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Earlier this year I spent some time testing various fake tans to make sure that the baring of Beaut.ieful flesh across the land would be more olive than Oráiste for the few short sunny months we were granted this year. But once the darker days set in, I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets a bit lazy about tanning. Sure what’s the point, when our pale Irish limbs go into hibernation in long sleeves, thick tights and polo neck jumpers?
Let’s face it, the chances are that for winter ’09, money is tight, time is tight, and you just can’t be arsed planning days ahead to tan yourself to perfection. But there are still the occasions when you’ve still got a strappy Saturday night top with a plunging back, or front (or maybe even both, you shameless hussy you) that just wasn’t designed to go with pale, goosepimply arms.
Now you may think that with my fondness for St Tropez and the likes, that I might turn my nose up at the cheaper fake tans on the market. But my recommendation in this case is that you give that old bargain buy, Rimmel Sunshimmer, a try, using a previously top-secret technique that I will now exclusively divulge. Ahem.
I picked up this technique from a work colleague (who once ‘emergency tanned’ me in the work loos before an impromptu night out) and adapted it as my own. You simply need a tube of the bould Sunshimmer, some body moisturizer, and one of those orange tanning mitts you can buy in any chemist. (On one sun holiday, this technique was such a hit with my friends that the tanning mitt became known as the ‘Scoring Glove’ as its effects seemed to guarantee success with the opposite sex.)
Using body moisturiser also has the added bonus of making the tan go further, so your €7.99 tube will last you even longer. Beaut.ienomical or wha’?
So, blob a little dot of Sunshimmer followed by dot of moisturizer onto your arm/leg/desired area and repeat until you have a line of brown and white dots all over the area to be tanned. Take your Scoring Glove ™ and use it to blend the tan and the moisturizer together, working it in to make sure there are no streaks, and lightly blending a small dot over the backs of your hands and fingers (making ‘claws’ with your fingers to avoid white-knuckle syndrome) to finish. While building it up to your desired level, do turn away from the mirror to adjust your eyesight every now and again – this will tend to go orangey if you get carried away.
The one area I wouldn’t recommend using your Scoring Glove ™ on is your face, as it won’t be precise enough. To tan your face, use a cosmetic sponge to blend a tiny dab of Sunshimmer with plenty of moisturizer and lightly sweep this over your face and neck, allowing to absorb before applying any makeup.
Shade-wise, Light Shimmer would be my recommendation as the fail-safe option for everyone, with Medium Matte for those who prefer a more obvious tan, and Fair Shimmer for pale-skinned lovelies who just want to lose that blue hue without committing to a full-on fake tan. All are widely available to buy for about €7.99. So if you’re a tan snob, and haven’t given Sunshimmer a sideways glance in years, I recommend you look again if you’re after a quick and easy tan option for occasional use this winter.
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Sunshimmer has been one of my beauty staples for years, it can be a God send when you need a bit of last minute colour. A beauty therapist once told me to mix sunshimmer with johnsons baby lotion and that’s what I’ve done ever since. It makes the colour more even and the oil in the baby lotion means the sun shimmer sticks to your skin better, so little splashes of water when you’re washing your hands or caught in the rain don’t wash off the sunshimmer as easily.
Good tips…must get myself a scoring glove!!
I do like a bit of sunshimmer, but also love the jiffy tan for a splash proof instant tan option.
Good tips…must get myself a scoring glove!!
I do like a bit of sunshimmer, but also love the jiffy tan for a splash proof instant tan option.
I’ve never used jiffy tan, have heard that its great though. The sunshimmer is probably a bit more budget friendly all the same
Always have a tube of Light Matte Sun Shimmer in the house for last minute nights out and also for my legs cos no matter how much tan I layer on my legs are always too pale to subject the general population to! A couple of layers slapped on evens out any tan streaks(always end up with them on my legs) and bronzes the aul pins to perfection. Then I just pray that it won’t rain!!!
It is the worst thing ever on me – used it on a girls night out and after SCRUBBING my hands immediately, it still stained them a fetching shade of Oompa Loompa. Never again!
Scoring glove….hee hee i love it!!
i’ve done this before for when i only want a really light tan and it works a treat.
Just a heads up Penneys are selling St. Moriz mousse for €4 at the moment – typical after me stocking up on several bottles in TK Maxx for 5.99. Havent tried it but its meant to be as good as St. Tropez which Ive been using for ages. There have been tons of brilliant reviews of the stuff on blogs so excited to try it out!
Have never had too much success with sunshimmer and always worry that it will rain/someone will throw a pint at me thus giving the game away!
St moriz that’s hilarious!
Is this a cathyfly post -surely? Unless Kirstie has suddenly embraced tan …
yeah its not exactly subtle is it Jill!
I use the same technique Kirstie, faketan mitt, moisturiser and the sunshimmer are always at the ready for right before a night out to top up the wear-off tan… My friends/family always think I’m mad for it but the stuff stays on when you mix otherwise you could be like a giraffe if you get caught in the rain (not the most attractive of looks)
LOL at scoring glove!! I like sunshimmer too, the light matte gives a natural looking colour on my legs unlike other more expensive tans I’ve tried, only wish it were waterproof
oops, fixed. I was slightly tipsy last night when putting it up.
Jill, I was also thinking that it was a very Cathyfly-style post!
I never bother generally with fake tan, but I may invest in a Scoring Mitt and some Sunshimmer, as this sounds like it’s a winner
I was a sunshimmer girl until I discovered Sally Hansen. It is the business! The tan is really natural but it doesn’t come off in the rain like Sunshimmer does. I wore it to the Galway Races one year where it poured rain and it didn’t budge so it won me over after that!
Have been using Sun Shimmer for about 10 years now – great for the emergencies and when you just can’t be bothered. Don’t think the hubby would be too impressed with the “Scoring Glove”
When I do have the time I use He-Shi liquid tan – great product – quick and easy….
im also a big sunshimmer fan have never tried mixing it with moisturiser though must give that a whirl…
Reckon I’m the longest user of this product – almost 20 years.
It use to be called Coty Sun Shimmer which was discontinued afaik.
I LOVE sunshimmer – it’s my must have beauty product (well one of them!!). I use medium shimmer and always mix it with some body lotion as it goes on alot easier this way. I couldn’t live with out it. No need to worry about orange knuckles and elbows. I think the colour and texture is much nicer than jiffy tan too. I find jiffy tan very orange.
Converted from Sunshimmer to Sally Hansen as well, though I still always have an emergency tube of light shimmer for when the Sally Hansen runs out (I never seem to remember to buy a new bottle in time for a night out!)
Hahaha! Love the TM on Scoring Glove!
I usually use L’Oreal Sublime Bronze because its instant and natural looking but il be sure to ry out this tip… Thanks!!
I have been dying to use fake tan but im afraid to practice in case it streaks and takes days to wear off, i want a natural look not an orange colour, can anyone tell me a really good tan to go with and doesnt streak and also what about face tan/mists or just put the tan all over and just use my make up on my face and make sure that it all blends in together. As I said im a beginner with tan and a bit wreary of how to use it haha. If anyone can help i would appreciate it tanx.
Love SunShimmer, extra tip, once the tan has dried in, a quick light layer of baby oil on the legs gives a great shine, and also stops the rain from making the tan run!
Sally Hansen is a great all rounder but the smell is terrible!
Ive used sunshimmer for years but found that in photos i was coming out very pale started using sally hansen and its brilliant but does kind of clog the pores comes out much more natural on legs than sunshimmer but i haven’t tried that tip yet. Any tips on matching face to tan without looking tangoed, tried bronzer but i have dry skin and it just cakes! Thanks
yes i have used sunshimmer for 4 years and its fabulous and has a natural light tan and easy to put on i am now using Loreal sublime bronzer and LOVE IT….!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i think i will try sally hansen as í’ve heard good things about it. comments been great tanx………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xoxoxxxxxxxxxxxox