Decleor Green Mandarin Sun-Kissed Cream

The summer may have gone but that doesn’t mean that your sun kissed glow has to disappear behind the clouds of autumn too.

If like me you’re not a big fan of fake tans (Translation: I’m completely useless at applying and successfully maintaining a fake tan) then you may feel that your chance to glow with a healthy radiance has past once the sun waves a fond farewell, but this doesn’t have to be so.

Decleor have created a daily moisturiser which not only helps to prevent fine lines and winkles but actually offers an immediate skin kissed glow.

It is not a fake tan. It is not a daily tanning product. In fact, it is not a tanning product of any kind, it is a skincare product that is enriched with a host of anti-ageing properties, but it also offers a healthy vitamin glow with absolutely zero make up feel.

Another thing that may surprise you about this product is that it is suitable for absolutely all skin types and tones. It is universal in its appeal and use.

This magical product is Decleor’s Green Mandarin Sun-Kissed Cream (£58).

Enriched with a blend of Citrus Essential Oils, natural Hyaluronic Acid and Beta-Carotene this rich, decadent cream helps to instantly re-energise tired looking skin while working to prevent the signs of ageing.

As you may expect from a product containing Green Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon and Sweet Orange Essential Oil, the deep orange coloured cream itself possesses a delicate and refreshing citrus scent.

Now don’t be alarmed by the highly pigmented shade of the cream. I’m super pale and I can confirm that once applied and massaged into your skin it transforms into a sheer finish, imparting just the softest glow.

Instantly your complexion is lifted with a subtle radiance, creating the illusion of well rested, healthy and vibrant skin.

 

While the cream helps to create this illusion it is also hard at work toning, softening and nourishing your skin to ensure that it is prevented from further ageing by shielding it against environmental stressors.

The cream itself works well on my combination skin, offering superior hydration without weighing my skin down and it is absorbed really quickly too, leaving behind no tell- tale sheen.

I’m not the only one who is really impressed by this product as in clinical trials 88% of people tested agreed that their skin looked softer, 82% agreed that their skin tone appeared more radiant and 84% agreed that the product gave them a healthy glow.

I loathe fake tans but I love the concept of combining an instant (yet subtle) glow with high quality skincare and Decleor have got it spot on with this one.

Decleor’s Green Mandarin Sun-Kissed Cream is available now and costs £58.

TOWIE's Lauren Goodger Talks Tanning

It has been revealed today that TOWIE's Lauren Goodger is set to leave the show that launched her career.

Oh Shut Up!

Lauren and the original TOWIE cast members

But there's more! 

It's been rumoured that Lauren is planning to join the next series of Dancing On Ice when it begins in January! 

Yay!

I caught up with Lauren before the announcement to talk beauty and tanning.

 
What made you decide to create a fake tan range?

I have always wanted to have my own business and coming from Essex, I find it important to look and feel good. In this way, I have an affinity with the beauty and tanning industry. 

Fake tan is a perfect product for me, TOWIE is the perfect platform and the time was right

How involved were you in creating and designing the range?

I was completely involved and I work very closely with my business partner

What is your favourite item from the collection?

I love the Self Tan Mousse (£17.95) as it is so easy to apply, especially if you use our tanning mitt. 

The instant colour means you can get a quick fix instantly and then it develops into a fab long wearing colour too

What does your TOWIE mates think of your range? Do they use any of your products?

They love it! And yes, many of the girls on the show wear it

What’s in your make up bag today?

I always carry a lip gloss with me and a set of fake lashes!

When do you feel most beautiful?

When I have a tan! A tan is such a confidence boost. My skin looks smoother, my body leaner and it just makes you feel good. 

The whites of your eyes and your teeth look brighter, so It’s a win-win situation

Has your perception of ‘beauty’ changed since becoming a celebrity?

Not really as I have always loved trying out the latest beauty products and it is so exciting to now be part of the beauty industry. 

I do look after myself and feel that it is important to look and feel good outside and in

You’ve been given a lot of stick in the press about your figure.  How do you stop yourself from getting down about it?

There is always going to be pressure from the media about weight and body shape, but you have just got to learn to let it go over your head and for it not to affect you and get you down. 

I am healthy, I go to the gym about 3 times a week but I am also a great believer in life balance

What Make up brands do you love?

MAC and Dior

Do you have a beauty Icon?

I think Cheryl Cole is beautiful and a real icon

Do you ever feel comfortable to be seen out completely bare faced and make up free?

Yes I never wear make up when I am lounging around at home or at the gym or even sunbathing on holiday

Lauren reveal her 'Natural Beauty' without her make up

Have you ever had a beauty disaster?

When I was younger I had several fake tan disasters, which is why I wanted Lauren’s Way to be a streak free formula and also odourless as I hate the smell associated with tanning products

What was the best beauty advice you have ever been given?

Always exfoliate and apply moisturiser to dry areas before applying your tan. 

Keep a look out for my Prepare to Party Glam Tan Kit(£36.95) which includes a body polish and tan enhancing moisturiser.

St. Tropez Spraycation & Giveaway

This summer, St. Tropez is going on tour.

You may have heard of the term ‘staycation’, whereby one takes a ‘vacation’ at home,  but this summer St Tropez is traveling  across the country with its first ever ‘Spraycation'

The clue’s in the name people

The fab self tanning brand will be kicking off their tour in London Westfield W12 shopping centre on the 15^th June where it will begin its journey to bring a Nikki Beach themed pop-up to key UK cities.

 See bottom of post for list of cities and dates

Research conducted by St. Tropez reveals that nearly half of people in the UK plan to stay put this summer rather than fly abroad for their holidays, with nearly a quarter of those polled stating that they will be taking time off work to enjoy the events and celebrations on home soil.

After all, it’s a great year for the UK this summer! 

Over half of all Brits also confirmed that having a tan gives them more confidence

 Tell me something I didn’t already know! 

St. Tropez ambassador and star of Made in Chelsea, Millie Mackintosh, will launch the Spraycation activity and says:

“Having a golden tan is one of my favourite things about summer and the tour will give people the chance to get a gorgeous glow safely. 2012 is such a fantastic time to be in the UK, the atmosphere this summer is going to be incredible! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

St. Tropez will also be running an online competition asking people to send in a 'virtual postcard' telling them where their ideal Spraycation would be across the UK and why.

One lucky winner, plus their friends will then be chosen to see their idea become a reality as St. Tropez  brings its luxury experience worth over £8k to the winner and their friends, wherever they want it in the UK.

Whether it's their back garden, local pub or living room, St. Tropez will make it happen.

Amaze balls!

Readers can enter the competition via www.facebook.com/sttropeztanuk and the St Tropez Spraycation will be visiting the following towns;

London at Westfield W12 on the 15th June

Bullring Birmingham  22nd and 23rd June

Trafford Centre in Manchester  28th and 29th June

Glasgow Braehead 6th and 7th July

Dublin Pavilions 13th and 14th July

If that wasn’t enough, the generous guys at St Tropez have offered my Fabulicious followers the chance to win 1 of 10 Dark Sprays or Lotions, which are worth £26 each!

To enter simply do the following:

• Follow I am Fabulicious with google friends connect and comment below leaving your contact details

• Head over to Twitter and tweet the following;

#WIN 1 of 10 @StTropezTan Dark Sprays or Lotions with @sarah_berryman1  #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/d4g24ng

The competition is open to residents of the UK only and closes Monday 2nd  July.

T’s & C’s for the Spraycation competition can be found over on the St Tropez facebook page.

Beauty Lab Peptide Tanning Lotion

I may have mentioned before that I don’t use fake tan.

I am 100% milk bottle white and it’s all natural baby!

That’s not to say I haven’t ever dabbled in the world of tanning from a bottle, indeed most of my teen years were spent sporting various shades of bronze.

These days I tend to prefer my natural skin shade- transparent, but my sister is a big fan of fake tans and that’s why I handed over to her to try out Beauty Lab’s Peptide Tanning Lotion (£20)

 The lotion is deeply hydrating and formulated with a tan inducing peptide to provide a golden, sun kissed and streak free tan.

Blended with rainforest cocoa, rose petal and jasmine flower it has a hint of guava and melon that offers a gorgeous aroma.

But how did it fare? Over to Megan

 (who by the way, is the talent behind my I Am Fabulicious Logo don't you know!)

The lotion is really creamy and smooth, goes on easily, is easy to rub in and doesn't dry up before you've finished spreading it!

 

It has a lovely fresh smell to it which is far better than the more common smell associated with fake tans, namely biscuits!

Once applied to the skin it doesn’t feel tacky and it dries quickly enough that you could get dressed in about ten minutes if you were to apply in the morning.

Before

After

A huge plus is that it doesn't stain your clothes or your bed sheets what so ever. I’d say the best way to use it is to put it on before going to bed or on a night in when you don’t plan on going out as I noticed that tight clothes can make it go a bit streaky as it rubs it off a bit whilst developing.

Once developed it offers a nice colour but it can look a little bit orangey if applied in a rush

Before

After

 (notice my hands, whoops!)

In a nutshell, it smells lovely, feels like a moisturiser, lets skin breathe and develops into a nice, golden colour. Like most fake tans it does stain your hands and area’s which you perhaps haven’t exfoliated as well as you could have, so make sure you use gloves when applying.

Beauty Lab’s Peptide Tanning Lotion is available from their website for £20

Tantastic Fantastic

Im not a great lover of fake tan. I am bad at applying it, bad at maintaining it and bad at wearing it, which means that for 360 days of the year I look like snow white with skin as white as snow.

My sister  Megan (to the left) on the other hand is a total fake tan expert and connoisseur, so when I asked her to review Tantastic instant tan, she was more than happy to oblige.

Tantastic contains vitamin E and creates a tan which lasts for up to 5 days. It bronzes your skin instantly, doesn’t stain your clothes and it doesn’t smell. The makers claim the tan looks great on everyone as it adjusts to your own complexion.

So what did Megan think?

Tantastic was very quick and easy to apply - its a runny liquid though so have to be careful when you pour it to ensure it goes on the mitt and doesn’t drip onto floor.

The product had the consistency of water and dried quickly without an unpleasant after smell.

The mitt allows you to cover your skin smoothly and evenly, but beware as it does stain your  hands without the mitt.

For a quick fix it looks good, its not greasy and it dries relatively quickly compared to Rimmell sun shimmer and St Tropez. Another massive plus is that it doesn’t feel tacky on your skin.

So ladies (and perhaps gents) go forth and instant tan!

Tantastic is available in over 1500 pharmacies and department stores in the UK and Ireland.