Tanning, the fair way

Being someone with rather fair skin, I've found I'm more successful at getting a tan from a bottle than I am from a beach, so I'm often on the look-out for those that give me a nice natural glow rather than a typical fake tan colour (which look even more fake on pale skins). My two favourites at the moment are L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Express Pro Dry Mist (for fair skins) and St Tropez Bronzing Mousse.

I've found L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Express Pro Dry Mist to be unbelievably hassle-free. It creates a non-streaky tan, even without the whole day-after day-exfoliating and moisturising ritual, meaning it's particularly great for low maintenance types. Just spray it on (I always apply tan in the evening to let it develop overnight) and job's a good 'en. What's more, it dries super fast, so there's none of that dancing around to get it to dry quicker. I prefer to use this tan mid-week, however, as it creates a light golden glow – perfect for work. Word of advice – stand on a towel while applying unless you fancy going flying. 

It's currently priced at £11.63 at Boots with a saving of 1/3 off L'Oreal tan offer. And it's also available in Medium for darker skins.    

For me, St Tropez Bronzing Mousse is way up there on the tanning product scale. I find mousses to be less messy and easier to apply than creams, and this one by St Tropez doesn't leave you looking as though you've been caught up in a mud wrestle as it develops. Once rinsed off in the morning, I'm left with an even gorgeous not-too-dark bronze glow, which I've found is also lighter than the cream version, making it another pro fair skin tanner. As it is slightly darker than the L'Oreal spray, I prefer to use St Tropez for nights out and occasions. Do take the time to exfoliate pre-mousse tanning though with a good exfoliator like this one.

In terms of applying, I like to use St Tropez Latex Gloves. 

Happy tanning fellow fair skinned beauties :) xo

Legs go undercover

I love a good recommendation, whether it's a stunning hotel, a delicious recipe or an hours-of-fun iPhone App (Horse Frenzy in case you were wondering - thank me later). This time, however, it was a must-have beauty product. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs to be precise.

Me and the girls went to the races for the day recently to celebrate me being on the wrong side of 25. For me, a dress was the only answer to a sunny day out at a smart event, but with it came the slight horror of my still-in-winter-hibernation legs being on show. Fake tan's a great way to combat the fear, but it never seems to look right on my legs, meaning I can get away with using it on a night out but not through the day. Enter Airbrush Legs. My colleague mentioned she'd used it a while back, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

The result? Bloody fantastic, until the sun hit my legs. While I was inside, and even sometimes outside, the coverage looked amazing - it's a light formula that really creates what it says on the tin - flawless yet natural airbrushed legs. When the sun shone, however, so did my legs, with a sparkling glow. Apparently it's a new take on the original product but, after reading a few reviews, there seems to be a lot of hope Sally Hansen will revert back to its previous formula. I agree, but it won't stop me using it, I still think it's genius. My friend was so impressed she asked me what I used and went out and got it to wear on a hen do, so the shimmer won't put everyone off.

Have you tried it?