My Winter Tanning Routine feat, Doves Summer Glow!

 


Its no secret that when January rolls around every inch of happiness is slowly zapped from us, whether it be that depressing trek back to work after the festive season, looking worse for wear as a result of the winter sniffles, or simply feeling low as the new year resolutions don’t quite go to plan, it is purely evident we all need a little pick me up to get through the next few months. 

The A-list seem to be making it even harder for us to get back into a regular routine and to remain body confident, as we sip on our lattes and slip on cosy socks, celebrity’s are jetting off to various tropical locations in a bid to get away from these harrowing winter months. Tweeting body shots while they catch some rays can make us feel even more down in the dumps (thanks guys!) and it makes us feel paler than ever which doesn’t bode well with our overly lumpy bits after the Christmas season (humph).

However much it may not in anyway be on par with lying on a sun lounger all day, I’ve found that this winter doesn’t have to be one where we stick to full body armour and cover up our legs like our life depends on it. Why cover our selves up just because we feel like it’s that time of year where no man wants to see woman’s white bits? There is something else, fake tan! Well gradual tan... I have discovered the way to make yourself feel a little more like you over the next few months, sod all other resolutions and get your tan on! 

Over Christmas and at the moment I have been in a great routine of using a gradual tan to keep myself feeling relatively happy about my body, who says January isn’t a party month? With doves summer glow gradual tan it sure can be! Voted No1 gradual tanner in Britain, and a product that I have abided by for many years, it really does do the trick in creating that winter glow in minutes. The product acts as a tanner and moisturizer in one, and I love it so much that I have aborted my much loved St moritz, which I used for many years for quick touch ups before nights out, but the dreadful smell of the stuff after a night out left me wanting to try something new, something that wouldn’t get so streaky, smelly and dry on the skin, so I discovered this little beauty. I honestly feel that gradual tan is the best way to go, instant is great if your in a rush, but if you have a little time, why not pamper your self and go all the way with a scrub a rich body butter to start anew and make way for your tan.

The dove moisturizer is great as it doesn’t leave that horrid biscuit smell, don’t get me wrong, it does smell slightly more tanny than any other moisturizer, but in no way does it match up to the smell of an instant, it has a much more fresh and fruity scent to it, which is bearable and actually ok to have on. You can purchase this in two shades, light to medium, and medium to dark, I get the medium to dark as I felt the lighter one took a lot more application and effort to get a nice tanned skin tone, in the end I decided just to get the darker one and get a much faster tan, the smell does not differ with the different shades, it just depends on skin tone and what type of shade you prefer. The lotion is easy to apply as you do not need a tanning mitt as remember it is a moisturiser, just apply with finger and rub in, the lotion is easily absorbed, however be sure to rub in well as it may leave a few patchy areas, but it wont do that unless you just leave a blob lying on a patch of skin you've forgotten about. The product has a thin consistency, but can feel slightly sticky on the skin when first applied so I would take a couple of minutes for it to absorb properly. However after the first application you see an instant effect, your skin has a lovely healthy glow to it and you look a lot more fresh and ready to face the day. 

My tanning routine goes something along the lines of this, Firstly I have a bath or shower and I use my body shop scrub in coco all over my skin, I apply this with a hand mitt which really gets rid of all those dead skin cells to make way for the tan to apply on fresh soft skin, I then rinse off and when I get out of the shower I apply my body shop body butter over dry areas of my body, so hips, chest, knees and thighs, be sure not to apply this all over as it may leave your skin feeling slightly greasy if you add the tan too. I then apply my gradual tan after the butter has absorbed thoroughly, I apply everywhere, even my face (that is why I always look so tanned) if you would prefer to buy a separate face tanner be my guest, however this lotion does work just as well on the face and doesn’t clog up pores like an instant would do, as remember it acts as a moisturizer too, and so it won't harm or leave your skin feeling dry and patchy. I do this routine of an evening before bed, to let the tan properly absorb while I’m sleeping, then when you wake up I guarantee you will feel like a new woman! 

I have used other gradual tanners such as Garnier and Johnsons summer body, however I felt this was the best for a natrual finish and long lasting colour. The Tan is available from many stores including Superdrug boots and online, it is priced at a measly £4.99 which is a great price for such a fantastic and feel good product, the body butter is usually priced at £12.00 however I got mine for £6.00 in the Jan sales! And the coco scrub came as part of a pack but I believe it is priced at £12.50 for a large tub and £6.25 for the smaller one.

Anyway ladies I hope this review helped you to get rid of those winter blues, and realize that there is life beyond this notoriously depressing month, whether your off to a party or your boyfriends feel good about yourself and be body confident with Dove!



10 comments:

Jess said...

like your routine, never used the dove one before.x

Helen said...

thankyou :) xxx

Helen said...

thankyou lovely! yes same! with pleasure :) xxxxx

Steve Finnell said...

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Clairebare said...

Body Shop body butters are so so good!
I just came across your blog, and its so nice! Followed you!
Check out my blog sometime? :-)
http://clairebaretm.blogspot.co.uk/
xx

Bernice said...

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http://livelaughtravell.blogspot.nl/ xx

Helen said...

yes they are the best for deep down moisture! thanks :) xx

Helen said...

wow thankyou! :D xxx

Unknown said...

LOVE Body Shop products! I have the body butter in coconut...smells amazing!

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xoxo

Helen said...

thankyou! xxx