The Golden Rules for Maintaining your Summer Tan

So you're back from your Summer holiday and you worked so hard to get that golden tan, but just because the sun has its hat on in the UK, you can still ensure that your flawless tan lasts for the rest of the Summer! 

Since getting back from Corfu I've been determined to remain bronzed, and tried every trick in the book to keep my glow, so here are my top 10 tried and tested tips for maintaining your Summer tan!

1. Take Cool Showers. Hot water can dehydrate your skin, so you will be more prone to peeling. By sticking to cool or lukewarm showers and using moisturising shower oils, your colour will be locked in. I love the Nivea In Shower Body Lotion for super shower moisturisation.

2. Moisturise some more. There's no better way to keep your sexy summer glow than by absolutely covering yourself in lotions. Post-holiday you should upgrade to a sumptuous body butter and make sure you apply lotion ever single day. I love Clinique's Body Butter, or The Body Shop's Body Butter for a slightly less-expensive alternative. Just don't use the moisturiser on the day that you apply your self tanning products, as fake tan works much better on clean skin.

3. Exfoliate. It feels like the absolute last thing you want to do when you've got a tan, but it's important to give yourself a full body exfoliation at least once a week to remove the parched skin, and get your skin ready for the upcoming self tan. Make sure you choose a scrub which isn't oil based, as this may prevent your tan from sticking! To be on the safe side, I like to use a body brush like this huge one from Temple Spa which I absolute love!

4. Long Lasting Tan. The secret to extending your tan is to create a simple ritual that's easy to maintain, so a long lasting tan is what you need. Something that's easy to apply, and easy to maintain - so for me there's no competition, it's got to be the Vita Liberata phenomenal 2-3 week tan. As you'll already be bronzed you may need the 'Dark' tan (which is what I used in the images) and you can be confident that the tan will fade evenly so no tell tale patches! The pHenomal tan formula moisturises the skin and conditions with marine and botanical extracts, and the bronzed glow will last up to 4 times longer than other tanning products. 

{ Before & After! }

5. Facial Self Tan. Your face is the first thing that people notice about you, and a sun kissed complexion will give you that fresh from the beach glow. In my experience, gradual tans for the face can be too subtle when you've already got a base tan from  your holiday, so I use my regular self tan on a mitt to give my holiday glow a boost. Because the Vita Liberata pHenomenal tan has no smell and is so incredibly fast drying, it's subtle and you can apply makeup just a few moments after application. 

6. Bronzer. Using a matte bronzer will help you to recreate the fresh from the beach glow, and the trick is to swirl it onto areas where the sun would naturally hit your skin. I apply the Vita Liberata Trystal Self Tanning Bronzer (yep, you read that correctly!) to my forehead, temples, nose and cheekbones rather than all over, and over the period of a few days, those areas will build up to have a gorgeous natural looking tan, even when you're not wearing any product.

7. Baby Oil! Glistening limbs look leaner and more bronzed, so by spritzing baby oil or something like the Nuxe Dry Shimmer Oil onto legs, you're tan will look as brilliant as ever.

8. Eat your Beta's! Scientists have found that a diet rich in beta-carotenes can recreate the glow of sun-kissed skin from within! How fantastic is that! The best sources include carrots (of course!), sweet potatoes, apricots and mangoes.

9. Hydrate! Just because you're no longer cooking on the beach, it doesn't mean you can slack off drinking lots of water! By keeping hydrated, you can help to prolong the life of your cells, including the lovely tanned cells on the surface of your skin, so a real or fake tan will last longer and look it's best.

10. Wear White! It's a tried and tested trick which will flatter your skin tone and give your tan a deeper appearance. Choosing a white or light shade next to your face, as well as a pop of bronzer and pink lippie is the best tan boosting combination you can get!

How would you like to Win a bottle of Vita Liberata pHenomenal Tan?!

I've teamed up with the lovely folks at Vita Liberata to giveaway 5 bottles of their pHenomenal 2-3 week tan, worth �37.50 each! All you have to do to enter is:

1. Follow Vita Liberata on Instagram

2. Regram my Vita Liberata image and use the hashtag #JosieLDNxVLgiveaway

What are your top tips for maintaining a Summer Tan?

xoxo

The Denim Mini Skirt

A new wardrobe staple that every girl needs in her closet is a classic, button-down denim mini.

I'm talking about that one that you find reaching for with every top, every jumper (on a daily basis). The one that literally takes all of your will power not to wear every single day because it just seems to work with everything.

This particular classic button-down denim mini is a vibrant blue, and embodies that effortless everyday look, and it's also only �28. It begs to be worn with this season's rust shade, so I paired it with a new lace up top and my (also lace up) chunky heels which were a steal at just �22.99. The fashion steals continue with the bag. You've seen it before and this definitely won't be the last time it appears on the blog - my favourite Chloe Drew Dupe which I picked up for just �40. Get the details down below! Xo

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SHOP THE LOOK

Denim Button-Up Mini Skirt by Fashion Union at ASOS   |   Rust Lace Up Top by Topshop    |    Lace Up Chunk Heels by New Look at ASOS   |   Chloe Drew Dupe Bag by Jessica Burma

xoxo

A Humongous Summer Haul!

After disaster struck and my memory card wiped half the files for a video that was due to go up last Sunday, I was scratching my head for what I could film. And then I saw the shopping bags. Lots and lots of shopping bags. Unplanned it may be, but this haul video is a big 'un, so have a lil watch and let me know which pieces you love, and which I should send back!

SHOP THE HAUL

What are your favourite pieces?

Also, if you loved this video it would mean a lot to me if you would give it a thumbs up, and subscribe if you're new!

xoxo

Discovering Sunday Riley

A word of warning; this post may make you want to head to the nearest Space NK and buy things. Buy Sunday Riley things in particular. I've not tried the entire range, but over the past couple of months I've been using a few of their hero offerings, and, I'm in love. The three things that I've been using are the Artemis Hydroactive Face Oil, the Good Genes Treatment and the Ceramic Slip Cleanser. None of them are particularly cheap, but skincare is an area of investment, and this brand is certainly worth saving the pennies for.

Looking at the packaging, I was unsure what to expect before I first tried the products. Of course, I'd heard the  rumours that the oils in particular did magical things, but could something this lovely-looking really create such an impact on my complexion? Well in short, yes.

Let's start with the oil, as that's the first product that I tried from the range. I began testing after finishing off my Darphin Revitalizing oil, and my skin seemed to love oils so I swiftly moved on to Artemis next. Sunday Riley say that this particular facial oil is ideal for 'Split Personality Skin' - that's combination skin that can be oily, sensitive, aggravated, dry... and that pretty much sums up my own complexion. I'm sure by now the myth that oils are to be avoided if you have oily skin has been abolished, and certainly with Artemis it's a wonderful way of balancing and toning the skin. In comparison to Darphin's oil which I was previously using, it's no where near as light, so you can feel it on your skin for some time after application, making before bed an ideal time for use. The results? As well as a lavish experience when you apply it, skin is softened and incredibly plump and calm. My skin has a lovely 'lit from within' glow but without the associated spots, and after 5 weeks of use it seems I've barely made a dent in the stubby bottle - thank god because at �60 a bottle, it's one which you'd hope would last a while!

Next up, convinced that Sunday Riley was sent from above to bring me Angel like skin, I switched my usual cleanser to the Ceramic Slip Cleanser  I didn't think I could love a SR product more than the oil, but this cleanser is something really special. If you love clay masks then this one is for you, equally if you like your pores clear and skin spot-free (so that's everyone then) then you'll love this. Without the waiting time of a mask, this sludge like cleanser - isn't that a lovely thought, but there's no other way to describe the consistency! - just massages on, and is washed off. The immediate effect  is quite tightening on the skin, and for my oily combination skin - it's dreamy. Perfect for 'hormonal' skin or if you do have an oiler complexion, but if your skin is dry, I'd probably choose something else. It's �35 for a bottle but as you need far less of it that you do of most other cleansers, it doesn't work out too painfully expensive in the long run.

Last, but most definitely not least, Good Genes. As you may guess from the name, this product has the end result of looking like you were born with it. Skin that naturally glows and looks just overall, really fab. It's a leave-on treatment that boosts the circulation in your skin while exfoliating and plumping. It's enhanced with lactic acid, so yep, it tingles. It tingles a lot, but if you can tolerate chemical exfoliants then this is definitely one to add to your DIY facial kit. Again only a small amount is needed, and I have only used this four or five times - once a week, but the exceptional glow lasts for days. You could apply before bed as a serum (I only dared this the last time I used it) but I'd highly recommend you test a small patch before you cover your face in this stuff, because it really is powerful. You can shop this, and the rest of the Sunday Riley range at Space NK, or Cult Beauty as well as in store.

Have you discovered Sunday Riley yet?

xoxo

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Seventies Style

This outfit is characterised by all kinds of Seventies details.

From the glamorous statement Seventies style wide leg trousers, to my absolute favourite new summer bag - my Chloe Faye dupe. It seems at the moment I'm really drawn to seventies details, and this #OOTD is my favourite way of pulling the trend together.

Cat-eyed sunglasses are my accessory of choice for a bright, warm day in London, and add a touch of feminine 70s glamour. This pair were a steal from Topshop, and I find myself reaching for them over my pricier pairs time and time again. 

The geometric trousers steal the show, the high waisted design gives a leg lengthening effect, and you  instantly feel like you've pulled together a fabulous outfit just from this one statement piece. I chose a plain white blouse to pair with the trousers, and my current favourite brown sandals to complete the look. For more outfit details, keep scrolling!

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OUTFIT DETAILS

Trousers by Topshop   |   White Blouse by Dorothy Perkins   |    Brown Sandals by Dorothy Perkins   |   Bag by Jessica Buurman   |   Sunglasses by Topshop   |   

Unspoken Beauty

I've been blogging about beauty for almost two years now, and in that time I've barely touched the surface when it comes to those unspoken beauty topics. You know, the not-so-glamorous stuff we only dare to speak to our friends about, making blogs and the internet the most natural place to search for answers for the more faint of heart. Therefore, in this post I'm going to be addressing all of those topics I've brushed under the carpet. So, get comfy and read on...

Don't be a Sweaty Betty. Body odour is the pits (sorry!) but luckily the deodorant market is ginormous and there are a million stink and sweat stopping options on every shelf. There are so many options to choose between. I usually opt for a 48-hour anti-perspirant which keeps you feeling fresh all day - letting you go about your business sweat-free. 

Fighting the facial fuzz.So you've tamed the monobrow and mastered the art of keeping your brows neat and tidy, but that �tache on the other hand - you're still not sure how to attack it. If you have dark hair then the upper lip can be an area of concern for us girls and creams may seem like the easiest way of removing hair but often the smell is just unbearable. Tweezerman's new Smooth Facial Hair Removeris a game changing gadget which effortlessly removes hair from your upper lip as well as cheeks, chin, neck - you name it! It also minimises regrowth by pulling hair from the follicle, you can bid farewell to stubble or the need for sticky wax.

Freshness that lasts.As much as I love trying out fancy lotions & potions, it's important to remember that our skin is sensitive and certain areas *yeah you know where I mean* are a little more sensitive than others. It only makes sense then that you cater to your body's needs and choose a product that's designed to look after your skin's needs. The femfresh Everyday Care Daily Body Gel has a low pH level so is perfect for use on more intimate parts of the body, and it's not something we should be embarrassed about using either. Mixing it into your usual shower routine along with your favourite pampering treats is an easy way to feel fresh and fabulous all day long, and their handy wipes mean you can literally freshen up whenever you want. 

Happy Feet. We spend all day on them, so it's no surprise that our feet need a bit of pampering. Luckily I don't have many problems with my feet but that could be thanks to my routine which includes using a foot file about once a week in the shower to ensure that there's no dry skin on my heels, followed by applying a luxurious foot cream like the Soap & Glory heel genius all over my feet before popping on some fluffy socks while it soaks in. Every now and then it's nice to use an exfoliating product on your feet followed by a good slathering of an oil, to keep you sandal ready at just a moments notice. 

We all have body hair. So let's just talk about it. Attending to above mentioned intimate areas isn't something that I want to do on the cheap, so I'd always recommend going to a decent beautician to keep everything neat and tidy. My top choice is Strip, and there are a few branches in London so you can find one close to either your work or home. Razors are fuss free and quick to use, but there will always be the issues of little nicks, ingrown hairs etc, so now I epilate my legs (I wrote a guide to Pain Free Epilation here) and use at home IPL Lazer Hair removal (video review here) on my underarms. Yep, it's kind of confusing using a different technique on each body area, but hey, we should cater to our body's needs even if it is slightly inconvenient. Even with my convoluted routine, ingrown hairs can still be a problem and bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Padsare my saviour. Soaked in liquids which prevent and also sooth ingrown hairs, they also work to heal skin and remove dead skin cells for a smoother skin surface.

OK, I think that's enough for one day, I hope this post has been useful to you and I promise I'll be back to more glamorous subjects tomorrow!

This is a sponsored post, but of course as always, all opinions are completely my own!

Dinner at Sanderson

Sanderson (without the 'the' apparently) will forever be London's coolest, most instagrammable, and stylish hotel in my mind. During the Summer months, there's no greater place to enjoy a fine meal, than in the hotel's garden courtyard, under heated lamps with a silk pashmina (provided by the restaurant) to wrap around your shoulders as the temperature drops. Serving classic-contemporary dishes in a typical English style, Sanderson is a glamorous but still very relaxed location which has passed the test of time as dining trends come and go in our foodie capital.

So on a balmy evening Charlie and I met at The Long Bar (it's 80ft!) for a cocktail or two before making our way to the restaurant. The surroundings are styled by Ian Schrager and Phillipe Strack - the fun, fabulous and always fashionable interiors of Sanderson are instantly recognisable. With inspiration drawn from Salvador Dali and Alice in Wonderland, the boutique hotel's lobby area is home to oversized lip sofas, a hanging egg chair, and other oversized and unusual artworks.

After finishing our killer cocktails, we ordered from menu which was teeming with fashionable takes on English favourite dishes; Charlie opted for a terrine of Chicken, while I enjoyed a beautifully presented goats cheese, beetroot and walnut salad. We couldn't help but try a taste of each other's starters, following the declarations of how delicious each dish was.

I opted for a slow cooked pork belly main course, served with scallops and a light salad, a dish which  was cooked wonderfully, and the flavour of the pork was like no other pork dish that I'd ever tried. We accompanied our mains with side portions of broccoli, hand cooked fries and a garden salad - perfect for breaking down what could have been quite a heavy but flavoursome main course.

With Rugby the following day, Charlie fuelled up on a perfectly marbled steak (and more fries), which judging from his squeaky clean plate in record time, I'd say he rather enjoyed! He proclaimed that the Bernaise sauce in particular was a highlight, resorting to ordering another pot of it after I couldn't resist dipping my fries in it too!

Throughout the evening the service was excellent, with our waitress offering recommendations, and leaving us the perfect amount of time before tempting us with the dessert menu. Of course, we couldn't refuse. 

A warm chocolate brownie and incredible passion fruit mousse dish later (both absolutely incredible, in fact I may return to Sanderson very shortly just to indulge in a plate of each) and Charlie and I left feeling incredibly satisfied, but not that overly full feeling that you get from a heavy meal. Our evening at Sanderson was the perfect date night; a fabulous location, delicious food and the perfect way to enjoy some time together after a hectic week.

Sanderson Hotel

50 Berners Street

London

W1T 3NG

020 7300 1400

Have you visited Sanderson? What dishes would you recommend?