Tag Archives: tan

Product review: He-Shi Express Liquid Tan

He-Shi Express Liquid Tan - somanylovelythingsSunbathing. I was very close to forgetting what it feels like to look at my body and have that golden glow. I welcomed that tan-mail and thanks to  He-Shi, I didn’t forget. In fact, I developed a noticeable yet natural tan really easily.

The first thing that surprised my was the liquid consistency on the He-Shi Express Liquid Tan (I know, the clue is in the name!). It is like caramel water.

Their tanning mitt is a great tool to the perfect tan. Using that, I was able to quickly apply the solution on my whole body, without worrying about orange palms. The fact the liquid is dark serves as a guide so you won’t apply twice on the same place, and help you make sure it is well spread and avoid streaks.

Application was very easy, the liquid glides on the skin, a small amount goes a long way and it can be layered to build up colour. Packaging is very simple, the bottle easy to use during the tanning process.

He-Shi Express Liquid Tan - somanylovelythings

Now, I noticed a change in colour immediately, as the liquid is dark, but it really developed overnight into a golden tone which lasted a good 5 days – I didn’t apply too much, spreading it really well. It smells a tiny bit (only if you stick your nose on your skin and smell it, but I didn’t catch a single whiff of the biscuity smell during the day/night).

DSC_1606

What I also like is that, besides it being a great product, this is not tested on animals, contains moisturising agent, is Ecocert certificated (it means it is organic and natural – 100% natural DHA) and paraben and alcohol free! Nice, eh?

Thumbs up and definitely recommended.

So London, you might give me grey skies, but you shall not take away my tan!

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my own true experience with the products and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Summer skin care: Nupill body oil

I am really obsessed with a golden, real tan. Don’t get me wrong, I have succumbed to fake tan way too many times, and living in London, it is sometimes my only option. After a while living in a cold country, my skin turned into a colour I never thought it could be, a weird off-colour yellow (yes, trust me, not attractive), a diluted, unhealthy looking version of my olive shade.

Now, I only use self tanning sprays at home when I need, but there was a phase I spent a lot of time in sunbeds, and developed what I thought was a tan, but in reality it was a dodgy dark orange shade…

For this reason, I really appreciate when I get a proper tan – a fact taken for granted all my life in tropical lands – and I love the colour I am at the moment, a real golden tone, and I am doing all I can to preserve it and develop into a darker shade.

I am now in Brazil, and my favourite pastime is sunbathing. To hang on to my tan, and keep a glowing skin, I find nothing better than (apart from proper sun cream application and patience to work on the tan) a lovely body oil, with almond and grape seed oils and collagen, called Nupill Gold Skin.

More like myself!

There are a few different brands that do the same mix, but this is my favourite smell. Sadly, it is only available here, and I paid a reasonable R$8,90 (just over £3) for 180ml.

It helps to prevent peeling by hydrating the skin and, on top of it all, it smells gorgeous! In the winter, it is very useful, as it helps with dry skin. Plus, it contains collagen, which aids skin elasticity!

I apply it just by the end of my shower and don’t rinse. It is not too thick an oil and it is absorbed by the skin very quickly, leaving it smooth and soft. By the time I put my moisturiser on, there is no trace of it on my skin.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything similar in the UK which is reasonably priced. I tried pure filtered almond oil before, but even after rinsing, it seems to stick and there was a lingering smell of stale oil afterward on my body, towel and clothes that really bothered me.

Do you use or know anything similar? It would be great to find out!!!

Latest shoe crush

Posted in Shoes by

I know, *another* shoe crush… but I cannot help myself, had to register it here, as I’ve been wanting these Kurt Geiger Enautre shoes in gold for more than ten days – was secretly expecting to forget all about them, but it hasn’t happened.

They are glittery, they are high, they are hot. I am not sure why, but I have been obsessing about glittery shoes since I realised I have none in my collection! Sacrilege! I particularly like this one because the glitter on it is very fine,  and almost imperceptibly, multicoloured, although it has a gold overall colour.

While I keep thinking about it, I am still debating whether to buy or not. The price is not too bad, at £130, but after spending a lot on the latest Shoe Fund pair recently, I can’t quite justify… plus, it is time to buy practical winter footwear, as the colder weather is rapidly taking over (I have my eyes on lovely knee-high tan flat (ish) boots from River Island). A few other brands, like Topshop, have glittery high heels for half the price… but these KG ones are amazing, and like no other.

What to do?!

Newsletter item of the week

Posted in Accessories, Dresses, Fashion by

Miss Selfridge faux fur leopard trim coatThe gorgeous Miss Selfridge’s Leopard Faux fur trim coat, headlining their newsletter today, now features on my wish list – it is just perfect for me. I love everything about it: the taupe color, the leopard print faux fur trim and the cut. Could do with a higher wool percentage, but it is just too cute – and at £85 I think it is well priced.

Another items (or better, items) that caught my attention this week were the Quontum dresses being sold by Vestry. Although I did buy one in a similar style from Miss Selfridge (the Bengaline mesh dress, in green), I really like the colourful straps.

uontum dress

My favourite one is the Quontum Criss-cross strappy back dress –  it is a plain black dress when seen from the front, but as you pass, heads will definitely turn – hot! A great clubbing/partying dress but I think that at £60 and if you are going for the mesh one, the Miss Selfridge has an edge, at only £39.

Not from a newsletter, but this week I went to Aldo and saw their Opdyke bag, in several colours and a lovely fur trimmed flap. I really like the “cognac” and the black ones, but they have loads of different colours. Very cute, £38.

My pre-A/W 11-12 wishlist

Posted in Accessories, Dresses, Fashion, Shoes by
midi River Island skirt

To midi or not to midi? Regardless of length, the colours are spot on!

As the shops tease poor souls like myself with brand new shop windows in anticipation to the new season, I have been making a wish list of items I think will be key in my wardrobe for the Autumn.

I have quickly warmed to the colours I have seen around and I am looking out for mustard, navy, cobalt and petrol blues, grey, rich golden beige, tan, burgundy, and jewel tones. Very pleased that colours will seep into the new season, and I look forward to explore palettes I haven’t before (like navy blue, weirdly). It also makes a great change from the usual mostly dark wear for the colder months.

From the wish list below, I have already bought a few but most are yet to be purchased, I am keeping an eye out for them – watch this space!

1. Midi length skirts – still not sure how I will fare on one, as I am quite short and the midi has always been a no-no (as far as my mirror tells me), but it really looks like midi will be the only length for the coming season, I may have to embrace.  Almost bought this cutie one from River Island, fell in love with the pattern, but sadly, after all the garments on my size were defective, I’ve gone off it a bit.  I am officially on midi skirts watch.

Primark mustard lace dress

Bargain!

2. A navy blue blazer – I am a big blazer fan (even though in the office they always ask me why I look so smart), and I have put an order in for a lovely one from H&M (have to say, their A/W collections is very nice!)

3. A checked jacket – it’s cute, exhales some countryside Englishness and can have a mix of all the colours I am into at the moment. H&M, once again, has a cute one for a unmissable £19.99!

4. A tailored coat  that has feminine details –  this one from H&M is pretty much what I want, as design goes, but doesn’t really seem that warm. I suppose I have to touch it, try it on and see, so I placed an order (not due until mid August).

5. Dresses – a mustard lace one, bought for a steal in Primark (£17), a burgundy, a cobalt blue and a purple-ish, still to be found!

6. Tan loafer heels – I bought some cheap ones from New Look, 10cm chunky heels, very Maggie Thatcher! Turned out to be a good fit, sizing is spot on and they are quite comfortable, as they are very square, so no squashed toes!

7. Flat tan leather boots – for the daily grind. Have my eyes on one from very.co.uk, the Love Label Dustin riding boots, a true staple. At the moment, site says it ships in five weeks, so might wait a bit to order.

8. Statement earrings – yes, they are back. I remember when I was about 16 and these massive, heavy American Indian heads, dangling with all sorts – metal feathers, beads, the kitchen sink, you name it – were all the rage. I love big earrings.

9. Statement rings – in the new season colours – don’t think I need to elaborate on this one, this post says it all.

10. A choker – I haven’t been big on necklaces lately, but want to jump on the choker bandwagon, my mum has always been a big fan. Not sure if I want a very flamboyant or a more demure one. Might love it so much and end up buying several.

Topshop Glam suede shoes in green

11. Emerald green heels – tried to bag a super bargain from Zara, but that proved to be a fiasco. Instead, went for the highly affordable Topshop Glam court shoes, in green suede, for £46.

12. Mustard and navy blue tights – tights tights tights, I really love tights. I remember when I arrived in England, I felt so cold, but so cold that I couldn’t even bear the thought of wearing tights in the winter (I used to wear four layers: 2 tights, leggings and jeans, 2 socks!). Nine years on, I don’t think I’ve worn trousers for the past two winters!

As we say goodbye to short sleeves and bare legs, I am sure more tendencies will catch my eye – I will be posting them avidly – but I think these are certainly a great flavour of what is yet to come, and will help me step into the new season in style!