French Week Day 3 - Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

One of the most iconic French body products comes right from the Riviera and it used by all the of the glamorous women vacationing in the Mediterranean.  I have used Clarins facial skincare products on and off over the past year now and have expanded my collection of this company's products to include their best-selling and top rated Self Tanning Instant Gel.  I bought the last tube on the shelf at Sephora last week so I know that I am not in the minority in using this product.  After a week of using this self tanner every other day, I am hoping to say that I look like I could be spending a long weekend in Monaco.  A lady can dream can't she?!

The Self Tanning Instant Gel is one of the best known and most talked about products from Clarins.  For many poeple in the beauty industry, this is one of the first products that comes to mind when this company is mentioned.  I know that fact holds for myself, I tend to think of tanners and skincare products before I think about the color collection from this company.  In addition, there are certain counters that only carry the body and skin products and very little of the color collection.  Based on how much I love the skincare products from this company, I really need to keep adding more of the color selections to my traincase.

The Sephora website provides a histroy of the beauty company and full descriptions of all the products.  "In 1954, Jacques Courtin-Clarins opened the first Clarins Institute de Beaute in Paris, France, where he developed treatments and products using natural botanical ingredients for the face and body.  The first beauty company to employ 100 percent pure plant extracts.  Clarins used only the best botanicals to complement the appealing textures and scents that made his luxurious products a please to apply.  Still a family-run business, Jacques' sons Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins and Christian Courtin-Clarins, continue on in the Clarins tradition today."
This self tanner is formulated to create a great color without the sun and conditioning and improving skin health at the same time.  I am usually happy enough when I can get a great color without harming my skin but knowing that I can help improve my skin with tanning it is an added bonus of this product.

"A self-tanning gel to bring out healthy color in skin.  This lightweight and non-oily gel promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure.  It's instantly absorbed, so there's no need to wait before dressing, with results in two hours.  Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is ideal for those who wish to maintain a year-round tanned experience."

This self tanner is famous for many reasons, all of which became very evident with less than a week's use of this product.  I applied the product at night and then left it to develop while I slept.  I have never had good experiences with applying self tanner during the morning and then trying to let it fully develop before heading out.  I prefer to let it really develop overnight and not worry about ruining any of my favorite outfits.  The color is fully developed by the morning and I wake up to a even golden tan. 

I have to apply this product every other day just like every other self tanner.  The color stays even for about two days then it begins to flake and fade like most other tanners on the market.  Reapplying this product every other day wards off fading and spotting issues so I recommend using it in this manner.  This product isn't the best tanner for beginners, this is one of the few products that I have tried that doesn't have some kind of bronze tint.  I was nervous about applying it the first few times since I tend to rely on the bronze shade to guide my application and make sure that i have it even and haven't missed any areas, the clear gel took some getting used to.  The first time that I used it, I had a few issues with streaking but I quickly figured out the best application method.  The gel formula dries quickly and completely soaks in with little residue on my sheets. 

One of my favorite aspects of this product is that it has a very faint floral fragrance, Clarins didn't try to cover up the chemical scents of the tanning ingredients with strong tropical scents.  The tanner scent does come out after the full development of the product so it is evident when I wake up in the morning.  The fake coconut scent of other products can realy get on my nerves so this product was a breath of fresh air in that regard. 

Applying this product every other day will get you beach ready, whatever beach you are lucky enough to run away to.  This tanner is one of the easiest and most effective ways to create and maintain a golden tan without the harmful rays of the sun.  This formula is top rated because it works so very well and helps to maintain the hydration levels in my skin.  The only drawback of this product is that the tube is very small so I will need to buy these two or three at a time to make sure that I always have it to use.
How I wish that I was spending a long weekend on the beach in the South of France!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Beach Week Day 6 - Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Suncare Products

Beach Week is beginning to come to an end and I wanted to back to some sun protection and sunless tanner products.  I first started using Bath and Body Works tanners in college and I am happy to report that they have come a long way since I first bought one in 2004.  In the newly repackaged True Blue Spa line, this company has released both suncreen and tanner options and I purchased them all to try out and see how they work.  I love that I can go to one store and quickly pick up a whole batch of products that I need to both get ready for the beach and to take to the beach.  For Beach Week, I decided to try a well-rounded selection of products to hit every single beach need that I possess.  To begin with, a new body sunscreen and then two new types of self-tanners and to finish it you, a new moisturizer that is targeted toward prolonging a tan.

The first item that I chose to buy from this line is the Cooling Sunscreen Mist SPF 30.  This is a new product that just came out in May.  I have already written about the product like this that came out with the Coconuts line and how effective it was.  I decided on purchasing this product along with the Coconut Mango sunscreen since this one has a very light citrus fragrance and came be used without it interfering with any other fragrance.  "Who wouldn't wear a sunscreen when it feels this good to put on?  This SPF 30 sunscreen is a cool, refreshing mist that's ridiculously easy to apply, which means that hard-to-reach backs will be neglected no more and tops of feet will tingle with delight."  This product works just as a traditional sunscreen does, I apply it 20 minutes before sun exposure and wait until it dries until I get fully dressed again.  This sunscreen is not a waterproof formula so I do recommend applying it affter getting out of the ocean or pool.  I also recommend reapplying it every two hours in order to get the maximum benefits from the product.  The active ingredients in this product are: Homosalate (15%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (5%), and Oxybenzone (6%); all of which are used to protect skin from the sun's harmful rays.  This is great product and is so easy to apply that it is almost impossible to use it wrong.  The cooling aspect of it leaves a bit of tingle on the skin which is a relief on the very hot days of the summer.  The neutral fragrance of this product makes it very easy for anyone to use and won't offend even the most sensitive noses.

The second product that I bought is one of their self-tanners, the line contains both a gradual formula and the traditional self tanners.  Gradual formauls are the type of tanners that I rarely use, I have so many body products in my collection that I rarely use the same product more than two days in a row and therefore I prefer to use a traditional tanner once every few days.  The Moisturizing Gradual Tanner is a aloe vera based hydrator spiked with a bit of DHA to give a natural looking tan after several uses.  "Everyone knows the best tans come to those who wait.  Use our Moisturizing Gradual Tanner - Glow & Steady today, notice a gradual, natural darkening as the days go by.  Aloe Vera is know to calm and moisturize.  Isn't multi-tasking beautiful?"  My favorite aspect of this product is actually the hydration benefits, this gradual tanner left my skin so soft and smooth that I actually wanted to use it more than once or twice in a row.  Most experts recommend using gradual tanners for a minimum of five days in a row in order to build the tan up, the back of teh package on this one states that it should be used four days in a row.  After the first and second days, my skin looked exactly the same color-wise.  It took up to four days to get a noticeable glow and then on the fifth day, the tan really began to develop.  After the fifth application, I began using this product everyother dya just to maintain my tan.  This product didn't give me a deep tan and I would only recommend it for ladies that are pale skinned, if you already have a medium or deeper tone, then this product will not produce enough pigment to make any type of change in your skin.  I did like this product however it doesn't really change my view on gradual tanners but if this is the route that you prefer then I recommend this tanner.

The second self tanner that I tried is a traditional formula and actually ended up being on my short list of favorite tanning products. This product is named the Bronzing Self-Tanning Lotion and the performance of it is so much nicer than the original products that I first bought from this company.  The first self-tanner that I used in 2004 had little to no color, was harder to apply, and never seemed to dry.  I am happy to report that this product is a far cry from those.  "Strike gold right at home.  This luxurious sunless tanning lotion is a real treasure that will give you a perfect tan, thanks to a touch of instant sheer color that lets you see where you've applied it."  This formula contains Vitamin E to both hydrate the skin and to help the color last on the skin.  This formula is simply wonderful, everything from the texture to the color that it turns my skin.  The texture may be described as a lotion but it is a light gel that applied very easily, sinks right into the skin, and dries within less than five minutes.  Bronzer is in this product so I get a hint of tint in order to help me apply this and so far I haven't had any major errors with this product.  I first applied this product two days in a row to grow my color and then I apply it every three days to maintain this color.  This is in my listed of favorite tanners and I prefer this formula since I can apply it once and see results.  Personally I don't always get to plan my beach visits so I need a formula that can get me results really quickly.

The last product that I bought from Bath and Body Works is a hydrator that is made to extend the life of either a real or fake tan.  The After Sun Moisturizer contains Aloe Vera to help soothe and hydrate tanned skin.  "Once you achieve the perfect tan, you'll of course want to keep your pale, pasty friends jealous as long as possible.  However sun exposure can cause dry skin and cause free radicals to age and damage skin.  Our special after sun formula contains antioxidant Vitamins C and E to help combat free radicals and soothing, moisturizing Aloe Vera to calm."  This hydrator is another one that has more of a gel texture than a lotion.  It smells like sweet oranges and limes and the scent was first reason that I was attracted to this product.  This product has been out under different names in the True Blue Spa collection for years now and I first bought it back in college and have repurchased many times since.  It helps to extend the life of sunless tan, I have never tried it on a real tan (since I have never had one in the whole time that I have owned this product).  This is great product to use when it is hot out since it sinks in quickly and doesn't make your skin greasy.  I would just be over the moon if Bath and Body Works made a body wash in this same line with Aloe Vera in it too.

So now I have shown you guys some products to use at the beach, some more to get ready for the beach, and one to recover your skin from the beach.  Beach Week is drawing to a close and the Fourth of July is drawing nearer so it's time to beginning a vacation tanning regime!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Beach Week Day 1 - St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Spray

To start this week off, I will return to one of my favorite sunless tanner lines, St. Tropez.  I have used St. Tropez for a very long time and so far has been the only tanner line that I have continued to return to year after year.  St. Tropez is a top contender in the tanner line and many people consider it to be the best that is available on the market today.  I have used both the mousse and the lotion from this line and have repurchased the mousse formula more times than I can count.  This time around, I was in a hurry when I went to Sephora to pick up more tanner and they were sold out of the mousse formula.  I decided to try out something new, hoping it would still have the same fantastic St. Tropez tanner formula.  I had never tried any type of tanning spray product before so this was a beauty adventure when I gave this product a try.

St. Tropez was founded over ten years ago in France and very quickly became one of the best selling and most loved line of tanners.  This line got its first claim to fame as being used on the Baywatch show and was later reported to be the top choice of many celebrities, including Jessica Simpson.  The products in this line are available for purchase to use in the privacy of your bathroom or used by professionals in top of the line salons.  I have never tried this product in a salon, I have found that these products are so easy to work with that I don't need the help of a professional to get a even, glowing tan.

The St. Tropez website provides a complete description of this product and several tips to help you use this product.  "This super-fine self tan spray delivers the ultra-even, ultra-smooth all-over tan you've always wanted.  Infused with conditioning aloe vera and long-lasting color, you'll have a perfectly natural looking tan in an instant.  With 360 degree spray technology.  Our innovative Aromaguard fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70% and instead gives a beautiful subtle, yet refreshing fragrance." 

St. Tropez recommends the typical self tanning regimen; exfoliate, moisturize, and then apply the tanner itself.  They make all the products that are needed to accomplish this purpose and I have bought all of the products before.  After the usual exfoliating and hydrating, St. Tropez provides instructions that are unique to this type of product.  "Hold the nozzle about 6" away from your skin and spray all over.  Blend with your hand or mitt if necessary to make sure you're covered as it's only missed areas that can look patchy.  Once you've got even coverage, wait until you're touch-dry before getting dressed."  St. Tropez also recommends applying this product several times a week in order to both achieve and maintain your desired shade of tan.

I started out by doing the usual exfoliating and moisturizing before I applied this product for the first time.  It went on very easy and dried quite quickly, I was happy with the initial application.  I didn't find this product to be near as tinted as the other products in the line and therefore I couldn't really tell when I was making mistakes.  This formula is much more a shot in the dark.  I thought that this would be the eaasiest formula to apply since all I had to do was spray it on and let it dry.

Well, I found out when I woke up the next morning that I was completely, 100% wrong about the ease of application.  I missed some spots completely and definitely had some zebra stripes on my arms and legs.  My back and stomach were fine since I used a slightly finer mist action and was able to just spray the whole area without much moving around.  I was really bad at the areas of my arms and legs that required me to continually move the spray action.  This was one of my worst tans that I have ever done, especially since this formula provides such a deep tan on the first application.  I first tried it out in May so at least I wasn't wearing a bikini until I was able to begin fixing it.  The second time around, I focused on trying to fill in some of the white areas and even the tan out.  I did somewhat better but I could sstill pick out some areas that needed a third coat for evening.

It took my about half way through the bottle to figure out the best way to work with this formula.  It really helps me to spray it all over one area of my body and then to use the mitt to rub it in and try to smooth it out.  It went on best this way but then ended up taking much longer than my normal routine to get it applied and let it dry. 

I found the ease of use of this product to be very over-exaggerated.  This product was quite hard for me to get a handle on and I have been tanning for years, with all different types of formulations.  I also accidently sprayed my wall and I had to stop the process to quickly clean the area.  I considered trying this product in the shower (after the water is turned off ) so that I can quickly wipe the walls down.  However, then I wasn't totally dry since the shower was still humid and the drying time wasn't correct this time around.  I had to settle on using this product in my bathroom and just being as careful as I could with the application. 

This product may not be my top choice from this company but it still contained many of the aspects that I love of the St. Tropex tan formula.  The tan was rich and golden and looked lovely (once I got it all evened out - maybe by the fourth application).  All St. Tropez formulas are long-lasting and I only needed to apply this product twice a week instead of the three or four that I have had to do with other companies.  The Aromaguard added to this formula is such an improvement, the old formula smelled to high heaven and induced migraines in me when I tried to use it in very humid weather.  It didn't completely get rid of the fragrance of the DHA however it makes it very managable and I ignore it while I sleep now. 

This wasn't my favorite way to apply a tanner and I doubt that I will continue to work with sprays in the future.  I still love the St. Tropez formula and I know that I will continue to buy and recommend the mousee formula for a long time.  This is the tanner that is used by the crowd in the South of France and that makes it a top pick for me.

photo courtesy of St. Tropez

Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa Shade to Order Sunless Tanner

My latest sunless tanning product is a break from my usual Lancaster or St. Tropez products. I was sent this Bath and Body Works tanner from a PR company and I admit I was a bit nervous to try it out. My usual tanners are foam and tinted. This one is not so had this product not been sent to me, I might never have tried it out and broadened my beauty horizons. The product that I am referring to is the True Blue Spa Shade to Order Select-a-Shade Gradual Tanning Lotion. This is the first tanning product I have used that is gradual, not tinted, and a lotion. So I did need some practice to master this one.

The Bath and Body Works websites gives the following description to describe the product. "Isn't it comforting to know that you're only one shade away from the perfect sun-kissed color? By choosing your desired shade and simply adjusting the setting on the dual chamber, you can customize the intensity of your sunless gradual tan while you lavish your skin with nourishing, oil-free moisture". The product has seven settings, setting 1 is all self tanning lotion and setting 7 is all body lotion. I have found that setting 4 or setting 3 works very well to create a gradual tan for my skintone.

The Bath and Body Works website lists the advantages of some of the active ingredients in this product. They state that glycerin helps the skin retain moisture. The aloe vera in the product soothes and smoothes the skin. Vitamin E moisturizes, conditions, and helps to protect the skin during application and later. Also, this product does not have the traditional sunless tanner chemical fragrance that I am used to. The fragrance of this tanner is a coconut orange flower mix and is much more pleasant than the chemical scent of both the previous tanners that I have used.

So what do I think of this product? I have both likes and dislikes of it. I love the fragrance and I do enjoy the gradual part of this product. After about two applications, I look as though I spent a day at the beach, instead of a week in Rio. For someone with paler skin, this helps to create a more natural look and not a huge transformation overnight. I really wish that this product was tinted, it would be much more helpful in application. The overall application was actually much easier than I thought that it would be. The hardest parts for me to get even are the typical areas: feet, knees, and elbows. The use of a lotion instead of a foam really helps to keep my skin hydrated and it doesn't itch as badly as it usually does when I use the foams.

If this product was tinted, this would be an amazing product because it has some other great attributes. Bath and Body Works has come quite a long way since I first used their tanners when I was in college...I look natural and not orange!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Laura Mercier Summer 2009 - Bronze Goddess Collection

I must say that after viewing and ruling out most the Bohemia Collection in my last post I am not super-excited about looking at the Bronze Goddess Collection. The title already suggests to me that this collection will contains colors that continue to be at odds with my pinky pale skin. However, this collection falls under the category of "summer sun collection" so maybe this one will be more than just makeup.

Here is the description of the collection from the Laura Mercier website, "Laura Mercier introduces Bronze Goddess, her first summer sun collection. The limited edition Body Bronzing Makeup and Sun-Free Gradual Self Tanner give skin an instant sun-kissed glow with a hint of Almond Coconut fragrance. The Bronzing Gel adds the perfect warmth and radiance to the face, whiel the new moisturizing HydraTint SPF 15 Lip Balms provide a splash of colour complemeting your bronzed summer skin. This collection will have you ready for the beach looking sexy, glowing, and gorgeous". Maybe I can get a bit more behind this collection...

Here are the products...

HydraTint SPF 15 - Laura Mercier HydraTint SPF 15 is a multi-purpose lip balm combining long-lasting moisture, SPF protection, and sheer natural colour. Formulated with mint and orange breath for freshening flavor. Adds a hint of colour for the perfect flawless lip. Lips are instantly soothed with ultra-emollient shea butter, grapeseed oil, and green tea extract. SPF 15 shields lips from everyday aggressors with broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection. Enriched with Laura Mercier's exclusive Lip Complex to keep lips soft and supple throughout the day.

- Apricot Tint - peachy pink

- Berry Tint - plum pink with gold pearl

- Bronze Tint - bronze with gold pearl

- Crimson Tint - natural red

- Mocha Tint - sheer subtle brown

- Nude Tint - sheer flesh tone

- Plum Tint - delicate plum with gold pearl

- Rose Tint - soft baby pink with pearl

Sun-Free Gradual Self Tanner - Laura Mercier Sun-Free Gradual Self Tanner imparts a safe and natural looking summer tan. The deeply moisturizing formula hydrates skin, while providing both instant shimmer and a buildable sun-kissed glow. Lightly scented with Almond Coconut Milk. Streak-free, transfer resistant, and long-lasting. Layer with the white cream until desired instensity is achieved. Intensity of tans will vary - reflects how skin naturally tans with sun exposure. Limited Edition.

Body Bronzing Makeup - Laura Mercier Body Bronzing Makeup instantly reveals, healthy, radiant, bronzed skin without long-term commitment. Satiny smooth formula with light reflective particles helps disguise imperfections. Adds a subtle, add-over sheen. Lightly scented with the Almond Coconut Milk. Streak-free, transer resistant, and easily washes off when ready. Limited Edition.

Bronzing Gel - Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel is a lightweight gel bronzer that smoothes on evenly and blends perfectly leaving the skin refreshed and hydrated. Sheer formula enhances a tan and adds a warm glow. Pigment blends flawlessly into skin. Best used on clean skin. Works on all skin types.Colour is sheer coppery-bronze.

Hmmm...well I am really liking the tinted lip balms. I think that I am going to get the Apricot Tint, the Berry Tint, the Nude Tint, and the Rose Tint. I'm not quite sure about how the self-tanner would work for me since it is meant to turn me the color that I would turn in the sun...which is red. i would like to try to Bronzing gels and see how they work on my skintone before I comment on them. Overall, love the lip balms and this was better than I thought that it would be.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

Pale Skin - The New Summer Beauty?

The trends of the past few summers have had one large common thread, perfectly bronzed skin. with the dangers of the sun and tanning beds, this has left people who care about the future of their skin only one alternative, time consuming and rather smelly self tanners. I have been using these products for several years now. The first and second summers that i used them, i truly went wild for this bronzed look and "tanned" almost everyday.

However, self tanners are really beginning to lose their appeal to me. I have actually only "tanned" a handful of times so far this summer.

The July issue of Allure contained an article entitled "Pale Force" discussing ladies who have pale skin and how the bronzed look is no longer the only choice for summer skin. With the increased knowledge that the world has about the dangers of tanning, it really isn't even seen as all that attractive anymore.

This article shows that bright, summery shades actually may look better against a porcelain complexion than a deeply bronzed one. There are three looks that allure set forth, the last of which I utterly adore. it is peachy version of the smoky eye. I have used peachy eye shadows for about a year now and have realized that I have yet to find a better looking pale shade for my blue eyes. The peachy shades of this look are soft, beautiful, and fantastic for any pale skinned female.

Will this trend last? I really have no answer to this question. It seemed that we are coming into a more enlightened age about tanning and its ill effects and hopefully beauty will get intelligent and follow.