Glow with flow
FAKE BAKE FAUX GLO, £13.50 BONDI SANDS EXFOLIATION MITT, £5.99 SOAP AND GLORY FLAKE AWAY BODY POLISH, £8
Olay Regenerist CC Cream, www.superdrug.com A 3-in-1 complexion corrector with moisturiser, anti-ageing serum, sheer foundation and SPF for a perfect even finish. Bare Minerals Nude Gen Blusher in Pretty in Pink, www. bareminerals.co.uk This mineral-rich blusher softens and brightens cheekbones creating a natural flush. DAME Helen Mirren looked her usual immaculate self at the Chaplin awards gala. Keeping it classy she complemented her youthful complexion with a flick of eyeliner and glamorous red lips. Charlotte Tilbury Rock and Kohl eyeliner in Bedroom Black, www. charlottetilbury.com An intense black liner with a smooth application for a sexy rock chic flick. Chanel Ultra Hydrating lipstick in Carmen, www.chanel.com Containing mimosa, jojoba and sunflower wax, this hydrating lipstick delivers a strong colour. This spray-on skin perfector comes with a clever nozzle to hit the back of the knees and other inaccessible bits. It dries quickly so skoosh on and then work in wearing gloves. It is light and moussey on the skin and gives a lovely sun-kissed look to previously pasty legs. Do not contemplate tanning without one of these genius little gizmos. Sand all problem areas – knees, elbows, ankles, heels – with the black side before beginning the bronzing process. Afterwards, use the blue side to buff down any streaks, dark patches and other errors. WASH-OFF tans are the Cinderellas of the self-bronzing market.
These less technologically advanced sisters are often forgotten and ignored while their longer-lasting relations get to go to the ball.
But those of us who fear the BY ANNA BURNSIDE streaky calf and stained fingernail know better. After one too many tanning disasters – orange knees, dirty brown toes and sheets fit only for the bin – an easy-to-use, nonpermanent bronze glow starts to sound very attractive. Especially when there’s an unexpected sunny day, impromptu barbecue or other event when it is socially unacceptable to wear a polo neck jumper and tights.
The bad news is that preparation is key to a smooth temporary tan as well as a longer-lasting wash-off colour. But the good news is that Prepare all bits that are about to be exposed and bronzed with a good handful of this highly effective exfoliator. Ashy calves, bumpy upper arms and tired looking upper chest areas will all benefit from a good old scrub down before applying tan. This body makeup comes in five shades from Cafe Creme to Mocha. It’s a flattering CC cream for the face and body that covers thread veins, cellulite and random blotches. It can be applied with a foundation brush or sponge as well as a tanning mitt. The Cafe Creme colour is super-flattering on pale complexions. there are excellent products to sand down the gnarly skin that is the bane of a successful self-bronze.
And for those whose natural skin tone is pale blue, see-through or peely-wally, there are some paler shades out there that give a subtle glow rather than a double coat of Cuprinol woodstain.