Sunshine coast

I was watching that British ‘Make-Under’ show, where they find truly horrid dressers and make them dress less like a Bratz doll, and one of them actually owned her own spray tan machine in her bedroom. You don’t need to do that…

I was watching that British ‘Make-Under’ show, where they find truly horrid dressers and make them dress less like a Bratz doll, and one of them actually owned her own spray tan machine in her bedroom.

You do not have to go to that length to get a professional-looking tan all year round with these self-tanners.

Here’s the latest products out to fake it – if you’re not sunning yourself at all – and what to wear if you do go out in the sunshine.

First up, faking it.

Fake tanning hot tips: It is vital to exfoliate first to avoid streaking like a runner at the cricket. Amd apply tan within half an hour after showering as the skin is a pH level between 4 and 5 and the tan will last even longer.

MODELCO One Night Tan ($33.95) gives a deep-bronze glow and with no self-tanning agents, you can use it daily as it washes off easily with soap and water. Your tan stays looking fresh and pristine, putting an end to unwanted streaking and patchy residue from previous self-tans. It’s good for special occasions where you need a tan as well. It’s also great for those who have sensitivity to self-tanning ingredients.

Streak-free, hands-free self tanning is here with the arrival of MODELCO Tan Airbrush in a Can. The self-tanner ($44.95) puts an end to stained hands with your own personal airbrush – a spray can. Exfoliate then spray it on and wait ten minutes before dressing. It gives an instant bronze and a deeper tan that develops over time. Great for its 360 degree spray nozzle for hard-to-reach places.

New from Clarins is Instant Smooth Self Tanning, a cream for the face and decolletage that gives a glow progressively. It is ideal for fair skins and those trying a self-tanner for the first time, to get a subtle, no-brainer tan with an instant colour from the caramel extract and a day-by-day tan from this luxurious mousse.

Next up, sunscreens….

SunSense is a brand available at pharmacies nationwide with a face range to suit all skin types. There’s a whole range of very high protection SPF50 products at great prices, for example the SunSense Anti-Ageing Face 100ml at $30.50, a broad spectrum sunscreen milk with Vitamin E and B3, to help reduce wrinkles.

Thread.co.nz especially likes the tinted face sunscreen SunSense Invisible Tint Finish (75g tube $21.99) so you can miss a step in your morning routine and save on foundation in the weekends.

We like Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF15 ($97) for a 3-in-1 product for summertime as it moisturises skin, protects from the sun, and evens out sun exposed skin. I like a bit of colour, and this provides a nice low-key wash with a light touch of sheer colour provided by natural Iron Oxide minerals.

Clarins is launching two new high-performance, SPF50+ sunscreens in late October for women wanting very high protection that’s suited to sensitive skin and doesn’t leave a white residue.

Clarins UVA/UVB 50+ Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face ($52) and Clarins UVA/UVB 50+ Sun Care Milk-Lotion Spray ($53) provide cream and spray options with very high protection withough oiliness and sticky residue.

And for the hair…

Skincare has been ahead of haircare in the sun protection and after-care business. But Wella SP hopes to narrow that gap, with its release of a complete line-up of haircare for during and after sun exposure.

The new SP Sun collection with 3 UVA and UVB filters delivers up to 10 hours of UV protection in a range that includes SP Sun UV Spray, SP Sun Shampoo and Conditioner, SP Sun After Sun Fluid – all priced at $34 each – and an in-salon SP Sun treatment at your local Wella Professionals salon (POA). Thread.co.nz’s favourite is the SP Sun UV Spray to prevent UV damage with a spritz of this spray.

For hair that’s had too much damage – whether from the sun, or heated appliances – Full Repair by John Frieda offers relief. The new range of hair care formulated with Omega 3-rich oil Inca Inchi includes a shampoo and conditioner, and styling products Protecting Root Lift Foa, Perfect Ends Deep Infusion, and Perfect Ends Sheer Mist. Thread.co.nz’s favourite is the Perfect Ends Deep Infusion which dry hair veritably soaks up like a sponge to feel nourished while protecting hair from damage.

Megan Robinson 2 October 2011