Four Easy Hacks For Feeling (And Looking) Great This Summer

1. Stop, Relax and Breathe...

You're probably reading this on your phone, slightly hunched over and a little bit tense, and at least one alert will come through before you've finished this article. Before you start fretting about your to-do list and when you'll have time to self-tan before your friend's wedding at the weekend, take a deep breath. Time is the ultimate luxury these days. While you might not have time for a long soak in the bath, you can upgrade your shower with luxurious textures and scents to make it feel that little bit more pampering.

Hoping to give time-pressed people a distraction from the daily grind, our Chief Commercial Officer, Margaret Mitchell created our destination inspired bath and body collection. Whether you're craving a refreshing dip in the sea off the coast of Paros or want to feel the sand between your toes and the warm sun on your back in the Caribbean, our Body Washes will take you there. Remember to take a couple of deep breathes and roll your shoulders back to release any tension.

2. Scrub scrub scrub

While you're in the shower, don't forget to exfoliate. An exfoliator acts as an instant glow booster, and who doesn’t want that? They work by lifting away dead cells from the surface to make way for new ones. It’s also an essential step for anyone looking to reap the benefits of their body moisturiser and ensure an even tan application. Trust us when we say your body lotion will work harder on exfoliated skin.

Whether you’re looking for smoother, softer skin or to create a clean canvas for your self-tan, a body scrub is essential. We recommend Space NK Paros Tides Body Scrub, N/A as the upcycled shea nut and olive stone exfoliants offer a gentle but thorough exfoliation, while pomegranate enzymes help to hydrate your skin.

Our top tip? Massage the scrub into your skin in an upwards, circular movement to help boost your circulation and promote lymphatic drainage. If you intend to fake tan after your bath or shower, focus on your feet, knees, arms and the backs of the arms, hands and elbows.

3. Quench thirsty skin

Once you’ve created a smooth base, it’s essential to “moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! It’s the key to healthy, hydrated skin,” says Marc. For truly summer-ready skin however, we recommend finding the best body moisturiser for you and sleeping in it. If you have very dry or dehydrated skin, you might want to do this more regularly than once a week.

If you’re looking for instant, long-lasting moisture, as well as some extra firming benefits, we recommend Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Firmeza Oil, N/A. However, if you’re planning to apply self-tan, you should opt for an oil-free moisturiser. Oils “act as a barrier to the tan’s penetration,” Jules warns.

Instead, opt for an aloe vera moisturiser. “Adding an aloe vera based moisturiser will act as a blending agent, helping the tan not to go too dark in these areas and help blend the colour in with the rest of your application,” Jules advises. Here are some body moisturisers we’re loving right now.

3. Turn to tan

For those with fair skin, applying a tanning product is arguably the most transformative step as we head into summer. Don’t be tempted to skip steps one and two; “the trick to a truly flawless glow is all in the prep. Shave or wax at least 24 hours prior to application, ensure skin is exfoliated, and remove any makeup and deodorant prior to application. Also, avoid using retinol or AHAs at least 24 hours before and after applying self-tan,” advises Jules.

It’s then time to choose the best self-tan for you (mousse, serum, mist or even tanning water are just a few of the options available), but for those tanning first-timers, we recommend a gradual tan. “These formulas work with a lower percentage DHA, so you can apply regularly for a hydrated glow that builds over time, as opposed to just one application,” Marc explains. “They’re great for first time tanners,” confirms Jules.

What’s Jules’ application advice? “Apply your gradual tan instead of your moisturiser – on average you will start to see colour over the course of three days. Once you have reached your desired shade, simply apply on alternate days to maintain your glow,” he says. Of course, tanning involves staining the skin, and in order to keep our tan in the right places, Jules has some tips. “Remember immediately after you have applied your tan to wipe your palms, in-between your fingers and buff your knuckles on a dry towel to remove excess so you have a beautiful seamless tan,” he tells us. “Feel free to set your tan using a translucent powder – inner elbows and decolletage will benefit from this in warmer climates.”

After you’ve applied your tan, spray your hair, not your skin, with fragrance. Find the whole waiting-for-your-tan-to-dry thing a bit of a faff? “Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the drying process of your tan,” Jules suggests. Wondering which tan to try? Here are a few of our favourites.