There's always that period in-between the start of spring and the start of summer where it feels like you're in limbo. Can you get excited for a summer holiday yet? Should you have a little glow? I felt like this recently; my skin was in winter mode, you know, a bit dull and not ready to bare any skin? 

I wouldn't suggest going near a tanning bed (skin cancer isn't beauty) and instant tanning is too powerful for a spring glow so Dove came to the rescue. 

For many people, gradual tan is the ideal way to tan. It's pretty easy to control the colour, it's moisturising, and it doesn't scream orange. 

I've always mixed any tan that I apply with moisturiser, even gradual, I find that it helps for a smoother application and despite what many people say, it doesn't make it go streaky. Pop it on after a bath and before you go to bed and you'll notice a glow in the morning. Get those arms out, summer is around the corner! 

(£3.49 from http://www.boots.com) 

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Face masks are something I've had in my possession since I used my first one. Often, they're something you like to use on a Sunday night before a week at work ahead or a Friday night after the long week and you're getting ready to go out. 

I haven't used anything but the sachet pastes which tend to then become crusty on your face or even the peel off masks. I saw these in Sephora in France and as they were just introducing them with an offer (buy 2 get the 3rd free). 

These are fibre masks, I wasn't convinced about how effective they were however after keeping it on for 15 minutes, my skin had lost its redness, uneven skin tone and had become softer. 

My final opinion (after using three) is that I'm not completely convinced that there should be different masks for different purposes, each had the same effect upon my skin.
I am aware that Sephora isn't available in the UK but if you were traveling and came across these, don't consider purchasing them depending upon their purpose, they pretty much all do the same job.

http://www.sephora.com

                                 

I'm on holiday in France at the moment and I've always struggled to find a sun protection cream that doesn't leave me feeling greasy and after making a trip to the pharmacy today, I thought it was a good opportunity for a blog post! 

They are two different SPF levels but I tend to alternate so my skin doesn't get too damaged in the space of two days. 

I'll start with the Vichy; I'll admit I haven't used a lot of their products as I stick with La Roche Posay however I they are always well stocked in pharmacies over here so I gave it a whirl. It would be difficult to say that it wasn't greasy at all, but it was better than any of the other products I've used in the past. The lotion easily sunk in to my skin and spread really well (some tend to stay in the same place). The most important thing to mention is that I haven't burnt today, even with me going in to the pool and not reapplying it. 

Now on to the Hawaiian Tropic (SPF 50). The saying 'it does what it says on the tin' is relevant here, this is the most hydrating by far and less like a greasy sun protection and more like a moisturiser. Really lovely and smooth to apply. The only negative point appeared when I applied some to my face as I wanted a higher factor than what I already had on; it began to sting slightly so I washed it off immediately. 

I'm pretty sure I'll find other products to review while I'm abroad so watch this space! 

I'm completely obsessed with this product from Chanel (Multi-use illuminating base, £33 - Selfridges). My mum introduced me to it at the start of summer and it completely changed the way I apply make up. (I should mention that I changed my make up to Chanel in June as the Mac I was using previously clogged my skin which isn't ideal for summer.) 

The fluid does everything from creating an even skin tone before applying foundation, to adding a natural glow to your skin.

Since it is multi use, I've used it in a number of ways so far and it hasn't faulted. It's been mixed in with my foundation, used as a primer, mixed with Chanel's Les Beiges fluid as well as their Sheer Illuminating Fluid and each time the results for my make up are perfect. Even if I choose to not wear make up somedays, I still use it as a moisturiser as it reduces the redness in my skin, is lightweight and, like I said, gives it a natural glow. 

I think this will become one of my staples, despite the price, but the best thing is that you only need to use a small amount so it lasts for ages.

There are a lot of people reviewing this at the moment and even writing reviews on the St Tropez website and they're all pretty much saying the same thing and if I'm honest I'm finding it hard not to agree. It's true, it's not streaky, it's easy to apply if you can be bothered to wait around in the shower for 3 minutes but the resulting colour after 5 days of use wasn't majorly different to the one I started off with. I imagine if I continued using it for another 5 days my opinion would be the same. 

Apart from the colour, to be able to tan your whole body each time you shower with it, you'd be spending as much money on buying the bottles as you would if you simply went for a spray tan. 

I think the product should be tweaked slightly for improvements, such as introducing different colours like St Tropez do for the ordinary gradual tan and possibly adding more pigment to the lotion to produce a better colour. It could be a useful product if you had been on holiday and wanted to boost your natural tan without making it overly obvious. 

Another ideal nude colour for nails other than the Sally Hansen. I've always trusted Essie to be long lasting and applied properly (base coat and top coat), this duo hasn't let me down. 

Become absolutely obsessed with these smoothie packs from M&S, so so easy and all you'll need is apple juice of milk. They are a slightly expensive way of making smoothies but really quick and easy when you're busy! There are two other types of smoothies, one is a breakfast one containing oats and strawberries and the other is mango and passion fruit.

Finally found a perfect nude for when I can't actually decide what colour to do my nails. Sally Hansen - 220

Breakfast this morning was all bran flakes with blueberries and strawberries!
For lunch I decided to try avocado on toast topped with mozzarella.
1 whole avocado
Salt
Pepper
Rapeseed oil
Squeeze of lemon

I make a point of having breakfast every morning, if I don't I never feel properly awake! A heavy breakfast never works well for me, so I tend to have something light and fruity.
This morning:
Orange juice
1 banana
Handful of blueberries
4 strawberries
Handful of raspberries