*contains gifted items. All opinions are 100% my own.

I love to have a tan. There’s something so satisfying about turning what can only be described as the worst cup of milky-ass tea complexion into something that makes me feel like a bronzed goddess. I do go out in the sun (the rare days it’s out in the UK) but the dangers of UV damage are always in the back of my mind, alarm bells flashing as red as my skin when I forget to apply SPF. That’s why I often turn to fake tan to give me that coveted golden glow. After all, you have to fake it until you make it right?

I’ve tried many fake tans over the years, some great ones, some ok ones and some outright Oompa Loompa making ones. Whether they’re a spray, cream or mousse they all have two flaws in common, application and colour.

I always apply my tan with a mitt and whilst this stops me getting wotsit hands, it doesn’t always leave me with the most flawless finish, especially round joints and toes. Add to that a very one-dimensional colour, my tan can look a little flat and obviously fake. This is where Amanda Harrington London is the ultimate game changer in sunless tanning.

Amanda Harrington London

Amanda Harrington is one of the beauty industry’s most respected and innovative false tanning experts. Starting off her incredible career as a body artist, painting and contouring skin on film sets and photoshoots, when she turned her attention to tanning she found she could only get the level of control and precision required with a brush. Mixing her own blend of tanning tints and using a brush to buff and stipple colour directly onto the skin, Amanda was able to sculpt and enhance bone structure for a more natural and seamless finish.

Her unique approach to tanning combined with Amanda’s artistry background led to her trademarked Bespoke Body Contouring Technique. Finally, in May this year she launched Amanda Harrington London, the first of its kind in both tanning products and application. By combining Amanda’s unique 3-step method, you can prep, colour and contour your skin for the most gorgeous, believable and long-lasting tan.

Step One – Prep

Just like applying a primer before a foundation for that flawless finish, Amanda Harrington London Pre-Colour Primer is an essential first step for a smooth even tan. This collagen infused, illuminating and hydrating primer includes low-level tanning agents to extend the life of your glow. It also contains hyaluronic acid as well as vitamins A and E to help maintain moisture (important when tanning) and keep skin plump.

Three to four pumps is enough to apply an even layer all over your face and neck before using your face mist. It has a beautiful fresh subtle scent and smooths into skin beautifully, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated.

Step Two – Colour

Amanda Harrington London is the first tan to contain tailor-made ‘tan undertones’ which deepen and enhance your natural skin tone opposed to adding that all to familiar tangerine shade that screams fake tan.

This Illuminating Bronzing Face Mist comes in three different shades:

Natural Rose – fair skin tones with pink undertones

Natural Honey – medium skin tones with golden undertones

Natural Olive – darker skin tones with warm undertones

For step two, lightly spray two pumps of the face mist onto the Face Lifter Brush and buff in circular motions across your whole face and neck, building the colour gradually in light layers.

The face mist is incredibly easy to apply and although may look a little scary when sprayed directly onto the brush, quickly blends out for a smooth finish. That classic fake tan biscuit smell is minimal, practically non-existent which is a godsend for a fake tan on the face.

Since none of Amanda’s products contain alcohol, you won’t be drying out your skin as you tan. Applying drying products onto dry skin and you might as well ask for a streaky tan. With Amanda Harrington London because you’re buffing the tan directly into the dermis, instead of trying to apply one layer, you end up with a more even tan that will gradually fade instead of becoming patchy. Plus there’s no need to stand like a shop mannequin waiting for all that liquid to dry. Just apply and go.

Step Three – Contour

The final step is Contour. This part involves brushing, buffing and blending your colour to create extra definition. Lightly spray one pump of the Face Mist onto the Face Lifter Brush and sweep along the cheekbones, top of forehead and anywhere the sun would hit your face naturally. Bring the product down onto your neck towards your décolletage for the ultimate streak-free finish. Then all you have to do is leave the colour on for 4-6 hours and wash off with warm water.

This step is such a revelation in tanning for me. As someone who has quite a round face, I can’t live without bronzer or contour to add definition. Using Amanda Harrington London products allows me to achieve the same look that not only lasts longer but means I save time on days I don’t fancy putting on makeup.

There’s zero transference of the tan onto your clothing or bedding and you can even apply light makeup 15 minutes after colour application and continue with your day whilst the colour deepens.

The brushes are a big part of what make this the perfect way to tan. You just can’t achieve the same depth and definition with a mitt and why would you when they’re very much made to cover flat surfaces. The soft bristle brushes hug every part of your body as you buff, so that you prevent that tell-tale line between tanned and untanned skin.

All tanning products are vegan except the brushes. These are made of natural hair and have been expertly crafted and cut for the best results. If you want to go completely cruelty free but still want to try Amanda Harrington London, I’d recommend using the same three step technique with a large synthetic hair kabuki brush and it would be fantastic if Amanda could introduce other vegan-friendly brushes into the collection.

Using Amanda Harrington London has really changed the way I fake tan. Always wanting to look more bronzed and add that holiday glow to my face, I often turn to faking it. These products give a beautiful finish and without a doubt THE most natural look I’ve ever had. Now I’m off to prep, colour and contour! B x

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