Summer Beauty: 3 Easy Steps To Get A Natural Summer Glow

 

Self-tanning products are the only way to get a natural, healthy tan this Summer and the green beauty world has so many different options to choose from. Here are three of my favourites to check out.

Step One: Always Exfoliate First

To get a smooth and even finish all over, it's important to exfoliate first before you apply any self-tanning products. If your existing fake tan is starting to peel and wear off, you can use Rose & Caramel Purity Excel 3 Minute Miracle Self Tan Removing Scrub* (200ml, £19.99, link) to gently buff away all previous traces. This stuff really is a miracle worker thanks to a combination of natural pearlite and advanced ingredients which makes it fast and easy to remove all brands of fake tan - just make sure you leave it on for at least three minutes before rinsing away to allow time for it to work its dissolving magic.

Step Two: Choose Your Self-Tan Lotion

For beginners or those who are nervous about using fake tan, I would recommend opting for a gradual self-tanning lotion because these are virtually fool-proof to use and they give you a gorgeous, natural-looking finish so you needn't worry about any crazy orangeness! I'm a big fan of Mádara Self Tan Milk* (150ml, £27.50, link) which comes in a light-to-medium sunkissed tone for the body. It has a lovely, non-sticky, easily absorbed texture which is similar to a body lotion. Apply all over to clean, dry skin and the tan will gradually develop over the next 4-6 hours and lasts up to five days.

Step Three: Don't Forget Your Face

If you're an SPF fanatic like me, you'll find that your complexion will probably look quite pale against your newly tanned body so this is where a dedicated facial self-tanner comes in. Specially formulated for the face, these products will generally feature a different blend of ingredients to prevent your skin getting clogged up, so it's worth investing in one purely for your face. I love Green People Gradual Tan Moisturiser* (50ml, £17.50, link) which is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. This daily moisturiser can be applied first thing for a gentle sunkissed glow all year round.

What are your favourite self-tanning products?

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3 Products To Try From Madara - Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter & Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss - Review & Swatches

 

Madara is one of those amazing green beauty brands which has a massive range of products, from organic skincare to makeup and everything in between! I wanted to focus on three of their hidden gems which I don't see many bloggers talking about; the Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter and Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss.

Madara Fake It Self Tan Milk* (150ml, £27, link)

After an unseasonably warm weekend with lots of sunshine, Spring most definitely feels like it is on its way, so I've been switching up some of my regular body lotions with gradual self-tanning formulas. These products are a super-easy way to add some much-needed colour and glow to my skin after such a long winter, and they're brilliant for people who find traditional self-tanning products a bit daunting, or perhaps only want a hint of sunkissed colour because it's virtually impossible to go wrong with them.

Madara's Fake It Self Tan Milk gives a beautiful non-streaky, healthy-looking glow to the skin and is recommended for light to medium skin tones which is perfect for me. It looks and feels like a normal body lotion and has a lovely hydrating formula thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil that makes this ideal to use if you have dry skin. 

As with all gradual self-tanners, you'll see the best results by applying a generous amount with a tanning mitt to freshly exfoliated skin so I always do this after a shower. Massage in well, enjoy the fresh scent and by the morning, you'll see a subtle, natural-looking tan with no orangey undertones.

Madara Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter in Naked Chromosphere* (13.5ml, £25, link)

If you've only used skincare from Madara, you're really missing out because their range of organic makeup most definitely deserves a spot on your vanity table. Perhaps one of the most underrated of all of their products is the incredible Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter which is available in three different shades. 

This gorgeous liquid highlighter is vegan-friendly and certified natural and organic by ECOCERT. Not only is the packaging very sleek with a long dropper applicator, but the formula of this highlighter is like pure liquid gold as it's crafted from a blend of ultra-fine minerals and a silky Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe based serum.

Best of all, it's so easy to work with as you can customise it to exactly what you want thanks to its buildable nature. For a subtle glow, add a drop directly to your moisturiser or foundation, or for a more 'hey, look at me!' megawatt finish, use a beauty sponge or your fingers to dab it directly onto the tops of the cheekbones for a stronger highlight. The golden shade you can see above is called Naked Chromosphere and I will be literally covering myself in it come Summer!

Madara Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss in Scandal 76* (4ml, £19, link)

I couldn't resist trying out one of Madara's Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Glosses, and again, I feel this is such a hidden little gem in their organic makeup range. More natural based lip glosses can struggle against their mainstream counterparts, but Madara has managed to tick all the boxes with theirs and this product is very similar to lip glosses that I own from Ilia. 

Like the liquid highlighter above, this Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss does what it says on the label. It delivers a high-shine, ultra-glossy finish which doesn't feel sticky/tacky and it's wonderfully hydrating, so another good choice for those who have dry lips. It's worth remembering that this is obviously a lip gloss and not a liquid lipstick so you'll only get a wash of pigment here (as shown above), but when layered over a lipstick, it really does add a desirable vinyl-like slick of extra colour so it's very versatile. 

Available in a wide range of vegan-friendly shades, I love the vampy blackened purple hue of Scandal 76 for those times when you want to dare to be different and come out of your comfort zone.

Do you have any favourites from Madara?

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Keep Your Post-Holiday Glow: Tropic Summer Goddess Shimmering Body Oil, Sun Drench Overnight Tanning Mousse, Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion & Instant Glow Perfecting Leg Serum review

One way to blast those post-holiday blues is by keeping your summer tan looking its best for longer, so get your glow on and become a golden goddess with these easy-to-use luxury products from Tropic!

Tropic Summer Goddess Shimmering Body Oil* (150ml, £28, link)

Summer Goddess is an award-winning body oil that looks absolutely mesmerizing in the bottle, and equally as stunning on the skin. Its rich and nourishing base of Organic Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, is not only great for dry skin, but it's infused with an incredible shimmer that gives an instant golden glow to legs, arms, shoulders and the décolletage. Easy to apply and quickly absorbed without any sticky or greasiness, this is one of those products that you can use all year round for any special occasion or nights out with the girls. Oh, and it smells amazing thanks to the added Tahitian and Bourbon Vanilla extracts.

Tropic Sun Drench Overnight Tanning Mousse* (150ml with Tanning Mitt, £32, link)

If you're looking for a tanning product that's much more natural ingredients-wise than those that are available in your local Boots or Superdrug, Tropic's Sun Drench Overnight Tanning Mousse is a lovely one to try.  It features Coconut Water to hydrate, antioxidant-rich Kiwi Fruit Water to keep your skin looking radiant, and Plant-based Allo-Melanin which mimics the colour of your own skin for a beautiful tan that looks subtle and natural (not a hint of orange in sight!). I found the mousse easy to use and used it in the same way as I would other tanning products; make sure to exfoliate first for the best results. It glided on smoothly and has a tint so you can see if you've missed any areas. As the name suggests, this tan does require around 8-10 hours to properly develop, so apply it an hour or so before going to bed and wake up to a gorgeous tan without the biscuity smell.

Tropic Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Lotion* (200ml, £20, link)

Summer Skin is a fantastic option for those with light-medium skin tones that prefer to get their glow on with a gradual tanner. It feels like a proper moisturising body lotion and contains several skin-nourishing ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Mango Butter and Beetroot Amino Acids to keep your skin hydrated and softer for longer. Being a gradual tanner, the colour does build up slowly to a more natural looking and subtle shade than what you'd achieve with the Tanning Mousse above, so if you're new to tanning or just want a very realistic and even looking hint of colour all over, Summer Skin is a brilliant buy. I've even used this on my face with great results!

Tropic Instant Glow Perfecting Leg Serum* (180ml, £24, link)

I'm someone who often feels very self-conscious about getting my legs out in dresses and shorts, so I've found this next product to be a real confidence booster. The Instant Glow Perfecting Leg Serum is another one of Tropic's award-winning bestsellers, and once you try it, it's easy to see why so many people love it. This instant bronzing serum smells incredible and is packed full of natural caramel and gold mica shimmer to give your legs a really beautiful and flawless sunkissed appearance. It goes on easily, doesn't feel sticky and I haven't had any problems with it transferring onto clothes or furniture, though do make sure it's fully absorbed before dressing/sitting etc. The formula is also enriched with Arnica Extract which helps to reduce the appearance of any bruises and scars, and there's Coffee Butter and Vitamin E to tone and rejuvenate the skin. 

All of Tropic's products are certified cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. Shop the full range at tropicskincare.com

Have you tried any of these?

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January Favourites

January is finally over - hooray! I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to the brighter days of Spring already. Before then, let's have a quick recap of the beauty faves that I've been loving last month.

Lorac Riesling Romance Eyeshadow Palette

I'm painfully late to the Lorac palette party, but I've finally discovered how amazing they are and their Riesling Romance Eyeshadow Palette has been my go-to for eyes over the past few weeks. This palette is just heavenly for anyone who loves their neutrals and it's so easy to blend and work with. Perfect for when you're in a rush in the morning and need to get ready in 5 mins.

Tarte Color Splash Hydrating Lipstick in Set Sail (£20, link)

Another blogger favourite brand that I haven't explored much of until recently is Tarte. Not only am I obssessed with the blue marble-esque packaging of this lipstick, but this shade Set Sail is the ideal pop of nude pink for me as it's a little darker than most of the lip colours that I already own in this neutrals family. I really like how it pulls everything together, no matter what kind of makeup I'm wearing at the time! I also love the moisturising formula which definitely comes in handy if your lips are feeling dry due to the cold weather. The only problem now is that I want more shades of these!

B. Gentle Eye Makeup Remover* (100ml, £7.99, link)

I always get excited whenever I see a new product launch from B. (the cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, budget-friendly brand that's exclusive to Superdrug). Their latest newbie to hit the shelves is a superb Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, which really is kind to even the most sensitive eyes and suitable for all skin types to use. It contains Cucumber extract, Niacinamide and Allatoin, so it feels very gentle and makes short work of even waterproof mascara.

Akar Skin Ruby Tint Lip Butter

I discovered this brand via Roccabox recently and have kept this mini Lip Butter in my handbag ever since. Akar Skin are an all-natural, Tibetan inspired beauty brand that has a range of mainly skincare and a couple of cosmetics under its belt. This lip butter is 100% natural, free from petroleum and mineral oil, and contains 100% organic and wild-harvested ingredients. It has a gorgeous bright red tint to it and feels super moisturising - a brilliant new find.

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Foam* (270ml, £12.99, link)

My body hasn't seen a decent amount of sunlight in months, so I've been alternating using a gradual tanner with my body moisturisers to give me a hint of golden colour. Bondi Sands are one of my favourite tanning brands and their Everyday Gradual Tanning Foam is basically a foam version of their Everyday Gradual Tanning Body Milk Moisturiser which I've used numerous times over the years. The foam however is much quicker to apply, but gives me the same subtle wash of colour that I'm craving, without the maintenance issues. I just slap this on after a shower and I'm good to go - plus it smells like coconuts!

What are your current beauty favourites?

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Green Beauty: Keep Your Summer Tan For Longer with Green People

Whether you've recently come back from a late Summer holiday and want to keep your tan going for longer, or you simply want to fake a healthy glow in the comfort of your own home, these two natural beauty gems from Green People are available to give you a cheeky helping hand!

Regular readers will know that I'm a huge fan of slapping on the fake tan, and this year in particular, I've been really enjoying testing out some amazing self-tanners and gradual tan products from various natural and organic brands. It's great to see more green beauty companies bringing out self-tanning ranges and giving consumers the option to try out these products which have much 'cleaner' formulas and more organic ingredients than their mainstream counterparts.

But are they any good? I've come across a couple of hits and misses, but thankfully these two from Green People have managed to meet my high expectations! 

Green People Gradual Tan Moisturiser* (50ml, £16, link)

If you're new to self-tanning, are worried about going too dark or just want a light subtle glow, a gradual tan moisturiser is a great place to start. This vegan-friendly gradual tan moisturiser from Green People is made with 88.4% certified organic ingredients and contains low levels of naturally derived DHA that allows you to slowly build up a light tan over 4-5 days. It also contains lots of skin nourishing ingredients such as Rosehip Seed Oil, Green Tea and Prebiotics, so it's gentle on the skin, feels moisturising and is suitable for all skin types to use, including sensitive and eczema prone (but of course, always do a patch test first if you're trying any new product for the first time). 

I really like how it feels light and doesn't feel sticky or greasy afterwards, plus it smells quite nice with a fresh citrusy scent. I've tried this on my face too with good results, so it's one to try if you've been struggling to find a natural facial self-tanner. My only criticism about this product is that you don't get a lot of it as the tube is only 50ml, which means you'll go through it fairly quickly if you're using it on a regular basis - it would be great to see GP launch a bigger bottle at some point in the future!

Green People Self Tan Lotion* (150ml, £18, link)

For more colour and a faster result, Green People's Self Tan Lotion develops into a lovely light and natural looking tan in just 2-3 hours using the same sugar-derived DHA, but at higher levels than the Gradual Tan. It's buildable too, so if you want a darker tan, you can just apply a second or third coat for a more bronzed finish. Applying this Self Tan Lotion is similar to mainstream tans that have a lotion consistency; make sure you exfoliate thoroughly beforehand and using a tanning mitt makes it easier to buff into the skin, ensuring a streak-free result every time. It has a little bit of a fake tan smell, but this is mostly masked by the essential oils in the formula and I think it smells much nicer than most tans I've tried!

Being a natural product (made with 89.7% certified organic ingredients) means that this tan won't last as long as mainstream ones simply because it doesn't contain the extra chemicals that those tans have. However, I managed to get around 2-3 days out of it before I started to notice it fading. So if you're after an easy to apply, mostly organic, natural self-tanner that's free from parabens, SLS/SLES, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), lanolin, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, phthalates, artificial perfumes, PEGs, DEA, petrochemicals and colourants, this is definitely one to try.

Have you tried any natural self-tanners?

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Organic Beauty Week: Trying Out Evolve Organic Beauty

If you're only just dipping your toe into the exciting world of organic beauty, Evolve are a great company to start experimenting with.

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New In: 4 Products To Try This Week from Aveda, He-Shi, Bondi Sands & Dermalogica

Payday and a bank holiday are just around the corner, so if you're in the #feelingspendy mood, here are four new product launches to tempt you!

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UK Magazine Freebie: Marie Claire with St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion review

There are a couple of good magazine freebies out on the stands this month, but I've only rushed out to buy one of them so far.

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