Get A Guilt Free Glow
Sunday 18th May 2008 by Elizabeth Richards
 Britain has been baking over the last couple of weeks but if the heatwave caught you off guard, chances are you’ll have spent the first few days fretting over winter-whitened flesh. We all know a healthy glow works wonders on the body, giving the impression of slimmer legs, better toned arms and a flatter stomach but we’re also aware of the risk of skin cancer and the ageing effects of the sun.
The days of baking oneself to a deep tan are definitely over yet whilst pale has without doubt become more interesting, there’s still nothing like a hint of colour to set off your season’s fashion finds perfectly. The secret, of course, is to go for a guilt-free glow with self-tanning products for instant and natural-looking results. A market once dominated by St Tropez, the demand for further high quality tanning products has seen leading skincare companies and luxury beauty brands adding tanners to their range so that whether you want to go full-on bronze or stay the subtle side of shimmer, the perfect product will be waiting.
For the best results, skin should be super-smooth so exfoliate and moisturise well before application, paying particular attention to dry zones – elbows, knees, heels – which could otherwise absorb too much tanner. And unlike the formulas of old – over-orange, badly-fragranced and streaky – the new generation of products are easy to use with many giving near-instant results, making them a summer beauty staple for on-the-spot glamour. So next time the sun makes an appearance, you’ll be ready for it!
MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray, £14.50
Designed to deliver quick and natural-looking colour to pasty pins, this soft mousse-like spray can also be applied to shoulders, décolletage, arms and anywhere else crying out for a bit of summer sun. Super-easy to apply, it blends beautifully and is available in three shades – medium, dark and medium dark – to suit any skin tone.
Available at www.MacCosmetics.co.uk 
St Tropez Ultimate Rapide Face Cream, £18
With tanning ingredients DHA rapide and erythrulose, this brilliant face cream delivers even colour to the face while deeply moisturising and protecting the skin against ageing. Colour develops in only two hours (great for last minute parties) while grapeseed oil, vitamin E and aloe vera ensure a hydrated complexion for longer lasting results.
Available at www.St-Tropez.co.uk
Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream, £19.50
Enriched with cocoa bean extract to nourish and protect, this soft airy cream is caramel tinted to guide application and to give skin an instant iridescent glow while the deeper longer-lasting colour develops. A great multi-purpose product, it can be applied to face and body where its quick-dry formula gives a fast turnaround.
Available at www.Garden.co.uk
Decleor Aroma Sun Express Hydrating Self-Tan Spray, £20.50
For a quick fix of colour (in 1-2 hours), choose this non-oily spray which contains a 100% organic Mahakanni/DHA and erythrulose tanning complex plus Decleor’s Aromessence Solaire blend of essential oils – rose, chamomile, geranium – to protect skin and promote a longer-lasting tan. Works a treat and smells pretty good too!
Available at www.Decleor.co.uk
Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes for Body, £18.50
We love these incredibly easy no-mess wipes which make light work of self-tanning whether you’re at home or on the go. Sweep gently over the body to deliver the perfect amount of formula and see a surprisingly golden colour develop in as little as one hour. Excellent for tanning first-timers!
Available at www.EsteeLauder.co.uk
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