It’s that time of year: time for those bikinis and brightly coloured shorts that haven’t seen daylight since last summer, to be retrieved from the back of our wardrobes at the slightest glimpse of sunshine. As the recent heat wave proved, us English will not hesitate to bare our bods at every possible moment in order to achieve that much-desired tan. The problem is that most of us don’t even consider wearing sun-tan lotion in England, because, well its England and England can’t be that hot. So whether you are heading abroad or just staying local this summer, here’s some advice on how to stay safe in the sun, because let’s face it, no one can pull of that red lobster look.
Of course, sun does not have to equal sunbathing. Plenty of attractive and fashionable celebs embrace pale beauty; Emma Stone, Gwen Stefani, Nicole Kidman and Dita Von Teese all look hot without facing the consequences of burning under the sun. However, if the pale look is not for you, basking under the sun’s glare is not the only way to add a bit of colour to your cheeks. Fake-tan is a very effective – and safe – method for achieving that bronzed glow. There is a wide variety of self-tanning products on the market available at student friendly prices. Johnson’s, Garnier and Dove all offer self-tanning moisturising products for around the £5 mark – tanned and moisturised skin all in one! Soltan Beautiful Bronze Instant Bronzing Lotion is a personal favourite and is available in various shades for different skin colours. To avoid an orange hand disaster after application, it is recommended that you apply such products with a self-tan applicator mitt, which are available for around £3.
To tan or not to tan, summer is all about relaxing and making the most of the sun – we see so little of it after all! Obviously, it’s no fun at all if you end up suffering from sunstroke and painful, blistering skin though. So, grab your bikinis and skimpy shorts, but don’t forget your sunglasses, sunhat and, of course, your suntan lotion. Whatever your preferred way of enjoying the sun may be, just remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
