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Hold onto Summer Skin All Year Round

Sound the alarm, summer is over in 2 days! While we’re secretly crying in the corner about the ending of our favourite season, we know it’s not the end of our dream for summer skin 365 days a year.

But while you’re busy thinking about how you’ll go days without heading to the beach, we’ve been on the hunt for the best products and tips to keep that beautiful, bright skin that screams warmth. Because summer skin is made, not born, here is how we are getting glowing skin without jetting off to the French Rivera:

Fake it ‘til you make it. Of course, our first tip had to include a faux tan. You cannot go past a natural-looking, sunless tan to get you in the tropical mood, no matter the outside temperature. Try using our Instant Self-Tan Mousse for a deeper glow under your trans-seasonal ankle boots, or use our hydrating Gradual Tan Extender for a more subtle, dewy glow. Not only is this low maintenance, but you are moisturising your body at the same time, keeping dry winter skin at bay.

Stock up on vitamins. No need to go to the pharmacy for this one, but just make sure your body and skincare routine is infused with nourishing ingredients like Vitamin C and E, to revitalise your complexion and skin. These skin-loving ingredients soak into your skin, plumping it up and intensely hydrating for brighter, dewier skin. Our Instant Self-Tan Mousse contains Vitamin E to replenish the skin’s natural hydration for a more natural tan.

Sunscreen is a must. Don’t ditch your sunscreen just yet. The sun may feel less strong on your skin and may hide among the clouds, but it will still damage your skin and dry you out even further. Protect your skin from the UVA and UVB rays that age you prematurely and look for a moisturiser that contains SPF. We recommend DermaQuest’s SheerZinc SPF30 as this gives a high sun protection factor. Also available as tinted to give your complexion an added tint that you can wear under your foundation or on its own.

A little shimmer doesn’t hurt. Oils, lotions and creams with added shimmer in them fake a brighter, warmer complexion without slapping on any glitter or semi-permanent tan. Our Illuminating Body Tint is the perfect addition to your cooler skincare routine. Swipe over your legs and arms for a hint of tint and subtle shimmer that will instantly liven up your skin without the commitment of a full tan.

Keep up the scent of summer. We’re candle people, and we’re not ashamed to admit it. A gorgeous candle scented with notes of summer infused citrus, caramel and light florals are where’s it’s at and seem to magically get your mind, body and skin in the mood to look and exude enviable summer skin. Our top pick is our Triple Scented Candle in Bali Breeze, with our signature scent of coconut, caramel and vanilla.

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Your Tanning Ingredients, Uncovered & Explained

There’s nothing like that post-tan bronzed glow. Especially when that glow not only looks completely natural but nourishes and protects your skin without any harmful side effects.

While your tan should provide a gorgeous natural-looking glow to skin, its beauty runs deeper than the rich tanning shades it provides. Now, it is just as important to know what’s IN your tanning formula as it is to know what has been purposefully left out.

Ingredient listings are often skimmed over but can be the most important part of your tan, how long it lasts and the effect it has on your skin over time. Our formula enriches the skin with anti-ageing vitamins, hydrating oils and skin-firming ingredients, for a tan that is as healthy as it is flawless.

Here are the key ingredients you need to LOOK FOR:

Aloe Vera. Renowned for its moisturising effect, aloe vera delivers hydration straight to the skin tissue. It also provides a soothing and calming effect, reducing skin irritation.

Kakadu Plum. A small fruit native to Australia, Kakadu plum contains the highest known levels of vitamin C concentration of any food source and helps to boost collagen in the skin. It also improves the natural appearance of firmer, nourished skin.

Green Tea. Holds the ability to aid skin rejuvenation, and helps to heal ageing skin, sun damage and fine lines. Potent antioxidants alleviate dry skin, and help neutralise harmful free radicals.

Avocado Oil. Recognised for its moisturising properties, avocado oil leaves dry skin feeling smooth and nourished. It also promotes skin repair by rapidly transporting active substances to where they’re needed most.

Macadamia Seed Oil. Rich in fatty acids, this nourishing oil leaves skin feeling soft and silky. It can also help regenerate damage from scarring or the sun.

Kiwi Seed Oil. One of the richest sources of essential fatty acids, kiwi seed oil deeply nourishes and helps to restore elasticity to aged and damaged skin.

Coconut Oil. Soothes and softens the skin, while protecting it against free radical damage. Coconut oil also promotes elasticity in the skin and works as an incredible anti-bacterial agent.

Grape Seed Extract. The powerful antioxidants in grape seed extract help to protect and enhance the skin’s appearance. It is also non-comedogenic and can assist in tightening skin through the restoration of collagen.

The key ingredients you need to AVOID:

Brown HT. This synthetic petroleum-derived brown colouring dye has been banned in the USA, Canada, Japan and major European countries like France and Germany for its potentially dangerous health risks. Brown HT can induce hypersensitivity, eczema, dermatitis, itching and rashes, can cause bad reactions in those allergic to aspirin, leading to asthma and has been linked to some cancers.

DMDM Hydratoin & Imidazolindinyl Urea. These common formaldehyde releasers break down to form toxic carcinogen, formaldehyde, and act as a preservative in tan to hold product formulas together. Even low levels of formaldehyde are a major health concern, and are known to cause weakened immune systems, respiratory problems, cracked and blistered skin, and even cancer when ingested or absorbed through the skin.

Sunescape Tan is your ticket to that post-holiday glow. With an aloe-based formula, containing natural ingredients to nourish skin as well as anti-ageing and firming properties to promote and preserve healthy, ultra-smooth skin, a Sunescape spray tan is the key to a natural glow without the harm.

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Where do I start? Tips for first time tanners!

So you’d love to sport bronzed glowing skin year round, but you’re not sure how to make it happen? Stress less, because Sunescape has you covered! Once you’re through with these tips and tricks you’ll be on your way to the ultimate natural-looking tan!

PRE-TAN

Firstly, it’s all about the prep! Make sure you shave and exfoliate 24 hours before you tan to ensure the tanning formula glides onto your skin easily, without seeping into open pores or causing streaking or patchiness.

We recommend using Sunescape’s Exfoliating Body Polish and Tan Removal Mitt for this important step.

TANNING OPTIONS

Are you after an instant tan, like, yesterday? Or are you happy to build your tan up over a few days? With Sunescape you’ve got options, girl!

For the perfect golden tan that dries in 10 minutes and can be washed off after just four to five hours, we suggest Sunescape’s Instant Self Tan Mousse and Luxe Tanning Mitt.

Formulated with all-natural DHA and added vitamins, antioxidants and hydrating oils, our exclusive formula provides a natural-looking tan whilst leaving your skin smooth, hydrated and replenished.

Choose from two coconutty fragranced shades:

For those after a more subtle sheen, build your tan with Sunecape’s Gradual Tan Extender – an all-in-one self-tanner, tan extender and moisturiser. This is a fantastic option for first time tanners as it gives you complete control over the end result and is great for learning what depth of tan suits your complexion. Apply by hand to your body and face every day until you’ve achieved your desired tan, and use any leftover lotion to lightly moisturise your hands.

APPLICATION

Before applying your Instant Self Tan Mousse be sure to moisturise areas that are typically dry (ankles, knees, elbows and hands) to avoid patchiness. We love our Hydrating Body Butter for this job, as it provides deep, instant hydration.

  • Pump foam directly onto the Sunescape Luxe Tanning Mitt and use long, sweeping motions to smooth the formula over your legs, arms and body.
  • Always tan in front of a mirror so you can check for any streaks or missed patches and use circular motions to buff the tan into your skin.
  • When applying tan to your hands and face, use a ¼ of a pump and buff in with a makeup brush, taking special care around your hairline and eyebrows.
  • Allow the tan to settle and dry on your skin for 10 minutes and then dress in loose clothing.
  • Allow 4 hours for the tan to develop and then wash it off in a cool, quick shower. Do not apply any soaps or scrubs as this will affect the finish of the tan.
  • Don’t freak out if post-shower you’re not looking as tanned as you’d anticipated! Over the next 12 hours your tan will continue to develop into a beautiful bronze finish.
  • We recommend you tan 1-2 days prior to any special event in order to allow your tan to develop perfectly and to give yourself time for a second application if desired.

POST-TAN

Last but not least, our post-tan tips!

Use Sunescape’s Hydrating Gradual Tan Extender to prolong your tan, and avoid chlorinated pools and excessive sweating to ensure your tan lasts as long as possible.

If you’ve been left with any streaks, don’t despair – our Gradual Tan Extender and Illuminating Body Tint work wonders covering up any tanning mishaps you may have had.

Happy tanning!

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3 Glowing Secrets to Help your Tan Last Longer

While it may seem impossible to maintain a weekly spray tan (who has time for that nowadays?), we never underestimate the power of high quality take home tanning product to complement your spray tan, or wear on their own.

Here are our top tips to help your tan last longer, no matter the weather:

Instant Self-Tan Mousse.
Perfect to use in place of a spray tan on those days where you just can’t make it in salon, this self-tanner contains the exact formula we use for our spray tans, in mousse form, to give you a gorgeous natural brown colour in minutes! We recommend applying this 3-4 days after a spray tan to build up colour, or in its own to bring life to pastel scarves and warm boots.

Gradual Tan Extender.
Not only does this deliciously scented lotion gradually build up a subtle glow over 3-5 days, it also acts as a nourishing moisturiser and tan extender in one, to give you the best of both worlds. If you want to maintain colour over the colder months, we use this in replacement of our regular body lotion at night to build up a natural glow.

Illuminating Body Tint.
When the situation calls for bare legs and an emergency last-minute tanning session, just a hint of tint is necessary. Trial Sunescape’s Illuminating Body Tint, and apply it all over or to special areas like your collarbones or shins to elongate legs, giving your skin that finishing touch.

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Faux Tanning Tricks You Need in Your Life

Faux tanning can be oh so right, but oftentimes, it just goes OH. SO. WRONG…

To avoid classic tanning mistakes like the ‘way too dark hands’, ‘streaky leg syndrome’, and ‘I didn’t think I’d be wearing a backless outfit and now I’m literally two different skin colours’, we have some essential self-tanning tips to help your glow look as natural and flawless as possible.

Baby got (a tanned) back.

Tanning your back may be your least favourite thing to do ever, closely followed by taking out the bins and getting petrol, but simply turning your application mitt around so that the velvety applicator side is on the back of your hand could save you dozens of TANtrums. OR, our Luxe Applicator Mitt‘s velvety material is double-sided so you can reach every nook and cranny, every which way you turn! The cute extra thumb area also makes for a perfect addition when tanning around your neck and ankles.

Only tan what’s visible.

Yes, we know you might be constantly living in fear that your selective tanning habits might be caught out, but we have just the products to fix this eternal dilemma! For those events where your legs, arms, back, neck or any other area of your body is on show, use a DHA-free (wash off tan) formula that will allow you to apply tan at the last minute, and then wash off when you are done. AND it looks just as good as the longer-term tan you normally marinate in. Our picks are the Illuminating Body Tint and Instant Wash-Off Mousse.

Spot treat your mistakes.

During the tanning process is the make or break. One missed streak or darker patch and you are done for, right? Nope. While you are tanning, keep an exfoliating mitt and soap and water close by to massage in to any body part that tan has been applied to too heavily. Our Tan Removal Mitt is best used damp too quickly and easily wipe away any mistakes before time is against you and the tan dries!

Oil slick does the trick.

If you’ve woken up and realised that your skin maaay be a little too dark for your liking, especially when you started off the same colour as Frosty the Snowman, a deliciously scented body oil and warm water will do the trick in fading your tan quicker and starting over. Oil causes the DHA (the ingredient that tans your skin) to breakdown quicker and your tan will fade evenly. It might take a few goes to get it to completely fade away, but it will definitely do the trick, and you’ll smell pretty darn good too.

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How to get the most out of your Tan

If you’ve used sunless tan before, you’ll know the difficulty that comes with achieving a natural looking tan that shows evenly and seam-free. Often, applying a sunless tan comes with some undesirable outcomes if not applied properly, but the good news is that there are many quick, simple solutions that will help you get that perfect, sought-after tan.

Prepare
A sunless tan works best when applied to the ideal type of skin that’s smooth, fresh and free of dead skin cells. The night before applying your sunless tan, jump into the shower and shave the areas you’re going to tan. It’s also important to grab an oil-free exfoliator to remove and dry or blotchy patches of skin, giving you a streak-free tan. Using an oil-free exfoliator will mean that your tan is more likely to adhere to your skin without oil acting as a barrier. If you choose to exfoliate just before applying your tan, be sure to wait at least 30 minutes to make sure your skin is completely dry, otherwise your tan may not properly adhere to your skin.

Apply
When applying, be sure to choose a shade that suits you. Often going too dark can make your tan look unnatural. Always apply one layer first, leaving the tan on for the recommended time before deciding whether you’d like to go darker by adding a second coat.

When applying your tan, add only a small amount of mousse to your mitt, applying more as needed. Begin by focusing on larger areas first such as thighs, arms and stomach. Lotions should be applied with small, circular motions and foams/mousses in long, fluid motions. Leave smaller body areas last, using only a very small amount on areas with rough skin such as elbows. Rough skin grabs tanning products more easily meaning using too much product can leave these areas unusually dark.

When applying tan to your face, run cold water over your T-section to reduce pore size. This prevents your tan building up and causing dark spots on your nose, chin or forehead.

Tip:  When applying tan to your hands and feet, use a cleansing wipe to prevent your nails from turning brown.

Moisturise
The key to keeping your tan on for longer is to stay hydrated. Moisturising at least twice a day and drinking a sufficient amount of water will ensure your skin stays healthy and nourished.

When choosing your tanning products, be sure to look for ingredients that will nourish your skin to avoid damage.

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How to remove your Fading Tan

What’s more important than knowing how to apply a tan? Knowing how to remove it. When our tan’s lifespan is drawing to an end, it can often become uneven or streaky leaving us self-conscious about heading outdoors. To help you find the tan removal solution that doesn’t involve scrubbing yourself raw, take a look at our pro tips below!

Run a warm bath
Run a warm bath with bath oil to soften your tan. To remove stubborn patches, use a tan removal mitt by rubbing it in circular motions. Alternatively, a steam room or sauna will help too!

Go for a swim
Chlorine has qualities that break down sunless tanning products. Head to the shower after and gently exfoliate with your tan removal mitt.

Use a fake tan remover
For those looking for a more professional touch to their tan removal approach, opt for tan removal products to give your removal process that extra boost.

Squeeze a lemon
Lemons are naturally acidic making them great tan removers. Mix some fresh lemon juice with raw sugar and rub over the body. For a spot removal, use a lemon wedge instead!

Grab some bi-carb soda
Grab the bi-carb soda from the back of the pantry and mix it with water until it forms a thick paste. Spread over the body and leave for approximately 30 minutes before scrubbing off. Bi-carb soda also has great oxygenating qualities!

When it comes to removing your tan, it’s important that you don’t damage your skin in the process. Be sure to find a gentle removal mitt to accompany your chosen removal method. Take a look at our Sunescape Tan Removal Mitt here or opt for some of our self-tan mousse known for its even fade!

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The Coconut Craze Why Going Coconuts is Great for You

Coconut oil is a tropical treasure, known for its highly nutritious and therapeutic properties on both the inside and outside of our bodies. Many have been aware of the benefits of coconut oil, using it for generations. Today, research has delved deep into the science around coconut oil and we’re here to give you an inside guide to what they’ve found.

Here are some of the many reasons why you should start going coconuts!

It’s a deep cleanser
Our daily routine exposes us to many toxic chemicals including the makeup we wear and the air we’re exposed to. These toxins become lodged in our pores, clogging them and causing the buildup of harmful bacteria. Coconut oil is a gentle cleanser that reaches deep into the pores to dissolve the hardened sebum that is produced.

It’s a moisturiser
Coconut oil works by softly covering your skin, seeping well into the pores to create a nourishing layer. Say goodbye to dry and flaky skin!

It’s a makeup remover
The soft tissue on your skin’s surface can often become damaged when using makeup removers with chemicals. Coconut oil is the natural solution to makeup removal that won’t damage your skin thanks to its gentle properties. Coconut is also a common ingredient in baby skin products for the same reason!

It fights fungal infections
Recent studies have found that the capric acid and lauric acid in coconut oil naturally treat yeast infections. This is particularly useful when treating symptoms like dryness or scaly skin.

It prevents wrinkles and other signs of ageing
Research has found that coconut oil is able stimulate collagen production deep within the pores of the skin. Collagen is what gives our skin the elastic, smooth and supple appearance.

These are just some of the reasons why we love coconut oil and why we’ve included it in so many of our products. We know you’ll love the benefits of coconut oil as much as we do!