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Thursday 14 August 2014

My Current Self Tanning Routine

I've become quite conscious about sun damage in the past few years so most of the time I wear SPF, which means I don't tan much anymore. I now rely on gradual tanning products, 2-3 times a week, to give me a nice summer glow.  

I always shave the day before I apply the products, as I think it's too much aggravation for the skin to cope with at the same time. I've been using Gillette Venus (£7.49) and it's so much better than any other razor I've ever used. I know... how can I rave about a razor? It has gel bars that glide on smoothly and it never irritates my skin. No more cuts or that horrible burning feeling after shaving.  

The next day I start by scrubbing my body. It's essential to get rid of the dead skin, otherwise the product may look patchy and streaky. I've been loving Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (£32). It's a fine sugar with rose extract. Smells lovely and leaves your skin feeling so hydrated, sometimes I don't even feel the need to moisturise afterwards. I apply just before jumping into the shower, when my skin is still dry. The texture is rough at first but the grains start to breakdown and turn into a smooth consistency. It's a very good way to stimulate the circulation. Such a luxurious product!

I sometimes alternate it with Palmer's Cocoa Body Scrub (£4.99). It contains pure cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin E and natural crushed cocoa beans, which moisturise and polish the skin. And I suppose I don't need to mention how chocolatey it smells, do I? ;-)

Finally, I apply Palmer's Natural Bronze Gradual Tanning Moisturiser (£5.49). The chocolatey smell on this one does turn a little biscuity after a while, as most tanning products do, but I find it very mild. It doesn't bother me at all. Really good and affordable. 

Recently, I also started using Nip + Fab Body Glow Fix (£9.95 at lookfantastic or a travel size with the Cosmopolitan Magazine that is out now for £3.70). This is a fast drying tanning gel that disappears on the skin almost immediately, without leaving any stickiness behind. It gives you a golden glow within 4 hours. It's easy to apply and can be used both on the face and body. It's got white tea to brighten the skin and Vitamin E to moisturise. The smell is very subtle. I have only been using this for a week now but I'm already in love! 
  
Even though August rain and strong winds are here to remind us that summer is nearly over in the UK, I think there's still some time left to enjoy short dresses and look our best. 

What's your tanning routine? X 



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12 comments

  1. Really love your blog,dear!
    Keep in touch xoxo
    Antonella :)

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    1. Thank you! Just followed you on twitter :) xx

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  2. I love the Palmer's scrub and tan, I rarely apply false tan but when I do these two products really help get a natural look :) I'm also dying to try the nip and fab body glow but I can never seem to find it!

    http://laurensusannah.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. The magazine only came out last week. I still see loads of them around here in London. Hope you can find it at some point. It's such a nice product! :) x

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  3. I started playing around with gradual tans this year and started off with the Decleor Gradual Glow. Nice tan, but horrid smell which does tend to linger and is rather 'wet' - takes ages to dry. I'm now trying Utan by Ultimo (again, the gradual tan) and am very pleased with it. I have the body version and the face version. Also good for the face is Sisley gradual facial tan and equally good, the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster; you just add one to three drops to your moisturiser (according to the level of tan you want) and hey presto! On my list to try are Jergens, Sienna X and Vita Liberata. However, these are all pricey, unfortunately, so it's good to know there's an affordable drugstore brand that does the job. May I ask...how do you find 'staining'? Is there any? The Decleor has a tendency to yellow your bra straps. Utan not so much.
    Oh, dear, sorry, I seem to have rambled a bit! I love your blog and reviews.

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    1. Thanks a lot for stopping by. I love having long beauty chats, so I'm more than happy for u to ramble. :D I like your recommendations too. To be honest, I always apply the products at night, a couple hours before bed and stay with very minimal, loose clothes. I never got any staining doing it that way, as the product will be dry by the morning, when I put clothes on. Never stained my sheets either. Have you tried doing it at night? Try the one from Nip+Fab . It dries so quickly, I think even if you apply it in the morning, it will be fine. But I'd say give it at least 30 mins before you put your clothes on. I hope it helps a little. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. :) xx

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    2. Thanks for your tips, that's really helpful. I've just finished Utan...which I apply in the morning after my shower. I then make up and dry my hair, by which time it's pretty safe to put clothes on! I think I shall try and be bold and have a go with the Nip+Fab one...so far I've only been playing with gradual tans (yes, I know, coward!). I wasn't going to bother with self-tanning over the autumn and winter months, but I love seeing my skin 'glow', so it may well be a permanant fixture in my beauty routine now. I wonder sometimes how I ever manage to leave the bathroom! x

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    3. Nip + Fab is gradual tanning as well, which is great! Very subtle and natural looking. I'm not into proper fake tanning either. :) Let me know if you try it. The sample from the magazine is a good way to start! Xx

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  4. Self tanning has never been an area that I excel in, so this was super helpful :)

    Shannon Rebecca | Fashion and Beauty blogger & YouTuber <3

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  5. Great post! Definitely should give the palmers scrub a go cause it sounds yummy :)

    Hellomynamesanna.blogspot.com

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  6. I love Palmers. Im a bit daunted by their tan though. Don't want to turn orange. I might venture out one day and I've always been tempted by their body scrub as I love their facial scrub.
    The Nip+Fab sounds interesting too but I doubt that issue of Cosmopolitan is still on sale :(

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    1. The Nip+Fab is great! I saw some magazines this week so there are still some being sold. I'd definitely check them out before the new Cosmopolitan comes out. X

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