Summer Essentials Part 2: Tanning

So next up let's talk tanning. This is for my fellow pale-skinned girls who want a natural looking tan but know they'll need to fake it to make it. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with being pale. This is just a personal preference. I'm a lover of fake tan and don't believe in allowing myself to burn with the slight chance it might turn into a light tan. Plus it's a safer alternative.  

Starting with the basics, make sure you exfoliate well and moisturise areas such as your elbows, knees, hands and feet as well as any other dry areas you may have. This is a must before self-tanning as it will make the application a lot easier whilst also helping your tan last longer. I like to go for a gradual/developing tan instead of an instant/wash-off formula. This means you can get a number of days out of your tan. It's also a better option if you plan on going to the pool or beach.

I picked up a few different brands of tan before I left for Spain. One was my all time favourite fake tanners, Laurens Way. It is unbelievable! I have used the mousse and lotion but decided to pick up the spray this time for a change. I was hoping to achieve the look of a professional spray tan.  I bought the Lauren's Way Glam Tan in 'Darker than Dark' which is the perfect shade for those wanting to achieve that deep dark tan without applying multiple layers. It goes on so smooth and instantly you are left with a gorgeous glow.  It is light weight and you aren't left with that sticky feeling. I allow it to develop overnight or leave it for a minimum of 8 hours before showering. Lauren's Way tan has green undertones giving it the look of a more natural and realistic tan. It fades evenly and lasts up to seven days with good maintenance; moisturising and exfoliating lightly throughout the week is key. It has even held up pretty well with being in and out of the pool. The only consequence is a little bit of fading but nothing a little top up couldn't sort. It is definitely my holy grail tan and is always my go-to tan for a night out or event. I've had to order it online in the past but last week I found out that Allure Beauty Salon in Drumcondra stocks it as well as Superdrug (AMAZING!) in the Omni Shopping Centre, Santry.

While in Superdrug, I also bought the Bondi Sands' Dark Tanning Lotion. I had heard great things about the Australian brand and when I saw it in store I just couldn't resist. I applied this the night before I left for Spain. I don't know if it was my mitt or the tan itself but I felt it went on very mucky looking and it was very difficult to rub in especially around the neck and chest area. I went to bed feeling a bit skeptical about how it was going to look the next morning. I have to admit though it smells AMAZING! The coconut scent is to die for and to my surprise, once I had showered I had been left with a gorgeous, natural looking tan. It was not quite as dark as I would have liked but I couldn't believe how flawless it looked, A week on into my holidays and it still looked great. My Mam even complimented my tan and she's a tough critic. I plan on getting a new mitt and hopefully the application will go a little smoother next time but other than that I am very impressed. Check out the Bondi Sands website for more or pop into Superdrug.

To maintain my tan, I like to use a moisturiser that contains a self-tanner. I like the Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion for Medium to Dark skin. It was the first fake tan I ever used as a thirteen year old. It adds a natural glow and gives you sun-kissed looking skin. It really hydrates the skin and prolongs previously applied fake tan whilst adding a bit of extra colour. It has a very strong tan smell which may be a turn-off for some. I like to apply this once or twice a week over either the Lauren's Way or Bondi Sands once I have showered off the excess but it can also be worn alone. The Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion is also available for Fair to Medium skin. I picked this up at half price for €3.75 (Usually €7.49) in McCabes Pharmacy. It's affordable for those not wanting to spend loads on self-tanners and it's also great for first timers.

Sometimes I will go that extra mile and add even more of a glow. I am in looove with the Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse. It is a subtly tinted oil with tiny specs of glitter and looks amazing over a tan. It enhances and really gives you that Hollywood glow that stars such as J-Lo and Beyonce sport on the red carpet. The good thing about this oil is that it can be used on your body, on your face and even in your hair. It dries instantly and doesn't leave you feeling greasy. It really is the finishing touch to any look and is an absolute essential product on a night out.

So thats it for my Summer tanning essentials. Next up we'll be talking make-up! Stay tuned and thanks for reading. Mwah!

Holly X

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Review: Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray

I have been waiting to get around to this review for a while now but the time has finally come. Since the launch of Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan (Click here for my review) by Marissa Carter I have been blown away with the quality of the Cocoa Brown fake tans and products. They are so affordable yet they never fail to impress me, so as you can imagine the new Lovely Legs Spray was no exception. I was sent a bottle by Cocoa Brown and could not wait to try it.

This was different to other Cocoa Brown tans that I have tried before as they were both mousses (For review on Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan in Dark click here) but this is a spray. It is more than a fake tan though as it is also a 'leg makeup'. What more could we ask for? Lovely Legs was created for ladies who wanted that extra coverage on their legs to hide veins, stretch marks or any imperfections. I somewhat expected it to be like the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs as it has similar claims but I do feel there is a difference between the pair, in my opinion, with regards to colour and coverage.

At the moment, the Cocoa Brown Lovely Legs Spray is only available in Medium Bronze but I feel the colour varies with the amount you apply. I think people will find this very convenient as you can build up a darker colour if preferred or apply small amounts to achieve a light glow. 

To be honest, when I first sprayed this onto my mitt, it frightened me.  I will advise you though, a small amount goes a long way so take it easy. It looked really orange in colour at first and I was quite weary but fear not! Once I began rubbing it onto my legs it blended evenly and made my legs look FLAWLESS! I had perfectly tanned pins in an instant without any sign of imperfections. It is so quick and easy to apply. I would almost say it is fool proof. This tan is also water resistant which is a must for us Irish girls and our unpredictable weather. I spent some time outside yesterday in the drizzling rain in a pair of shorts and still there was no sign of it budging. I'll say no more! This product really does what it says on the tin.

This photo doesn't show how dark the tan was at the time but shows the even and flawless look it gives.

On the other hand, if you do want to remove it, it is very simple. This will come off with soap and warm water. It really is a 'no fuss' fake tan. It has a five star rating from me and I cannot fault it.

If you are interested in buying the Cocoa Brown Lovely Leg Spray, you will find it in Penneys/Primark, Cara Pharmacy, Boots, Superdrug (UK) and other pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide. The R.R.P. is €7.99. You really can't go wrong.

Thanks for reading! Don't be afraid to drop me a comment or message if you have any questions or queries! Mwah!

Holly X

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Review: Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan in Dark

Do any of you lovely ladies find yourself applying multiple layers of fake tan to achieve that desired deep golden glow? Layer after layer and it us still unpredictable whether or not you will have that dark tan you want? Not just is it time consuming , it is also a waste of your fake tan. Well fear not as I have found our solution. 

I have been on the search for a fake tan which only requires one application leaving my skin with an even, dark and deep colour. This is something which I find other tans lack as I find myself applying layers of tan over a number of days and still it is not guaranteed I will get the colour I want. I have tried some amazing tans which I love but they are just not dark enough. I have a very pale complexion and this is the reason it takes so much tan to cancel the cool tones of my skin. In no way am I saying that there is a problem with pale skin because there is certainly not. This is just a personal preference.

If any of you have read my post on My Top 5 Fake Tans then you will know that Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan is one of my favourites. It always gives amazing results and is so affordable unlike a lot of other fake tans. My only problem was the dark colour that it claims to develop over 3 hours was just not dark enough. For some, it may be too dark or just right but I had to apply multiple layers to get a noticeable darker colour. So you can imagine how delighted I was when Marissa Carter (Creator of Cocoa Brown) launched the new Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan in DARK along with numerous other new tanning products. 

  

This is a mousse formula which I like to apply with a tanning mitt after exfoliating and moisturizing the skin the night before. Cocoa Brown tan goes on so well as the mousse turns more liquidy when applied to the skin. In comparison to the original formula this is a lot darker and you are instantly left with a glow. I like this as it allows you to see any patches or spots you may have missed. This tan dries a lot faster than others that I have dried which is great allowing you to get dressed a short while after the tan application. It is recommended to shower after 1 hour for a dark bronze colour (which may be the equivalent to 3 hours of the original formula) , 2 hours for a chocolate colour or the next shade up or 3 hours for an intense deep tan. After only one application I left it for the 3 hours. It is not a necessity to shower after unless you are within the 1 or 2 hour time frame. This tan stopped developing after the 3 hours and I was delighted with the outcome. I am so happy I have found this and would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a darker tan without applying multiple layers. This saves time and your fake tan. I picked up a bottle in Penneys last week for €6.90 but can also be found in pharmacies nationwide. (R.R.P. €7.99)

Thanks for reading! Mwah!

Holly X

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Review : Karora Express Bronzing Mousse 1 Hour

Since Cocoa Brown brought out their amazing 1 Hour Tan , a lot of fake tanning brands have decided to launch their own version of this fast developing tan formula ! Karora being one ! I love , love , love Karora tan and if you have read my post on my Top 5 Fake Tans then you will know that Karora is my number 1 ! I had only tried the Tinted Self Tanning Mist and wanted to try more of their amazing products ! I loved the way Cocoa Brown started to develop after 1 hour so was drawn to this as soon as Karora brought it out !

 For those who don't know how it works this tan gives you a colour choice depending on your preference ! After 1 hour you will have developed a light tan , after 2 hours you will have a deeper colour and if left for 3 hours you will be left with a rich dark colour ! It is recommended you shower after the number of hours has passed but if you like a dark tan then it isn't necessary ! After exfoliating and moisturizing the night before I applied this light , fluffy mousse with a tanning mitt ! This tan has a light colour so you can see where you are applying it and helps you not to miss anywhere ! For me , it glided on so easily ! The mousse turns into a liquidy consistency once applied to the skin ! Instantly you are left with glowing skin ! This tan has moisture boosting botanicals to moisturize the skin and to make your tan last longer ! I love Karora tan for its long lasting even colour ! ( I recommend moisturizing everyday to keep it looking like new ) I usually get over a week out of my tan looking flawless which is a record for me ! The Karora Express Bronzing Mousse has green undertones preventing it from turning orange and giving you the natural looking bronze colour you want ! The packaging is also really nice along with the smell ! This doesn't have your typical fake tan smell ! It leaves a strong smell but it is somewhat fruity ! As much as I love this tan it did feel a little bit sticky for a while after I had got dressed but this didn't effect the appearance ! I highly recommend this tan to anyone looking for a medium to dark tan but if it is a lighter tan you are looking for why not try one of Karora's lighter tans e.g. Karora Tinted Self Tanning Mist in Light/Medium ! I am sure you will love it just as much as I do ! Karora Express Bronzing Mousse 1 Hour is a little dearer than some tans but will definitely last you a long time ! For a 150ml bottle I paid €30 but prices may vary ! Karora products available online ( http://www.karoracosmetics.com/ ) and in most pharmacies and salons nationwide !

Hope you enjoyed this post ! Thanks for reading ! Mwah !

Holly X

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My Top 5 Fake Tans

Anyone that knows me will know that I love , love fake tanning ! I have been since I was about 13 and have tried so many tans ! It has taken me a long time to perfect applying it ! I've experienced orange hands, dark body and white face, patchiness etc. ! In the past year I have tried some amazing tans and get asked so much what one I am wearing which is always a compliment ! I always feel a little better when I have that perfect golden glow ! I am not saying there is anything wrong with being pale , this is just my personal preference !

1. TanOrganic

It is all in the name ! 99% of the ingredients in this tan are from natural origin and 87% of the ingredients are from natural farming ! It has been awarded with the Eco Cert which is stated on the glass bottle ! This tan is fantastic ! It might not be for everyone as it comes in liquid form ( very watery ) ! There are two bottles ; one with a pump which allows you to spray the tan or one in which you can let the liquid drip out through a small hole on top ! After exfoliating the night before and after moisturizing knees , feet , elbows and hands , I began to apply this tan with a mitt ! Straight away I noticed the sweet smell of caramel and oranges ! I was surprised at how nice this tan went on and how it gives an instant glow ! You can see the tan when applying as it has a slight colour but as you rub it in it disappears and just leaves a light golden colour ! If you have missed a patch just grab a small bit of moisturizer and rub around the area of tan so it blends together ! This tan takes longer to dry than others because of the natural ingredients but on the plus side , it gives you time to work with it and this tan is also very moisturizing and leaves your skin nourished and feeling and looking healthy ! I left it to develop over night ( It says leave for 8hrs before showering ) and woke up with a gorgeous even golden colour ! It wasn't orange and looked so natural ! It also lasted me over a week looking as if I had just applied it ! I had never experienced this before ! I was amazed ! I would recommend to someone with dry skin to moisturize everyday to keep it looking fresh and even ! I loved it so much that I even wore it to a debs ( as shown below ) and on many nights out ! For those who like a super dark tan then this probably isn't for you as the colour is quite natural but I might have the one for you further on ! TanOrganic is an Irish brand and can be bought from most pharmacies , supermarkets and on their website ( www.tanorgainic.com ) for €19.99 ( 100ml bottle ) ! Tan Organic also have a number of products to help prep the skin before tanning and also to apply the tan ! You should definitely check them out !

Wearing TanOrganic for a debs !

2. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan

Those following my blog have probably noticed I have mentioned this tan numerous times already ! I can't stress enough how good this is ! If I am ever in need of a quick tan or if I ever run out of my go-to tan ( which is Karora ) then this is the fake tan I use ! Cocoa Brown 1 Hour is a mousse so I recommend exfoliating and moisturizing feet , knees , hands , elbows and any dry spots on the body ! I always apply my tan with a mitt and never use my hands ! This tan gives an instant light colour so you can see any patches you may have missed ! You have a choice with this ! Whether you prefer a light glow , medium or dark tan , CB 1 Hour gives you a guideline in which you should follow to achieve your colour preference ! It recommends you shower after 1 hour to leave a light tan , 2 hours for medium and 3 hours for dark ! I usually don't bother washing the top layer off as I like to be dark but there really is no need ! This tan has green undertones leaving you with a golden colour without looking orange ! I have got many compliments whilst wearing this tan and definitely recommend it ! You will find this Irish brand ( Cocoa Brown ) in Penneys/Primark , pharmacies , supermarkets and online ( www.cocoabrown.ie ) with many of Marissa Carter's other tanning products !

I wore Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan on my Birthday as shown below !

3. TanTastic Self Tanning Gel

Okay this one mightn't be as well known but this use to be my go-to fake tan ! I used it for about a year and went through bottles of it ! I loved it but it is unbelievably difficult to get off and doesn't have the lasting power of others that I am currently using ! Apart from that this is an excellent fake tan ! It is available in liquid and a spray but I always used the gel formula ! Once again , after exfoliating and moisturizing those dry areas ( feet , knees , elbows and hands ) I would apply this with my mitt ! As this is a gel it is quite sticky and to be honest , it has that typical fake tan smell which may be a turn off to some but I didn't mind ! It has a colour to it so you can see where you are applying it ! It takes a while to dry and is quite sticky so I'd recommend loose clothing when allowing this tan to develop ! If you like a deep tan then it recommends two coats ! I usually left it overnight but it says up to 7 hours ! I always loved the colour it left ! It was always so golden ! If this tan hadn't have been so hard to remove then I would probably still be using it ! For €15 it was also quite affordable and the amount in the bottle lasts a long time ! Why not try it for yourself ? Available from pharmacies and on their website at www.tantastic.co.uk !

4. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

I think the majority of girls in Ireland have tried this infamous fake tan ! I much prefer developing tans but this is one instant tan that I do like ! For those that don't know , it comes in a spray bottle ( It can get quite messy ) but Sally Hansen has recently brought out a lotion too which I am yet to try ! It is different when compared to other instant tans because I feel it is more like a make-up for the body ! It says it is for legs but it works perfect all over the body ! When applied it gives you an instant colour and a smooth airbrushed look ! It also covers light blemishes , marks and scars ! Sally Hansen Airbrush legs , unlike other instant tans , is water resistant ! A lot of us have probably experienced the awful effects rain can have on fake tan ! This doesn't budge as easy and you might just make it through a quick shower of rain without it leaving you with streaks and blotches ! I went to Barcelona and I wore this all the time ( as shown below ) ! I was even in the pool and it only faded a little ! I couldn't believe it ! As this is practically like a make-up , I use to mix a small amount in with my foundation to darken it on a night out or if I was on holidays so my face and body would be the same colour ! It worked wonders ! Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs' colour range is very good ! It comes in light glow , medium glow , tan glow and deep glow ! There really is a shade for everyone ! This fake tan is also great to even out any blotchy tan and is a quick alternative to any developing tan ! I think it is so handy to have in case of a tan emergency ! Prices vary but start from around €9.99 depending on where you buy it ! You will find it in Boots, most pharmacies and supermarkets ! 

This is the best picture I have unfortunately ( Very old ) ! I am wearing Sally Hansen in Deep glow !

5. Karora Self Tan Mist in Dark/Bronzed Bombshell Tinted Self Tan Mist Medium/Dark

These are actually the same tan just different bottles ! The newer bottle ( left ) and the older bottle ( right) are both available to buy !

I have left the best for last ! This is my all time favourite fake tan at the minute ! It is amaaazing ! First of all , Karora is an Irish brand that have a huge range of botanical tanning products which moisturize the skin aswell as giving it a gorgeous glow ! This is the only one from the Karora range that I have tried but I am keen to try more ! I heard a lot about this so decided to give it a go and my God ! I was amazed ! This Self Tan Mist comes in a spray bottle but doesn't go everywhere unlike some tans ! I spray it onto my mitt and apply it after exfoliating and moisturizing the dry areas on my body including knees , feet , hands and elbows ! There is a light colour when applying the liquidy formula so you can see what you are doing ! It blends so easily when you use circular motions to apply ! This also has a gorgeous smell which is always a bonus ! Karora have used acai berry and argan to create this scent which is so much nicer than your typical fake tan smell ! This tan isn't sticky and dries quite quick leaving your skin feeling soft and moisturized ! It also leaves you with a gorgeous glow straight after ! It is recommended that this is left on up to 8 hours before showering giving it time to fully develop ! I usually leave it overnight and wake up looking beautifully bronzed ! I cannot explain how nice the colour of this tan is ! It has green undertones so it is not orange ! It is a natural looking brown shade which I can say , without a doubt , will flatter any skin tone ! Like TanOrganic ( as reviewed above ) it lasts so long ! After a week , my tan will look just as good as the day after I applied it ! I moisturize everyday to every second day so it helps on how long it lasts but this is by far the best fake tan I have ever used ! I can't wait to try more from the Karora range ! I have got asked so many times what tan I am wearing whilst wearing this and can't recommend it enough ! It is a little pricier than some of the other tans I have mentioned but it is worth it ! For 100ml bottle ( perfect for travelling )  , prices start from around €16 - €22 ! There is a larger bottle available also ! You will find Karora products in some beauty salons , pharmacies and on their website ( www.karoracosmetics.com ) ! 

Hope you enjoyed this post ! Plenty more to come ! Thanks for reading ! Feel free to drop me a message or comment at any time ! Mwah !

Holly X

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Christmas Haul ( Part 1 )

It may be a few weeks after Christmas but sure why not show off some great products I got over the festive season ! This is my first proper post so bare with me please ! I got some fab pressies , some of which I just have to share ! It will be split into two parts !

1. Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara

Want long lashes without the hassle of putting on falsies ? Well this is the solution ! This is by far the best mascara I have ever tried ! I , myself , don't have the longest eyelashes naturally but after a few coats of this my lashes look longer than ever ! I even got asked last night was I wearing falsies ! To my friends surprise I told her 'They're real !' (Hence the name) The mascara brush catches every lash and elongates each one ! The brush even has smaller bristles for those tricky outer and bottom lashes ! I would highly recommend this mascara and don't plan on changing mine anytime soon !

It retails at €26 and can be found at Benefit, Cara Pharmacy, Boots, Debenhams, Sephora and any other Benefit stockists !

2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer

I think priming the lids before applying eyeshadow is essential , especially for those with oily lids ! I'm sure the majority of yous have heard of Urban Decay Primer Potion ! It is probably one of the most well known eyeshadow primers out there and without a doubt it is brilliant but I have come across this little beauty ! It is not as thick as the Urban Decay eye primer and goes on so smoothly ! It is a squeezy tube and doesn't come with a wand like one of the Urban Decay primers ! That doesn't bother me at all but some people have their preferences ! I love the packaging and it fits perfectly in my make-up bag without taking up much space ! This makes my eyeshadow last all day and also makes colours appear more vibrant which is always a good thing ! It also comes in numerous shades , Shadow Insurance , Candlelight and Lemon Drop ! I have Shadow Insurance and it's a nude shade which could also be worn alone ! Too Faced's products are cruelty free and of great quality ! I haven't seen Too Faced Products anywhere but I do know they can be bought on their website ( www.toofaced.com ) , beautybay.com , debenhams and on the boots website ( www.boots.com or www.boots.ie ) and their larger stores ! Price in euros starts from €26 !

3. Too Faced Primed and Poreless Priming Powder and Finishing Veil

This paraben free mineral face powder is just brilliant ! I would highly recommend this to anyone with oily skin ! After applying a small amount of this my foundation looks flawless ! Not just does it mattify my skin and get rid of shine , it also minimizes pores ! It acts as a primer and makes your foundation stay put all day ! I came home after a night out and my make-up looked as if I had only applied it and this was without any top ups ! This little pot is amazing and will last ages as only a small amount is required during each use ! As said above Too Faced products can be found on their website ( www.toofaced.com ) , boots , debenhams and beautybay.com ! It retails at €28.80 ( Irish price in Debenhams ) !

4. Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Primer Cream

I love this so much ! I think this is a lot different to any other primers ! I is a cream and it moisturises the skin while preparing it for foundation ! It leaves your skin moisturised and velvety to touch ! It reduces the appearance of wrinkles , firms the skin , increases the thickness of skin , smoothens and reduces roughness ! It is also said to improve the dermal structure of  the skin ! It is easy to apply and is a great base for make-up making it look flawless and last all day ! I probably wouldn't recommend this to those with very oily skin but for me it is definitely my favourite primer at the minute and for a drugstore brand Gosh products are very high quality ! At €19.99 you can't go wrong ! Gosh products are available from most pharmacies or from their website ( www.gosh.ie ) !

5. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan By Marissa Carter

Cocoa Brown hasn't been around long but Marissa Carter has created a range of fake tans that are becoming more and more popular ! There is the Cocoa Brown Night to Day Tan and the 1 Hour Tan which is by far my favourite ! I much prefer tans that develop as I feel they last longer and look nicer but it can still be a nuisance having to wait hours for it to develop ! This , my friends , is the answer ! This is a mousse formula and has a colour when applying so it is easy to get an even application ! You have a choice on how dark you would like your tan ! It is recommended you wash the top coat off after one hour for a light tan , 2 hours for a medium colour and 3 hours or more for a darker colour ! I love a dark tan so never even feel the need to wash the top coat off ! It leaves a gorgeous golden colour without leaving you looking orange ! I would recommend exfoliating well the night before and moisturisng areas such as knees , elbows , hands , wrists , ankles and feet before applying this tan for an even colour ! This tan is so affordable and great for those who need a last minute tan ! Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan retails at €7.99 and is availiable from Penneys and most Irish pharmacies ! Also comes in a 100ml travel size bottle which is so convenient if you are planning on going away anytime soon ! Marissa Carter has also brought out numerous tanning products which I hope to review in the near future !

I hope yous have enjoyed my first blog post ! Second part will be up soon ! Comment or message me if you have any questions ! Mwah !

Holly X

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