I tried, I really did. But ’embracing the pale’ was a load of cr*p. I have come to the conclusion that my skin looks like corned beef without any fake tan.
So here lies the dilemma – which fake tan to use that isn’t as dark as my usual Zen Tan/St Moriz/He-Shi combo? How many layers to apply, when to apply, what the hell am I doing?
I have searched far and wide (well through the big box of tanning products in my spare room) and found a few products that help keep my skin somewhere in the middle of the barometer between goth and snog marry avoid style tanned barbie.You may disagree but I think the middle picture below shows my skin looking healthier and my dark circles look less pronounced (always an aim of mine).
Elemis Total Glow Self Tanning Cream
As you can see from my hand this tan rubs on invisibly. I don’t like using this all over my body but it gives a gorgeous light even golden colour and works amazingly on the hands, feed and face where a dark product sometimes streaks and looks uneven. This doesn’t work so well on large areas as it’s very thick so doesn’t sink in that quickly but on dry hands, feet and my face it’s a dream as my skin just sucks it up. The added bonus being that you don’t leave fake tan smears all over your bedding and you can slap it on before applying your makeup and you can actually leave the house – I would never leave the house after applying Xen Tan or something similar as I look like I have sprayed myself with gravy powder! Another plus is that is has a lovely smell as do most Elemis products. 125ml is £22 from time to spa
Lavera Spray Brilliant Autobronzant
As you can see from the swatch this self tanner has shimmers running through it – obviously you wouldn’t put this on your face unless you were auditioning for The Only Way is Essex perhaps, but on the legs this looks gorgeous.
I was sent this and found it a bit confusing at first, but then found the best way to apply was to use a mitt and just take the spray nozzle off and pour it onto the mitt like the He-Shi self tanner, the spray was not working for me. This gives a very natural golden colour and the shimmers catch the light but not it a tacky way, definitely one to use on the legs if you are going bare legged for any parties in the next few months as it’s not too dark so you look obviously fake tanned and the shimmers give it more depth as fake tan can often make your skin look flat and dry.
Lavera products are full of natural and organic plant goodness too so this isn’t choc full of chemicals, it has a lovely smell and you get a big 200ml for £15.50 at Lavera online
Sue Devitt Tinted Body Moisturiser
I have no idea why, but there is always one part of your body that doesn’t seem to take tan as well as the rest of the areas on your body. My problem area is my boobs but others have told me their shins are the problem and for some their hands only keep fake tan on for 24-48 hours then it totally rubs off. For these areas I use a wash off body bronzer and the one of the moment is by Sue Devitt.
This moisturising liquid bronzer contains calming aloe vera the
gorgeous scent of frangipani flowers and a beautiful bronze colour. It
sinks into the skin to keep it moisturised and the bronzer enhances the colour and improves the skin’s tone by creating a fresh sun-kissed
glow. I love that it is free of oils and preservatives making it ideal for all skin types even the sensitive like me.
The colour is sheer but buildable if you do want to make it darker and it is very easily blendable. I’ve used it on my face although I don’t know if you are supposed to! £28.00 from Harvey Nichols
Aside from self tanners the two makeup products I have found indispensible this last month are Illamasqua’s powdered metal in Ether and Mac’s Dr Facilier Cool Liquid Powder in Cajun. I use the cool liquid powder on the places the sun would hit on my face such as nose, forehead and chin very lightly (not to contour) and then I use the Ether powdered metal on my collarbones and cheekbones for radiance – if I am going out I use it on my arms and in a line down the front of my shins to make them look thinner – a good trick!
Illamasqua powdered metal is available at their counters or online. I am not sure if the Mac powder is still available but you could use Chanel’s bronze universal if it’s not.
Do you like your skin untanned? Do you tan all year round or just in the summer?