These days there are some pretty good fake tans out available; just follow these simple tips to achieve a golden glow that’s better than the real thing.
1) Use Pre-Tan.
I discovered this brilliant pre-tan from Boots Soltan. It is especially designed to prepare the skin for self tanning. The yellow liquid is filled with lots of tiny exfoliating particles to scrub off any dry skin which may ruin the application of the tan. Simply rub the formula all over the body before getting in the shower, then rinse off. It moisturises too, which is an extra benefit if you are using a self tan product which requires you not to moisturise.
2) Shave.
It’s pretty obvious really, but smooth shaved legs means the application of the tan goes on better and is less likely to streak.
3) Exfoliate.
Sure, you may have already used the pre-tan to exfoliate, but what harm can a little more do. Besides, it’s always good to exfoliate after shaving to ensure your skin is left as smooth as it can be. Use exfoliating gloves with your favourite shower gel to achieve best results.
4) TAN!
Now your all prepared for the tan, it is time to actually apply it. My current favourite is He-Shi’s Quick and Easy Dark Foaming Mousse. As it is a mousse it is easy to apply; just pump a ball onto a tanning mitt and rub into the skin. I love this product as it tans on contact so you can see anywhere you may have missed, meaning no streaks! The formula takes only two minutes to dry, and then you can dress, and guess what, remarkably it doesn’t stain clothing! I have used a lot of tanning products in my time, and I have to say this is the first one I have ever come across which doesn’t ruin my bed sheets. It doesn’t leave a nasty fake tan smell which most others do too.
With this product, the tan takes 6-8 hours to develop; the initial tanning is just to prevent streaks and can be washed off after, revealing golden glowing skin. The tan is deep and very real looking, and lasts for a week. I can’t get enough of it, especially now summer is almost here. There is now no reason to hide away pasty legs, so girls get out your summer dresses and show off those legs.
Product Rating:
5/5 
Spring is not spring without brightly manicured nails. My current fave is Tangerine Fatal in the So Laque! range by Bourjois. This vivid colour actually does stand the test of time and remains chip-free for days, unlike a lot of other nail varnish brands. The nail varnish is ultra shiny, and perfect for all those hazy, warm days.
This week we’re going cheap and cheerful with the price, but certainly not with the product!
Baby oil is one of the most easy beauty products to obtain, and can be used for a whole host of diverse beautifying.
The first most obvious benefit of baby oil is the moisturising qualities it possesses. It has been a widely known fact that covering oneself in baby oil when freshly out of the shower leaves skin touchably smooth and soft. It is also much faster than applying lotion. Obviously it takes longer to absorb into the skin, but this adds to the moisturising benefactors of the product. Also, be careful not to get in hair as it can lead to greasy tresses.
Baby oil can be used as an alternative to bath oil or bubbles; moisturising the whole body while you effortlessly lay and relax after a long, hard day.
For an excellent alternative to shaving gel, slick baby oil onto legs before reaching for the razor, and you can guarantee a close, nick-free shave will be had.
Baby oil can be rubbed into nails to moisturise and strengthen them, ensuring good growth.
Finally, baby oil makes an excellently effective eye make-up remover. The formula is gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area and wipes even waterproof mascara clean off eyelashes. It is recommended that this is done before cleansing as it will clearly leave eyes greasy.
So there you have it girls. For everyone on a budget, baby oil is the best multitasking product you can buy.
Have you got any other baby oil tips and techniques? I’m sure there are plenty more out there!
As spring is fast approaching, one of the most important areas to look after is your hair; there is nothing more appealing than glossy hair glistening in the sunshine. Lee Stafford has produced a series of Hot Shots, an extra step in between shampooing and conditioning. The self heating treatments are simply rubbed into hair and left on for two minutes. What’s more, the heat from the ginger may help improve growth of the hair as well as health.
Hot shots are available for all types of hair; whether you are blonde, brunette, straight, or curly, there is something for everyone. They come in packs of three and are available from Boots and other large beauty stores nationwide.
My Verdict; well worth the extra two minutes in the shower. My looked glossy, felt soft and smelt amazing too.
Give your hair a treat this spring, and achieve the best looking hair for miles around!
Anyway, we have all seen Batiste in the shops, and there are always regular new fragrances that keep popping up in the range. The latest to grace the shelves isn’t a new fragrance though. Their next innovation is dry shampoo with a hint of colour; OMG, could this brand get any better? So for everyone else out there who suffers with serious rootage, the answer has arrived.
Verdict:
I cannot fault the dry shampoo itself. As with the others in its range, Batiste dry shampoo with a hint of colour smells lovely and leaves hair looking fresh and clean. The scent isn't as strong as the others in the range, but this isn't a bad thing. I really like the light scent. As for the colour, well it’s obviously not hair dye so doesn’t eliminate roots completely. My roots are quite dark, and it did make them significantly lighter, but they could still be seen. I should mention as well that the colour in the spray easily gets onto clothes, so be careful. It does easily wash out, but it’s not the best look starting the day with yellow smudges on your work clothes.
Rating:
3/5
I am still a major dry shampoo fan, but I personally prefer the scented ones. They cost less and don’t mark clothing.
Length before dry shampoo
Roots after dry shampoo
Length after dry shampoo
Let me know your thoughts on Batiste Dry Shampoo with a hint of colour.
Doubletake Studios is basically a photograph studio where normal girls, and potentially boys too, can go and spend the day getting pampered by professionals, who do their hair and make up for them, before taking professional photos of the outcome. The best thing about these studios is that everything is free; the experience, the hair styling, the makeover, even refreshments are included in the day. The only thing which costs money are the photos at the end, which there is no obligation to buy.
Where?
There are studios located all around England, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Southampton.
My Visit
My friend received a phone call informing her that she had been recommended by another friend for a free photo shoot. They said she was allowed to bring along friend: me. When she tod me about the shoot I was sceptical; whilst I like make up and photography, I don’t reckon myself much of a model, plus things don’t generally come for free in this world, there’s usually a hidden price somewhere along the line. However, she was insistent that the shoot was legitimate, and she really wanted to go so I agreed (after hefty googling of the company which only told me the photos were priced extortionately). So off we went to the London Farringdon studio, me still cautious and determined not to purchase the photos. When we got there everything seemed above board; the staff were friendly and welcoming, taking our coats and offering refreshments immediately. Not soon after we were taken for our hair and make up. I have short hair and sometimes get bored of having it in a straight bob, so I enquired about what other styles could be done. The make up artist told me she could do it tousled as my hair was too short to be curly. She asked me what colour eyes I would like, blacks or more natural browns, to which I chose brown. During my makeover the girl made me feel slightly uncomfortable as she was chatting and laughing constantly to some of the other make-up artists, I felt almost as if I was intruding in their private conversation. The only thing she said to me was that she did make up for some celebrities, but never specified who. After my 30 minutes of being primed, quite excitedly I looked in the mirror, only to find, yes, my hair is after all too short to be “tousled”, something that a make-up artist to the stars should have known. Also, she had done me black eyes too, not brown as I had requested.
The photo shoot was a little better than the make over. The photographer was a nice enough guy; he was chatty and kept telling me my poses were good. The sets in the studio were a bit used though, and the studio was crowded. 
Results
After waiting around an hour the photos were ready to be viewed. There were a few nice photos out of them all, but nothing really special. I did like the art they could do which transformed the photo, and I would have been interested to see what I would have looked like after airbrushing, but this could only be done if buying the photos.
Verdict
I resisted the sales woman and didn’t buy any of the photos. They started at £300 which was a little out of my budget, and besides, my hair looked horrific. I have to say they did do a nice make over for my friend; her hair looked pretty and the green eyeshadow the make-up artist chose for her really suited her. She did purchase some of her photographs; the sales woman kept dropping the price until she reached £100 for three which included no airbrushing. They set her up a scheme so she could pay £20 a month until it was paid off. And she had to give a lot, maybe 30, of her other friends numbers away so she could get thi
s deal. Overall, it was a good day out for me and my friend, I wouldn’t necessarily do it again unless I really wanted some photos of myself and there was no other means of getting them. The studios do make money out of the photographs, so anyone planning a visit here should bare that in mind.
