Is it just us or is the British summer weather a tad... frustrating? If youre desperate for a tan then youre in luck because this month ELLE is giving away a 75ml St Tropez Gradual Tan in either Light to Medium or Medium to Dark on every cover, so you can defy the typical British weather.
Not only is this a great freebie, its the safest way to get a tan this summer. Whether youre a fake tan enthusiast or novice, a gradual tan is the easiest way to tan at home. On porcelain skin it will add a subtle glow, whereas it will enrich a post-holiday tan with a lovely depth of colour.
Just to ensure you get perfect results first time we called on Nichola Joss, St Tropezs Skin Finishing Expert, to share her top tanning tips:
Exfoliate skin, do your usual hair removal and moisturise (use a water-based moisturising lotion) at least 2 hours prior to tanning.
Make sure you have your gradual tan, baby powder, tissues and a hair band.
Tie your hair back away from your face.
Start with your legs, working from just above the ankles up.
Use a little more gradual tan and cover your tummy, waist, bum, back area.
Next move on to your arms; work the product from just above the wrists up, around the shoulders, bust area, chest and neck.
Always work with the natural contours and curves of the body, never straight up and down, gently buff the product in.
When doing tricky areas like feet, hands, face, use a small amount of product and spend time blending it in.
Finish by wiping round soles of feet, toe nails, fingernails and palms of hands and wipe against the hair growth of eyebrows with a tissue.
Apply a gentle dusting of powder to your bikini line, under arms, behind knees and inner crease of elbow to prevent sweating that can ruin your tan.
I recommend that you do your tanning last thing in the evening, get into bed and let the product develop over night.
You can apply your gradual tan daily - its super moisturising so you dont need to use another product, but make sure to exfoliate every other day dont be afraid to rather than remove your tan it will actually help it stay even and looking its best.
