I love the sun! I’d say most people in Ireland do because we’re so deprived in our home country! However, I have pale, freckly skin and it burns really easily so I’m very conscious of protecting it. I’m not interested in sunbathing any more and wear Factor 50 all over. This means that, besides from Darren, I’m usually the whitest person at the pool so I apply fake tan before and during the holiday.
While in Barcelona recently, read about our trip here, I had a lot of questions about my tan and tanning routine so here it is!
P.S. if you want to read about my favourite and least favourite tans, click here!
Preparation
I’ve written about my top tanning tips here so I won’t go into much detail in this post. I prepare my skin the week before I go away by exfoliating and moisturising the dry bits. This is the most important part of tanning pals. If your skin is not prepped correctly, your tan won’t look nice, no matter what brand it is.
Tan Application
Usually 2 nights before I go away, I apply tan all over. I don’t do it the night before because usually we’re up for an early flight and I couldn’t deal with having a shower that early in the morning!
A tan I’m loving at the minute is the Tan Organic Lotion tan. I was sent it a couple of months ago and honestly it’s the most beautiful shade of tan and due to it’s watery consistency, it’s so easy to blend! It’s sticky for about a half hour after application but that’s because it has a high percentage of aloe vera. The aloe vera is so moisturising on your skin, you can actually see it! After you apply it, look closely at your skin. It will have a stunning sheen off it. All of the ingredients are natural, it’s vegan and free from animal testing. I love the thoughts of a tan been good for your skin as well as making you look like a golden goddess!
Topping Up the Tan
If you’re on holidays for longer than a weekend, you’re tan won’t last, especially if you’re in and out of the pool and applying sun creams regularly. Therefore, topping up is essential. I always bring a gradual tan to top up. I apply it after the first 2 days and then every second day after that. My favourite gradual tan is the St. Tropez Gradual Tan (white bottle). It’s so easy to blend, a gorgeous brown shade and I’ve never had streaks, despite it being colourless when you’re applying it. When I was going to Barcelona, I bought the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Lotion. It’s not as nice as the original. It’s almost the same texture as foundation, which makes it harder to blend, but it’s still nice. It covers up any blemishes and you can see it when you’re applying it.
Glow
Whether you’re on holidays or not, no tan is complete without a glow. Although I’m a bit more reserved when I’m at home, when I’m on holidays, there is no such thing as too much glow! At night time, I smother myself in a shimmer oil. Usually the Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess, that’s my favourite! Then I use a highlighter on my cheekbones, collar bones, shoulders, chest and shin bones. I usually bring the SOSU by Suzanne Jackson Highlighter Kit on my travels. It’s so handy because it has light and dark toned highlighters (the darker ones are stunning over tan) and it also has a mirror and a beautiful blush (Peach Smoothie).
That’s it! That’s my tanning routine when I go on holidays! You can follow my adventures on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (livelavishlycom).
Author: Carly Colgan Bates
