Summer Tan Situation

Naturally tanned glowy skin is something I think everyone longs for but living in England its something that is just so far out of our reach. Of course you can go on sunbeds and cheat that way but for me my skin doesn't take very well to them so I've been trying to avoid them and also avoiding the dangers that come with using them. If your lucky and you catch the sun super easy and have that beautiful glow then I envy you ALOT. I am a bit of a tan maniac and I love trying new products. I have tried a few bits recently and I was super happy with the results so please enjoy my summer tan situation that I have got going on!

Ok so before any kind of tanning whether it be a spray tan or at home tan you must must must EXFOLIATE. This is key, exfoliating will remove dead or dry skin so you wont get dark patches and tan wont cling to the dry skin. I use St Tropez Body Polish, this is not oil based so you don't have to worry about the tan not taking to your skin. I normally do this the day before and shave, I apply with the St Tropez Exfoliating mit. Shop Polish  Shop Mit I forgot to take pictures of this as I am a dimwit! Apologies.
Now the exciting bits TAN BABY TAN! In the summer I deffo prefer a nice gradual tan that you can keep on building that looks natural and still keeps your skin hydrated. Its also perfect for holiday because it doesn't sweat off and you can get away with it being au natural! These two tans I've chose are really doing it for me at the moment, one of them I was pretty much obsessed with and then I couldn't find it in store for a while (Devastated) I later found out that it was basically restaged into the Dove Derma Spa range. So bloody happy I found this for me its the ultimate summer glow and its the perfect grad tan for holiday! It smells lovely and the colour is buildable and it comes in fair to medium skin or medium to dark skin! Its priced at just £4 in Superdrug right now. Shop here!

My second tan product that is a new found love is Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion. I got a small little 30ml Tube of this and was mega excited to try and I can 100% guarantee I will be going to get the big tub! This tan is so stress free I applied before I went to bed let it soak in for about 5 minutes and hoped for the best. I woke up with a completely even streak free tan and no stained bed sheets (YASSSS BITCH) I felt obliged to wear a dress to work because my tan was popping I was like a golden goddess, couldn't believe how natural but stunning the colour was. I had about 3 people compliment my tan that day so I was like hell yeaaaah I'm so getting this for Barcelona.Shop here

My newest edition to my glowy skin is the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse OR Multi-Usage Dry Oil - Golden Shimmer. I am beyond excited to use this on holiday its like the perfect body shimmer oil. Its not greasy and it doesn't stick to clothes. The shimmer is stunning and makes you look like your glowing. Shop here

Lastly I am trying out this Elemis Tan Accelerator,the product claims to help you tan better by stimulating the pigment in your skin. You apply it every day for 1-2 weeks before you go away, I am yet to find out if this actually works. My only problem with this is that I'm pretty sure it would run out so quickly as you are covering your whole body? I will defiantly do a review after my holiday.Shop here

Updated Skin Routine

So summer is finally here...well I could beg to differ. Not too sure what to think about this weather atm, its all a bit stressful! The humidity has got my hair all over the place and my morning struggle of deciding what to wear is becoming the bane of my life! But HEY HO this is England and its the norm. Whilst I've been  less-active from my blog I've been trying lots of new skin products and makeup products (Looking to add a new fave makeup post soon!) A change of season means a change of skin care, I've been trying and testing a whole bunch of skin products and I have finally got my summer skin routine and its divine, my skin is literally glowing! For me step 1 to having good skin is to STOP using face wipes I'm no skin expert but they really are the devil!!! They don't clean your pores they just wipe off the top layer of your makeup leaving behind most of it. I must admit though I am guilty of using a face wipe when I have came in drunk and its been the easiest option but I have got better with using a cleanser instead and you do notice a huge difference. I use this skin routine every morning and night so please enjoy my step by step guide and hopefully some or all of the products work for you.

Step 1.
I love a good oil cleanser they work like a dream and literally dissolve your makeup! My number 1 oil cleanser has to be L'Oreal Skin Perfect Cleansing Oil this stuff is crazy you use the smallest bit and your makeup literally glides off your face with 0 fuss. A little goes a long way with this and it is very greasy so don't over do it! I normally use 2-3 cotton wool pads with one squirt each and gently remove all the makeup. I then use luke warm water to wash off the excess oil.  Priced at £6 Shop here!!

Step 2.

This step is a 3 step cleanse which may seem long winded but it really is so worth it! I got the La Roche Posay Effaclar Anti-Blemish System from Boots which is on offer so I would grab it as soon as possible! The first step is the purifying foaming gel which I just rub all around my face with my fingers. This will remove any excess makeup that the oil didn't reach. I wash this off with luke warm water. The second step is the clarifying toner I add a few squirts onto a cotton pad and gently rub all around my face. The third step is the anti-blemish cream I use a small squirt and apply on my face with 2 fingers. Prices at £24 Shop here!

Step 3.

Right before bed I love to apply Crème de la Mer all over my face. I try not to use this everyday as it is not cheap and will make your bank account probably scream at you for buying it! Nether the less its an amazing cream and if you have dry skin I cant recommend this enough. Its a super thick cream that smells lovely. A little goes a long way with this so it does last a long time. Whenever I use this without fail I wake up in the morning and my skin is super hydrated, firm and dewy.  If you want to splash out on some good moisturiser this is definitely one of my faves! Priced at £108 Shop here



Step 4. Mask

That's my normal skin routine and I love to chuck in a mask every now and then and at the moment I'm loving the Perricone MD - Chloro Plasma Mask. I use this maybe once twice a week depending on how my skin is. The cream states to Specifically targets loss of radiance, dull and fatigued skin, enlarged pores, fine lines, rough skin texture. After I use this my skin always feels super smooth and looks very radiant and pores minimised! So for me this mask is a winner and it smells really good and fresh. I Massage onto cleansed skin in small circular motions until colour transforms to a dark green. I then Leave on for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse off with warm water and feel super duper fresh after! Priced at £69 Shop here!

I am looking to use a different mask every now and then and have been having a look at some in Space NK if anyone has any recommendations please comment!
Lots of love GC Xxx