Fake Tanning Tips - The Ultimate Top 10 Hacks

Top 10 Fake Tanning Tips & Tricks

Now I don't know about you but I love my daily dose of Vitamin D, although I do try and avoid the sun these days especially in peak hours, as well as ensuring I wear a high factor daily. But like most of us I do love a good tan because of the way it makes me feel and look and we all know fake tanning is defiantly the safer option overall.  However with so many on the market, as well as endless ways to apply self tan, it's hard to know, how and where to start. So today I wanted to share with you my Top 10 Fake Tanning Hacks, that hopefully have you covered whether your a first time tanner or you just want that instant glow.

1. TANNING TOOL KIT

Create your own 'Tanning Tool Kit' with all your essentials in one bag, that way you have everything to hand when you go to tan each time.

My tanning essentials include,

- Baby Wipes
- Tanning Mitt
- Moisturiser
- Vaseline
- Disposable Gloves
- Makeup Brush
- Tanning Sachets
- Face Tanner
- Gradual Tan Lotion
- Exfoliator

 

2. EXFOLIATE & MOISTURISE

Be sure to exfoliate, moisturise and de-fuzz the day before you plan to self tan, so that way your skin is fully prepped and your tan is more likely to go on evenly. Make sure you also pay special attention to your elbows, hands, knees and ankles when exfoliating too.

3. LOOSE DARK CLOTHING

While the tan is developing, it can sometimes transfer onto clothing, so ensure you wear either loose dark clothing, a onesie or anything old that you don't mind getting dirty.

 

4. INSTANT TAN

If you haven't got time to tan then try using an instant tan for that on the spot sun-kissed glow. My favourite is the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan in Medium Matte as this gives great intense colour that stays on until you wash it off, it's also mega affordable too. 

 

The Benefit Hoola Zero Tan Lines is also a nice option if you want to enhance an existing, fading tan or you have paler skin that doesn't tan well and you always long for that subtle glow.

 

5. FACE TANNERS

Face tanners have defiantly come a long way with so much more choice as well as added benefits. Two of my top picks are the Fake Bake The Face Anti-Aging Self Tanning Lotion because of it's anti-aging properties and the St Tropez Bronzing Face Lotion for it's quick drying, non-pore blocking benefits.

 

6. GRADUAL TAN 

If you just want a subtle tan that's buildable too, then try mixing plain moisturiser with your favourite tanning lotion for the perfect radiant, gradual tan.

7. BACK APPLICATION

Let's face it tanning the back can be slightly tricky when you don't have anyone to help you out! But don't panic I have a quick and easy DIY Back Applicator that will help you tackle that back with ease! All you need to do is place a tanning mitt over a long handled body brush and secure at the bottom of the mitt with an elastic band, then your good to go.

 

8. MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE

Just before you go to tan, make sure to moisturise over the areas that your tan is more likely to take to, including the elbows, hands, inner arms, knees, ankles and feet, then moisturise again in the same areas to create a natural looking coverage.

 

9. FACE GLOW

If you prefer not to self tan your face, then there is plenty of alternative options to help you achieve that bronzed perfection. Some of my favourites and recent discoveries are the L'Oreal Cushion Bronzer for an affordable option or the Benefit Dew the Hoola which is a beautiful liquid matte bronzer.

10. BARRIER CREAM

If you have dark hair or you tint your brows, then sometimes applying your tan can slightly lighten these areas, so try using Vaseline around and on these parts to act as a barrier against the tan.

My Current Favourite Make-Up Brushes

In previous posts I've talked about how important I consider make-up brushes to be when applying make-up, they really can change the way your make-up is applied and how it looks on your face.

Back in the day brushes were either really expensive or hard to get hold off, especially if you wanted to invest in a set of brushes, but nowadays they don't have to cost the earth and there are some really great companies that produce high quality brushes at affordable prices.

Today I wanted to share with you my current favourite make-up brushes, I love to use to help my make-up look the best it can be. I also wanted to guide you through some of my favourite make-up brush brands, if your looking to invest in some new brushes.

1. FACE

Foundation - Blank Canvas Cosmetics F21

This brush has become one of my favourite brushes for foundation, as it's tightly packed bristles help you blend out any foundation with ease.

 

Setting - Blank Canvas Cosmetics F15

I love this brush for setting my foundation with powder down the middle section of my face, as well as under the eyes.

 

Blending - Real Techniques 200

I adore this brush for blending out under the eyes and setting smaller areas on my face.

Foundation - Beauty Blender

When I'm not using a brush to apply my foundation, I'm using the ever wonderful Beauty Blender. It just helps give the most flawless and natural finish to the face.

Bronzer - Real Techniques 103

I've totally been in love with this brush for applying bronzer, the dense large bristles help me cover large areas quickly.

 

Contour - Revolution

The flat short bristles on this brush help make contouring an all round breeze and I'm really not sure what I did without this brush!

Highlight - Royal and Langnickel Contour

I use this brush for highlighting, as it's the perfect size for dusting over the tops of the cheekbones, nose and cupids bow.

 

Blusher - MAC 168

I've never found any other blusher brush that does the job quite as well as this one does, it never fails to make my blush look good every time.

Blending - Royal & Langnickel Kabuki

This kabuki brush has been in my make-up collection for years now. I use this mainly to blend out anything on my face.

2. BROWS

Grooming - Disposable Spoolie Crown Brush

This little spoolie is the best tool you can have for your brows, it helps groom, blend and set the brows into place.

Pomade - Crown Brush

I always start with a brow pencil to outline my brows, then I use this lip brush to apply the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade as it really is the perfect size for getting into the brow area.

 

Powder - Crown Brush PP20

This is my holy grail brush for applying brow powder and nothing else ever compares when I try something new. I just find this works well at picking up the right amount of product to fill in sparse areas.

 

Define - Royal & Langnickel C455

I use this brush with concealer to clean up around my brow area. It works a treat because of it's small straight bristles.

 

Blender - Crown Brush

This mini smudger is another one of my holy grail brushes that I've never strayed from. It just helps blend out where I have concealed around the brows really well.

3. EYES

Cream Shadow - MAC 242

I find this brush great for applying any kind of cream shadow base, it's again a good size for getting into the eye area.

 

All Over Shadow - Royal & Langnickel Crease

I use this brush next to lay down a nude shade on top of the cream shadow, to create a base for my main colour palette of shadows to be applied.

 

Blender - Royal & Langnickel
This is actually the same brush as the mint one, I just like to keep this one as my clean brush to blend out any shadows I lay down.

Blending - MAC

The MAC 217 brush is a bit of a cult favourite and is one brush I do recommend you invest in, it's just a great everyday staple blending brush.

 

Crease - Blank Canvas Cosmetics E32

This is a recent discovery me, but oh my it's become one of my favourite crease brushes for applying my transition shades.

 

Outer V - Makeup Revolution

This double ended brush actually came free with the Iconic Pro 1 Palette, but this is not cheap bristled brush, it really is beautifully soft and is the ideal size for applying and defining in the outer v of the eye.

Lid - MAC 239

I like this brush for applying shadow all over the lid, because it has lovely short, packed together bristles, that help fit into even the smallest lid areas.

 

Cut Crease - Makeup Revolution

The other end of this brush from the Iconic Pro 1 Palette, is another one I have been using non stop as it really helps you get into the socket to define the area between the socket and the lid.

Liner - Crown Brush C225

And finally onto liner, I find these flat angled brushes help apply liner the easiest, as they are super tiny and really fit into the lash line well.

 

Smudger - Royal & Langnickel C435

I use this mainly to apply shadow to my lower lash line, I then use the Real Techniques 200 brush to blend everything out.

 

MY FAVORITE AFFORDABLE BRUSH BRANDS

Crown Brush - Perfect for starter Kits, if your just getting into make-up and you want to invest in a kit, over individual brushes.

 

Makeup Revolution - Great for face and contour brushes and can be found in most Superdrug stores.

 

Royal & Langnickel - Royal & Langnickel stock a wide range of 100% Vegan, synthetic brushes, that come in pretty colours and sets.

 

Blank Canvas Cosmetics - They stock a great variety of lovely quality brushes very similar to Sigma, but for half the price!

My Dry Skin Essentials featuring The Body Shop

Dry Skin Essentials

I recently did a post on my Winter Lip Essentials as it is that time of the year where we need to take care of our bodies more than ever. With the heating on full blast and the cold bitter days outside it certainly takes it's toll, so I defiantly like to have a good routine in place to soothe my dry, scaly skin!

What are your dry skin essentials? Tweet me www.twitter.com/laurappbeauty

1. This for me is crucial, exfoliating is the best for getting rid of the dead skin to reveal the new glowing skin. I love exfoliating gloves as they are easy and quick, I usually do this twice a week in the shower. If your looking for something with a grit then a body scrub is for you, there is so many out there but the one that never fails me is my DIY scrub simply made of sugar, honey and oil.

2. Next up is replenishing the body with moisture and I love a thick buttery body butter especially The Body Shop ones, they the trick perfectly, but as they are so thick I tend to use these at night so they have time to sink in well. My favourite is the Shea Butter but I am currently using the Vitamin E one which is perfect for dry skin and has a light scent.

 

3. When I shower in the morning I have to moisturise after other wise my skin feels tight and dry so I have to have a day moisturiser on hand that sinks in quickly and feel light on the skin. I am currently using this Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing* lotion which is especially targeted for dry skin and smells so fresh and clean.

 

*The Vaseline moisturiser was sent to me for review consideration

Ten Beauty Hacks I Swear By!

 

I sometimes find that the simple, most affordable things you already have at home work the most effective within your everyday Beauty Routine, here's 10 Beauty Hacks I swear by.

What's your most simple Beauty tip you always use?

This is an amazing multi-use product to use for moisturising, a make-up remover, cooking, cuticle oil and a hair mask.

This for me works better than Shaving foam for shaving your legs, it leaves your legs silky smooth and conditioned!

I don't know about you but sometimes I cannot get some of my nail polish bottles open, but this is such a simple trick using an elastic band tied round the top, that gives great grip to open your bottles easily!

Do you ever dread buying new shoes as much as you want them because you can't take the pain from nasty blisters they can give you! I use this simple trick of spraying deodorant on my feet as blisters are caused by sweat from your skin rubbing on your shoes.

 This is a great affordable alternative to whiten your teeth and can be found in your kitchen cupboard! All I do is wet my toothbrush and dip it in a tiny bit of Bicarbonate of Soda, I then clean my teeth as usual, I do this about once a week or you can mix a bit in with your regular toothpaste.

This is an amazing tip I use every day, do you often get mascara everywhere but your lashes or you sneeze right after you've done your mascara, I defiantly do! So all you need to do is let your mascara completely dry then just pick it off the dry mascara with a small cotton bud, simple!

This hack I discovered recently when trying to think of a better way to remove unwanted nail polish from around the nail, it helps give you a crisp finish to your manicure, all you need to do is dip the flat end of a cuticle stick in some nail polish remover and wipe back and forth around the nail to remove.

This is the only exfoliator that works the best for me, it's a simple DIY Exfoliator I've used for years and contains just sugar, olive oil & honey and leaves my skin silky smooth.

This is a perfect pick me up for your eyes if your like me and suffer from a lack of sleep these days! Just pop two used green tea bags in the fridge for a couple of hours then place on your eyes, for an instant refresh. 

A make-up brush is not only great for applying your make-up but for blending in your self tan down over your hands and feet to give you that flawless finish.