Be a Better Shopper; Make - Up bag edit!

Yesterday we expelled the importance of trimming the fat on your wardrobe, really knowing what you already own and why it works for you. But, clothing isn't the only area in which we over indulge and over buy. How many times have you bought a pair of killer heels that literally kill your feet and therefore never wear? Maybe you've just never been able to find the right outfit to go with them? Or perhaps that really cute purse covered in fringe that in reality you cannot even fit your mobile phone into?

Fashion clutter builds up everywhere and it is really important to have every area spic and span so you know exactly what you've got in your style arsenal. But, no other place can over-run with the unused like our make up bags can! Dump every piece you have on to an empty flat surface so you can really see what is there, rather than just poke around in the bag. Anything that you've had since secondary school. in fact anything you've had for the past year and have barely used - dump! We've talked in the past about the importance of cleaning your brushes and tools, but bacteria builds up in the make up itself and if it is sitting around not being used, why keep it? Think about it though, when are you really going to reuse that heavily-glittered purple cream-eyeshadow you bought for a fancy dress?

You might pick up on trends here too. Do you have 14 different variations of mocha coloured smoke eyeshadow because none of them ever seem to be the right shade? IT might be time to turn to a professional. Sitting down at a cosmetics counter for a one time make up consultation will in time save you hundreds in misguided purchases. Once again now, after shifting the unusable, you will have a more clear picture of what you like, use and need. This is going to be a big help. Not only will you figure out what truly works on your face and shave minutes off your beauty regiment each day, you can evaluate which products are worth a splurge. If you know that YSL's liquid under eye concealer is really the only one you like but any pink lip gloss will suit you can more accurately budget you cosmetics cash and always have what you need on hand!

Need some help figuring out what you need and what you can leave? Here are the piece every chick should have some form of in her make up bag;

• Good Cover-Up/Concealer -in reality, most women do NOT need to wear a layer of foundation and certainly no one needs to wear it every day. A skin balancing moisturiser (tinted if you like) will help to even out the tone of your skin. Then take a concealer to hide any dark patches or red spots as well as a dot or two under the eye to highlight and around the curves of the nose to soften. Much less work, and your skin will thank you.
• Loose Powder - super sheer and perhaps with a small amount of highlighting shimmer, blend over your T-Zone as well as brown and cheek bones for luminous easy coverage.
• Bronzer/Blush Duo- Without going to rosy or too tanned, brush up your cheek bones and over your forehead and lightly across your chin to lift your entire complexion and create a healthy glow.
• Light/Nude Lip Gloss - avoid anything to sparkly, too shocking a shade and too sparkly and this gloss can take you from day to night, interview to first date. Chose a shade just enough to enhance and slightly exaggerate the fullness and colour of your own lips.
• Thickening/Darkening Mascara-a lot of girls make the mistake of buying different kinds of mascara for different times of use but, lets be fair, good mascara is pricey! Invest in a really good mascara that both thickens, lengthens and darkens that lashes and comes with a wand that will really define them. Rather than have a light shade for day, a darker thicker type for hitting the town and a defined one for work, just modify your application. Pile it on top and bottom for nights out, apply a one thin defining layer to both for work and maybe just a quick swipe to top layers for every day use. Even a little bit makes the face seem more awake!
• Smudge Proof Brown Pencil- By opting for a dark brown this pencil can do double time as liner and brow perfecter.

These aren't the only items you should have or keep, just suggestions of staples to hang out to and mix with other FAV pieces and tools. Now, give that make up bag a shake or a wipe and pile all your keepers back in!

Feeling kinda wasteful tossing all this seemingly good stuff in the trash during a critical financial period? Then don't! OK, the old make up has to go, that would be icky, but the clothing, especially piece in good condition don't have to be rubbished. Maybe you have a few pieces that don't fit your style or body type but you have a girlfriend that they would? Organise a swap. Encourage your BFFs to sort through their own things, meet in a group and see if anyone has castoffs you feel are worth nabbing. One woman's trash is another girly's treasure! Mix up some cocktails and put some Sex & the City DVDs on in the background and make it a party!

No friends that share the same size? There are thousands of woman in need of clothing for work and day to day use all over this country. Check out Enable Ireland to find out how your old frocks can be put to truly good use!

Ask A Model; With Chloe Arnold

NAME: Chloe Arnold

HAIR COLOUR: dark brown

EYE COLOR: brown

HEIGHT: 5'9"

BIRTH DATE:12th December

FAVORITE SCENT/PERFUME: The One by D&G

FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD: Paris and New York

PEOPLE SAY YOU LOOK LIKE: not sure really, not Irish any way....

HOMETOWN: Dublin

LIFELONG DREAM: To continue to be happy and healthy. Live life to the full and never compromise!

BEST BEAUTY SECRET: Drink plenty of water.

BEST CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING TIP: learn to like yourself,if you don't, how can anyone else like you?

WORDS TO LIVE BY:" However I may appear to be, the power and strength of the universe rests in me". Some people will try to bring you down but know that its only their insecurities and unhappiness driving their negativity.

ROLE MODEL/IDOL: I suppose my beautiful mummy, she is just wonderful!

MOST EMBARRASSING MODEL MOMENT: My stiletto coming off on the runway for a very big designers show.... won’t say who but they know who they are!!!!

I LOVE MODELING BECAUSE: Modeling is something that just happened for me, I didn't set out to be a model. I was scouted when I was 15 and it just went from there. I have always loved fashion and knew that something in it was always going to be a career possibility for me, so what better way than modeling to get contacts and get a feel for the industry! Modeling has given me the opportunity to make great friends, wear beautiful creations, meet such interesting and talented people, to see the world and of course not work conventional hours!

How do you stay in shape? (Aoife, 17, Mayo) I not very disciplined about exercising religiously, I hate the gym. I find it really boring and monotonous. I do love walking; I try to walk 3 times a week. I especially enjoy going for hill walks in the countryside. I do that most weekends. I also practice yoga every week. I find it really beneficial for calming my mind down and strengthening my core area.

How do I get my makeup to stay all day long without smearing? (Gemma, 15, Enniscorthy)

I'm not a massive makeup wearer when I'm not working to be quite honest, however when working on shoots etc the makeup artists tell me that a good primer is really effective for long lasting coverage. Laura Mercier do a great one that you put on before your base.

Which products do you use to keep your face clear? (Rachel, 14, Tullamore)

I don't have a particular product that I use, I'm always rushing or trying new products all the time. I would recommend drinking plenty of water-about 6-8 glasses a day minimum. Also eating lots of fresh fruit and veg is a must to flush out any toxins that may be giving you spots etc.

Models' skin always looks so soft and clear. My skin is rough, and lotion just doesn't seem to help. How do I get my skin to have such a healthy glow? (Sinéaid, 17, Listowel)

Well, what you see in magazines is never a true reflection of the models skin in reality. Lots of the time Ad campaigns and editorials are airbrushed giving the illusion of flawlessness, lighting and a great makeup team also are imperative for the overall look. However having said that models entire career is based on their appearance- they must be a blank canvas for the "artist" to work on. Looking after your skin is imperative and a must in this business. I would recommend exfloliating 3 times a week, if you don't have a good exfoliator or don't want to the spend money, use a wet warm face cloth and gently scrub it over your face. It should get rid of any gunk from daily debris. Then use an alcohol free toner to close your pores and finish with a light moisturiser.

MORE TIPS TRICKS AND INSPIRATIONAL WORDS TO COME FROM THE LOVELY CHLOE ARNOLD! And Please stay tuned, Chlo0e has her own website CoCoStyle.ie that will be up and running within the next few weeks!

Fall Cleaning!

With the onset of fall we all want to update our looks and clean out our closets. The best part of the new season is switching up our style and updating all our products!

Don't forget that when you splash out on new make up for the autumn months, it is important to keep all your tools at their working best.

Most cosmetic Zionists will assure you that it is of the utmost importance to clean up and condition your make up brushes on a weekly basis. Even I don't subscribe to this, it seems a bit mental, but it is important to keep them tidy!

Though most of the time we apply fresh make up to a spanking clean face, daily and routine touch ups are done to shiny, oily faces, slick with pollutants and germs. After that you stick the brush back into your make up bag or even worse - dip it back into some of your products!

So although I don't feel you need to donate a night each week to the sanitization of your beauty tools, I'm sure you see no why regular cleaning is important!

If you've spent a pretty penny on high end make up brushes you owe it to yourself to care for them properly as washing your brushes will make them last even longer!

Keep reading if you'd like some do it yourself tips for keeping them fresh!

• Start off by running the brush - handle up, bristle down - under some luke warm water in your clean bathroom sink. Swirl the brush in the water until the water runs clean.
• Add a small amount of gentle shampoo in to the palm of your hand and then gently dab the bristle tips into it.
• Rinse your hand and the brush thoroughly and then using a towel, wring out the water from the brush's tip. Make sure you get all the soap and water out of the brush so that it can retain it's original shape. Lay the brushes flat down on a towel to dry for a few hours.

**Always remember to be very careful when you share your make up brushes or pads with a gal pal because it may lead to an icky infection!***

I'm getting emailed every day by teen girls who have beauty, fashion and even health and self esteem questions that they would like to be able to ask some of the Celagutites (Celebs, Wags & Socialites) and models that I feature on this site. If there are any celags reading this that would like to help in answering some of these adorable questions from the countries next generation of 'It' girls, get in touch! These young ladies really look up to you!!

Right Now I'm Loving

MAC's Naked Honey Body Wash is by for the most GLAM thing I've ever used in my shower! The smell - a mix of raw honey and hints of narcissus, jasmine, and a bit of lavender for a bit of a clean, masculine edge that I adore - is delicious! I only wish that the scent was a bit stronger because I would forgo perfume altogether! This new luxe line also includes a skin salve, a body cream, and a fragrance.

I don't know if it is meant to, but it has certainly been stress relieving and invigorating and a huge help in dealing with my ever present jet lag!

Click here to find a MAC store by you!

King L of Queen B

A few weeks back we did a post about the gorge and talented Miss Leigh Arnold. We went on and on about how glam she always looks, her luminous skin and perfect style. Well the gracious Leigh reached out to us after reading the post to thank us for the kind words and give credit where credit is due! Although no one will dispute the fact that Leigh is a natural beauty she let us know that she does you a little assistance to get red carpet ready (like us all!) and she pointed us in the right direction! Leonard Daly is the wonderful make up specialist over at Queen Beauty Emporium who gets Leigh that signature dewy look she rocks so well. Leonard is an incredibly talented make up artist and cosmetics expert so we just had to ask him a few questions, here is what he said to say! So Mr. Daly, how did you get interested in make us artistry? How did you get started?

I can remember as a child sitting in the bathroom watching my sister, Gemma, doing her fantastic 80's makeup and thinking "I want to do that", so I guess that I was destined to do this!

As an established makeup artist, what stars, magazines or design houses are on your client roster?

I have worked on all of the Irish publications, like Image Magazine, The Gloss, Irish Tattler, Prudence and the Irish Times. I work on lots of shows here, like Off the Rails Live and I also travel regularly to London for bigger shows. I've worked on TV a lot and with celebrities like Michael Stipe, Rufus Wainwright.

What’s does the next year look like for you?

The two years since we opened Queen have been so busy, it's been all about establishing the business, which has gone really well. The next year will focus on growing the brand and the business. We'll also be working really closely with the latest addition to the Queen stable, Planet Skincare, which we're distributing. It's an amazingly effective product used by Gwyneth Paltrow and it works by mimicking the effects of Botox. It's flying off the shelves in London and New York so we're really excited to see how it goes down in Ireland!

What excites you most about what you do as a career? And what thus far has been your favourite work project?

I am so lucky - pretty much everything excites me about my work! At the moment I am loving doing makeup lessons in store. My makeup philosophy is that less is definitely more - lots of women wear too much makeup and I show them that they can look much better with way less product. Most women don't realise how great they can look and I love helping them find that out.

Any good horror stories to share?

I went to Spain to work on a swimwear shoot, we were there for a week and it rained every day, no sun and lots of wind!! The poor model spent the week shivering and the crew was miserable. It's not just Ireland that you can't depend on the weather!

What do you find most women are looking to cover up? down play? gloss over? when it comes to being made up? What do they want attention drawn to?

I find that most women here are looking to cover up their skin, which is so wrong, That is the most challenging part of my job, but once you show them how they look without the "mask" they tend to love it. I think your eyes should always be the centerpiece of the makeup. Great makeup is when you get comments about how good you look, not how good your makeup looks.

If you could give one person a good makeup makeover, who would it be? What would you do?

I feel that if your makeup makes you feel good it is working! If something makes your feel sexy it works. But I did see a photo of Jodie Marsh in Dublin a while ago, now that would be a challenge.

Name the top five products or tools you can’t live without.

For Me; MD Formulations Skincare (could not live without the clearing complex mask), Planet Skincare - love the effects of this anti ageing crème, Sun Screen - 30spf - this is the most anti-ageing product (and therefore the most important!) that you can buy!, Dermalogica body wash, and my dry body brush.

For My Kit; Kevyn Aucoin Mascara, this is the best that I have ever used - does not sweat no matter how much spinning around a dance floor that you do!, The Kevyn Aucoin Lash Curler - these are super important for all women!, Dermalogica skin Hydrating Masque - perfect for before a big night out, Kevyn Aucoin makeup brushes - I could not pick just one so I would have to have the full set and finally a good lip hydrator - like Elizabeth Arden 8 hour crème. Any mottos - styles or otherwise - that you live by?

Less is more when it comes to makeup, comfort is king when dressing, hence I am always to be seen in a funky t-shirt and trainers!

What is your best make up trick?

Use your fingers to apply your foundation - always looks best!

What is your go-to look? If you have limited time space and product and have to pull yourself together for a night out, what is your strategy?

As a guy we are very lucky that all we need to get ready is a shower! So no problem here!

Any recessionista make up tips? What is worth the splurge? Where can we try and save?

It's best to splurge on any wet products, like foundation & mascara. Premium brands are better for these products because lesser quality brands will get lumpy much more quickly. I think it's cool to save on eye shadows - you won't get the colour intensity of a luxury brand but will look ok. It's perfect if you want to try a wild colour and you're not sure if you will ever use it again.

Finally, and most importantly, Is Leigh Arnold REALLY that gorge and luminous in person?!?!?!?

She is with a little help from us here at Queen!

Queen Beauty Emporium is located at 66 - 67 Aungier Street, and is open Tuesday through Saturday. Call + 353 (0)1 478 9633 or visit QueenBeautyEmporium !

Glam Girl's Summer Survival Kit

Whether you will be staying around home waiting fora bit of sun in your back garden, heading on a weekend mini break to the beach or country, or really getting outa dodge and hitting someplace tropical the summer weather requires an update to personal essentials!

Miss Emerald Apple is here to tell us whatever Glam Girl should have in their tote this season to keep them looking and feeling their best! Read on if you are trying to pull together some summer staples for your next day in the sun!

As much as we all develop out own trusted beauty regime and cling to cleansing and skin care routine, we really should adjust and update every few months. The sun and humid air of summer, the salt and sand of the sea, and the colors and fashions and fashions of the season all require changes in our beauty basics! Don't worry, a few minor products kept on hand will keep you fresh!

Skin If you've got a faux-glow a fake-bake or you are straight off the beach, as always, the best rule of thumb is to cleanse and stay hydrated! Rather than scrub too hard and take away your beach radiance try and mild toner that will hydrate and sooth sun damaged skin!

NO 07 GENTLE SOOTHING TONER available at Boots is a non-drying and pH balanced, will works with your skin to make clean, free of all make up, smooth, soft and ready for moisturizing. This product is hypo-allergenic and great for even the most sensitive skin, fragrance and alcohol-free. Follow it up with a tinted moisturizer like NO 07 NATURALLY BRONZED also at Boots. A deeply moisturizing body lotion it softens and nourishes while lending your skin a little bit of color Perfect for post tanning to enhance and quench the tan that is already there, '...apply to clean dry skin. Spread some lotion between the palms of the hands and massage into the skin, using long sweeping strokes' Make sure you allow your skin to dry before dressing ash hands after using as it may stain mildly.

Once you are in fact, gettin' your tan on, the skin care cannot stop. As much as we all want a golden brown color NO ONE wants sun spots or even worse skin cancer! We find that we are much better about applying (and RE APPLYING!!) sun tan lotion, if it is a spray that is why I adore the SPF 15 SUN FORMULA MOISTURIZING SUN SPRAY available at Marks&Spencers for just 12 Euro! The sunflower and pomegranate extract make it smell better than any other sun protector out there. Many of us tend to forget how much damage the sun can to do to our hair and scalp sun unless you are staying tucked up under a big hat for the next few months grab this SPF 25 HAIR AND SCALP PROTECTOR SPRAY while you are there. M&S are currently having a Buy-One Get-One type offer for their sun block so go on go crazy!The seaweed extract helps to protect and sooth the scalp and skin from sun damage which is just so very Little Mermaid don't you think?!?!?

Cosmetics

Now that you are smooth and tan and hydrated and absolutely glowing-glam the same layer of slap you pile on in the month of February doesn't seem quite so necessary (or appealing) does it? This is why I like to seriously play down y make up in the summer, and highlight the natural radiance of your skin! Ditch your pancake foundation and kale lashes and grab just a few easy items.

When I was at Boots picking up my Summer skin-care regime I spotted this INSTANT SUNSHINE SHIMMER GEL and just had to give it a try. I was NOT disappointed! This little jar of glittery gold gel will set your skin aglow, adding instant sparkle to your face and body at any time. Mix it in with your foundation (if you insist) or face cream to enhance your summer glow! Use your fingertips or a large make-up brush and be sure to blend well.

My forever make up-splurge is Yves Saint Laurent concealer. Brush it under eyes or to odd little dark spots that seem to pop up after sun to lighten up and hide the unevenness in your skin. Available at the Brown Thomas beauty counter, you will not regret this beauty spend.

Now brush over it all with MAKE UP FOREVER's SHINE ON POWDER. Available at any of their flagship stores this slightly iridescent and pearly lose powder illuminates the face with mother of pearl particles. Nothing makes tanned skin look more luminous than this stuff!These AQUA EYES waterproof pencils are a great summer way to add some color and spunk to your face that wont smudge and are easy to apply. In fun sparky shades great for any summer night gathering they instantly fab up any face.

This chic looking tube of sheer gloss, super-soft lipstick is designed to give an even coverage and long-lasting, vibrant colour for smooth while hydrating and plumping the lips! Love it!

The last and most important beauty must have for the summer might seem like an obvious one, but between margaritas, mai-tais and pina-coladas, it can easily slip your mind!

Now that your thirst for beauty has been quenched and your epidermis hydrated don't forget to get plenty of water, it is essential to health and complexion and therefore beauty! Well the contents are sorted, now how bout the bag to pack it all away in? MICHAEL Michael Kors Panama Large Straw Shoulder Tote available now at Brown Thomas is perfect day into night, beach to street! Now get out there and get glam! Happy Summer!! xxox

Lazy Links:

Make up Forever

Boots

Marks and Spencer

Brown Thomas

Blue Nail Varnish...

Ladies, or gents - Beckham did it, you can too! - how are we feeling 'bout blue nail varny for the summer?

Eva's, LC's and Lilo's are perhaps a bit too dark? Maybe suited better for Autumn or Winter? But Pretty in the City Miss Whitney Port's are a lighter shade? They would totally go with my new bandeau bathing suit but, I just don't know....

What do you think? Is Ireland ready for blue high gloss nails? Leave you comments below chickies! xxox

Avoid the Tango...

In an effort to avoid damaging your epidermis but still have a healthy youthful glow, many celebrities and sun worshipers are resorting to sunless tanning using products DIY products from the Chemist up the street!

As much as the advertisements would love for you to believe that it is easy as as spray dry and go I think we have learned (the hard way) that ALOT more goes in to securing the PERF Faux-Glow.

All though preparation and application strategies play a huge part in how your sunless tanning sesh turn out (not to mention the basic make up of you individual complexion) at the end of the day it all comes down to the quality - and user friendliness - of the product you use.

We've found through extensive experimentation (evening spent in our loo with rubber gloves and a tub of moisturizer personally testing products) and thorough research (talking with our girlfriends via mobile or over cocktails about which ones they've tried out) 3 products that really work well, look natural, last and are easy to use! Here are Miss Emerald Apple's findings:

I myself am fortunate (in my own opinion only) to have the type of skin that tans as opposed to some of the more fare Irish ladies out there. Regardless, the first few weeks of summer, when the weather is fine for short skirts and bare legs but our pasty ashy stems are not, is a necessary time for us to smooth on some fake tan slap!So I picked up bottles of what I was told were the Top Three Sunless Tanning products. They would all minimize the likelihood of streaking, uneven colour, drips, inconsistency, and of course - the dreaded after effect of turning totally ORANGE! Okey Doke...we'll see...

Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray, Au Courant Sunless Tanning Spray and Moroccan Mineral Tanning Lotion are all products that say the provide a to natural, easy to apply, cancer-free tan. I wasn't so sure but I'm game for anything(that washes off!)

I used all three of these products - with a stretch days between all and allowed them all to wear off at their leisure, not showering and washing any more or less than I normally would.This is what I found out: I paid just about 15 Euro for the army-issue looking aluminium bottle with aerosol nozzle of Neutrogena. It looked more like something Bear Grylls would would have in his ruck sack to keep himself cool for a trek across the Sahara rather than a product that is going to make me glow like Jenny Aniston but who knows! So the instructions were simple enough - apply evenly over clean dry skin, spraying six inches away from your body. After a good 15 minute scrub-sesh in my steam room shower with help of my trusty loofah I got down to business! I recruited the BF for the hard to reach spots so that I was even all over.

I sort of imagined that it would spray right out of the can a brownish-golden colour, like a can of spray paint, an shellac me on the spot. I really did not know what to think about this product other than that of all the bargain fake tanners this is *supposedly* the best.

More like spray on SPF, the Neutrogena Sunless Tanner was colourless and odorless too! We washed our hands and I let it air dry before I dressed, putting on then only cotton lose clothing. It wasn't sticky and it didn't cause any sort of irritation or reacting to my skin- all pros for this one so far! That DID NOT last long...

Within hours large burnt sienna patches sprung up on my torso while my limbs were covered in citron streaks! Sweet.....'Honey, get me the loofah again!' I was not going to wait to the morning to see how much worse this was going to get!

***Little Hint; When removing god-awful fake tan like this try this sneaky little exfoliation concoction - 3 large spoonfuls of table salt, to half a pint glass of lemon juice and half a pint glass of water then scrub, scrub, scrub!***

I waited a few days before trying the the next product to be sure that all the horrid Neutrogena residue was off my bod (and because I had a business meeting to go to for which i had know desire to show up at looking like Chantalle Houghton). Nest up was the much hyped Celag/Xpose fave of Au Courant. Wary as I was from the first DIY Spray Tan Session, I figured so many glam ladies claim to swear by this and almost always look sun kissed t must be worth a shot!

I followed the same procedure as last time - Mr. Loofah, my boyfriend getting the out o' reach areas. etc. - and followed the bottles instruction to the T. it mind sound silly but by paying double the price (nearly 30 euro as apposed to 15) i did feel safer! "It is expensive it has got to be good!" Thinking like that had gotten me in trouble in the past but I was hopeful that it would pay off here. Au Courant Instant Sunless Tanning Spray goes on so easily and dries almost instantly. It smells of yummy bananas and did not leave oddly shaped blotches across my body! The color was even and my skin felt good. It took a few hours longer to start to see a change in shade on my skin than the first product but when it did begin to come up it looked very even and natural. I looked tanned and healthy, and I did not have to visit a tanning bed or lay in the sun to do it.

I did like Au Courant Sunless Tanning Spray better than Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray because of its more natural shade. The fact that Au Courant goes on at a slightly brown tiny made it easier to see where I had applied it and what spots I missed but the fact the it dried so quickly made it hard to judge how well it had set and if another later need to be applied.

As far as the spray-on went Au Courant was heads and tails above Neutrogena - no questions- but I had a third product I had to try!

Recommended by an Aesthetician gal pal in NY Extended Vacation is a mineral based -I guess we will call it a cream - sunless tanner that was supposed to be incredible natural, easy to apply, and last far longer than anything else on the market. At nearly 55 euros, I was thinking a gorgeous Brazilian man better come out of the bottle and slather me up himself! The package was cute, with an adorable little cartoon of a tan glam lady having a fab time! This was reassuring!

Same exfoliation procedure, pretty much same directions - just with this one it was apply evenly to clean dry skin using rubber gloved hand.

It smelt mildly of the ocean when I sniffed it from the tube but then - JAYSUS!! - It's green! A greeny-brown sludgey cream squirted out into my hand. My boyfriend looked at me with a face that half said 'Ha-ha' like that mean kid in the Simpons and half said 'You are not rubbing that stuff all over you body and then getting under the same sheets as me tonight.'

"Start Rubbing", I snapped! "and make it even!"

The greenness made it easy to apply evenly, but it was pretty much impossible to rub all the way in. As hard as I did it, I still looked like I was covered in a thin layer of filth, not cute. The smell that initially made me think of the ocean, now smelt like the Shannon River - at low tide, in Limerick, near the bus station -Yuk!

Too exhausted, disappointed and pissed off to break out the lemon juice, I threw on an over-sized cotton t-shirt of my boyfriend's, much to his anger, and hooped into bed! "Pisse off " I thought! "the world will just have to deal with seeing my pasty legs in short skirts till I have enough time and good weather to hit the beach for a real tan!" With that I went to sleep.

I awoke the next morning and for a minute had forgotten the debacle the night before.

The mucky river smell was gone!

I looked down at my arm and it no longer looked as though I had jumped in a bog and dried myself off with dirty towel.

It was brown, tanned! Evenly and naturally!

I ran to the mirror and threw off the shirt - I was beautifully evenly tanned all over! HOORAY!

5 Days later was the first time I notice the product begin to slightly fade. 10 days later I definitely looked like I had spent some time in the sun!

So here is what it comes down to; Spend the 55 euro on this stuff, it will last you forever. and rather than reapply it completely every 12 days, touch it up with one of the less expensive spray-on options. If your budget allows than yes, go for Au Courant, if not there are others out there that I am sure will suffice.

But, no. I will NOT experiment with anymore of them! Do your own grunt work! xxox

links

Au Courant

Extended Vacation

Neutrogena