Xen-Tan Goes LUXE!

Can I tell you how much I love the line of Xen-Tan self-tanning products. I think they are some of the best self tanners around

In case you have't noticed my love of them, you can check out my previous posts on Xen-Tan products: Summer's Best, Currently Obsessed, Brush on the Fresh Beauty of a Summer Bronze, Getting a Tan, the Xen-Tan Way, More Love for Xen-Tan, and it was one of the self-tanners I pointed out to some celebrities sporting tan lines. Let's just say I am thrilled to now be using their latest collection, Xen-Tan LUXE.

 All of the LUXE products are paraben-free. All they contain are body beautiful ingredients:

• Shea Butter - a natural, ultra moistruizer that leaves kin silky smooth without that greasy after-feel
• Aloe Barbadensis - a natural skin smoother
• Green Tea - anti-oxidant and anti-imflammatory properties
• Ginko Biloba Leaf Extract - a potent anti-oxidant that helps improve blood flow
• Lactic Acid - gently exfoliate skin's surface for a longer lasting tan and smoother color
• Glycerin - a humectant which attracts moisture to the skin and aids in locking in the moisture

The three products in the Xen-Tan LUXE Collection:

TRANSFORM LUXE - $30 - This product gives you a  daily dose of moisture and self-tan with a boost of more tanning power and a fresh new scent of vanilla. The color guide on this is white and it gently fades into the skin as it is smoothed on.

Deep Bronze LUXE - $39 - This self-tanner has a sheer, but milk chocolate color to it so you can apply and go, or simply see exactly where you are applying. Deep Bronze Luxe delivers a smooth self-tan but with a more intense level of self-tanning and the light scent of fresh vanilla.

Face Tanner LUXE - $22 - This facial self-tanner has a very light bronze color to it so you can use it in the morning for an immediate glow. It contains a new time-release ingredient that helps to give a super-smooth tan for the face and throat.

For my body, I use the Deep Bronze LUXE three times and have a gorgeous "base tan". I now apply the TRANSFORM LUXE every night before bed for the moisture and gentle color that it adds while it does not let my "base tan" fade. I think I will just need to re-apply the Deep Bronze once a week to keep my color as I want it.

For my face, I apply the Face Tanner LUXE two to three times a week, depending on how much exfoliation I have done in between.

You can pick up these three products for a special introductory price of just $75 by shopping online at Xen-Tan for a limited time.

The entire Xen-Tan LUXE collection just launched online at the brand new Fred Segal beauty site StudioBeautyMix.com, and can also be found at Nordstrom and Xen-Tan.com.

QVC "It's a Beautiful Day": Kate Somerville Somer360 Tanning Towelettes.

Claiming myself as a self-tanning expert as I have tried various self-tanners in different forms, I will admit that I have never used a tanning towelette. I don't know why these have never appealed to me, but they seem simple enough to use. My plan is to educate myself on their ease of use with these new ones from Kate Somerville.

The Kate Somerville Somer360 Tanning Towelettes will be a part of QVC's 24 hour beauty broadcast "It's a Beautiful Day" tomorrow (4-25-2009).

There are 8 towelettes in the pack, with each towelette having the ability to cover the entire body. To use, you unfold the towelette and rub over clean dry skin in a circular motion. It sounds easy! I would say to do your whole body and wash your hands. Then have someone help you by applying the rest onto the tops of your hands for the perfect finish.

If you have used these or any other tanning towelette in the past and have some tips to share, please do so in the comments.

Kate Somerville Somer360 Tanning Towelettes - $43.92 item #A90985

Be Bella Bronze-d and Beautiful!

It is the beginning of Spring break around here and while plenty of people are running off to warmer climates, I am happy with the 70 degree and sunny weather right here in Massachusetts. Though I know it won't last, my faux-tan will. We are stay-cationing and faking it all the way. And I am doing it the Bella Bronze way.

I was just introduced to this self-tanning line of products earlier this year. Bella Bronze features products that prepare you for a self-tan, a self-tan itself, and even a product to make your self-tan last. All of the Bella Bronze products feature Golden Chamomile, Virgin Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Goats Milk and Fig Extracts to help you get on a Mediterranean, streak-free tan - that looks beautiful and lasts.

The line up:

Before the bronze -

• Tarraco Orange & Walnut Exfoliator for the face
• Sea Kelp & White Volcanics Scrub for the body
• Sea Water & Minerals Pre-Tan Clarifier

For the bronze -

• Olive & Grape Seed Extract Tinted Self-Tanner for the face
• Golden Chamomile & Goats Milk Self-Tanner for the face & body
• Espresso & Creama Anti-Cellulite Self-Tanner for the legs

After the bronze -

• Olive Oil & Shea Butter Tan Extender

I have been using the Golden Chamomile & Goats Milk Self-Tanner for the face & body.

As it is not tinted, I only use it on my legs, which after years of practice, I can use there for a pretty even tan. If you are a novice, a tinted tanner is what I suggest, but once you get the hang of it, applying a non-tinted version can work equally as well. (I still only use tinted versions on the rest of my body). The nourishing ingredients helps the lotion smooth on easy and helps the color develop into a natural looking glow.  Within about 3 - 4 hours, the tan is glowing and it lasts a good 3 - 4 days. Using the Olive Oil & Shea Butter Tan Extender helps my glow last about a week, as this moisturizer keeps skin conditioned with a small amount of self-tanning agent that is included as well.

You can shop for the entire Bella Bronze line up on it's website. You can also scoop up either the Golden Chamomile & Goats Milk Self-Tanner ($26) or the Olive & Shea Butter Tan Extender ($25) in the latest addition of Beautyfix. One of these beauties, a full sized one, is included. For more information on the rest of what is in this quarters edition of Beautyfix visit my earlier post, or simply subscribe at Beautyfix.com.