Beauty: the best summer skin – Xen-Tan foolproof fake tan and Weleda body oil

We’ve tried a lot of fake tans, from expensive to high-street, and we’ve finally found one that really does the job.  Xen-Tan Mist Intense spray in ‘dark’ gives our fair skin an even colour that lasts about 5 days (it isn’t the cheapest but we reckon that as it it lasts longer than other fake tans, it more than makes up the cost). Exfoliate in the shower beforehand (we find exfoliating gloves the best way to do this) and then, and this is really the most important bit, use one of the Xen-Ten hand mitts to put it on. Don’t rub too hard but make sure all the colour is evenly spread and as the mitt protects your hands, you won’t end up with the tell-tale orange-hue. We put it on before we go to bed as the spray doesn’t take too long to absorb, and then shower quickly in the morning to wash off any excess colour.

If you’re not a fake tan fan (and even Xen-Tan has a slightly ‘fake-tan’ smell about it), then there is another way to give life to limbs that have been under wraps for months. Let your legs and arms be out and proud by using a body oil that gives them a subtle, healthy looking sheen and a gorgeous, just-wafted-in-from-the-Med smell. We love Weleda Refreshing Citrus Oil; “What, the Granny brand?” remarked a German friend (it’s big there). Admittedly, it may be an habitué of the health food store, but several weeks ago it received the Eco Award at the CEW Beauty Awards. And those Cosmetic Executive Women really know their stuff. While some ‘citrus’ scents are more akin to cleaning detergents than lemon groves, this pure almond oil, with essential oils, really is delightful. If used sparingly it absorbs swiftly, meaning you can use it every day, (unlike some greasy body oils which have you slipping all over the bathroom) and it feels indescribably good for the skin.