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Getting your legs out for the very first time after a long lockdown and rubbish UK weather? It’s a worrying prospect. But don’t fear – you can wax, buff, moisturise and fake tan your way to glorious golden pins!

With our unpredictable climate, you never know when you’ll be dealt a surprisingly warm, sunny day.

Before you start slathering on the moisturiser and the fake tan, make sure you’ve scrubbed away any dead skin cells. 

Exfoliating is a must! You won’t get an even coverage otherwise. My go to exfoliating accessory is the So Eco 2-1 Exfoliating Glove with sea salt and oil and using gently rubbing over dry skin before showering which preps my skin perfectly. The salt buffs away dead skin cells and the oil hydrates dry skin – a perfect 2-in-1 time saver. I tend to use this in the morning which helps get my skin prepped for fake tan application in the evening.

You may get away with moisturising your body once a day in the winter, but if you’re after perfect pins for summer then you’ll need to up your beauty regime. 

“Always apply moisturiser over dry areas such as elbows, knees, palms and ankles.”

Waxing or Shaving?

Waxing or shaving is a personal choice; shaving is more immediate and can be done every day in the summer months to keep pins looking perfect. Waxing has longer term benefits. Most people book every four to six weeks for this service which means that legs need to stay hidden while waiting for your next appointment, however, regular waxing means less regrowth over time – an attractive proposition for many women. And, of course, you can do it yourself at home!

Shaving

You don’t need to spend money on expensive shaving foams, have you tried using hair conditioner? It gives great slip and legs feel amazingly soft afterwards too! Always use a good quality, brand new razor and work upwards from the ankle to the knee.”

Waxing

Waxing is one of the most popular ways to get rid of body hair. It’s quick, convenient, and — because the hair is pulled out from the root — the results last longer than shaving.

If you want to wax at home, you may be wondering what type of wax to use. There are two different types: soft wax and hard wax.

Although both do a good job of removing hair from the follicle, hard wax is better for smaller, more sensitive areas like your bikini line. Soft wax, on the other hand, is a better option for larger areas like your legs.

If you’re new to waxing, you may want to start off with a waxing session from a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. They can show you the proper way to use soft or hard wax, and provide advice on how to wax safely at home.

So what next?

you need to decide on the type of tan you want to apply. If you’re a newbie, you might want to opt for a gradual formula that will give you a more subtle and natural colour change over time.

But, if you’re feeling adventurous or are more experienced with faking it, you get to choose from a lotion or tanning oil – which are the most hydrating to the skin – or a mousse – which is the quickest and arguably easiest to apply.

I recommend using Bondi Sands or St Moritz – both give me an equally streak free golden brown tan that blends with my natural skin tones really well. I prefer to use the mousse as it is the easiest form of fake tan to use.

To start things off you’ll need to get yourself an applicator mitt or glove, this will help you to achieve a flawless finish and avoid staining the palms of your hands! Pump your chosen self tan onto your mitt and then start to blend well in circular motions on your body and face, if your mousse or foam features a guide colour you’ll be able to see if there’s any areas you’ve missed. Areas like your knees, elbows and hands can be some of the trickiest to tan! To avoid streaks, bend your knees and elbows when applying and form a claw shape with your hands, you may feel a bit silly, but it’ll all be worth it when you become actual glow goals!

Before getting dressed make sure your tan is fully dry so you don’t end up with a blotchy finish. I recommend wearing loose, dark clothing to avoid any transfer. Once you’re dressed take it easy and put your feet up, whilst your tan develops you’ll want to avoid any contact with water, perspiring or applying any other products to your skin, it’s the perfect excuse to get out of the washing up! Each self tan is different so it’s important to check the development time, on average it’s usually between 4-6 hours, once you’ve reached your glow goals, simply wash away, avoiding any soaps, shower gels or shampoo and you’re good to go!

I can generally prolong my tan for a couple more days by making sure I moisturise daily, so there’s a good tip you might want to try.

June is fast approaching. Time to get those legs out!

Sammi xx

Beauty products that got ditched this year!

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