Tanning with Watermelon for tanning Tuesday!

Tanning in this heat is a quandary. Do you just do instant? Or do you bare your limbs sans tan? Then, there’s the question of formula. Do you go for a mousse, a cream, a mist? I would actually recommend a combination of them all, with a lighter formula for the face that won’t settle into pores. Then there’s how to apply. Unless you’re aiming for orange-stained palms, you’ll need some kind of applicator, whether that’s a glove, a mitt or a brush. We prep our face before makeup, and our hair before styling, so why not prep the skin before tanning? Exfoliate and hydrate in advance. don’t use any shower gel right before. It goes without saying that shaving and waxing must happen at least 24 hours before. Too soon, and the tan could irritate the skin or settle into pores, giving your skin an unwanted polka-dot effect.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of how to fake tan, streaky limbs and blotchy skin need no longer come part and parcel of your faux glow. Instead, you can simply reap all the benefits that the fake stuff has to offer. Not only will a good fake tan give you a more finessed finish blurring everything from spots to veins, it’s also much safer than baking in the sunshine. Wave goodbye to tanning mistakes, and say hello to gorgeous, glowing skin. In my humble opinion mousse formulas are the top pick for applying to the body. It is one of the first ever formulas and as a base, bronzing mousse is the only formula to use for a long-lasting body tan. That is why when a tan launches, it almost always starts with a mousse.

For the face, I always recommend a mist because the delicate nature of our faces, which showcases wrinkles and fine lines, a superfine, lightweight formula works best. Not all ingredients work with fake tan (AHAs and oils can cause it to break down faster), so you may need to apply product more regularly to this area. Plus a nice spritz can mean that you can bring it on the the chest area which fades quicker too I think.

To apply start with your upper body and work down to your feet. You’ll find it easier to focus on one area at a time. Start with one arm, working in long, circular motions to get a flat and even finish. Then repeat this process on the other arm, chest, tummy, legs and back. A mitt is the quickest way to tan your body, but a brush will offer a more diffused finish, as well as flexibility to get into smaller less accessible areas such as your knees and feet.

Of course, some body parts are trickier to tan than others, especially the wrists, where tan tends to gather. When tanning the inner arms, start by sweeping your tanning mitt from the top of the underarm and disperse towards the hands. As the tan sweeps towards the wrists the colour graduates, leaving a lighter finish towards the cuff. Do the same towards the hands,, pop on some hand cream over it to stop mad jazz hands. I would recommend never using a fresh pump of product on hands and feet, instead colouring them with the excess left on your brush or mitt. The result is more natural, or you could use a spritz of face tan too. Logically your natural tan is never as dark on your hand. Once you’ve finished tanning, carefully wipe your palms, and the space in between each finger, with a makeup wipe or pad soaked in micellar water. We also like to swipe across each nail too, to avoid staining, especially if you have a light polish or dry cuticles. To top up use a gradual tan after a few days, avoiding any areas that gather tan. Keep the showers cooler and quick. Dodge the oil and exfoliators to keep it looking fresh until you want to remove.

 

Watermelon is the summer’s superfood, with benefits that go way beyond hydration. The St Tropez range is rich in vitamins, bursting with a cocktail of skin-nourishing ingredients which work as natural exfoliators and moisturisers to increase the elasticity of skin. Plus, there is nothing that evokes the mood of summer more than the delicious, refreshing scent of watermelon! August 3rd is National Watermelon Day so we have chosen some St Tropez tan to get fresh for the long weekend. 

WATERMELON INFUSION – BRONZING MOUSSE 

RRP €39.99 

KEY INGREDIENTS: WATERMELON EXTRACT & VITAMIN E 

The St.Tropez Self Tan Classic Mousse is a global icon for good reason. It provides a flawless golden tan for up to 10 days, you can ‘Mousse & Mitt’ and smell heavenly with this watermelon Infusion update. It is a lovely golden colour and is skin friendly. 

 

GRADUAL TAN

WATERMELON INFUSION MIRACLE BODY LOTION RRP €18.99 

KEY INGREDIENT: HYALURONIC ACID 

The genius of this product is that it’s a buildable tan which can be used every day until you achieve your desired depth of colour. You can also use it to top up your tan too. 

 

 

Facial tanning with a difference thanks to St Tropez Purity facial mist €19.00  The mist’s Hyaluronic Acid content, which helps to keep your complexion hydrated for a soft, supple finish and colour that lasts longer. It promises not to weigh down your skin or clog your pores for a breathable finish. Blended with nourishing Hibiscus Extract, the face mist is rich in antioxidants to shield your visage from environmental aggressors, helping to protect your skin as well as your tan.

 

Enjoy your vacay or staycay!