Tips for faking it, not baking it!

Good evening all!

Juliet at http://www.littledishy.blogspot.com/ (check out her blog for all things crafty) requested I do a blog post on some fake tanning tips so here are my two pennies worth:

1. Know when enough is enough - Embrace yourself for who you are!

How gorgeous does Nicola from Girls Aloud look now she's ditched the fluro orange look? It's okay to be a bit different. After all, "If everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other."

2. Subtle is best

Johnson's Holiday Skin and the Dove Gradual Fake Tanner are brilliant for developing a natural looking glow. To build it up a bit more quickly choose the versions for normal to darker skin.

3. Add sparkles

For a bit of shimmer I love Clarins After Sun Shimmer Oil and/or Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula. Both look really pretty on paler skins.

4. Use your bronzer

For a quick fix of colour just use your usual bronzer with a large body brush (Marks & Spencers do a good version which doesn't shed).

6. Get an immediate tan - then wash it off

Rimmel London's Sun Shimmer Instant Tan Make up is great for a quick fix. It's perfect for last minute plans to go out if you want to wear a skirt or dress because it really is instant. I suggest wearing some thin surgeon's plastic gloves to apply so you don't get any product staining to your hands.

7. A recommendation

I don't normally get on with fake tan. In fact I have ended up "tangoed" more often than not. However, I finally discovered Shiseido Brilliant Bronze Quick Self - Tanning Gel which is brilliant. It gives a really natural colour and never goes orange. You only need a small amount and the bottle lasts for ages.

8. Enjoy the sun

But stay safe, always wear at least a SPF15.

9. Avoid sunbeds

We all know why...cancer, premature ageing, need I say anymore?

Hope this helps!

Does anyone else have any good tips?

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Take care,

Lottie x x x

Eye make up removers

Hey everyone,

I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on eye make up removers?  There are probably hundreds to choose from and there is nothing worse than buying one then having to rub away at your eyes to get your make up off.  The area around the eye is so delicate and is one of the first areas which will show the signs of aging so it's really important to look ater this part of the skin. 

In my fairly limited experience I'd say Lancome's Bi Facial is the excellent but pretty pricey (about £14), it just melts everything off and there is no need to apply very much pressure.

Popping in closely behind is Boots No7 Cleanse and Care Eye Make-up Remover which I use everyday.  It's excellent at getting everything off too and doesn't irritate. It's also quite handy if you every get those £5 off vouchers from Boots as then it only costs about £2 - bargain!

I've tried a couple of samples from Dermalogica which seems good too.  Speaking of which, if you are fellow Dermalogica fan (I''m addicted to their tinted moisturiser) then you MUST check out this site called Jersey Beauty.  Everything is VAT free and they do super fast free, well packaged delivery.  Yay!

I use to use Clarins Instant Eye Make up Remover when I worked for them in the good old days.  This is also excellent at getting rid of all my mascara and so on.  Sadly, things didn't work out for me and this remover as it started to irritate my eyes.  But I wouldn't let that put you off as my skin is quite volitile!

To try and take care of the skin around my eyes I also use Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care High Protection SPF30 because, as we all know, the sun really ages the skin and even on cloudy days the rays are still there!  It's quite expensive but it last for ages because you only need the tiniest amount (the size of a rice grain) each day.  I also wear big sunglasses whenever the sun comes out (hmmmm.....when will that be then?) especially if I'm driving as squinting your eyes can't be good for the skin around them.

I'm going to follow this blog post up with one on eye creams.  I'm just trialing something at the moment and will then let you all know how the ones I've tried compare.

Thanks for stopping by, I'd lovc to hear some views on the great eye make up remover debate!

Enjoy your evening!

LottieB x