Beauty: This is sunshine in a bottle
A beachy glow in January? Here’s how
One of the beauty categories that boomed most last year was self-tanners, particularly facial ones; at Space NK they tell me sales were up by 20 per cent. Of course, as a year-round bronzer wearer I know the joy of adding a warm glow to the face (and January is an especially good time to embrace that). I feel more pulled together and ready for the day with a dash of a sunny outlook added to my skin tone.
As it happens, my favourite faux-bronzing hero, the Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum (£35, spacenk.com) was also Space NK’s top seller with sales up by 46 per cent. But in case you’re not aware of it I’d like to sing its praises and encourage you to try it. It’s ridiculously easy to use and very effective.
It’s a clear fluid, dispensed via a pipette. Though the brand suggests applying it in the morning I like to smooth it on at night and let the colour develop while I sleep. Directions suggest you can use up to 12 drops but I find five to six is more than enough and delivers a hint of natural colour. Apply it like skincare over your face – in fact, it contains skincare ingredients and includes raspberry seed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera for a moisture and skin-health boost. Remember to take the serum under your chin and up to the hairline to avoid tan lines. To build up the colour you can apply it over a couple of consecutive days/nights but then it’s fine to take a break for a day or two.
DHA (the ingredient that causes the tan effect) can be broken down by acids so if you’re using retinols and such like then apply them on alternate days. Though many tanning brands say there’s no biscuit smell I have never found this to be true. But this one has only the faintest hint and I find that by the morning, and after my skincare routine, I’m oblivious to it.
MORE INSTANT GLOW-GETTERS
Isle of Paradise Light Self Tanning Drops, £19.95, theisleofparadise.com
A few drops added to moisturiser will see a sunkissed glow develop over six hours. Other options are available to help cancel redness or orange tones. Made by Future Beauty Labs, the same firm behind Tan-Luxe.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops, £30, spacenk.com
Not a self-tanner but a simple bronzing tint. Add to your skincare to give the effect of a day spent in the sun but without any commitment.
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream, £42, chanel.com
A simple but wonderfully effective bronzer. The creamy texture – infused with moisturising coconut oil – means it sinks into your skin and gives a very natural glow.