If you're anything like me you will need all the help you can get to keep your tan alive and kicking when you return from your beach break this summer. No sooner did I return from the sun when it started to fade; sometimes there's nothing left to do but turn to the bottle...
Before you start, don't forgot the cardinal rules of tanning - exfoliate and moisturise before you start, or it will end in disaster. MakeBelieve's Spa & Polish Exfoliator is a sumptuous smelling scrub that perfectly prepares the skin. Cohune oil, Brazil nut oil and All Spice create a fabulous fragrance, and it leaves skin silky smooth and soft. (£15.00, available from Boots).
For a subtle summer glow, a gradual tanning moisturiser is your best option. He-Shi's Quick & Easy Gradual Tan is a fabulous choice. Rich in super moisturising ingredients such as Aloe Vera and castor oil, this triple action lotion evens out skin tone, rehydrates the skin and includes a subtle element of self-tan to gradually build a light bronzed complexion. Containing just 2% DHA it's great for a quick pre-party glow or for maintaining an existing tan. (£14.50 from www.he-shi.co.uk, and Harvey Nichols nationwide)
If you can't wait for your tan to develop, try MakeBelieve's Airbrush Bronzer Flash Dry Self Tan (£30, available from Boots) which provides an immediate hint of colour as well as a natural looking tan within a couple of hours of application. The ingredients work together to enhance your natural skin colour, while the refreshingly exotic fragrance has no hint of the biscuity goodness associated with fake tans of the past! As if that wasn't enough, the Lipo Care Complex, comprising caffeine, co-enzyme A and bupleurum falcatum root extract, provides visible firming and toning benefits that instantly improve the appearance of the skin.
The new 'little sister' range from the creators of MakeBelieve, Little White Lie is the hottest new tanning brand on the block. Exclusive to Boots, the range contains nourishing Moroccon Argan Oil to seriously nourish and hydrate the skin. The Wash Off Instant Colour is the perfect tool for a quick flash of colour before a night out, washing off with soap and water.
Tanning while you're away? You need Sun-Believable's travel trio; a handy mini washbag containing their three top products. The Scrub Me Exfoliator to prep the skin, the Cream Me moisturiser with coconut oil and vitamin E for long-lasting moisture, and the Tan Me self-tan mousse and mitt, an alcohol-free, quick-drying mousse formulation in two shade (medium or dark), with an accompanying mitt to ensure a streak-free finish. (£35.00, available from www.sun-believable.com). Created by Leighton Denny (better known for nails!) in collaboration with legendary tanning guru James Harknett, Sun-Believable is virtually odourless and has a guise colour so it's super easy to apply!
If you're prone to dry skin, Fake Bake’s new Tanning Butter for Dry Skin combines premium botanical butters with two tanning agents to pamper your skin and get it back to its radiant best, whilst also giving you a beautiful bronze tan. The butter also contains natural anti-oxidants which fight free radicals to combat signs of ageing, and is completely paraben-free. Specially designed to be rich yet fast-drying, replenishing cells deep in the skin immediately. (£17.50 from www.fakebake.co.uk)
The face is always a tricky area to tan; the risk is always rife that you might go one step too far and end up tangoed with dubiously orange eyebrows. My absolute favourite ever facial tanner is the Clarins Radiance Plus Self-Tanning Gel. Packed full of vitamins and minerals, it's essentially a double-edged sword of tanner and moisturiser. As light as air, I apply this before bed every night and by the morning I have the perfectly subtle glow I am always craving. It's the perfect product for achieving a healthy glow - a great one to use throughout the winter to bring you back from the cusp of looking grey and transparent without looking like you've been dipped in creosote. (£27.00, available from counters nationwide).
If you're a fan of the tan but not so much the lingering scent, you need Xen-Tan's new Scent Secure, a breakthrough product in tanning technology. The luxurious moisturiser is also perfect for locking out the unpleasant smells associated with any fake tan product. It contains a special molecule which surrounds the active tanning ingredient DHA that causes the traditional ‘fake tan smell’. (£24.99, available from Debenhams nationwide)
For the perfect finishing touch to your newly gorgeous glow, you can't beat the Huile Prodigieuse Or from Nuxe. This glistening gold dry oil with a unique cocktail of 6 precious plant oils (borage, St Johnswort, sweet almond, camellia, hazelnut, macadamia), it adds a subtle shimmer to face, body and hair. (£37.00 available from www.spacenk.co.uk)
Love Laurel x
