Calling all beauty experts....

Lalaladybird

I am going into town today and am happy to purchase a few items to help me look a bit better but I am really skint (aren't we all :rolleyes:) so I can't afford to buy anything that will not be used. I need to lose weight and I am working on that (sort of ) but I am also looking really pale at the moment so I was thinking of a self tanning lotion?? for my face and body but I have never used one before so need advise. What else can I do for instant glam and gorgeousness? Body brushing? exfoliating? what is really worth it and what is not?

I do wear make up everyday.

Glasgowkiss84

I wouldn't call myself a beauty expert lol but I can give you my opinion!!

Have you thought about an instant tan type product rather than one that develops? Normally it will wash of too. It's easier to put on than a fake tan that will develop as you can see it right away.

I have rimmel one I have had for ages - called shimmer something, and it goes a nice colour - I would still wear gloves doing this as it can stain arount finger nails!

I just bought this kind of thing from the body shop in their sale. It looks like a instant tan deoderant stick! It's very sparkly too - instant glam, and easy, quick application.

Thinking about it - the best instant tan thing I have ever used is Sally Hansen spay on for legs - although me and my friend used it on our arms/chest too! It's like airbrushing yourself, I always loved how it looked - and not orange either!! Makes your skin look flawless - it's £10 a can tho, and put old towels around you as I stained my carpet using it!!

If you do want a fake tan that develops at a reasonable cost, I always like Piz Buin - the gel one. Ok it smells a little, but gives a really nice colour - again not orange! I have used this on my face too - apply carefully and it is fine.

Hope this helps!!

xx

PS. I have never done anything 'special' before self tanning - re exfoliating. Just normall shower - maybe use a laofa(sp) thing around knees and elbows. I do not use any moisturiser either as I have found this to reactt o the fake tanning product and not work - rubs of or something!

Purchaseruk

Not a beauty expert either (!) But for pick me up's that are cheap I'd recommend:
Exfloliating gloves - can be bought cheaply from supermarkets / £ shops. They are far more convenient/easy to use than anything else more expensive that I've purchased & make what could be a chore a simple pleasure whilst bathing. You could use them with a body exfoliating scrub (home made or bought) - & you're done! Soap & Glory do a great range of products - often on special - in boots, they smel divine & really work! Exfoliating your face with a facial scrub will also do wonders for your skin - again they often have decent ones to be found in £ shops.

Have noticed currently that supermarkets & £ shops have a lot of fake tan / moisturisers with gradual tan development on sale for VERY cheap prices - so I'd say go have a browse & see what's on offer locally. If you want to see the tan rather quickly, buy the darker shade to start with & then swap to the medium or lighter version to just maintain it......always thought it looked a bit ridiculus to see girls at work with DARK fake tans all around the office in the middle of winter - when they haven't been on holiday anywhere etc - but that's my own preference there!
You could also buy a tinted moisturiser fairly cheaply - either for gradual tan development on face or with built in foundation for healthier looking complexion.
Wearing a bit of blush doesn't hurt either - in the style of looking 'rosy' rather than warrior!! Curling your eyelashes before putting on mascara will help open your eyes up, making you appear more awake /alert - again simple eyelash curler is cheap to purchase. Tidy eyebrows ALWAYS make a difference to the face so get plucking if they're looking out of shape or too thick/overgrown.

Hair is important as well - if the condition is looking lacklustre, give it a boost with a deep conditioning treatment - either home-made or bought. Even just lathering on treseme deep conditioner onto damp hair, putting a shower cap on & leaving it for say half an hour before rinsing out would help. Sometimes just buying a cheap tint - like one that washes out after 6 or so washes - from like wilkinsons / £ shops will help the hair look glossy - provided you buy in the closest shade to your hair colour! And not if you're a dyed blonde - wouldn't mess about too much with that colour & just stick with conditioning treatments.
Cheap nivea (blue tin) thick moisturiser is great for getting your feet / hands in better looking condition by slathering it on each night. If your nails are in a mess, start with trimming them so they're neat (even if this means short), conditioning them overnight with oil / thick moisturiser, then apply a conditioning nail coat of some sort (like in the sally hansen range) to start the journey of getting great looking nails fast!

And lastly - Boots curently have the 3 for 2 offer on (& a £5 off voucher if you get one instore) where you could stock up on a lot of the above and save money in the process & do it all in 1 store

Hpe that helps out!

Lalaladybird

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply:T Lots of great ideas, I will write them down and take the list out with me next time I go...

I got on the bus going in the wrong direction when I went out so I decided to just go to sainsburys, seeing as I was on my way there:rolleyes: I bought olay moisturiser with a bit of self tanning in it (touch of sunshine) on offer at £1.36!!!!!! and I got some garnier moisturiser with a bit of self tanner in it too on offer at £3.49.

My hair is in good condition but I just got a haircut I hate (I asked for it to be cut to my coller bone but it is about 3 " above that!:mad:) so I will have to wait until that grows out - £40 wasted :eek:

My nails are short at the moment but they are painted pale pink so look ok.

I got some white cotton gloves recently to wear to bed with loads on handcream slathered on underneath but I'll try good old Nivea.

My feet have been neglected all winter...I might treat myself to a pedicure at a beauty college as I hate doing my feet.

Any more tips?:o

La-Cara

I like to use a nail buffer. You can get them in Superdrug for £2 I think, and they make your nails nice and shiny which is good for when you [strike]can't be bothered[/strike] don't have time to paint your nails.

timestar

Whichever tanning product that you go for, make sure that you exfoliate and then moisturise your skin thoroughly, before applying the product. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees and other patches that you know get dry. It's much easier if someone else applies the tanning lotion/creme rather than trying to do it yourself.