REVIEW: Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip Oil-Free Body Moisturiser

Us girls all love to be bronzed and beautiful and to achieve this most of us will fake it rather than bake ourselves on tanning beds. We also all know that to maintain a fab fake tan we need to moisturise daily to keep skin hydrated while ensuring your tan stays intact. However, what most people don't realise is that if you use a moisturiser with oils in it that this will actually work at removing your fake tan rather than maintaining it!!!

Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip Oil-Free Body Moisturiser

Marissa Carter, owner of Cocoa Brown being the tanning genius that she is has come up with a great solution. An oil free moisturiser that gives you the right amount of hydration you need to helps maintain a beautiful tan. Introducing the ever so lovely Chocolate Whip Oil Free Body Moisturiser.

Marissa says that this moistuirser can be used in three different ways:

• Firstly before you apply fake tan this can be applied to the notoriously dry areas such as hands, feet, knees, elbows etc. This should be done no matter what tan you use to ensure that the tan doesn't cling to dry areas resulting in an uneven and unsightly fake tan. I love this product for this purpose. I have used moistuisers in the past that were way to thick and oily for this that they acted as a barrier against my tan and so I was left with tan free knees, feet, elbows, the works. Not a nice sight for a Saturday on the tiles!!!
• Secondly Marissa recommends using this starting from the day after you have applied your tan to prolong the life of your tan and also an even fade off of any residue. This definitely gets the thumbs up in this department. I have seen a great improvement in the length my tan lasts since using this
• And finally she suggests using this everyday to leave your skin moisturised without feeling oily or greasy. It's recommended to this use even if you don't have tan on. I am not a fan of using it in this way. I prefer to use a more luxurious moistuiser when I am not wearing tan.

This is really a super moistuser for using while sporting a tan, it is hydrating enough but absorbs super quick and leaves no residue on your skin. However, it doesn't give me enough hydration for non tan days. I like to use thicker products on non tan days just to give my skin that extra boost of moisture.

The packaging of this product is what I expected from Cocoa Brown, cute, girly and easy to use with a hint of pink. It comes in a 200ml tube. I love that it is fuss free to use (like all their other products). The plastic of the tube is soft which means you can squeeze out every last drop of the product.

I was a little surprised to see the product was brown. But it really suited the name!!

If you are familiar with and love the smell of Cocoa Brown's 1 hour tan then you are going to love the scent of this! When you first apply it you get the familiar whiff of Tahitian Gardenia but then as you rub it in to the skin the cocoa smells comes to the surface. It is not overpowering but it definitely has a scent that lingers on the skin which for me is a big plus especially as it masks any fake tan smell. 

If all of that wasn't enough, Chocolate Whip is actually good for your skin too. It contains Vitamin E which is known for its healing properties such as improving the appearance of stretch marks, age spots and maintaining general skin health. It also contains Panethenol which is great for people with acne prone skin as it doesn't clog the pores and so will not produce sebum in the pores.  I would really recommend this for anyone that suffers from body acne as its lightweight and full of acne fighting ingredients.

Overall, I am very impressed with this product and will continue to use it to help maintain a glowing and even tan. And at €7.99 for 200ml you definitely cannot ask for much more. Chocolate Whip Oil Free Moisturiser is available from Penney's, good pharmacies nationwide and FeelUnique's website (although it is €9.99 on this site). See here for a list of stockists.

For a perfect tan I would recommend using Cocoa Brown's Tough Stuff all over the body in the shower to exfoliate the skin, then use Chocolate whip on dry areas and then apply Cocoa Brown's 1 Hour Tan. Keep tan maintained with a daily application of Chocolate Whip. 

Have you tried Chocolate whip or any other Cocoa Brown Products? 

Do you use a moisturiser daily to maintain an even and natural looking tan?

Thank you for taking time out to read this post. Have a wonderful day.

Happy Tanning Ladies 

Love and Cuddles
XXXXX

REVIEW: Ultimate Body Applicator Wrap

I had heard so much about the Body Contouring "Weight Loss" Wraps that I was dying to try them out for myself. One of my lovely followers on Facebook offered me the chance to try one out to review. I was excited to say the least. I received the wrap in the post along with very in depth instructions on how to use it.

So how do you use these wraps???

Before I applied the wrap-Excuse the bra

• First you should shower but be sure not to use anything on your skin afterwards as this will just act as a barrier towards the ingredients in the wrap
• It does recommend that you should dry body brush the area. I did this a little but as I was trying the wrap on my tummy I didn't want to brush too hard
• You should then take photos of the area before wrapping aswell as measuring the area so you can see your results.

                                             

• When you open the wrap it has a lotion type product(the brown colour in the above picture is the lotion) on one side and this is the side you should place against your skin....a word of warning its damn cold!!!!!!!
• When you have the wrap on the area smooth it out and wrap the area in clingfilm to make sure the wrap stays in place

                                           

• You should then wear tight clothing which will help the wrap work better
• The instructions then state that you should drink half your body weight in water while the wrap is on. The example it gives is if you weigh 100lbs you should drink 50fl oz of water (roughly 1.5litres). I just drank a hell of alot of water to make sure I took in enough
• It recommends for your first time to leave the wrap for 45 minutes. You can leave it overnight once you know you don't have a reaction to it. 
• After 45 mins when you remove the wrap you should rub the remainder of the lotion into your body.
• The wrap continues to work for 72 hours after so be sure to constantly drink water during this period
• Throughout the process and at the end of the 72 hours take more photos and measure and see if you can see the difference for yourself
• During the 72 hours you must avoid any fatty foods, coffee, sugary foods etc. 

Now that the serious stuff is all out of the way what did I really think of the wrap I hear you say????

Straight after removing the wrap....Can you see the slight difference??

Well here is my review:

-Firstly I LOVE that they are so easy to use. It sounds complicated but really its simple.

-When you open the packaging you are hit with a beautiful essential oil type smell..Delicious. You just know this is going to be good for your skin

-After you get over the initial phase of it freezing the heck out of you the lotion really begins to warm on your skin....it's not uncomfortable but the total opposite infact. It feels like a big giant heat pack which is so comforting and relaxing that I didn't want to take it off. This feeling combined with the beautiful aroma had me in relaxation mode instantly!!! It made me feel like I was having a spa treatment without the high cost and without having to leave my house.

-When I removed the wrap I felt thinner and my ever so bloated tummy definitely seemed less obvious. My waist measured a half an inch smaller....NO JOKE!!!!!

-My skin felt amazing and I just wanted to bottle the lotion and use it every day. Just a word of warning when you remove the wrap the lotion does feel a little tingly on the skin...it reminded me of deep heat muscle rub but it goes very quickly!

-I noticed a real difference in the texture of my skin after using this and it seemed to get better every day. You can see that straight after I removed the wrap that ugly pink line across my stomach which was in the pre-wrap picture was gone and hasn't come back since.

-You know that awful bloated feeling us ladies get? Well I had that before using this and once I used this that yucky feeling went away!! It would be worth the money just for that result!! 
-The good thing about this is its nothing to do with loosing water you are retaining, infact they encourage you to drink alot of water during the 72 hours after wrapping. This is a sure sign that the weight wont go back on you once you start eating normal again.

After 72 hours

After 72 hours. I can definitely see a difference here!!

After the 72 hour waiting period I am delighted to say I lost 1.5 inches off my waist and 1 inch from my hips. I am only delighted with myself that one single wrap had this much impact....and to be honest I may have had a sneek treat here and there (and everywhere) which they say not to in order to optimise results so if I got the results while still eating treats then people that don't do this are sure to get an even better result. 

I was massively skeptical about these wraps and did think they were a fad and that's why I wanted to try them out but I have to say even after one use I can see a difference....I can only imagine what the results after 4 wraps would be!!!! Its hard to explain how great these wraps are....it really is a try it to believe it scenario. 

There are many people selling these wraps but I have to say I found Orla from Dublin's Natural Body Wraps a pleasure to deal with. She sent me plenty of instructions on how to use the wrap aswell as always being there to answer any questions I had! The wraps retail for €30 for one or €120 for a box of four. 

I am massively impressed by these wraps. They not only have really helped tone and change my body but they have made my skin feel like it has never felt before. I will definitely have to try them on my thighs next as this is ANOTHER problem area for me. 

Have you ever tried these wraps? What is your experience with body wrapping ?? I would love to see if you are as impressed as I was. 

Happy wrapping ladies and a massive thanks to Orla for giving me the opportunity to try these wonderful wraps. 

Anita XXXX

Green Angel Seaweed Body Lotion

For those of you have followed me for a while now know that I am obsessed with body products. I love nothing more than slathering a freshly scrubbed body with the most luxurious and nourishing lotion and getting into a nice snug pair of pyjamas.

So when I got the chance to try Green Angel's Seaweed Body Lotion I was Siked.

Image credited to Green Angel Skincare

Green Angel Seaweed Body Lotion is jam packed with amazing ingredients including Seaweed, Neroli, Camomile and Vitamin E. So what does this mean for the skin?

Seaweed is known to increase the blood flow when applied to the skin which in turn aids in healing damaged skin while at the same time leaves skin glowing, brighter and softer.

Neroli is extremely gentle and calming on the skin so it is fantastic for anyone who suffers from skin irritations. But the best bit of all is that it's not only great on the skin but it also works wonders for your mind set. When you apply this body lotion it has a really strong scent which when inhaled creates a calm and relaxed state of mind. I adore applying this before bed to aid in a peaceful nights sleep.

Likewise Camomile is super gentle and calming on the skin. So you are sure that this lotion will not irritate your skin. Vitamin E is one of the most basic but effective essential oils and when added to skincare it helps to moisturise, nourish and keep the skin subtle and youthful looking.

When all of these hard working ingredients are combined together it creates a luxurious, gentle, calming and soothing body lotion. This combination is also said to reduce the appearance of broken veins and capillaries under the skin, I cannot vouch for this though as I don't really have to deal with this problem.

I have been using this product for a while now so what do I think of it???

To say I love it is an understatement. I love that it is such a lightweight lotion but feels so moistuirising and luxurious on the skin. The scent reminds me of the oils used when getting a massage which in itself helps you feel relaxed when you use it.

It is not sticky at all on the skin. It soaks into the skin immediately and there is a very obvious difference in the skin after application. The skin looks hydrated, subtle and very youthful. A little goes a long way because it spreads very well on the skin.

Skin before applying Green Angel Seaweed Body Lotion

Skin after applying Green Angel Seaweed Body Lotion

The scent is very prominent during application but it doesn't linger too long so it won't alter the smell of your perfume or body spray.

This lotion would be amazing for using after a day in the sun but equally as nice to hydrate your skin on a winters evening. I will definitely be taking this with me on holidays next year.

I also love using this lotion to keep my fake tan hydrated which definitely keeps it looking better for longer.

The ONLY downfall to this product is the packaging. For me this does not do the product any justice. This lotion for me is so lavish that it deserves packaging to showcase this. The packaging is very simplistic and in my opinion doesn't look super fancy. However, it wouldn't stop me using or purchasing this product because the performance of the cream well outweighs any boring packaging.

Overall, I adore this product and would definitely advise you to give it a go.

Best of all Green Angel is a brand located and made in Ireland. They have a massive range of skincare products available which are sold country wide. See here for a list of stockists and they have also recently started to stock their products in Arnotts on Henry street, very fancy!!!

Green Angel have won countless awards for their products which includes an Image Magazine Beauty Award for Best Body Range. Definitely a worthy winner.

This body lotion will set you back around €15 but I do think its worth the money because the ingredients are second to none and there is definitely a difference in my skin after using this for a while!

A word of warning though to any of your ladies that are currently pregnant. This product is not recommended to use during pregnancy as it contains a lot of essential oils and the jury is still out on how safe essential oils are for use during pregnancy.

I am also currently testing out one of the Green Angel Face Creams but I need to use this for a little longer to give a full and honest review on it so be sure to check back in the coming weeks to see what I thought of this face cream.

So, that's enough on this little gem, although I feel I could speak about it all day.

Please let me know if you have tried any Green Angel Products and if you have any product recommendations. Also, what is your favourite body lotion/cream of all time? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great day, much love.

Anita xxxx

***This product was sent to me for review but this has in no way affected my opinion. My opinion is 100% honest and trustworthy.

August 2013 Beauty Essentials

August was a bit of a whirl wind month for me. I had a hectic few weeks between starting back college, doing loads of courses and just generally trying to have a life. So when I was reaching for products this month I was either looking for something quick and handy that I knew would do the job or something more luxurious that would make me feel all "awwwwhhh" inside.

Lets start with bodycare......
I wear fake tan alot but hate the thought of it clinging to my dry patches. To avoid this I use body scrubs religiously. Up to this month I had a few favourites but I was never 100% happy with them. Then I was introduced to Cocoa Brown's Tough Stuff which blew my mind. This comes in a sachet and honest to god it will get rid of any stubborn tan while at the same time removing any dead skin....all you are left with is glowing baby soft skin. It's a new must have for me and at €2.99 per sachet why would you not want this in your bathroom cabinet? Oh and it's pink!! You can read my full review on Tough Stuff right HERE!

Pic from Tesco.ie

After a full body exfoliation I love to slather myself with a really rich, beautiful smelling body cream. I found a new one in August which is to die for. It's called Flower Pharm Orange Flower Body Butter and I found mine in Tesco for €5.99 for a big 300ml tub. The texture is rich but its not too rich that it won't soak into your skin. I never have a problem with it rubbing on to clothes or anything, even if I get dressed straight after. I usually apply this in the morning and still in the evening time my skin would be well moisturised. It also smells divine. I believe the fragrance is Neroli which I have discovered recently is one of my all time favourite scents. It also has coconut oil, sweet orange and chamomile essential oils so it is bound to be very nourishing for the skin. The scent lingers throughout the day but it is in no way overpowering. It reminds me of the really nice oils spa's use for massages....Ah Bliss.

Pic from michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

I am all about Body this month and another product I was loving in August is the Michael Todd Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion. This is very different to the Flower Pharm butter. This is much more lightweight in texture but yet it is still so hydrating. I loved this for sunny days. I applied it after sun exposure for a refreshing boost to the skin. The scent reminds me of a milkshake for some reason. Really does smell good enough to eat. You can purchase this HERE and I would recommend checking out some of their skincare while you are there. Its so reasonable and I love it. 

L'oreal is becoming one of my go to brands the last while. I never really used the brand alot in the past but they have come up trumps with their recent releases. I am only obsessed with their new hair care line. Anyone I have spoken to feels the same. They do an entire range for all different hair types. I have curly hair which can get dry and frizzy so I choose the Ever Sleek range and I really can notice a difference. My curls are more defined, less fuzzy and the best thing is if I wash my hair and style it I don't need to fix my hair during the day because it doesn't get unruly like it does with other products. Definitely check this out if you are in the market for new hair care. It's a must try. I just repurchased some a few days ago and they were on special in Boots (2 for €12)!

Another L'Oreal product I am in love with for the last while is the Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Water. This is basically a cleansing water that will remove even stubborn mascara but is very gentle on the skin. Check out my full review HERE. Let's just say I had a slight panic attack when I realised this had run out and I didn't have a backup....does that tell ya something hey???? Again this on special in Boots at the moment for around €4.50 (or maybe a little less).

Ok...so now let's get on to makeup. 


I started off the month of August saying I wasn't going to buy any new products....that I was going to use up what I had..... Did not and never will happen!!! 

I am shade 180 Sand Beige with no/slight tan

But with my good intentions came me searching through my makeup collection trying to find products that I only used a little bit or ones that I have loved in the past that would be fun to try again. So I came across my Revlon Colour stay foundation. This was a firm fav of mine for many years and I still do love it but have really gotten back into using it the past while. I do have to say though that I think the Normal to Dry skin formula is streets ahead of the Oily/Combo skin one. No matter what skin type you are I would recommend the Normal to Dry type because it will still last all day (if you are really oily make sure to set with powder) but it just gives a much nicer finish than the Oily/Combo one. The last time I bought the foundation I used it for a day and hated it and its because it was the oily version. Its just not as nice. Overall, I adore the coverage this foundation gives without looking cakey and I love that it really does last on me all day long. This is a cult favourite amongst makeup artists and it will be one that I will always go back to when I need something long wearing and reliable. There are however two downsides to this product. I HATE the packaging. It doesn't have a pump so you have to pore the product onto your hand which means that if you spill out too much you are wasting your product....Revlon should really sort this out. Also I do feel its a little on the pricey side. Its around €18 which isn't expensive for a higher end brand but when its sold next to Rimmel and Maybelline it does seem over priced. Although I would like to add that it is well worth every cent because it really does do the job well.

Image from www.sarahgcosmetics.com

For my eyes, bronzer and cheeks this month I have really only reached for one product and that is the Sarah G Cosmetics Face Kit Palette. I won't go into too much detail on this because I plan to do a full in-depth review on my purchases from this line very soon. In a nut shell I love this palette, its convenient, easy to use, great pigmentation and very reasonably priced for the quality and amount of product that you get. You have everything you need for face and eyes in this little gem so it is amazing for reaching for in a hurry or carrying with you on the go. I am really glad I have added this to my collection so stay tuned for my full review very soon. 

Shade 010 Dating Joe Black

The Sarah G Palette does have a lovely dark grey/black colour that can be used to line the upper lash line but if you want a more defined look or want that sought after winged eye liner then I have found your new best friend. The very inexpensive brand Catrice have in my opinion the best liquid eyeliner. Its simply called Liquid Liner and its in the shade 010 "Dating Joe Black". The brush on this is so fine it allows you to create a very neat and precise line without getting it all over your face. I find this so easy to use and do believe that it would be perfect for beginners and for under €4 its a steal. Catrice is available in some pharmacy's and also alot of Dunnes and Penney's stock this brand. I would highly recommend giving this a go if you have wanted to master liquid liner but haven't been able to. 

Left Vegas volt alone..Right with Decoderm gloss over it

While I was in London at IMATS I bought a beautiful Mac lipstick called Vegas Volt. Its a bright orange coral type colour. I love how it just wakes up my complexion and adds a pop of colour to my face without looking OTT. This colour is part of the Amplified range of lipsticks which means that it has a really opaque finish, vibrant colour and is long wearing. Usually I need to topup every 3-4 hours depending on how much action my lips have gotten that day. If I want to add some gloss to this lipstick I am loving it paired with the Decoderm 3D Magnificent Gloss in shade 03. This just adds another dimension to the lipstick. I love this look. You can read my full review of some of the Decoderm range HERE.

Pic from www.eyeslipsface.co.uk

My final product this month is not a makeup item but is definitely makeup related. Its the e.l.f Daily Brush cleaner. This is great for spot cleaning your makeup brushes on days when you don't have time to give them a full on clean. Its anti bacterial so I find it great for cleaning the brushes which I use on my face so that I don't spread acne or bacteria around my face. I use this everyday on my foundation and concealer brushes and it gives me peace of mind that my brushes are clean even when I am in a hurry. This is so reasonably priced at less than €5 for a 60ml bottle. I have used this for a very long time and will continue to repurchase.

Well that's all my favourites for this month. I hope you enjoyed them and find my recommendations helpful. If you love or hate any of the products above please let me know or if you have any products which you have been loving during the month please say as I am always on the hunt for new things to try. Have a wonderful day and talk to you all soon xxxx

Stubborn Tan? Tough Stuff's Your Man! (or your lovely pink lady in this case)!!!

Lately the only fake tan I have used is Cocoa Brown's 1 Hour tan and I haven't had much problems at all with it leaving tan clinging to dry areas (review here). Although depending on how well I prepped my skin before fake tan application I may get a little bit of stubborn old tan clinging to my dry ankles, knees, elbows or under my arms after a week or so.

I was sent the new Cocoa Brown "Tough Stuff" scrub to try out and was so happy with the results. This product is "A No Nonsense Scrub for Rough Areas such as feet, ankles, knees, elbows & hands". It can be used to:
-Prepare skin for fake tan application.
-Buff your skin to make it feel soft and smooth.
-Get rid of nasty old tan.

I am a massive fan of body scrubs because I tan regularly and like it to look as natural and even as possible so was very curious to give this new launch a go. I have tried a tonne of body scrubs, some better than others but I always find that they leave a residue on my skin. I also can never seem to manage to get rid of my old tan completely after using certain scrubs, I usually have to exfoliate and then use a dry rough towel on wet skin to get rid of the rest, with Tough Stuff there is no need for this last step.

Tough Stuff is housed is a 50 ml sachet. The packaging is as girly and eye catching as the other Cocoa Brown products. The only thing I would change is that I would love it to be packaged in either a 200 ml tube or a tub firstly because it would be much easier to use in the shower and secondly because it would mean that I would have a big container of this super scrub to the ready whenever needed.

On the back of the sachet there are some great application tips from Marissa Carter (owner and founder of the Cocoa Brown brand). She advises that the scrub can be applied to dry skin for a deeper exfoliation or wet skin for a more gentle scrub. She also doesn't recommend using the scrub on sensitive areas as it is very strong so we don't want to irritate the skin. Marissa also recommends that you do not use this scrub on the same day as applying tan so I used it today before getting a spray tan done tomorrow and avoided using it on my chest and decollete area. I just love how this little sachet has so much information on it, very user friendly.

So what did I think of the product?????

I used this on wet skin in the shower. I didn't have any old stubborn tan to remove so the purpose of me using this was just to really buff my skin and prepare it for fake tan application.

Well firstly it smells so sweet and girly which instantly had me hooked and of course its a pink colour which again added to the princess pampering experience. The texture reminds me of a really expensive salt scrub that you would get in a luxurious spa . And wait for it..... hooray not a single bit of residue left on the skin after I rinsed it off. I also find with other body scrubs that the grains don't all wash off in the shower. I think this is because the product is oil based and so does not melt in water and hence the residue. With Tough Stuff there is none of this fussing about. It rinses off completely and the only thing it leaves behind is super soft baby like skin that almost tingles it feels so fresh and new. My skin was slightly pinkish after use but it states on the back of the sachet that this is normal and it is down to the fact that it gives such a deep exfoliation!

I am a sucker for using up the whole sachet when I use them but with this product I couldn't use it all. I exfoliated my whole body (and didn't skimp on the application) and I still have enough left for another full body scrub which I cannot wait for! I absolutely LOVED using this scrub on my thighs and bum area. It really works the area well and really helps with all the nasty lumps and bumps that us ladies get in that dreaded area. I felt like I had a body brush and scrub all in one.

Yes the product looks and smells amazing and there is no doubt that it ticks all the girly boxes but all of this aside this product really is a very high quality, no nonsense product. It does exactly what a body scrub should do, it's as simple as that.

Well done Marissa for delivering yet again another amazing product that will be part of my body skincare routine for many years.

Tough Stuff is sold in all Cocoa Brown stockists and costs a tiny €2.99. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think. I have no doubt you will adore it as much as I do.

Love and Cuddles
Anita xxxx

My Current Fake Tan Favs!!!

My busy schedule doesn't allow me apply fake tan every two to three days, or maybe I am just too darn lazy to do that so when I look for a tan I want something that's easy to apply, doesn't streak, gives me a goddess glow and fades off evenly so that I don't look like I haven't washed in weeks (not the look I am going for right now). Impossible I hear you say???? Well......actually I think I may have found the "perfect" tanning products......Drum Roll please!!!!!!!

Introducing Karora Self Tanning Mist and Clairns Liquid Bronze self tanning for Face and Decollete.These two little babies are great products and have not yet failed me....I have used them both for a long time and I have NEVER even had a lickle streak from them....not even once!! That must be a first for me!!!! Want to know more??? Ok, lets be having ya!!

For a natural, sunkissed glow I use Karora Self Tanning Mist Original on all parts of my body (apart from my face and neck.....we will deal with that later). At first I was sceptical because I had only ever tried cream or mousse type tans. Karora Mist as the name suggests is a lightwieght Liquid Mist! Karora claims that this mist is a tan that "glides on skin effortlessly, dries instantly and delivers an even rich golden tan lasting up to 7 days" I would have to agree with this, I am amazed at how quick this tan dries in. It reminds me of the feeling of a spray tan and I have to say it looks like one too. Everytime I apply this tan it looks like a professional beautician has applied it as I am streak free and evenly tanned. What more could you want??? Well if you are fussy like me you would want more and guess what Karora gives us more... Not only does it have skin firming benefits but it is "fused with a propritary blend of pure active botanicals, vitamins and essentials oils of Acai berry and Argan". So a botancial based tan with skincare benefits, that keeps you glowing for days, that doesn't streak, has sleek and sassy packaging and best of all is Irish made, seriously there is nothing else to say. Karora has it sorted!!!

The instructions advise to use rubber gloves and blend the tan into your skin in circular motions. Although I do agree with the latter I feel the best way to apply this is with a tanning mitt. I have done this right from day one and have never had a problem. Karora also state that this product has a delicate fragrance which it does however unfortunately like all products that contain DHA (what makes the tan develop) there will be a slight pong...but its not half as bad as other tans I have used.

As I use the Original version of this tan for the most part it doesn't give a really dark colour at all. It just gives a natural glowing bronzed colour that is in no way orange. You can however apply the tan for a few days to build up to your desired colour but for everyday use I love just one layer of this as you just look simply radiant and healthy....now that's the look I desire!! Karora Original is €24.99 for 200ml or €14.99 for 100ml and is available pharmacies and salons nationwide. I buy mine from the local Doc Morris Pharmacy. It can also be purchased online.

I did use Karora on my face and neck previously but because I am on a skincare buzz at the moment I decided to use a self tanner specifically designed for this area as I did feel the Karora was causing breakouts on my SUPER sensitive skin. I used Clairns Liquid Bronze tan for face before and remembered loving it so I recently repurchased it and now I don't know why I ever stopped using this in the first place...its the business! I love the texture of this product, its like a milk formulation that literally dries in instantly so there is no waiting around. I have often applied my foundation straight after this and it develops a really lovely tan under your foundation and best of all it doesn't break me out....Whoop Whoop. 

Clairns do recommend using a cotton pad to apply this but personally I apply it with my finger tips and be sure to scrub my hands afterwards! Like the Karora original this can be used for a few days to build up the intensity of the colour. 

There is no doubt that I will be using this product for a long time to come, because to date this is the best facial tanner I have ever tried...WOW thats a steep statement but a true one none the less. Also the sheer size of the bottle (125ml for a facial tanner is pretty huge) means this baby will be part of my tanning collection for awhile yet. 

The main things I love about this product is how quick it dries, how natural it looks on the skin and it doesn't stink too bad at all which is always a great trait. 
IF I did have one thing to say about this tan combo it would be that after one application the facial tanner seems to develop darker than the body one so I usually either apply the Karora(body) for two days and on the second day skip the Clairns(face) or if I only want one application I will slightly exfoliate my face the morning after I apply the Clairns. There is a seriously minor difference in the colours but I am just being fussy here. Clairns Liquid bronze self tanning for face and decollete is €26 for 125ml (I bought mine from Boots), this little gem will last a long time as you need the tinniest amount.

Karora do have other products in their current range. These include a Karora Self Tanning Mist in Dark which is the darker version of the Original one. This is considerably darker but is great for nights out as it gives an intense colour. I have only ever seen this in the 100ml size which is the same price as the Original formulation. The Original tan is a tinted mist which can be used as a colour guide but the Dark one gives an instant colour so you can have your glow instantly and then the tan will develop as the hours go by. They also have a Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser with SPF 15 which is €19.99 for 125ml. This is like the Johnsons holiday skin phenomena that once was only a zillion times better. Its a really luxurious body cream that has some self tanning agents in it that allows you to layer this product for a few days to create a natural looking tan. This is great for fake tan virgins or personally I sometimes apply this if I want to extend the life of my Original mist. As if this wasn't enough Karora have mastered the art of instant fake tan also. This beautiful product is great for days when you didn't have time to use tan that develops over a few hours or if you just prefer to have a tan for one day rather than a few. I also adore this for applying over my tan on nights out to give a beautiful sheen to the skin and add some extra colour, especially on my legs and arms. A little gem in my eyes, this product is €14.99 for 125ml. Karora also offers the smooth operator micro peel which is a grain free exfoliator that is supposed to be amazing for removing dead skin cells and could even be used to remove the last of your old tan before bronzing up again. I haven't used this product yet so I don't have an opinion on it at the moment but it is on my wishlist and I will be sure to share my thoughts with you all when I do get my hands on it, this retails for €12.99(I think) for 100ml.

Well ladies thats all for the moment. I hope you found this post informative and I will be sure to fill you in with any new tanning favourites in the future although for the foreseeable future i do think I have found my tanning holy grail. Have a beautiful sun-kissed day. Take care.

Anita xxxx



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