Need to Fake it this Summer?

With a summer like we are having you’d be forgiven for asking the question, ‘do you actually need skinny tan?’ We’ve had the longest, hottest summer ever and it’s still just the start of August. So even with an hour here and there each day lounging in the garden, surely I’d get a bit of colour? Plus I’ve recently come back from two weeks in the south of France so isn’t needing to use fake tan a bit silly?

Well yes and no. I am blessed with pale, papery looking skin. It’s pretty uneven and I was plagued with unsightly varicose veins for years (I had them removed 18 months ago though thankfully). But I still live with the delights of red spider veins and cellulite. That and legs that refuse to tan, no matter how long I lie on the sunbed.

The rest of me? Fine. I’ll get some colour with no problem. I can even tone up with exercise – but from the waist down it’s a different story.

I’m not alone I know. So when the sun is out, legs (and other appropriate body parts) need to come out too. It’s nice to feel little more confident if they are not glowing white in the daylight. If they could look slimmer then even better!

Personally I do try and catch the sun but we know there are risks to sunbathing. Slathering on the factor 50 regularly throughout the day is a ritual. If you have a lot of freckles and moles like I do, it makes you very aware of the dangers to high exposures to UV rays. Also, I have never used a sunbed in a tanning salon. However, there are positives to being out in the sunshine, as it helps the body to produce vitamin D – great for the immune system and you feel so much better. As long as it’s not over done. So no burnt skin or sunstroke.

Why use Skinny Tan Gradual Mousse?

Skinny tan is not a new product but when it comes to self tanners, I’ve tried a few. However I’m always nervous about waking up in the morning after allowing it to develop overnight to the classic orange – streaky look. That’s happened way too many times. You know, that ‘Tangoed’ look!

Because of that I favour the gradual tans as you have a bit more control how deep you want the colour. But even then you can still end up with streaks.

Maybe I’m going wrong somewhere? I feel as though I do all the right things before applying a fake tan or a moisturiser with gradual tan in. In the bath or shower I remove hair then exfoliate. Next moisturise, and apply the fake tan using a mitt, making sure it’s not heavy around the knee and ankle areas. But sometimes it still ends up looking a horrible mess.

After not bothering for a while, I decided to try out the Skinny Tan Gradual Mousse. I’d heard about how the brand became famous on the TV series ‘Dragons Den’ – mainly because the two ladies (Kate and Louise) successfully impressed the entrepreneurs back in 2013, landing them with nine offers to invest. That never happens! They wanted to produce a product that doesn’t steak, contains natural ingredients and smells a bit nicer to regular self tanning lotions.

So the success story won me over as well as the popularity of it. Then there’s the price tag. It’s actually affordable at £19.99 for a 150 ml bottle.

What about the ‘skinny’ bit?

It says on the box that it contains skin smoothing oils and guarana for firming. I’m not totally sure what guarana is, but it sounds exotic and I’m guessing it’s natural. And the blurb on the back also states that the formula can help visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite with each application. Well I’m certainly sold. However, the claims are that the ‘skinny’ part just refers to the ingredients being ‘skin kind’ and natural. Plus having a tan gives the look of a slimmer body.

So did it do the job?

Actually – yes it did! After applying it in the evening (exfoliating the skin beforehand) you have to allow it to dry. I used my trusted mitt. However there is now a roller you can purchase which makes putting it on easier, especially around the knee area. Then in the morning you shower and see results.

Here is a picture before using Skinny Tan (and after two weeks in the sun on holiday believe it or not!). Then after one application of the gradual mousse.

The photo on the right was taken the very next day!

Well I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly impressed with the result! No streaks and it actually looks natural. In fact the colour matches the rest of me which is amazing! My arms and face naturally caught the sun and after applying the mousse my legs look the same, instead of being much paler. They are not orange or streaky.

Did it improve cellulite?

I think my skin did look firmer after using this. I felt more confident anyway. Everything in the thigh area looked better and more toned. But my cellulite is still there – I believe only a good diet and exercise will help to reduce that.

How Long Does Skinny Tan Last?

Being a gradual tanner, applying it every few days makes the colour deeper. If you apply it once then it wears off after two or three days.

I am a fan I have to say. It smells pleasant, although not of coconut as it says it does. It’s really nice to use because it’s a light mousse rather than a cream and of course no orange stripes.

I like the fact that it’s a bit of a cover up too. My skin looks more even and you can’t see all those horrible thread veins.

If too much is applied then it feels sticky for a while and you have to remember to shake the bottle but I do feel like trying more of their products. The roller tan is something I’d invest in and I like the look of the tanning oil – mainly because it looks moisturising and you don’t have to rinse it off. All paraben free too.

Link to the Skinny Tan website.