Fiorelli Mia Grab Nautical Bag & For All My Eternity Natural 10 Self Tan #Fiorelli24Seven

If I had to say whether I was a shoes or handbag person I would hands down pick bags every time .I have bags for every occasion so when I was told about the Fiorelli 24Seven collection I was a little sceptical, could this bag take me from day to evening...?

I think the answer is a resounding yes, roomy for day but chic enough to dress up in the evening. I would use the long strap during the day and switch to the handles for the evening.

I was sent the Fiorelli Mia Grab Nautical bag and what a gorgeous bag it is. Summer for me is all about nautical themes so I adore this white, navy and tan combo. It goes with so many Summer outfits, complementing them nicely. Whilst I seem to live in black all winter, I love lighter and brighter colours for Summer.

The bag is also extremely roomy for fun day trips out featuring 3 zipped compartments and the central (and biggest) also having an internal zipped pocket. Just when you think that is all.. it also has a front pocket with an envelope flap magdot closure.  Another bonus is that it comes with short handles AND a strap, I like this detail as I like to have options!

Dressed up or down the Mia Grab Nautical is just perfect for Summer and definitely going to be a staple accessory for me. Smart, stylish and versatile, what is there not to love?

Fiorelli have teamed up with luxury self tanning brand 'For All My Eternity' to offer customers who purchase a #fiorelli24Seven bag either a shower gel or natural 10 self tan product from the range...

I have tried both products out and have had great results

The Tan Saving Shower Gel has been created to protect and prolong your tan, designed for use with self tanning products. It has a delicious grapefruit scent and feels nourishing and leaves skin feeling soft. Intense hydration is provided by Provitamin B5 with natural skin conditioners including certified organic Aloe Vera, natural vegetable-derived glycerine, and organic allantoin specially chosen to keep skin moisturised and nourished, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and supple.  

Free from parabens, sulfates, artificial colours and fragrances.

Natural 10 Self Tan Lotion

For All My Eternity say 

For All My Eternity’s Natural 10 is a luxury natural self tan lotion that delivers a totally natural-looking tan whilst caring for your skin. Loaded with the finest natural ingredients and extracts, including Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Vitamins A & E, and infused with organic ingredients such as Rosehip Oil, Sunflower Oil and Sweet Almond Oil, Natural 10 works with your skin keeping it hydrated, young and supple, whilst giving you a long-lasting naturally bronzed glow.

My thoughts 

This self tan lotion is white and unscented. I applied it to dry skin with a mitt. It is hard to know where you have applied which is my only criticism as the tan goes on to develop into a beautifully natural golden glow after just one application. Two applications leaves my skin how it would look after I have spent a week in the sun. I should say however that I am not a sun worshipper so this lovely shade is perfect for me and really, really natural looking. I am impressed.

Easy to apply and pretty much foolproof, it dries almost immediately allowing you dress and there is no tackiness. Streak free and paraben free this is a brilliant self tan.

In the first picture I also shared some other items that are Summer beauty must haves ..

The Vichy Ideal Soleil Velvety BB Cream SPF50 - this is a great face base with a super high SPF that I will be using over the Summer to protect my skin and provide a nice, even skintone.

The perfume that I can always rely on come rain or shine is Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle - it is simply gorgeous and evokes great memories every time I wear it.

I love YSL's Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Nude Beige as it is a real 24/7 product - barely there for day it gives a hint of pink to the lips, by night it provides the perfect partner to a smoky eye and its buttery soft formula is a winner.

Estee Lauder's Little Black Primer only came out this year but already I can see just how much of staple this is... It can be worn 3 ways - alone for more definition to the eyes , under your favourite mascara for that extra wow factor or my fave way, over mascara to make it waterproof. I use this most days now.

And finally - Kiko Tri-Bal Soul Baked Blush in Mysterious Earth - This blusher can be swirled and used to provide colour and radiance to the skin or you can use the three shades individually for more impact to provide contour, blush and highlights to the face. Simple!

Well I hope you enjoyed my 24/7 journey with Fiorelli and For All My Eternity

Bettina x

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser & Body Lotion Review

A sun kissed glow all year round? I have to be honest and say this would be my preferred option and if there was an easy way to achieve it at home I would do it.. luckily I have found the perfect thing!

The new Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Gradual Tan range for Face and Body

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser For Face - Gradual Tan Moisturiser

Elemis say 

This luxurious, gradual tan day cream instantly moisturises the skin and enhances the complexion, whilst Vegetan™, naturally derived from wheat, subtly builds an even, natural looking tan in 2-3 days. Specially formulated with anti-oxidant rich Green Tea and Ginger Water for a more even skin tone, whilst Evodia Fruit Extract improves luminosity. Enriched with nourishing Rice Bran Oil, skin is left feeling soft and velvety smooth with a beautiful golden glow that creates the perfect base for make-up. Beautiful aromatics of peach, bergamot and orange oil combined with rose and ylang ylang leave skin delicately scented.

Skincare Benefits 

Improves skin tone and texture
Instantly moisturises
Perfect base for make-up
Improves skin luminosity
Gradually builds an even, natural looking tan

My thoughts 

Day 3 of Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser

I am a huge fan of Elemis products, they always come with smart packaging that has the all important bathroom shelf appeal and they deliver, with the new Total Glow range there is no exception. This light textured facial moisturiser absorbs fast and gives a lovely, natural golden glow to the skin which I love. It smells incredible too, like berries but the scent is subtle so it doesn't over power, just makes the morning routine super nice. I completely agree that it provides a great base for make-up application. My skin looks so good I need just a smidge of foundation to conceal light imperfections (the rosacea on the cheeks) and I am good to go.

I absolutely love it.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion - Gradual Tan Body Moisturiser

Day 2 of Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Lotion

Elemis say 

This luxurious, gradual tan body lotion instantly moisturises the skin, whilst Vegetan™, naturally derived from Wheat, subtly builds an even, natural looking tan in 2-3 days. Specially formulated with anti-oxidant rich Green Tea for a more even skin tone and Red Algae Extract to help ensure long-lasting hydration. Enriched with exquisite Abyssinian and Elderberry Seed Oils to nourish and condition, skin is left feeling soft, velvety smooth and with a beautiful golden glow.

My thoughts 

Moisturising, hydrating and imparting a beautiful and natural golden bronze colour to the skin, I couldn't ask for any more. This gradual tan does it all AND it smells amazing too, rather than that tell tale biscuit scent that is present in many gradual tans. The scent stays on the skin for a good few hours and to me it smells like wonderful Jasmine, it contains delicate floral notes, lemon and patchouli. 

It is wonderfully light and dries fast. Fool proof, easy application and the tan is natural looking and non streaky. Ideal for me.

As with all gradual tans, wash hands after application

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser 50ml costs £29.50
Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion 200ml costs £34.50

*PR Samples

Perricone MD No Sun Tanner - Review

As I have mentioned many times, I don't like sitting in the Sun but I DO love my skin to have a lovely golden hue without the time taken to achieve this in the Sun, so will try anything to cheat this process! About a month ago an email came in asking me if I would like to review Perricone MD No Sun Tanner and I have been using this product off and on during this time.

The Claims

No Sun Tanner is as multi-tasking all over body self-tanner with pro-Vitamin D that delivers the benefits of the sun without its harmful effects. It maximizes the skin's natural tanning ability, imparting a gradual sun-kissed tan that is even-toned and long lasting. It also provides a multitude of other benefits to the skin as it helps to firm and tighten the skin while delivering intense moisture and antioxidant protection.

No Sun Tanner customizes to your skin tone for a healthy, natural looking tan that reaches optimal colour in 7-14 days, depending on the depth of desired tan. No unpleasant odour. Does not streak, feel heavy or sticky.

My thoughts

I like the no nonsense medicinal design of the bottle and it comes with a pump for easy and non messy dispensing. The product has a lid and the pump came with it.

I have been applying this gradual tan after bathing in place of my usual moisturiser, it has a nice thick and creamy texture so it won't run. As it is thinner than a body butter, it is easy to apply and it absorbs instantly with no tacky residue. I have been able to dress almost immediately after application as it has felt dry. No Sun Tanner has a slight vanilla scent but this doesn't linger too long. It leaves my skin feeling gorgeously soft, smooth and moisturised well.

As this is a gradual tan I wasn't expecting much of a difference after the first application but actually I noticed a big difference after the very first application, overnight my skin had taken on a gorgeous honey colour and it it was just beautiful and looked so natural.

I have been very impressed with the No Sun Tanner, effortless to apply with, natural looking, gorgeous results that really last.

As this is a gradual tanner, moisturiser and toner in one, the only downside is the rather hefty price tag...

Perricone MD No Sun Tanner £54 for 118ml www.perriconemd..co.uk

Melvita ProSun Gradual Self-Tanning Moisturizing Gel-Cream - Review

I recently spent a morning with the very friendly Melvita team learning about their new launches and having a wonderful chat about the brand and its wide range of products, Melvita being a brand which I have had no previous experience of. Melvita is a French organic beauty brand whose founder was a biologist and bee-keeper. Founded in 1983, Melvita began developing their own natural and organic beauty products designed for people to use every day without the need for harsh chemicals. They were also one of the first to gain the ECOCERT certificate for organic products in 2002.

One of the products unveiled at the launch was a natural and organic gradual self tanning moisturising gel-cream. The Melvita ProSun Gradial Self-Tanning Moisturizing Gel-Cream for face and body

Flip top packaging

Claims - 


Harnesses the natural tanning potential of an ingredient called Erythrulose, a natural bronzing agent derived from sugar cane which results in a natural looking, even and streak free safe tan.

The idea being that if the tan is slower to mature, it will also remain longer on the skin.

The combination of Safflower, Buriti and Coconut oils and beeswax moisturise and soften the skin naturally whilst Vanilla Flower and Sweet Orange water ensures the product has a pleasant scent.

My thoughts -

I like the scent of Vanilla which this is, it is quite strong on application which I don't mind personally. I find it quite appealing. The scent fades as the day goes on. The product has a good texture which absorbs well and relatively fast and is non greasy.

I have been really impressed with the results and performance of this tanning product. I applied it one afternoon and next morning it had developed into a gorgeous, warm, light golden colour. I looked like I had been away for a few days and it was exactly how my skin would have tanned if I had been in the sun.

It looked extremely natural and was completely even with no streaks. I would say that the application is easy and fool proof. I applied it again the next day and the results were a slightly darker shade.  True to its word, it fades slowly and evenly.

I like it a lot.

Melvita ProSun Gradial Self-Tanning Moisturizing Gel-Cream costs £20 for 150ml. 


Available May 2012


Purchase direct or from Melvita Stores in St Martin's Courtyard, Covent Garden & The Exchange Shopping Centre, Putney.


*PR Sample

Boots Soltan Beautiful Bronze Self Tan Gel - Review

I have tried some tanning moisturisers, I have tried a tanning mousse so next up was a Self- Tan Gel...

This is from Boots Soltan Range - Beautiful Bronze which promises to give a natural even colour,  tinted colour for instantly luminous skin, dries instantly and fades evenly.

I had planned to apply this in a leisurely manner but things don't always go to plan. I exfoliated first using Skin Wisdom Day Spa Wash n Scrub and then applied a bit of moisturiser in those places where tan can stick...

Just as I was about to apply the gel my son yells from the bathroom he wants to get out so I had to apply the fake tan in a hurried manner! 

This is where it impressed me..as it is a gel it is not messy to apply, it is tinted so you can see exactly where you have applied it. It rubs in well, smells a bit like vanilla and leaves a slight shimmer to the skin. It felt like it had dried quite quickly but I would be cautious and not wear anything that you wouldn't want to get stained.

You can see the tiny gold flecks of shimmer in this photo 

Friday evening I left the house with the tan working its magic and next morning I woke with the shimmer gone and in its place a really beautiful golden glow! For me, this would be the equivalent of one week sitting in the sun in Ibiza.

I am so pleased with the results, I used to think that I didn't have time for fake tans but this proved that it literally takes just a couple of minutes.

Beautiful Bronze Self Tan Gel costs £6.99 for 150mls but is currently on offer priced £4.66!

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse - Review

I rarely sit out in the sun (I neither have the time or the inclination) but if I am getting my legs out on display, like most people in the Summer, I like to have a hint of colour.

I was recently sent a bottle of St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse for review.

It has to be said I am not a tan queen so I tend to use tanning moisturisers but I think I may now switch to actual tanners as the results of this were so good...

The claims - 

Instant Bronzing

Longer Lasting

Fast Drying

No Streaks

The results - 

As directed I exfoliated first and then moisturised the dry bits of my skin - ie my knees, ankles etc

The mousse dispenses out of a pump action bottle, a scary (messy) dark brown runny froth. I think this is best applied with gloves or a mitt. Application by hands are best avoided unless you want orangey pink palms ( I know, I tried!)

You have to work quickly as it dries fast, I applied it with my hands and rubbed it into my skin. I found the scent quite fresh but only when I smelt the bottle. I couldn't detect any visible smell when applied or after it had dried. I even asked my husband to confirm for me.

As it is instant you can see exactly where you have applied it, which I liked. The instruction on the bottle advises to wait 4-6 hours for the tan to develop before showering off...

I am going to admit that I didn't shower it off.

Next day I woke up with a lovely natural golden colour (perfect for my yellow toned skin) and happily it was streak free which was fabulous for a tan novice like me. I can see a clear difference between my stomach area (milky white) and my newly golden legs. In fact my legs now match my arms that have seen the sun.

I did end up with slighter darker knees but I put that down to me perhaps not being thorough enough with my moisturising.

All in all this is a great product, I found it foolproof and for the price I would definitely purchase this!

I tried St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse (original) RRP £4.99 for 200ml