MY SELF TAN ROUTINE | LAUREN'S WAY GLAM TAN

 I used to apply self tan all year round and worry that I still looked pale - apparently a common symptom of a fake tan addiction. Last autumn/winter I decided to embrace my natural skin colour as there isn't really any need to be tanned when the temperatures are freezing outside. I also moved in with my boyfriend last year and it became less acceptable to walk around the house and to go to bed with a very unnaturally dark skin tone and smelling of biscuits. It was a joy not having to worry about ever having patchy skin, where your fake tan is starting to look less than perfect, or making time during the cold months to apply self tan and remove it! As the summer months loomed, I knew I would be turning to the self tan again as it was fine avoiding it during the winter months but once everyone starts getting real tans and showing more skin, I couldn't just sit there as pale as Snow White. 

As we all know exfoliation is key when it comes to applying self tan, so first I exfoliate my skin. My favourite lately is the LUSH Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub; it smells gorgeous and leaves the skin so smooth. I've recently bought some exfoliating gloves which are so quick and easy to use and are extra useful if you ever have stubborn fake tan that needs removing. I used a few different Lauren's Way self tans last year and really liked them, although they were the best ones that I have used, they did still have the usual biscuit smell and stinky/uncomfortable texture until you washed them off. I recently tried the Lauren's Way Glam Tan Darker Than Dark Spray formula and it has fast become my favourite self tan. I didn't know how I would feel about this one as I have never used a spray formula before. The application was really easy and seemed to work into the skin easier and quicker than the lotions or mousse formulas that I've used, I think because it's a lot more light weight. It also felt a lot better on the skin and I didn't feel like I was wearing self tan all day while waiting for it to develop. The colour was a really nice natural tanned look and it lasted and faded nicely once it had been on a week and didn't go patchy like most seem to. 

I like to use a gradual tan, like the Dove Summer Glow lotion if I feel like I need to top up my tan or if I'm short for time and don't want to have to apply the Lauren's Way. It's really nice, doesn't streak at all and gives a very good colour for a gradual tan. To make sure my skin is hydrated while wearing self tan I like to apply a really rich moisturiser, like The Body Shop body butters. The one that I am using at the moment is the Chocomania scent, which is gorgeous. I normally feel  like I need to apply more self tan once a week and the whole exfoliating process starts again! It does take a lot less time just embracing being pale, but I can't help but want to be tanned, especially during the summer months, or after watching The Kardashians... and these products make it as easy as it can be. 

I may have already bought two more back ups of the Lauren's Way self tan as they are currently 1/3 off at Superdrug - go go go! What are your favourite self tans?

REVIEW: LAUREN'S WAY SOLUTION 60 RAPID MOUSSE

I seem to have some kind of immunity against self tans; for some reason even the darkest do not show up much on me at all. I've been using self tan for around 8 years (omg... that's pretty insane). I thought maybe because I'm so used to being fairly tanned all the time, I may have turned into some kind of 'tanorexic' who doesn't notice that I'm tanned... but, last year my suspicions were confirmed. I had a spray tan for my boyfriend's mum's wedding and used the second darkest tan level and still my boyfriend's mum admitted that I still didn't look very tanned, especially considering it was supposed to be very dark and I'd just had it done the day before. 

Enough with the rambling, my point is that even the dark tans by Sienna x, St Tropez, Xen tan... don't look very dark on me at all. I'd heard so many good reviews about Lauren's Way but then again there were just as many great reviews about the other tans I had tried, which didn't live up to my expectations. The 'darker than dark' range appealed to me as it seemed exactly what I was looking for and it was, it's the best tan I've used and really does give a long lasting dark colour. When Lauren's Way released their new Solution 60 tan, I knew I needed to try it. I bought it when there was 20% off, so it was a lot cheaper than other tans.

The tan claims to develop within 1- 2 hours for a medium bronzed glow and 3 for a deeper bronzed colour. It is a mousse formula and therefore very easy to apply. It immediately gives a dark colour to the skin and I think darker than the 'darker than dark' tan did, which shows it's quickness in developing. 

I was a little naughty the first time I applied the tan and instead of the recommend 3 hours I left it on all day. The colour developed amazingly and very dark but a natural dark, so not orange and it wasn't streaky at all. Even I, who normally can't even notice that I'm wearing a 'dark' fake tan, can see that this is a dark tan. The next time I tried it I played by the rules and left it on for the 3 hours. It developed just as well and left a beautiful dark colour, only slightly lighter than before. If you don't want such a dark colour, I would definitely stick to the 1-2 hours, as you can tell that it does what it says and develops very quickly. I've read a few reviews that have moaned about it drying too fast and therefore, finding it hard to rub into the skin. I didn't notice any difference from the usual Lauren's Way tan and found it very easy to apply with a mitt. The tan lasts longer than any of the other brands I have tried and fades well, so you're not left with horrible patches. 

Overall I adore this tan and I'm so happy that I finally feel like I've found an amazing brand. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick medium - dark, to very dark tan and who wants it quick! I love that you can leave it longer for an even deeper colour but also, you don't need to wait the normal 8 + hours, as often I don't get 8 hours sleep so I normally find that I don't sleep long enough for the tan to develop in time, from when I apply it, go to bed and then have to get up and wash it off. 

Have you tried Lauren's Way Solution 60? You can order online 'here' and it's also stocked in some Debenhams stores, I would order online and wait for a sale, so to get an even better bargain!