I am a faux-tan fanatic. I self tan some part of my body almost everyday. As Summer is coming to a close, I won’t even go there with how weird my self-tanning routine is, but it is insane.

Over the last few weeks, I have spent a lot of time at the beach, and while I do use a sunscreen and apply it over and over, and spend most of my time under an umbrella, a real tan is peeking through. It is more golden than the olive tone I get from my self-tanners, and I want to make this color last.

I found my way to making this color last with Clarins Self Tanning Milk SPF6. I am so thrilled about the SPF element in this self-tanner. It glides onto my skin and sinks in almost immediately. I wish I had used this Self-Tanning Milk from the beginning of the season, especially on my legs. The golden glow is so natural, long-lasting and gorgeous!

Whether you have a real tan or want to extend your faux tan, give this one from Clarins a try. If you are new to self-tanning and are looking to extend your real tan, I would start out by exfoliating your skin in, moisturizing it, then about hour later apply the self-tanner. Once or twice a week should be enough to make the golden glow last and look natural, fading away on it’s own, just like a real tan.

Clarins Self Tanning Milk is available at you Clarins counter where they can give you more recommendations for self tanning products to make your tan last as well.

image credit: Clarins

I need to start using this new system from Clarins - stat. I am obsessing over my hyperpigmentation, sun spots and melasma at the moment. I am thinking that this routine will help.

Clarins Bright Plus HP products offer a controlled and gentle renewing brightening action. By controlling this with it’s specific ingredients, even the most fragile skin can be more clear, bright and even toned.

The first product (and the first step) in this brightening routine is the Bright Plus HP Brightening Peel.

  
Tis liquid should be applied with a cotton pad, swept over the face. This step gently removes excess dead skin cells containing keratin and melanin resulting in skin regaining brighter and smoother appearance. Clarins says for a more progressive treatment to use it every other night after makeup is removed.

The second product (and second step) is the Bright Plus HP Intensive Brightening Mask.

 
In just ten minutes, this mask which contains ingredients to enhance anti-pigmentation and eliminates toxins that block your pores, will help to restore a more matte luminosity. Skin will become soothes and brighter with continued use. The mask should be used twice a week for optimum results.

So, what exactly are these special incredients? Well, the formulation is complex. It contains the exclusive HP Lock-Around System. This is made up of Alchemilla + Raspberry + Hydrosoluble Vitamin C and a Liposoluble derivative of Vitamin C, along with a patented complex of Camomile, Parsley and Birch. This has been enhanced to ensure stronger protection against hyperpigmentation, controlling it at its source, to brighten and even skin tone.  Siegesbeckia orientalis borrowed from traditional Chinese medicine, soothes irritation in the skin and encourages skin repair. Glycerine provides hydrating benefits to restore suppleness and softness to weakened skin. Alchemila, Raspberry, and Butcher’s Broom combine to stimulate circulation and reinforce the tone of capillaries, thereby reviving the radiance of tired skin. Finally, White Clay and Rice Starch add a mattifying action by absorbing excess sebum and encouraging the elimination of toxins.

The peel retails for $42, while the set of 8 masks sell for $28.

I cannot wait to try this system and plan to use them together. If you have use either of these products, please do share your experience. I will definitely follow up with my findings.

Over the weekend, I was asked by a friend if there is ever any beauty product that I really long for. She thinks that because I get the inside scoop on so much stuff, that I must not ever want anything. This is so untrue. I have a wish list miles long!

There are some great new beauty products out there that I am just longing to try.

Clarins Self-Tanning Cream - yes,in a jar! Clarins makes some of the best self-tanners, and this one looks like it would be wonderful for extra dry legs - like mine!

L’Occitane Dazzling Hands Duo Gift Set - because I am obsessed with keeping my hands smooth and this set looks to be winner.

Ole Henriksen Travel Kit - Dry/Sensitive Skin - This would be perfect for my travels over the next few months as I would love to be able to keep things like this already to go.

That is what is currently on my radar. Is there anything specifically you are wishing for lately?

images from Sephora

Yes, it is a week until Mother’s Day. And on the other beauty blogs I write, I have been giving out my best Mother’s Day gifting advice. But I want to know… What is it that we want for Mother’s Day?

So, just in case anyone from my family reads this, AND I SURE HOPE THAT SOMEONE IS, here is my wish list.

These are like that Eternity Circle Necklace I got last year - but they are earrings! And these diamond beauties are not too expensive at just $132.00 at Ross-Simons.com.

This is a Cross-Body handbag from Coach that I so need for our upcoming Las Vegas trip (hubby told me Friday that he taking me for 3 nights to Vegas for my 40th at the end of the month). These type of bags are perfect for traveling and doing a lot of walking - from plane - to hotel - to casino - to shopping - to casino - to shopping - shopping - shopping!

I have the dress for our one *special night* out in Vegas, I just need the shoes. And these nude sling-backs with the slightest of detailing with the rhinestone buckle would be perfect. And I almost fell over when I saw that these were just $39.79 (normally $135) at endless.com. Oh - wait - take this off the list because I just ordered them!

And for the geek I really am, I so want these - though I don’t need them in the slightest:

This is the newest Sony VAIO All-in-One Desktop computer. With a built in camera at the top, clear, thin design, and wireless keyboard (that folds up!) and mouse and just $1799 - this is a dream!

I so don’t need this, and I would probably never figure this thing out, but I have been gazing at this Palm Treo 750 since it came out. I have been looking at the Blackberry Pearl (which is so pretty in red), but I think this treo with the bigger screen and full keyboard has my number.

Onto the beauty stuff I want! And because my cupboards and beauty closet runneth over from all of the products I already have in my stash, these are just a few of the extra special goodies I really, really NEED to try!

Ceramic Skin Smoother Finishing Serum from N.V. Perricone M.D. - Another makeup primer which I am obsessed with (primer, that is) and I would love to try this one out. For $75 it must be fantastic!

Clarins Line Prevention Starter Collection - The only products I have used form Clarins have been their self-tanning products, which I swear by, so I an really intrigues by this. Line Prevention? So up my alley, and it is such a steal at only $37 for 5 pieces!

Bliss Labs Scrub+Color Hue-It-Yourself Self-Tanning Set - I need this because I probably don’t have enough self-tanners to make it through the summer (though I am pretty close ) and I love, love self-tanners that are in an aerosol device. They are so easy to apply, and the pre-scrub is sure to be amazing.

Do you have anything special on your Mother’s Day list?