Get The Look: Sunkissed Skin

Posted: 27/07/11

Katie Jones

Follow: Beauty, Bronzer, Fake Tan, Sunkissed Skin, Tinted Moisturiser

If you're fed up with this British 'summer' and you're desperate for a sunkissed skin, you don't have to jet off to white sands and palm trees to get a tan (although, it does sound tempting). Take a look below for all the bronzing essentials you'll need for a golden glow, for both the body and the face. They won't leave you looking too orange either...

Get the look: Sun-kissed skin

The moisturiser
 The next step is all about hydrating. Use your favourite moisturiser or body butter to ensure smooth, nourished skin before applying any tanning products. We love Space NK's Soul Soothing Body Lotion - the blend of lime and green tea with cardamom and ginger is truly uplifting. Life NK Soul Soothing Body Lotion, £15 available from <a href="http://www.spacenk.co.uk/home.do" target="_blank">Space NK</a>.
The fake tan
 St Tropez's Self Tan Bronzing Spray is long-lasting, natural looking and most importantly, easy to use (it doesn't have that biscuity fake tan aroma either). Use with the Gold Skin Illuminator to enhance the tan with an iridescent shimmer, à la Jennifer Aniston at the <a href="http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2011/07/21/jennifer-aniston-wears-valentino-to-horrible-bosses-premiere/" target="_self">Horrible Bosses London premiere</a>. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Spray, £20.43 and Skin Illuminator, £12. 26 available from <a href="http://www.st-tropez.com/" target="_blank">St. Tropez</a>.
The top-up
 An everyday gradual tan will keep your skin looking lightly sun-kissed, without the hassle of getting the fake tan gloves out. Try Johnson's Holiday Skin, £7.14 available from <a href="http://www.boots.com/" target="_blank">Boots</a>.
The shimmer
 Indulge in this rich chocolate shimmer from Nars. It contains Monoï de Tahiti oil from the South Pacific to moisturise and smooth the skin. It also smells as exotic as it sounds. Nars Body Glow, £44 available from <a href="http://www.spacenk.co.uk/home.do" target="_blank">Space NK</a>.
The tinted moisturiser
 For a golden glow on the face, use a tinted moisturiser with an SPF to provide sun protection and coverage, without leaving you looking like you've been tangoed. Laura Mercier's Head of Education, Darren O'Keith, says, "For a sunkissed, fair complexion you should use the right colour foundation/ tinted moisturiser first before any application of bronzer. Then use a tone of bronzer that works on your skin- not one that will look muddy...make sure the skin is matte before application to ensure an even finish". The result? Flawless, sun-kissed skin. Try Laura Mercier's Illuminating Moisturiser, £33 available from <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/" target="_blank">House of Fraser</a>.
The bronzer
 Kirstin Piggot, Rimmel London's makeup artist, recommends using a bronzer "one or two shades darker" than your natural skin tone. "Go for either a gorgeous Terracotta, Bronze, Copper, Cocoa or Caramel shade". And for perfect application? "Sweep the brush backwards onto the cheekbone and blending up to the temples, then lightly sweep onto the forehead and chin to brings the face together. Always blend well to ensure that the skin looks naturally sun kissed". Rimmel's Sun Shimmer 3 in 1 includes apricot pink tones as well as darker bronze shadesfor both day and evening looks. £6.12 available from <a href="http://www.boots.com/" target="_blank">Boots</a>.
The highlighter
 To finish off your bronzed look, add a touch of Benefit's Gilded pencil for extra glow. Use it on lips, eyes, brow bones and cheeks for a golden shimmer. Gilded, £14 available from <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/gp/node/n/48505031/277-6533768-9843069?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core" target="_blank">Benefit</a>.
The exfoliator
 Before you get started on your bronzing mission, give your skin a good polish with a body scrub. The natural pumice in The Sanctuary's exfoliator removes dead skin cells, boosting your natural glow. The Sanctuary Body Scrub, £5.10 available from <a href="http://www.thesanctuary.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Sanctuary</a>.