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!

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer Review

At Christmas, I bought some Clarins things and the lady at the counter gave me a few samples to try. One of them was a tiny tube of this, HydraQuench tinted moisturiser. Tinted moisturisers are really not my thing. I just don't associate them with giving me an even complexion or hiding any flaws, so I have always stayed away. But after giving this one a go, I absolutely fell in love so went out and bought the full sized version!

The moisturiser comes in 6 shades. I went with shade number 4 Blond, because I honestly felt it was best for me especially when I am tanned.

This moisturiser is so thick and luxurious. It's so creamy and it blends beautifully into your skin. I like to apply it using my fingertips. Amazingly, it's not sticky or tacky once on your skin but it has a powder finish. Immediately my skin feels silky smooth and call me crazy, but I do think it provides some coverage too!

It has a beautiful scent too, and it stays all day which I think is just amazing. I am trying not to use this too much right now, I want to bring it with me on my holidays in July! I have a feeling this will be perfect to use in hot weather. It gives your skin an amazing glow and finish, and I am not in the slightest paranoid about being "bare faced", I feel like I have got make up on! In my opinion, it's unlike any other tinted moisturiser and I already feel that this will be a summer staple for me!

Spring is here! :) :) My Spring favourites

Yay! First outdoor pic of the year! :)

There's just something about Spring that I love. There is a freshness in the air and without even realising it, I find that my taste in make up suddenly changes. I am drawn to bright colours, lightweight bases, and yet things that are long wearing.

I don't know where I would be without my Cocoa Brown tan. I apply it once a week, perhaps now the better weather is coming in it will be more. But I have also been using it with the new (and amazing) Gentle Bronze. I will apply my Cocoa Brown as normal and throughout the week I will use Gentle Bronze to top up my colour. Gentle Bronze is such a beautiful, lightweight moisturiser. It gives a beautiful colour and it doesn't feel sticky when you apply it which I love! (I suddenly have flashbacks of years ago as a teen when I didn't want to wear tan but I used to apply liberal amounts of Johnsons Holiday Skin *shudder*)

I got a little sample of Clarins Hydraquench Tinted Moisturiser. I loved it so much I went out and bought the full size. I shall definitely be using this all over the summer! I wouldn't normally go for a tinted moisturiser because I just love foundations so much, but this one is different (a full review is coming soon!)

Of course my beloved Chanel Soleil de Tan makes an appearance. It's my favourite bronzer ever, it's just so nice to apply. I can't fault this product in any way. The finish of it is lovely, and sometimes I even wear it alone.

I dug out my Clarins Splendours eye palette which I got last summer. I think it's lovely to wear nice soft gold eye make ups during Spring/Summer! This palette has the most gorgeous colours and is perfect for me. Sadly it was limited edition but Clarins' new summer palette looks equally as gorgeous.

I have been obsessed with my Tanya Burr lip gloss and nail polish! The colours are so fun and bright, and perfect for Spring and Summer. My favourites are the gloss in Exotic Island and the nail polish is Bright and Early.

And of course, you'll need a nice fresh perfume! My favourite is the Escada Cherry in the Air, I absolutely can't get enough of it! All the Escada perfumes actually just smell like Summer in a bottle!

What are your favourite Springtime products?