Testing, testing. It's summer, and if you followed my advice of a few weeks ago and are head-to-toe in sunblock, you may be feeling a little pale and uninteresting. No need to be afraid to bare, now that the weather has turned and it looks like we might have a summer after all.
Help is at hand, and this is one time when faking it is not a problem. Calm down, I'm talking fake tan, of course, and the choice of products is immense. There is a formulation to suit every budget, too, as the market has exploded over the past few years. Top of the tree is St. Tropez with its olive brown base and upper-price bracket, which can look a bit daunting coming out of the can, but, if spread smoothly and lightly, gives a perfect colour for the typical Irish skintone. Ditto the Fake Bake brand. But beware. Over application of these two will result in your skin looking dirty, not sunkissed. Less is more.
We've all seen the results of the badly applied, or badly chosen product. The most common mistake is to be too heavy handed in application; remember two light coats are much better than one heavy one.
A few rules: To keep an ongoing even colour, a twice weekly application should be sufficient. Make sure that skin is exfoliated. Apply moisturiser after showering, if necessary, and allow to absorb while you wash your teeth, fix your hair, or check your eyebrows. You can use a tanning mitt, (available from pharmacies) or surgical gloves to apply tan. Take your time, and apply as evenly as you can, blending well (the tinted versions make this easier). Do not apply tan directly to feet, knees, elbows or hands - instead just blend what you have already put on over these areas - lightly. Allow the colour to come up fully before deciding if you need a second coat. Then you can emerge looking thinner, toned and altogether more all-round gorgeous, ready to face your public.
THE GOODS
Tantowel The ultimate in convenience; you just wipe on the colour-infused cloth, and wait for a streak-free colour to appear. Brilliant. €2.53 at pharmacies and branches of Penneys
L'Oréal Sublime Bronze Gel Best applied with a tanning mitt, as this goes on quite sticky. Better applied the night before, and gives a good result after a shower next morning. €16.99
Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer A clear self-tanning spray which went on quite wet, but still needed to be blended in. Dried quickly and a golden colour came up after an hour, so a good choice if you're in a hurry. €14.99 at pharmacies
Clarins Radiance-Plus Smooth application, but didn't like the smell. Needed a second coat, but not a pre-moisturiser. Good natural colour. € 32. Widely available
Rimmel Sun Shimmer If you've run out of time altogether, or need an instant top-up, this wash-off tan is the one for you. Comes in two shades, dries almost immediately, and does not transfer to clothing. A lifesaver at €7.95 from Rimmel stockists
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturiser Good natural colour, but care needed around usual danger spots such as ankles and feet. Big plus point: does not have that nasty fake tan smell, Can be bought for US$5.99 on www.drugstore.com, which ships internationally
Lavera Self Tanning Lotion Great for sensitive skins as this range contains 100 per cent natural ingredients. Gave a subtle, even-looking tan. Pleasant smell, too. A winner. € 14.95 at health shops