Faking it. (On a budget)

We've all faked it, and if you told me you hadn't, I'd call you a liar.
We're so unprepared for sun here in England. As soon as the slightest bit of sun peeps out from behind the clouds, everyone's in shorts and t-shirts and families are heading down to the beach. It's so unexpected when we get some  nice weather, that suddenly everyone's running to Boots to pick up some fake tan so that we can get our pins out without looking like some kind of extra terrestrial.

A good, lasting fake tan can be expensive, and I agree, you shouldn't skimp on a good tan, lest you end up looking tangoed. But there are some brilliant budget fake tans you can buy, just to tide you over until your bank account feels a bit more healthy.

Old packaging of moisturiser shown.

Before I left Bristol, I popped in to their huge Primark and discovered that they were selling Sunkissed Bronze Tanning Mousse for a fiver, so I picked it up in Medium Bronze and headed home to test it out, to the outrage of my little cousin,  who has more sense than she needs and said 'You're trusting Primark with your fake tan?'

But I was astounded with it. It comes out in a mousse, and if using a tanning mit spreads evenly and quickly over the skin. Fast drying, it comes with a fresh tropical scent, reminiscent of Pina Colada's on the beach. It's so easy, it took me two minutes to do a full body application. The colour is great too, the medium bronze worked even for my fair skin, it's not orange at all and slightly ruddy in colour, as if you've been out in the sun just a little too long.

Admittedly, it's a wash off one, but it does leave a slightly golden stain, so you don't go back milky white straight away.

My other product which I love for faking a golden glowing tan is Avon's Skin So Soft Golden Gems Moisturiser - long name. It's a super light moisturiser with tiny golden luminescent particles which catch the light, great for the legs, across collar bones and arms. I like to put this on first and then Primark's tanning mousse over the top for a really sheer, healthy glow.

Sunkissed Bronze Tanning Mousse RRP £4.99/200ml here, or in Primark stores.
Avon Skin So Soft Mineral Gems Glamorous Gold Moisturiser RRP £2.70/250ml - link.

Benefit's Triple Performing Facial Emulsion - Oil Free SPF 15

I'm undecided about how to review this product. I received this free after picking up the 'Tropicoral' set, which I LOVE and will review as soon as I can. Anywho, this came in the cutest packaging, it was a sample size, so the bottle was a miniature version of the big one, which makes it oh so endearing. Like when they used to do those really tiny bottles of cola, and looking at them filled me with warm fuzzies, this bottle is similar. However the actual moisturiser is a pain to get out. Well not so much yet, but I can imagine that when the product is close to running out, you'll be banging this bottle on the palm of your hand until it's sore. So cute packaging, but not so practical.

The moisturiser though, I am really really fond of. My skin oozes oil all day every day, and I look like a swamp monster within hours of putting make up on. I cleanse with Clinique's three step formula, number three for oily skin, and this works in perfect combination with it, when I want a change from the moisturising gel. Also, it smells divine.

The finish on it is a matte finish, but it makes me skin feel so healthy and glowy that I'd consider not using a primer if I were to put make up on, which is a nice change for summer.

However, it leaves a bitter lingering taste around my lips, which is bizarre to encounter after moisturising.

I would without a doubt purchase this again, awkward bottle and all, if it weren't for the price tag, a hefty £20.50 for 50ml.

So maybe, one day, if I ever make it as an actress, they'll send me it free.

You can buy Triple Performing Facial Emulsion here.