ST TROPEZ GRADUAL TAN EVERYDAY TINTED BODY LOTION

The St Tropez In Shower Gradual Tan is one of my most popular blog posts. I’m not a big tanner but I do like a gradual bit of colour, especially if I’m going away or if the weather is nice enough to get my legs out. The newest Gradual Tan to St Tropez's collection is the Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion. The tinted moisturiser gives an instant hint of bronze to illuminate the skin. You can gradually build this up to create a sun kissed glow. I have been applying this twice a week to build up the colour, but you can use this daily as it instantly perfects the skin and blurs imperfections. In the photo above it shows before and after one application and I think you can really see a difference straight away. I like to still use a tanning mitt with this product as it comes out bronze so you can see where you’re putting it, but the directions say you can use your hands. It’s lightweight and hasn’t gone streaky on me at all. The tan has a new mood-boosting fragrance, which isn’t overpowering at all but I can smell it from time to time throughout the day. I like to leave it a few minutes before doing anything else, but it is quick-drying and you can see an instant difference in your skin tone. The formula seems to be thicker than other tans I’ve tried from St Tropez but this means my skin is hydrated for longer which I like. I’m quite pale but I’m sure this would work on all different skin tones. I can see myself going through this tube quite quickly as the lotion is so thick. If you were applying this every day it could be an expensive buy at £15.00 a bottle, but topping it up every few days is definitely worth it. Or you could alternate between the In Shower version, which I think I might start doing before my holiday. I’m really impressed with the natural colour and it’s nice that you can build it up over time, instead of a full blown tan. I have also found that because I’ve been exercising more regularly it doesn’t come off when I sweat or transfer onto clothing or towels. A couple of people have even commented on my skin tone and have said it looks like i've just been on holiday, which definitely is a mood changer.

It would be great if you could get a miniature version of this product to take away with me! I think Marie Claire were reading my mind as they are giving away a free sample of this product in June's issue, which I need to get my hands on! I will definitely keep topping up the colour, I especially like the way it looks on my arms and legs. I would absolutely keep using this after my holiday too, to top up the tan! I’ve seen emails about a darker shade of the In Shower Gradual Tan coming soon, so I would be interested to try that when it comes out. Another winner from St Tropez!

What’s your favourite St Tropez product?

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AUGUST UK MAGAZINE FREEBIES - PRODUCT REVIEWS

August was the month of magazine beauty freebies. I managed to get my hands on a few, but there were so many more to choose from. Here’s what I thought of the ones I picked up.

Instyle - Neal's Yard Remedies Geranium & Orange Hand Cream – I don’t get overly excited when I see hand cream freebies as I have so many hand creams to use up but it’s nice to try something else from the Neal Yard’s brand. I have really been enjoying orange scents lately, my love for this came from The Body Shop’s Satsuma range and Soap & Glory’s Orangeasm range. This hand cream nourishes, moisturises and softens skin, like any hand cream should. I like to apply this after washing my hands or as a refresher throughout the day.
Glamour - Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ – I picked this moisturiser as I could only find the mascara or the cream with magazines instores. Two different coloured chubby sticks are also available but every store I have been in hasn't had them available. I have used this moisturiser before, so I know I get on with it. It’s great as a morning base, it has a silky texture and keeps my skin refreshed and hydrated until my night time skin routine.

Marie Claire - Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm – I am a big fan of Balance Me products. You could get this product or a moisturise rich face cream from the range. I picked this as I knew I already liked it and it’s a great cleanser to travel with. I love the natural scent and the glossy balm texture. It’s great for most skin types and really polishes and adds radiance to the skin. It’s 100% natural and a great sized sample.

Enhancing the natural radiance of normal to dry skins and balancing normal to oily skins.

Key benefits: Revolutionise your daily cleansing routine with our calming cleanse and smooth face balm. This deliciously fragrant balm is perfect for normal, dry or sensitised skin. It’s packed full of powerful anti-oxidants such as Arctic cloudberry and fine oat powder to soothe, smooth and add radiance to skin, without irritating. The sophisticated mix of pure active extracts such as camellia, kukui nut and rosehip oils with cocoa, mango and shea butters will dissolve daily grime and make-up to leave skin soft and clean, whilst a bespoke blend of English camomile and red mandarin essential oils soothe and soften.

Enhancing the natural radiance of normal to dry skins and balancing normal to oily skins.

Key benefits: Revolutionise your daily cleansing routine with our calming cleanse and smooth face balm. This deliciously fragrant balm is perfect for normal, dry or sensitised skin. It’s packed full of powerful anti-oxidants such as Arctic cloudberry and fine oat powder to soothe, smooth and add radiance to skin, without irritating. The sophisticated mix of pure active extracts such as camellia, kukui nut and rosehip oils with cocoa, mango and shea butters will dissolve daily grime and make-up to leave skin soft and clean, whilst a bespoke blend of English camomile and red mandarin essential oils soothe and soften.

Elle - Malin & Goetz Beauty Travel Kit - Grapefruit Face Cleanser, Lip Moisturiser and Vitamin E Face Moisturiser – I am subscribed to Elle, so it was nice to see a little extra in this month’s issue. The cleansing gel is gentle it purifies without drying and leaves skin balanced, hydrated and blemish-free. I really like to use this with my Clarisonic as it’s great at deep cleansing and leaving my skin feeling fresh. The lip moisturiser helps to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day, it’s great underneath lipstick and also worn on its own as it gives a glossy look. The Vitamin E face moisturiser is suitable for all skin types, its gentle and balances the skin without blocking pores. I like to use this in the morning as it wakes up my skin and is lovely and light underneath foundation.

Also available this month was; Rodial Stemcell Super Food Galm Lip Balm from Red Magazine, one of three Lip Crayons or Black Mascara from Cosmopolitan and a choice of four L'Occitane fragrance samples from Harper's Bazaar.

Did you manage to pick any Beauty Freebies up?