If you want a little extra colour in your cheeks at this time of year, explore beauty editor Sarah Halliwell’s recommendations for self-tans, tan drops and brilliant bronzers …
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Pale is beautiful. But if you’re among those of us who find we want a little extra colour in our cheeks at this time of year, here are some recommendations. It’s all personal preference, after all, though bear in mind that self-tans generally have a drying effect on your skin, which is the thing many of us forget. At our recent event with her, Trinny Woodall mentioned this with words of caution – we may be looking bronzed, but we’re not doing our skin any good, so it’s wise not to use self-tan all the time, and to keep skin well hydrated.
SELF-TANS FOR SUMMER
One of my colleagues is a tan expert – she has tried a huge range of self-tans, and is very particular about what works and what doesn’t, preferring natural-looking shades. So when she recommends Bare By Vogue’s Clear Tan Water in Dark, you know it’s good. “The Clear Tan Water has no colour guide so it won’t stain your sheets or clothes. It gradually develops over about eight hours with no biscuity smell (no smell at all except the first few minutes after applying) and does not transfer to clothes. It develops into a natural-looking tan and lasts about three to four days. Application takes a little skill; as there’s no colour guide, you’ll need to apply it with a mitt (it is easy to miss a bit).” At pharmacies nationwide, including Boots, €24; also available in medium. www.boots.ie
If you’re particular about where your tan comes from, try Irish-made self-tan, AyuGlo has just launched tan drops through to mousse, from €14.50. www.ayu.ie
FOOL-PROOF TAN DROPS
I’m forever going on about tan drops, for the simple reason that I’m no good at self-tan. Too scared of being orange, having streaky skin and blotchy knees and wrists, I’d only use it rarely, and even then would prefer an expert to do a proper spray-tan (I like Edvard & Pink in Dundrum Town Centre – they use Three Warriors, an Australian organic brand of self-tan). You don’t get that sickly self-tan smell with drops, either.
The thing with tan drops is they’re easy to use, pretty hard to do wrong (just add a drop or two into your moisturiser, and build up colour gradually), and it’s hard to buy bad ones; most of the ones I’ve tried are pretty good. I wouldn’t use them every day, though, and prefer those offering skincare benefits too, such as Votary’s Hyaluronic Self-Tan Drops (€34.78), which hydrate with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. www.votary.co.uk
I rate Clarins’ Self-Tanning Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster (€27 for 15ml), knowing they always take the skincare aspect seriously; there’s a version for the body now, too. www.clarins.ie
For a pharmacy option, I’ve always liked Jules Von Hep’s Isle of Paradise for self-tanning (his drops are currently €20.79 at Boots). www.boots.ie
And I am a recent convert to Violette www.violettefr.com for all things suncare: their Super Glow Drops SPF50 are designed to be mixed in with your sunscreen (ideally the lovely Daydream Screen SPF50 Tinted Veil). You can wear it under or over make-up as a highlighter/bronzer. €38 at Space NK Grafton Street and Dundrum Town Centre; www.spacenk.com.
TOP TIP: The drops only boost your SPF, by the way – you wouldn’t be looking to get your full sun protection from this product, as you’d have to wear an absolute ton of drops, as the brand makes clear. While having an SPF factor in your make-up is a good extra, you definitely need a separate SPF designed for your face every day at this time of year.
Also at SpaceNK is star tanner James Read’s new luxe range Self Glow; his previous range was excellent, so I reckon this pricier new line will deliver the goods.
GREAT BRONZERS
Finally, if you prefer to swerve the self-tanners and stick with a great bronzer, try Chanel’s versatile Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder, featuring bronzer, blush and highlighter in one, as used here on actress Margaret Qualley for the recent Cannes International Film Festival in May. €85 at counters nationwide. www.brownthomas.com
