Getting My Faux Glow Back

Throughout the Winter I kind of neglected my fake tan unless I was going on a night out, but now it's Spring time I decided I need to up my game and get my glow back. I was looking back at photos from my holiday in Ibiza last summer and I was SO tanned it upset me at how pale I am right now so here are some of the fake tans that I rely on...

• The Instant Tan: My favourite instant tan has to be Soap and Glory Glow Getter. This is just an instant tan, sort of a body makeup that I like to put on my legs if I'm wearing a dress or skirt on a night out. I discovered this tan about a year ago and have used it ever since. I like using this when I've already got a bit of tan on so it gives me a gorgeous airbrushed look. I actually did a post of this way back when I first started my blog, (cringe) If you'd like to read it (don't laugh) you can here.

• The Gradual Tan: I used this gradual tan a few years ago but when the lovely Christine who I work with mentioned it again I decided to pick one up. I went for the deep one as I'm not that pale to begin with and I do love a dark tan. I apply this when I get out the shower and it has a lovely apricot smell that reminds me of summer. I've only used this twice and I already have a gorgeous, sun-kissed glow. I also love that its a two in one - moisturiser and tan (since you know I always neglect my body moisturising) and it's under a fiver! This is definitely a tan I'll continue to use every day during the Spring and Summer months. 

• The Weekly Tan: If I've got a night out or special occasion planned I like my tan to be that little bit darker. I usually use St Moritz which is a really cheap tan that gives me an amazing colour but right now I'm loving Sienna X Dark Glowing Self Tan. I love the colour this tan give me, a deep golden brown colour and not orange at all. I apply this with my tanning mitt before I go to bed because you need to have it on for 8 hours before you wash off the guide tan. It lasts about 5 days which is really good and doesn't come off patchy if I exfoliate every couple of days. It also has a lovely scent which is always a bonus - none of that biscuit fake tan smell! 

I've also decided I'm going to buy the Clarins Liquid Bronze facial tanner when I get paid on Friday and will definitely be doing a review on that once I've tried it out. What are some of your favourite fake tans?

March Favourites

• Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub - I love all of the Soap & Glory products, but my favourite is 100% this one (closely followed by the Glow Getter tan), a body scrub that consists of little beads that give you silky smooth skin. It contains oat, Shea butter and sugar along with other lovely ingredients like almond and honey which makes it a must have skin care product for me. I use this a couple of times a week to buff off my tan and exfoliate my skin ready for another layer, it also has an amazing maple scent (smells good enough to eat). This is one product I always repurchase and if you haven't tried it I definitely recommend that you do.

• Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil - I did a review on this body oil at the start of March and have still been using it (almost) everyday. It's extra moisturising and has a lovely subtle scent, not to mention its so much more convenient than a lotion if you're lazy like me. If you want to read my full review on it you can here.

• VO5 Plump It Up Dry Backcomb Spray - I'm forever trying to get volume in my flat, limp hair and have tried loads of products that just don't seem to work. A couple of months ago I bought some products from the VO5 Plump It Up range and this one stood out to me the most. After using my Aussie Aussome Volume shampoo and conditioner and my Plump It Up mousse, I spray this onto my roots and backcomb my hair slightly to give it some extra volume. I've seen some negative reviews on this but it works fine for me, it's by no means a miracle product but it does give my hair a little more volume and texture than usual and I use it every day. 

• MAC Pink Nouveau - So far I have 12 MAC lipsticks in my collection and the one I've been reaching for the most this month is Pink Nouveau. It's a lovely medium pink with blue undertones and has a satin finish. It's not too bright so it's perfect for everyday wear and I've been loving pairing it with my Revlon ColorBurst lipgloss in Pink Ice. 

• Barry M Gelly Nail Paint Lychee - I'm a massive fan of nude nail polish and even dedicated a whole post to them here. Now I have a new favourite to add to my collection - Barry M Lychee. I already have a couple of the Gelly polishes, I love the finish of them and they are one of my favourites (Essie is still in the lead though). Lychee is a gorgeous Spring nude, a really pale creamy coffee colour and I've been wearing it constantly on my nails this month. I'll definitely buy it again when this one runs out - and it will!

• L'Oreal Super Liner - Another product I've been wearing every day is this pen liner. I posted about this in February and have been using it almost every day since then. It's so easy to use and the thin tip makes appplication super quick, especially when I'm running about for work in the morning. For now this has even replaced my beloved Maybelline gel liner but maybe I'll rekindle my love for it this month.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your March Favourites?

What I Wear Everyday

Just a small post on what I use on my face every day at the moment!

Garnier B.B Cream - Medium

MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NC30

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer - Medium

Chanel Universal Powder - 03

MAC Matte Bronze

MAC Blusher - Dolly Mix

Benefit High Beam

Maybelline Gel Liner - 01 Black

Dior Show New Look Mascara - Black

Melissa

xxx

Soap & Glory - Glow Getter

"She was sunny and beautiful and bronzed - she was real"

One of my favourite 'going out' products to use right now is Soap & Glory 'Glow Getter' face and body sun powder spray. It is an instant tan that gives your skin an airbrushed look and it really works! It comes in a spray canister that's really easy to use.


 I apply it by spraying it on and rubbing it in gently with my tanning mitt (it doesn't need rubbed in a lot). I usually wear it over my usual weekend Lauren's Way or St Moritz tan, but it can be worn on its own too.I love using it on my legs most, but I also spray it on my face before I put on my foundation which gives a really good base.  This has definitely replaced Rimmel - Sun Shimmer in my life because if you spill a drink or if it rains it doesn't go streaky or give you those white rain drop marks!! It does wash off in the shower, but only if you use a lot of soap! 

Here's a picture to show you the difference in my legs once I applied it. The right one looks so much more airbrushed and it's covered all my blemishes, which is what I love most about the tan!

For a while this was sold out EVERYWHERE and I eventually had to order it from the Harvey Nichols website. Now you can get it here for £10.50 for 100ml or in boots stores. Will you be trying this airbrush tan?

Melissa 

xxx

Photo Shoot Make Up

Hi Guys, Melissa again.
Just a quick post while I'm in bed not feeling too good!

A few weeks ago, I was asked to do the make-up for a promotional shoot for one of my friends beauty salons.When I posted the pictures on Facebook/Twitter a few people asked me what products I had used so I thought I'd write them down here. The client wanted a 'girly/barbie' look so I decided to go with smoky glitter eyes and bright pink lips! Here is a few of the pictures taken from my Blackberry.

                                                                                           Makebelieve Enhance Tinted Glow Moisturiser
                                                                                                         MAC Studio Fix - NW35
                                                                                                  Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer
                                                                                                         MAC Bush - Dolly Mix
                                                                                                NARS Highlighting Powder - Albatross
                                                                                            Benefit Brow Zings Brow Shaping Kit - Dark
                                                                                                          MAC Shadow - White Frost
                                                                                                            MAC Shadow - Carbon
                                                                                                     Barry M Fine Glitter Dust - Silver
                                                                                                          Dior Show Mascara - Black
                                                                                                       2x Eylure Intense Lashes - 145
                                                                                                        Barry M Lip Paint - Shade 62
                                                                                                              MAC Lipglass - Clear

     

                       Here is a couple of the pictures from the finished shoot - hope you like them!
                                                                        Melissa
                                                                           xxx