The smell of biscuits is definitely on the horizon. With summer being in full swing many of us will be wanting that glowing bronze goddess tan and instead of sitting in the sun for hours on end to achieve a natural tan - as this is incredibly damaging to our skin, always wear suncream - will want to fake it. There’s a few different ways to do this and a few paramount steps to take in order to achieve the best, natural looking, fake tan you can so here are my top tips.

Exfoliate | To prevent tan clinging to any dry skin be sure to exfoliate everywhere you’ll be tanning, legs, arms, chest, the lot. Pay special attention to places like the knees, elbows and ankles as tan tends to especially gather in these areas. Great body scrubs out there include Soap & Glory Scrub ‘Em And Leave ‘Em & The Breakfast Scrub and the Sanctuary Salt Scrub is a great exfoliating and moisturising scrub too.

Moisturise | Moisturising is paramount to achieving a smooth, streak free tan. Not only is moisturising your skin generally good for smoothing everything out and looking after your limbs it will prevent any unwanted patchy tan. I like to use an after sun rather than an actual body moisturiser as they tend to be lighter in formula so sink into the skin faster but still give heavy hydration. Clarins After Sun Gel Ultra-Soothing is a lovely after sun as is the Garnier After Sun, for a more affordable option.

Barrier | The step a lot of people forget is to barrier off places that don’t need tan or tan easily gathers. If you’re using an instant tan this step can be skipped but if you’re using a fake tan that will be sticking around for at least a week this step is essential. To do this use Vaseline - petroleum jelly - and apply to the ankles, heels, knees - front and back -, elbows - front and back -, collar bones, wrists, under arms and around your hair line.

Tan | To apply fake tan always use a mitt. Whether its instant tan, a mouse, lotion, whatever your preferred tan is always, always, always use a mitt. Using a mitt will mean the tan is easily worked into the skin, is streak free and evenly applied but also that your hands aren’t left stained a lovely shade of orange. Apply a little at a time instead of going in with a massive dollop and not be able to blend it in. Work in sections so the tan doesn’t start drying before you’ve finished working it in and only use the excess left on the mitt to brush over the tops of your hands and feet. Great self-tanners include the St Tropez Bronzing Mouse, the St Tropez Express Tan Mousse and Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe. Great instant tanners include the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan, the Fake Bake Bronzer Instant Tan Lotion and the Clarins Instant Smoothing Self Tan for the face. The Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body is a great alternative for those of use who are scared of fake tan but still want the bronzed goddess look or add even more shimmer on top of your tan.

Do you have any tanning tips?

~ Jade xx

A couple of weeks ago Lucy and I wandered into Boots to pick up a few things we needed and whilst meandering through the isles I came across the Sanctuary 5 minute thermal detox mask - which might I add I didn’t actually need, per say. However, I have super oily skin which results in a lot of blocked pores - nice - and so always have my eyes pealed for good, at home face masks as I don’t have the budget to have a facial every month, unfortunately. 

I hadn’t really heard anything about Sanctuary before besides the fact it’s an expensive spa in Covent Garden so I bought this product blind, without reading any reviews beforehand - which I never usually do.

The description on the back of the tube claims ~

“The warmth of this self-heating mask helps to open up the pores so the charcoal and kaolin clay can help draw out the impurities from deep within the skin. As well as purifying, the mask also rebalances the skin’s oil levels to clarify, cleanse and leave the skin with a silky touch, essential oil of myrrh helps to sooth and calm.”

The mask itself is very thick - so its essential your skin is damp when you go to apply it or it won’t go anywhere - and doesn’t particularly have a scent to it, though the scent it does have isn’t unpleasant. The product is a light grey colour and when first applied to the skin has a nice warming sensation - this disperses after a minute or two - but does feel very plastic-y. Unlike other clay masks this one doesn’t set which I like for the masks that do set are hard to wash off and you can’t move your face - which to me is very frustrating - but it does mean you can’t take a nap without making a mess. I apply this to damp, pre-cleansed skin and after about ten minutes wash it off with warm water following up with my regular skin care routine of toner, moisturiser etc. 

I’ve been using this product twice a week and so far and what I noticed when I first started to use it was a few spots started to appear. Now, I used to have very acne prone skin but have managed to keep it under control with medication so, when I first noticed I was getting a few spots again I knew it was this product for I hadn’t changed anything else in my skin care routine. However, as this is a detox mask it’s designed to draw out the impurities in your skin, meaning any breakouts that occur are relatively normal. Obviously breakouts are undesirable but if in the long run my skin was clear and less oily I was willing to give it a fair shot and so kept on using it.

A few weeks into using it and I can say that my skin is definitely smoother and clearer. However I still have many blocked pores around my nose and chin area but wearing makeup everyday doesn’t help in that respect so I doubt I’ll ever have completely unblocked pores. I haven’t noticed my skin being any less oily throughout the day either. Overall, a good budget buy but not a miracle worker - but what can you expect for £10.50?, currently on offer for £7 in Boots.

Have you tried anything from the Sanctuary brand before?

~ Jade xxx