Beauty Review - Tanning Moisturisers - Your Daily Bronze.....

There is a feeling, particularly today and in the UK at least, that spring is finally round the corner (please note this is said in hushed tones as it will probably snow tomorrow).

So unless you're an all-out avid sun-lover and are off to the Maldives tomorrow to top up your tan, there's the thought of suddenly having to bare arms and legs that are far whiter than you'd like them to be. Going for an all-out fake tan now might be a bit extreme, and can you really be bothered? So what's the solution?

I hate being whiter than white at any time of year, who knows when you're going to want to wear a sleeveless LBD to a special dinner for goodness sake? Preparation has to be the name of the game.

Many of the daily moisturising bronzers on the market, unless they are premium brand, have the usual fake tanning product problems of fragrance (or lack of it) and colour. I have one total favourite which, unfortunately, is the most expensive, but I would use year round with no hesitation, and a second which is stronger, not quite so gorgeous to use but very good in any case. My third here I haven't actually tried, but I am told reliably it's excellent.

If you possibly can go for No 1. You won't regret it.

1. Shiseido Daily Bronze - the one to use all year round, almost unfragranced, sheer emulsion giving a very light, even colour.

2. Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Body Lotion - again more of a moisturiser than a self tanner with a soft, non fake-tan fragrance but a stronger colour than the Shiseido, so you have to be more careful about unevenness - the colour is very real and builds up quickly.

3. St Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan - A hydrating daily moisturiser with a touch of tan.

Two of the products here can be found at the excellent Feel Unique, where normally you can find discounts of up to one third of premium brands, and the Shiseido at John Lewis, however I have also bought this at a discount from Feel Unique, so keep checking back. Their service is excellent, the range huge and the discounts are well worth having.

I've always traditionally been a sun worshipper, although more and more I realise that to preserve my skin this isn't such a great idea - the excellent thing about these products is that you feel good from the get-go of summer, and the urge to get out there and toast is nothing like so strong. It takes a bit of work and determination to build up a beautifully moisturised colour before the sun really comes out (and you need to exfoliate as well), but it's well worth it.

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