Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze Review

Am I a little late in reviewing this? Gentle Bronze, which is Cocoa Brown's gradual tan, was released last year but truthfully it is only since Winter began that I have gotten the most use out of this! I don't want a full on tan, but I need something to take away the horrid purple/grey of my skin tone.

Back in the day, when I was a complete tanophobe, I would have used Johnsons Holiday Skin for a subtle "glow". Now, from what I remember, Johnsons Holiday Skin was horrible in texture, similar to that of wallpaper paste. It had a horrible smell and it took an age to dry, leaving you with that awful sticky feeling for hours on end. Plus, you would have to apply it every night for about a fortnight to notice any sort of colour at all. Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze is the complete opposite of this!

I had been so accustomed to using Cocoa Brown One Hour Tan, which gives me the perfect tan that I want and has never let me down. It's quite nice actually to try something a little bit lighter, and a little easier (for me) to apply.

It has a beautiful, light texture and has a nice but subtle scent, similar to that of the One Hour Tan. I apply this with my hands, just like a regular moisturiser. Not once have I experienced any difficulties with this application method, no streaks or anything! It absorbs really quickly so you don't have to sit around with that awful sticky feeling. I also like to put a little bit on my face (I love tan on my face!) and have not experienced any breakouts or anything of the kind. This product is very kind to my skin.

Think it's time for some before and after photos!

 Before

After

These pictures show what just ONE application of Gentle Bronze can do! You can continue to build up your colour with further applications if you want, but I am absolutely thrilled with how I look after just one application. This is exactly what I want, when I want to be just a little bit tanned however it looks quite natural in Wintertime. 

I love Gentle Bronze for a perfect bronzed glow, ease of application and best of all it is only £5.99. I am definitely going to be stocking up on this stuff for Spring coming in!

Life's Little Saviours... Beauty Edition

I was thinking about what little essential products really just make life easier while at the same time being incredibly useful. So I went through my bathroom cabinet and make up drawer to see what I could come up with. Surprisingly there is only one "make up" product.

1. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Mains - I love a good hand cream and this is what I am currently using. I got this just before Christmas when I spotted it in my local chemist. I have read so many La Roche Posay reviews, so I couldn't resist. It is kind of a gel-like formula which acts as a barrier too. Great if you suffer from seriously dry hands. Mine aren't too bad but this hand cream is really brilliant.

2. Mane n' Tail Detangler - This is a fairly new product in my collection, but in those couple of weeks it has made life so much easier for me, you know, hair wise! My hair is so incredibly tatty. If I brush it through smooth, I will have knots in it after about 30 seconds flat! I spray this Detangler in my hair after I wash it, and it is incredible how I can brush my hair with ease. You can use the Detangler in dry hair too, but I find just using it in my wet hair is enough, and I can still brush my hair easily right up until I next wash my hair. Fantastic product.

3. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan - I never used to wear fake tan apart from the odd special occasion...now I wear it all the time. Ever since I discovered the fabulous Cocoa Brown a little over a year ago, I use it religiously at least once per week. It is the most lovliest tan, easy to apply, not a streak in sight and it gives me the most perfect colour. It looks so natural. I don't even remember what I look like un-tanned! Honestly, this is one product I could never be without.

4. Batiste Dry Shampoo - Another hair product! My hair gets greasy pretty quickly and if it wasn't for this dry shampoo, I would have to wash my hair every day and that is just not happening! Now I can wash my hair and get a good three days out of it. I have used other brands of dry shampoo but Batiste is by far the best. They have a huge range of scents but the original is my favourite, it smells quite citrusy and I actually think it is the most effective on my hair. It's also great for adding texture to your hair for styling.

5. Burts Bees Lip Balm - A good lip balm is essential every day and Burts bees is my favourite. They are so moisturising and last a long time on your lips before having to re-apply. The scents are just amazing too. The original honey is my favourite, but the chocolate and blueberry is gorgeous too! I have one of these in my handbag, on my dressing table and one at work as well. They are really good quality for the price. When you compare them to something like Baby Lips, you can really tell that the Baby Lips are a little waxy in comparison. Burts Bees are just so nourishing and beneficial.

6. YSL Touche Eclait - I got this for Christmas and I swear I have never looked back since. I am extremely conscious about my under eye area. I have spent years searching for concealers to cover my under eye bags, but nothing worked. I realised that I actually don't have bags or dark circles, just the natural contours of my eye. What I needed was a brightening product, and one which has a thin/light consistency. Enter Touche Eclait. This is every thing I had been searching for. A quick stroke of this and my eyes are transformed. It is a wonder product and one which I now could not be without.

The Best of 2013 (Beauty Edition)

It is so difficult for me to believe that 2013 is at an end. I have to say that it has been a wonderful year for me, and I hope 2014 will be just as good. I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year.

I started this blog in January 2013. I have always tried numerous, varied products but ever since I started blogging I find that I have bought things that I wouldn't normally have looked at, thanks to everyone's great reviews and blog posts. 

I had to think long and hard but I have chosen seven products which have entered my life in 2013 and hopefully will never leave!

1. Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover - This is one item which will now always be a staple in my skincare routine. This eye make up remover has an oil and water layer which you shake together and which really cuts through all eye make up with one swipe. It is so gentle on your eyes, there is no need to tug or pull on the skin. It is £15.00 a bottle which normally lasts me about 10 weeks. It is worth every penny!

2. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan Mousse - I never used to wear fake tan, until I discovered this. Now I wear tan every single day. Isn't it funny how things change? I don't know what I would do without my Cocoa Brown. I don't look normal without it. Actually I don't even remember what I look like without tan. It is just the most natural looking tan, so easy to apply and it is dry almost instantly after applying. Sure it is so handy, why wouldn't you wear it all the time?!

3. Lancome Teint Idole Foundation - I decided to invest in a good foundation back in May and I am so delighted I chose this. I have not spent this much money on a foundation before, but I can tell you that you can actually feel the difference in quality compared to other foundations. This is without a doubt the best foundation to ever land in my make up collection. It is so light yet gives great coverage. It has a nice scent, and I love the glass bottle with the pump.

4. Art Deco Dip Eyeliner - I used to be so crap at applying liquid eyeliner. I don't know how I can apply this little beauty so easily, but I can. The formula, the brush, everything about it makes it so easy for me to line my eyes. And it has lasted so long too and hasn't started to dry up or anything. Although, I am incredibly upset now that I have just realised Debenhams do not stock this anymore! I don't know what I will do when this runs out!

5. Lancome Hypnose Mascara - After trying my first Lancome mascara earlier in the year (Hypnose Star) I can confirm that out of all the brands of mascaras I have tried, nothing even comes close to the quality of Lancome. I love the formula and the wand. My lashes are so amazing looking when I use this!

6. Illamasqua Cream Blush - Remember the Illamasqua 50% off sale everyone went crazy for? The only thing I bought was this cream blush in the shade "Dixie". I didn't really get on with it at first, but I have worn it every single day and have not even hit pan yet! I like to apply it with the Real Techniques Stippling Brush or I tap in on with my fingers. Even if I am wearing a powder blush, I always put on a bit of this underneath as a base. It is absolutely brilliant and well worth the money,

7. Urban Decay Naked Palette - I snubbed this palette for such a long time. I didn't like the idea of "nudes", I mean what is the point of wearing eyeshadow at all if you are going to go nude? But when I first saw this palette up close in real life, I quickly realised that my assumption was wrong. These shades are all so beautifully shimmery and in my opinion they are not what I would call "nudes". I love bronzey, gold shades and this palette is packed full of them. Since I got this palette I have worn no other eyeshadows! I like the idea of Naked 2 and now Naked 3, but in my opinion, the original Naked palette is the best.

Do you like any of these products? What products have you tried in 2013 that you love? Please let me know in the comments below.

Current Favourites! / Early June Favourites!

I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather! I know I am, it's great to see it and here's hoping it will last a long time!

Recently, I have been reaching for these products a lot - I thought I would show them to you - lately I have decided that I cannot live without these products! (Well, not literally!)

Lancôme Teint Idole Foundation (shade 3) - I have been loving this foundation recently. I got a little sample of it in Debenhams and I couldn't belive how good it looked on, so I went straight out and got the full sized bottle. It is completely matte, and it has been staying on all day even though it is a fairly light foundation. I am so impressed with this!

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan - What else can I say about this, apart from it is the best tan in the world! I used to never wear fake tan and now I think I am addicted to it! What I like most is that it is the most natural coloured fake tan I have ever seen, and it wears off quite well too, unlike other tans I have tried which wear off in patches! This one is perfect and is oh so easy to apply. I now love wearing tan every day, I think it makes me look a lot healthier or something!

Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Make Up Remover - This is genuinely the best eye make up remover I have ever used. It removes every little trace of make up with just one swipe of a cotton pad. Amazing. I got this as a free gift but I will definitely be buying the full sized version. I know it is a little expensive but it really is that good! I've been using this every day for the last month or so and there is still a good amount left in the bottle.

MAC Prep & Prime Protection SPF 50 - I bought this primer mainly for the SPF 50 but I have really noticed a difference in the longevity of my makeup too especially at the end of a long, hot day. I don't really use primers but now I feel like I couldn't be without this one! I love the added high protection too. If this good weather holds out I would highly suggest investing in this! It is quite moisturiser-like and easy to apply.

Angelica Nail Polish (shade "Hip Hop") - I have been wearing this nail polish almost every day since the summer began! It is so bright, actually it is a neon colour! It is the finest coral shade I have ever used (and I have used a lot!). The formula is quite thin, almost gel like. It lasts me about a week too. It is probably the best nail polish I have ever used,and it was so cheap too! I'll be using this all summer!

IsaDora Bronzing Powder (shade Light Tan) - I bought this last year, but never really used it. I saw it in Debenhams and fell in love with the beautiful packaging, the huge compact and nice mirror. The product is of course amazing, but it is not until now that I have been wearing fake tan that I have really got the use out of it. I am not really into bronzers, but I have never seen one like this before! It is the most gorgeous tan colour, a tiny subtle hint of shimmer, that I use all over my face every day now. If I am having a good skin day, I actually just wear this alone instead of foundation. I will definitely be re-purchasing this, and I cannot recommend this bronzer enough! It is such good value too for the amount of product you get!

MUA Power Pout (Justify) - I absolutely love this lip crayon. It is so smooth and moisturising, there is also a slight peppermint hint from it which feels really refreshing on your lips. I find that even after the actual balm has worn off, I am left with a hint of colour which is nice. But I have been generously applying this every single day, it is nearly all gone now! Luckily at £3.00 a go, this is one I will be buying lots more of!



I hope you have enjoyed seeing what products I am loving at the moment. Has anyone else tried these products? I'd love to know what you think!

Cocoa Brown Night & Day Tan - Exclusive Look

I am so happy to try out this amazing Cocoa Brown Night and Day tan, before it is even released. I am such a fan of the original Cocoa Brown, I was so excited to give this a go.

 Now the idea of this tan is that you can apply it and instantly you will have a beautiful, deep tan for your night out. Instant tan that does not turn blotchy when your skin is in contact with water! The next morning you can have a shower and you will be left with a light, natural glow that can last up to five days. Amazing!

I used the Cocoa Brown mitt to apply this product, and I think this mitt is brilliant. It feels so sturdy to use, I am so used to using the £1 tanning mitts from Primark. This one is much better quality and it is brilliant because it did not stain my hands at all.

 As you can see, this mousse is slightly darker than the original Cocoa Brown. It still has the same lovely scent and feels really soft and easy to apply.

Here is a photo comparison. As much as my right leg has a really deep tan, it still looks like a really natural colour (which I adore!). I cannot believe that I can put this on and go straight out the door! It is amazing! I do not usually wear darker tan but this is nothing that I imagined. It is the most perfect colour and this tan is perfect for those impromptu nights (or days!) out! 

This tan will be out next week! This will be so handy to keep in your bathroom cupboard!

Cocoa Brown Tan!

I had heard about this tan many times, it has exploded onto the Irish market. There are no stockists near me, so I ordered from www.carterbeauty.ie. I cannot believe this tan is only €7.99! It is a real bargain!

I have never used a mousse tan in my life, so I wasn't sure how much to use initially! I was being rather over-cautious with it I think. When you pump just a small amount onto your mitt, it expands out so it is quite deceiving. Next time I am going to use a lot more than I did. 

One thing I did notice about the application of this tan is that it feels very "dry", which is a good thing I guess. No sticky feeling! But when applying, you can feel your mitt start to drag and when that happens, I would recommend another small pump. My tan turned out a little lighter than I would have liked, but that was because I tried to spread each pump over as much of my skin as I possibly could. Also when I use lotion tan, I like to use the excess on the mitt to put a little on my face, but with this tan there was no excess! (Again that is possibly because I did not use enough). I guess it's all about trial and error when you try out new products.

This was after the three hours, which I believe is when the tan is fully developed. You can shower off the excess after one hour if that's what you like, but I decided to leave it. It is probably the most natural looking tan I have ever used. Not a hint of orange in sight! Just a healthy looking, natural glow. Next time I am not going to be afraid and stick plenty on!

BABY B BROWNE Tan review!

A while ago I showed you my favourite tan which is Baby B Browne. I am so ready for spring, that lastnight I couldn't help tanning myself and getting rid of some of my winter clothes! I really think I look much healthier with tan on too. Anyway, here are some before and after photos!

Firstly I am so sorry you have to see my Irish corned beef complexion! The left leg is obviously no tan at all, and my right leg was just after applying the tan. So obviously it hadn't fully developed but I still think even at this stage it makes such a difference.

Now this photo was taken this morning. I absolutely love the natural look of this tan. It smells absolutely amazing, this morning there is a little hint of that typical tan smell, but the formula itself is a lovely vanilla scent!

This tan is about £15.00 a bottle, very reasonable and I would say very comparable to something like St Tropez which I have tried before, however I think that the longevity is much better, I can get a full week out of this tan without it going patchy.

I have just ordered some Cocoa Brown tan, I have heard so much about it and I can't wait to review it when it comes!

Tan Time! Baby B Browne Review

I know it's only February, but I really wanted to show you this amazing tan which I discovered last year. Baby B Browne is developed in Northern Ireland and costs just £14.95. Previously, I had been spending £25 or £30 on St Tropez Lotion, and while I did think it was a nice tan, the truth is it never lasted long on me and always came off when I had a shower. My local beauty salon were selling Baby B Browne so I thought I would give it a try.

I am not really a huge lover of fake tans. I just like to wear a little bit to enhance my skin tone really. I would never pile loads of it on! Although on the bottle this tan is described as being medium, when I put my usual amount on it looks perfect so it is a buildable tan if you want it darker.

This tan smells absolutely gorgeous, it is vanilla scented and I love it! Some fake tans usually smell really bad but this is absolutely lovely. I apply it using a tanning mitt. It is very easy to apply evenly without streaking!

An application of Baby B Browne would last me the best part of a week, versus one or two days with St Tropez tan. I would highly recommend everything about this tan. The reasonable price, the longevity, and the lovely scent. I genuinely would not use anything else now and I think everyone should try it. You can order it online at www.babybbrowne.co.uk - go and check it out!