CAN’T STAND THE IDEA OF FAKE TAN? PEEP THIS!

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It’s become almost second nature for Brits to draw for the fake tan, what with there being a distinct lack of sunshine here in the UK meaning no natural healthy looking LA glow. However there’s a handful of us that can’t stand the idea of fake tan; the application, the colour guides, the streaks, the stains, and the re-application! We’ve tried and tested some great products for a perfect tan without the transfer, tiger stripes and tango effect.

Before you do anything else, exfoliate, exfoliate, EXFOLIATE!!! Buff up your skin with St.Ives Apricot Face and Body Scrubs (ÂŁ5.10) to remove dull skin cells and unveil radiant looking skin.

ST IVES

Moisturise! Give your body a good rub down with a nourishing moisturiser. Body Shop Body Butters are delish.

If like now (and most of the year) there’s no sun in the sky, you’ll want to go for a gradual tanner for that natural glow; both Elemis and St Tropez have great gradual tanning products. The Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion (ÂŁ34 at QVC) and Face Moisturiser (ÂŁ30 at QVC) instantly moisturises the skin, whilst subtly building an even, natural looking tan in 2-3 days. The St Tropez Gradual Tan (ÂŁ14 at Boots) is available in two colour options Light/Medium and Medium/Dark (for best results use the St Tropez mitt with the St Tropez Gradual Tan). If using your bare hands to apply be sure to cleanse your nails and wash your palms before it fully dries.

GRADUAL TAN

For sunnier days (or if you’re lucky enough to be heading somewhere warm hot), a personal favourite product of mine is the Soltan Protect & Tan (ÂŁ6.50) from Boots. As well as protecting your beautiful skin with an SPF 30, it’s formulated with an innovative ingredient that helps stimulate your body’s natural tanning production. So basically has the tanning effect of covering yourself in oil and baking out in the sun, with a fantastic amount of protection.

Soltan Protect & Tan Ultra-Light Texture Suncare Lotion SPF30 200ml

To keep your tan looking fresher, longer; shower and exfoliate again, then slather yourself in Soltan Intensely Moisturising Aftersun Body Butter with Shea Butter and Almond Oil (£3.50) from Boots. Doing this will soothe the skin, reduce dryness and help prevent peeling for a long lasting beautiful tan.

Soltan Intensely Moisturising Aftersun Body Butter

For a hint of protective colour use the NÂş7 Anti-Ageing Shimmering Lip & Eye Screen (ÂŁ7.50) from Boots; great for use on your eyelids in place of SPF cream to avoid the dreaded stinging, it also gives you an instant sweep of summer sparkle.

No7 Anti-Ageing Shimmering Lip & Eye Screen SPF 30

So there you have it, beautiful natural looking tans, sans streaks, sans tanned sheets/clothes and sans orange.

A LIPSTICK AND LIP LINER IN ONE?

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Who doesn’t want a lipstick and lip liner in one product? Inspired by countless seasons backstage at Fashion Week, Bobbi Brown introduces Art Sticks, her latest dual-functioning, multi-use product that combines the ease of a lipstick with the precision of a pencil.

A true makeup artist’s dream, Art Sticks offer convenient and customisable coverage and colour—quickly and easily taking your lip look from sheer and natural to a rich matte. Creamy and moisturising, this long-lasting formula blends effortlessly onto lips, leaving them looking and feeling supple and smooth. No brushes or tools needed—this is the lip pencil re-invented.

The perfect blend of Shea Butter and vegetable derived oils creates a rich smooth texture that gives it a unique blendability, allowing for smooth and effortless application. Infused with intense colour pigment, the formula provides coverage that remains colour true for up to 6 hours.

“Lipstick meets liner for the greatest multi-tasking lip around.” – Bobbi Brown

Available in 8 Creamy-Matte Shades

Available exclusively at Selfridges RRP: ÂŁ19.00

ADIDAS ORIGINALS BY RITA ORA AUTUMN WINTER 2014

RITAROSE

As I’m sure you’re aware by now, FW14’s biggest fashion collaboration is sure to be Adidas Originals by Rita Ora. As exciting as it sounds, the award winning pioneer of style brings her unique, wild twist to classic adidas pieces.

Known as much for her fearless take on fashion, as for her head turning musical collaborations, Rita Ora has carved herself a pedestal for her energy and original spirit. Now Ora collaborates with adidas Originals in a 3 season collaboration, a match brought about by a mutual admiration for breaking the rules and our shared rebellious natures.

Of the collaboration, Ora says:

“The collaboration came about through mutual love and appreciation. I have always been a fan of adidas Originals and respect what they stand for in their fearlessness and originality. I worked very closely with adidas Originals to put a personal touch in every piece with connections to my music, my career and my life. I’m really proud of the collection and beyond excited for my fans to get their hands on it!”

SILVER PYTHON PIECES FROM FAITH CONNEXION

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Parisienne brand Faith Connexion are constantly teasing us with sneak peaks from their autumn winter 2014/15 collection. These statement silver python pieces are no exception, we can’t wait for the collection to drop.

TOP TEN BEAUTY MISTAKES REVEALED

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If you think your hair and beauty regime is perfect, then think again. A new study by professional hair care website Hairtrade.com has show that nine out of ten British women admit to making grooming mistakes almost every day. Among them are washing their hair too much, not taking care of finger nails, neglecting their necks and forgetting to wash make up brushes. Here are the top ten beauty mistakes and how to rectify them.

1.     Washing hair too much

You may believe that by washing your hair every day you’re keeping it squeaky clean and in top condition. You’re wrong. Washing your locks so frequently means you strip them of their natural oils and are actually doing more harm than good. This is an easy mistake to put right – try washing your hair every other day then, over time, stretch it to every three days. You’ll find your hair looks healthier and you’ll get an extra half hour in bed in the morning.

One woman who took part in the study commented: “I always washed my hair every day until about six months ago when my hairdresser told me to stop. I’m now an every other day hair washer – not only does it save me time in the morning, my hair looks a lot healthier too.”

2.     Applying too much conditioner

Most us apply conditioner all over our hair, just as we do with shampoo. The hair at our roots is new, healthier growth, however that at the tips is older and more likely to be damaged. So concentrate on the tips of your hair – it will save you conditioner and leave those ends looking better and full of volume.

3.     Not using a heat protector

There really is no excuse for not protecting your hair when you use hairdryers and straighteners most days. Blasting your hair with all that heat without shielding it in someway will leave it dry, frizzy and in poor condition.

4.     Tying your ponytail in the same place

If you always wear your hair up in a tight ponytail, then try not to tie it in exactly the same place every day. It can cause too much tension on the hair and over time can weaken it.

5.     Forgetting to wash make-up brushes

It’s one of those jobs you know you should do but just can’t be bothered. If you fail to give your brushes a good clean then not only will you have mixed colours, you’re also allowing bacteria to build up. Aim to give your brushes a clean once a week.

“I’m guilty of never washing my make up brushes. It is the one job I always put off even though it only takes a matter of minutes.”

6.     Neglecting your neck

As part of your daily skin care routine, do you cleanse and moisturise your neck? Thought not. Don’t stop at your chin, make sure you carry on and take care of the thin, delicate skin on your neck. This area can be prone to sensitivity so it is really important to look after it.

7.     Over-treating and over-covering spots

It’s too easy to apply every spot cream you have to your face as soon as you have a breakout, but don’t. They work on your skin for hours so make sure you always follow the pack instructions to the letter. Likewise, don’t cake them in make-up. Your skin needs time to breath.

8.     Applying foundation before moisturiser is dry

Moisturiser needs time to dry so give it a minute before you start applying your foundation. The creaminess of moisturiser can cause make up to thin out, so if you apply too quickly you’ll get a streaky look.

9.     Plucking eyebrows too close to the mirror

If you pluck too close to the mirror you find yourself looking at every hair rather than looking at the overall shape of your eyebrows. This can leave you with thin, uneven brows. Instead use a large mirror and take a couple of steps back so you can see your whole face, not just your eyebrows.

10.  Yellow nails

If you love nail art and never leave the house without a new design or colour on your talons, then you could be prone to yellow nails. Constant decoration can change the natural colour of the nails. The answer? Always apply a base coat and this will help prevent the stains.

A spokeswoman for Hairtrade.com said: “We all make hair and beauty and mistakes but the good news is they can easily be put right and by doing so, may even save you time and money.” Despite being easy to rectify, many of the women claimed they’d always done things this way so the mistakes became habit. Make a note of the bad habits you have from this list, keep it wherever you do your hair & make up (make several if you need to) this way you can catch yourself when you’re about to make a beauty mistake and eventually make the right way your habit!