Prep your skin
As you shed your warm layers and start exposing more skin, ensuring your skin feels super smooth is a great confidence boost. A favourite body scrub of mine is the Weleda Birch Body Scrub. Birch is the key ingredient, which may help with cellulite, boost circulation and improve your overall skin texture. Plus, if you're planning on using fake tan, a hard working scrub is a must.
Choose your tan
Wash off tan
Want a gorgeous glow without the commitment? I'd highly recommend the Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint. It can be used on the face or body, and the colour can be mixed with your favourite moisturiser to dilute the colour if it is too dark for you. When the day is done, it washes off like makeup.
Buildable Tan
A gradual tan is fantastic for those who want to slowly build a subtle tan. The Eco Tan Winter Skin uses natural cacao to provide a beautiful chocolate-honey coloured glow over 3 to 4 applications. It allows you to gradually deepen the shade until you achieve your desired colour. Non-tinted and dries quickly to ensure no dirty stains are left on your clothes. Streak-free and non-sticky.
Self tan
The Life Basics Gradual Tanning Gel is an excellent item for achieving a natural golden glow without the need for sun exposure. It has been crafted to soothe, hydrate and tone skin while developing a sunkissed bronze colour. Perfect for adding a tint of colour to your skin year-round, this lightweight, fast-drying gel can be used daily to gradually build a natural looking tan, and contains nourishing Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to moisturise skin and ensure lasting colour.
Add your glow
I know I always rave about it, but Eco Tan Face Water is truly a summer must have. It creates a beautiful, natural tan which looks like your own skin, but with more luminosity.
The BRONZE By La Mav Self Tan Dry Oil delivers a luxurious bronze sheen which dries very quickly and is buildable. Argan Oil and Macadamia Oil deeply hydrates the skin, while the infusion of Magnesium and Green Tea Extract nourishes the skin to extend the life of your tan. This dry oil has no overwhelming fragrance and doesn't stain.
Protect your face
Keeping your face protected from the sun is critical for maintaining healthy skin and an even complexion. It is so important, which is why I've written the ultimate guide to sunscreens for your face! Additionally, you can check out the Nourished Life Guide to Natural Sunscreens to have every sunscreen question answered.
While you're on the go
100% Pure offers a fantastic summertime lip balm with sweet mint and SPF, the 100% Pure Sweet Mint Lip Balm with SPF15 is a great handbag size. This feels so lovely and moisturising on your lips that you won’t forget to use it this summer! It’s packed with nourishing oils and waxes such as Beeswax, Cocoa Shea Butter and Coconut Oil.
I also love to make a delicious iced tea before I leave the house, and let it brew in a Fressko Glass Tea Flask. These slim, sleek flasks keep cold drinks cold for 12 hours, so you can enjoy a chilled drink while you’re out enjoying the warm weather. (Plus, it keeps hot liquids hot for 8 hours!)
After a day out in the sun
The Andalou Naturals Cooling Aloe and Mint Body Lotion is the ideal hot-day, cool-down, post-sun lotion. The cooling effects of Aloe Mint and Aloe Vera will make your skin lightly tingle, while Rosehip, Argan Oil, Shea and Cocoa Butters moisturise and may help deeply nourish dry skin. Additionally, a surprising use of the Juniper Antioxidant Skin Firming Serum is for after sun relief, as recommended by our naturopath, Mel. The Rose Otto, Aloe Vera and Calendula in this serum soothes the skin and reduces drying caused by too much sun.
Nourish sun-parched skin with the majorly rich Badger After Sun Balm, formulated with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Jojoba Oil and Cocoa Butter. It even has a lightly tropical scent for the full holiday vibe.
The Black Chicken Hydrate My Face Toning Mist does what it says on the bottle and more. It is so very refreshing on a hot day, and this mist can also be used on dreaded sunburn, should you get caught out. Essential oils of Lavender, Mandarin and Grapefruit will refresh your senses as much as your skin.
