy and absolutely delicious meal to make. (Please note, it does seem to create an enormous amount of mess and washing up in a very small amount of time!! But then maybe that's just me.)

Chicken with lemon butter sauce


Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
50g plain flour
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
60g butter
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 tablespoons chicken stock
20g flat leaf parsley

Method:

1. Place the chicken breasts on a chopping board and use a sharp knife to cut each one horizontally into two thin slices.

2. Put the flour onto a large plate, season with salt and pepper and mix. Coat each side of the chicken breasts with flour.

3. Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a large frying pan. Place the chicken in the pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until it starts to brown and is cooked through (work in batches if necessary).

4. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and keep it warm while you make the sauce.

5. Pour the lemon juice and the stock into the frying pan, scraping all the brown bits from the edges and bottom into the liquid. Bring to the boil, stirring for about 1 minute.

6. Add the chopped parsley and remaining butter and give it all a good stir to create a creamy texture.

7. Place two slices of chicken in the middle of each serving plate and drizzle over the lemon sauce.

I like to serve the chicken with salad and caramelised onions.

What is your favourite thing to make and eat at this time of year?


Remember to check out the other summer recipes over on ModlyChic - and for more information on Friend Friday.

PS:

Have you entered my giveaway to win a fabulous pair of Oasis New Vintage earrings? If not, make sure you do so right away!! You can’t win, if you don’t enter! 

AND, if you have already voted for me in the Filofax Facebook Blogger Style Off, thank you. If you haven’t voted for me yet, please do go and vote for me and will be forever grateful.

Summer Lovin': party outfits

You will all hopefully have been enjoying the wonderful sunshine we have been experiencing here in the UK this Bank Holiday weekend. I spent much of yesterday sitting outside various coffee shops in Malvern and soaking up every last drop of sunlight. Such a wonderful and unexpected pleasure to be feeling so warm in April.

With the wonderful weather in mind, I decided to play dress-up and put together some fabulous outfits for some special summer soirées:

Coral chiffon frill dress; Floral chain toe post sandals; Floral canvas cross body bag; Embossed bangle set; and Natural trilby with corsage.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Striped Dress; Day Birger et Mikkelsen Strappy Leather Sandals; Day Birger et Mikkelsen set of three bangles; and straw hat.

Dorothy Perkins blue aztec maxi skirt; Warehouse ruffle halter swimsuit; Dorothy Perkins pewter gem detail flip flops; and John Lewis stripe straw floppy hat.

How have you spent your Easter weekend in the sun?