Hot Tips
PREPARE TO BARE
Step 1 – Prepare to Bare
To increase your chances of getting and maintaining that gorgeous tan – think preparation!
Get out the Loofah and start scrubbing (front, back and sides) to banish those dead skin cells and boost your circulation. It’s definitely time to treat yourself to the ultimate pampering session with Hawaiian Tropic’s NEW Luxury Body Butter with Coconut Oil. This deeply moisturising and intensely hydrating formula not only lavishes the skin with natural ingredients, exotic botanicals and 12 hour time release vitamin A, B and E, but also firms the skin and prepares you for a season of slinky tops and flirty frocks.
Step 2 – Sun, Sea, Sand – Safely
FACT: The sun has a powerful positive effect on our mood and is an excellent source of vitamin D, not to mention the fact it stimulates the part of our brain that regulates frame of mind and sex drive.
The lure of the beaches, pools and parks is nigh so to avoid the “boiled lobster” look, the answer is to start slow and build a base.
Hawaiian Tropic’s NEW advanced formula MAXimum Sensitive range (spf 30, 40 and a handy spray 20) is recommended as an effective UV sunscreen by the International Skin Cancer Foundation. Yes - You will still tan using a high factor but the base you are getting will last longer and develop into a deep and even, golden tan.
Step 3 – Going for Gold
Our exotic lotions (spf 2-15) with natural, herbal ingredients, aloe vera, papaya, mango and passion fruit are the complete answer to all your skins needs. Don’t be tight with your lotion, 7 tablespoons is the amount the average person needs for effective coverage (leave the spoon at home!)
Kick back and soak up the rays and let Hawaiian Tropic take care of your protection.
Step 4 – Tropical Temptress
Now you have achieved that beautiful golden colour, all that’s left to do is Go Glam – with the Professionals.
Hawaiian Tropic’s Oils are recognised as having a superior formulation. Exotic flora, fruit and natural ingredients combine to protect you as you glisten by the pool perfecting your tan.
This truly classic product is the ultimate accessory for every Tropical Temptress.
All the hard work you have put into looking good will really pay off leaving you glowing with radiance and a fab tan!
THE EXPERTS GUIDE TO FAKING IT!
I'm sure you've all had a bad fake tan experience. The joy of streaky orange legs or, even worse, applying the self-tan a few hours before going out, only to realise that you missed a bit. How about the time that you forgot to be careful on your knees and feet? But what happens if you were about to go on holiday or to a function and you made a boob of it?
Preparation
Exfoliate your skin really well. Do it in whatever method you prefer, but do it thoroughly. Pay particular attention to rough, dry areas such as elbows, knees, tops of your feet, and hands (knuckles). If you need any extra help on how to do it, there is a feature on the site that tells of all of the different ways to get this done safely and effectively.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. Try to use a cheap and cheerful product that has no fragrance - though this is not essential, some fragrances conflict with the self-tan ingredient and, besides, do you really need both things to smell? I thought not. Again, pay particular attention to the drier areas I mentioned before.
If your skin is already adequately moisturised, the tanner is less likely to sink in and become concentrated, leaving you with darker orange patches.
This is the key part, guys. Do the application in sections. Start with the lower half of the leg from the ankle to the knee working up toward the heart. The reason for this is that you will be going against the growth of any hair that is there and you will not miss any little pockets of air resting under even the shortest of stubble. Skip the knee entirely! Now do your thigh the same way, working up toward the heart. If you need to, do the back of the leg in one application and the front in another. When the leg is done, do your knee and feet with the residue that is left on your hands. These more porous areas are notorious give-aways for fake tans so beware and use only the smallest amount here. Do the other leg the same way.
Torso and bust should go on next and again work upward.
When you do your arms, section them off avoiding your elbows the same way you did the knees. At the very last moment use the leftovers to brush over the elbow. Can you get somebody else to do your back for you? If so, it's a good idea.
When you think you're finished, reapply the moisturiser over the knees, elbows, and the tops of your feet, to water the tanning cream down again. You could reapply the moisturiser to your entire bodies to spread it around again, but you will have to try this out to see if it works for you. I have found that if I just go over the problem dry areas again, that is usually enough. I don't have hours to get this done because I need to get my hands washed before they start to glow orange!
For your face, again apply the product over the top of your moisturiser.
Wash your hands! Hands have 40 per cent more pores and if you don't get this done pronto, you will have funny coloured hands for the next week. I've tried to apply tanners with surgical gloves, but I seem to lose control and can't feel what I have done as well as I can with bare hands. But I would try it if I were you. If you can manage it, do it. It will help you avoid looking like a fag ash Lil!
As with a real tan; cut down the frequency that you use a body exfoliator. Each time you exfoliate, the colour will soften. Self-tans usually only last about five days anyway, so you can't really afford to keep washing the colour away.
Remember: a fake tan gives you no protection form the sun whatsoever. There are some self-tanners that do have a sunscreen in them so you can wear them on the beach to feel you are getting more sun than you really are. But please be careful!
Help, I look orange!
Don't panic. It happens. Uneven application is very common, especially when you have not had much practice. Sometimes even a bad professional application can look as though a blind person applied it. So what can be done other than wearing a polo neck, long trousers, and a balaclava? Well, this sort of colour will only last for about 5 days, anyway, so if the worst comes to the worst - let nature run its course. If you had an event to go to, exfoliate you body and you should find that the colour will fade more quickly.
FLIRTING TIPS
Everyone loves a good flirt with some hottie but its not always that easy, is it?! Follow this foolproof guide to flirting and we’ll have to pulling in no time.
FOR THE GIRLS….
- Give clear signals
First things first – men are useless at reading those subtle signs females like to send out...so don’t waste your time! Know what you want when you flirt and then just go for it!
- Be interesting by being interested
Cut down on the talk about yourself and ask him open-ended questions. People generally like talking about themselves and men love it when a girl shows an interest in what they have to say.
- Ask him what he enjoys doing
Never ask, “What do you do?” as men often see this as a sly check for wallet padding! Instead talk about what he gets up to in his free time which will allow him talk about whatever he wants (plus may give some indication to wallet padding anyway!!)
- Safety in numbers…??
Don’t go in two’s unless you want to end up with the ugly one or have a fight with your mate. And don’t go in big groups – nothing is more intimidating for a guy than a gaggle of girls nattering away! So, we reckon 3 or 4 is the optimal gang number to pull….that way you’re not going to scare any guy worth his salt away and those of you that don’t pull can still have a good night on the tiles!
- And above all…
Have fun!!! Flirting is a great tonic and you should always approach it in the right spirit. The more relaxed you are, the more likely you are to get results too!
And for the boys….
- Make sure your hair is clean and your body and breath smell good
(this will hopefully apply in all situations not just when you’re on the pull!)
- When you buy a girl a drink…that is all you are buying
(ladies - will probably take a while for this one to sink in...still wary of over generous strangers!)
- Don’t do the rounds of a group of girls
(you end up looking like a loser and a little desperate)
- Keep your hands to yourself
(subtle contact can be a lovely flirty action but space invaders deserve a slap in the chops)
HANG ON TO THAT HOLIDAY FEELING
Have holiday sex at home
When you’re away you’re not constantly under time pressure or tired and sex doesn’t have to be a 10 minute rumble before you go to sleep. Easy, relaxing day’s lets things happen naturally and it is inevitably more fun and more passionate. When you’re home from your holidays keep in that frame of mind by moving sex out of the bedroom and getting out of a routine bonk! Have a quickie in the kitchen (provided you’re not cooking at the time, there’s nothing worse than burnt sausages!) or add some extra steam to your bath.
Don’t go back to being a couch potato
On holiday you’re too busy eating, drinking and having fun outside to even miss the television. It’s all too easy to slump back onto the couch when the weather isn’t great out. Make the effort not to slip back into the old routine.
Keep your light levels up
“The change from holiday sunlight to artificial office lighting and darker skies alters levels of brain chemicals that boost our mood and can trigger depressive symptoms.” Try to spend some time outside each day – even a 10-minute walk at lunchtime will help.
Imagine yourself on holiday
Glenda Taylor, founder of the aromatherapy company Cariad says, “Smelling something that reminds you of your holiday can re-create that happy feeling.” To bring back those Mediterranean memories she recommends the smell of your sunscreen, and even maybe tropical fruit like mangos. Alternatively a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic will give you both of those smells in one bottle so you can carry around your holiday smell in your handbag!
Play holiday music
A quick blast of Ibiza trance, Euro Pop or even a couple of minutes shaking your pineapples to Agadoo – in fact any song that reminds you of your holiday will help you recall the fab time you had.
Rustle up some local cuisine
If you went on holiday with friends or family, invite them round for a holiday memories feast. Prepare the food you enjoyed while you were away like a homemade Spanish Paella or Greek salad.
Treat yourself to a cocktail
If you couldn’t keep your mitts of the Margaritas while you were lounging by the pool, why not invest in a cocktail shaker and make your own and drink to those heavenly holiday memories.
Keep putting in the effort
Before you went away you probably lost weight and got your skin super soft in preparation for a week or so in the sun. Now your home don’t let it all slip by letting your toned, tanned body get all white and wobbly. Just cos it’s cold outside and you wouldn’t be seen dead in a bikini, don’t stop caring about what you look like under you 4 layers of knitwear.
Book a weekend break
33% of people take more than 2 trips a year, holiday yourself happy by becoming part of that third and booking a get-away weekend to re-charge your batteries and get in some quality time with your loved ones.
Plan your next holiday
Looking forward to your next holiday is a guaranteed way to lift your mood. So start thinking about where you want to go next, even if your not going away for another 12 months at least you are going!
