We have had a long hot golden summer here in NZ. If you want to hang on to that holiday glow, we have some tips to help you maintain it? Editor Trudi Brewer shares the BeautyEQ guide to prolonging your holiday glow for as long as possible.
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Moisturise, moisturise, and moisturise more
Like sunscreen, moisturising your skin every day, 365 days of the year should be a beauty commitment, not a drag. No amount of moisturising is too much and no frequency of reapplication is too excessive. That’s our mantra. To find a skin cream or lotion you enjoy using and make time for skin hydrating in your daily routine.
PURE FIJI Hydrating Body Lotion White Gingerlily, $49.
There is a reason this delicious body lotion is sporting dozens of beauty awards. It’s stacked with a blend of skin-loving cold-pressed coconut oil, dilo, macadamia and sikeci oils, blended with fresh coconut milk. If you close your eyes as you massage it into the skin it transports you to a beach holiday resort in the pacific without leaving the bathroom. This is our favourite scent, but you are spoilt for choice with nine other tropical scents.
Avoid piping hot water
When the weather starts to get cooler, long hot baths and lengthy hot showers are very tempting. But remember they will dehydrate your skin. So, stick to cool water and make sure you switch to a hydrating shower wash instead of using soap.
AVENE TRIXERA NUTRITION NUTRI-FLUID WASH, $30.
By far the best money you will send on a body wash. Why? While it cleans your skin it helps protect and restore the skin's natural barrier, and you can use it on your face and all over, ideal the body thanks to the blend of selectiose, a blend of plant extracts that help control skin irritation. Sorbitol, is a fruit sugar extract that prevents moisture loss and finally glycerin, a humectant that draws water to the skin. Those ingredients are whipped with the base of that famous soothing Avène thermal spring water. In essence, it's a mainstay in our bathrooms.
Invest in a tanning serum
According to the team at St Tropez, if you want to enhance your overall bronzed look, make sure your face looks tanned. Your face is the first thing everyone will see, it will set the tone for your entire golden glow. Before you scroll on, the good news is that tanning your face has never been simpler. To keep your skin tanned and beautifully hydrated, try ST Tropez Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Face Serum. It not only gives your skin a sunkissed glow, but it’s also supercharged with skincare ingredients such as the moisture magnet hyaluronic acid, peach flower extract, green mandarin water, and vitamins C and D. It cleverly works it mimic the effects of the sun, brightening the skin while protecting it against external aggressors, and offering 72 hours of hydration. Use a few drops with moisturiser or foundation, then blend evenly over your face, neck and chest. Or mix this serum into your usual moisturiser, your tan will develop into a golden glow within six hours.
ST. TROPEZ SELF TAN PURITY VITAMINS BRONZING WATER SERUM, $38
This gel-like serum can replace our regular serum or be an addition to your beauty routine. The scent is so good, it’s the blend of tropical peach flower and hibiscus - and the best news, the active self-tanner in this serum is 100 per cent natural. Use daily until you’re sporting the perfect colour and then, top up your tan every few days. Make sure you wash your hands after use.
Enhance your glow
Adding bronzer to your skin is much easier when you already have a hint of tan Finally, the best shade to complement a tan is blue, white and coral. Offset a golden glow with coral-coloured nails or lip gloss worn with a white shirt and jeans, think Mediterranean holiday vibe instantly.
Estée Lauder Healthy Glow Bronzer,$88.
If you’re in the market for a new bronzer, this is gorgeous. The blend of shades makes it your blush, bronzer and highlighter all-in-one. It’s long-lasting and the water-resistant formula makes it perfect in our humidity. Finally, the cream-like, powder formula makes it easy to apply giving an even, radiant finish in one buff.
EAT WELL
Studies show a daily diet of beta-carotenes (red and orange fruit and vegetables) can recreate the glow of sun-kissed skin from within. Cram your diet with sunshine inspired sweet potatoes, apricots, mangoes, capsicum and carrots. Don’t slack-off drinking water in winter, staying hydrated can help prolong the life of all cells (including those nicely tanned cells on the skin’s surface) when your skin is well-hydrated it looks smooth and youthful.
Ideal for Christmas gifting.