makeupbyhollymarie

Fake Tanning

In summer we all lust for a glowing golden tan that suggests we've spent the holidays at an exotic tropical get away, realistically though chances of that are pretty slim and the closest a lot of us gals get to a gleaming sun kissed tan is the painful beetroot look, that ends up peeling off three days later. Despite the fact we are transitioning from the summer to autumn months, it is no excuse to slack off on the tanning front (although I do appreciate the cringe worthy thought of awkwardly standing in the nude waiting for your tan to dry in the midst of winter).  I am by no means a 'tanorexic' by any stretch of the imagination, but there is something so satisfying about rocking glowing bronzed limbs all year round. Therefore today I though I would share my top two fake tanners that I swear by for a deep, dark tan.

Xen Tan - Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe (Ultra Dark) : This is hailed as the 'best of the best' of fake tanners currently on the market by an array of beauty bloggers and vloggers alike. Xen Tan deem this product to be the premium sunless tanner, accompanied by olive undertones and delicious scents. Despite being ultra dark, this tanner, unlike most is really hard to 'stuff' up. Upon application you will notice it has a slight green tinge to the somewhat clay like consistency, an excellent guide colour when applying it to your skin. As for the smell, it contains green tea extracts and vanilla so doesn't leave you smelling like a stale biscuit! As far as I'm concerned, the only down side to this tanner is the sheer cost, $70 NZD isn't cheap for a tan! With that being said, it works out cheaper then getting a spray tan at most salons.

St. Moritz - Instant Self Tanning Lotion: This is a fabulous cheap alternative to tanners by St Tropez. This tan is so easy to use, and the results will leave you with a luxurious professional finish. St Moritz tan is quite obviously green based and as the name suggests, is of a lotion formulation, meaning that you have to work quite fast when applying to avoid streaks and staining. For newbies to tanning, I would recommend applying a thin layer of moisturiser prior - paying particular attention to knees, ankles and elbows, to ensure a even finish. It has an instant bronzing effect, which helps acts as a guide colour throughout the application process. This is quite easily my favourite affordable tanning lotion, the final results never cease to impress. St Moritz tanners retail for around $15 NZD and because of the rich dark colour, will go the distance.

With all self tanners it is advisable to protect the palms of your hands in order to prevent unwanted  staining, by applying your choice of tan with either a tanning mitt or disposable gloves. Personally I prefer gloves over a tanning mitt as I find it allows you to be more thorough with the application and you can dispose of them hassle free. 
If you have any tanning recommendations I'd love to know!

Holly