Summer 2014 Kick Off: The Hottest New Self Tanners

As a contributing blogger to TotalBeauty, I'm also a frequent reader.  If you are interested in all things beauty, nobody has better roundups, how-to's and reviews, 365 days a year. I'm hooked.

I'm also someone who self tans on everyone of those days.  When I got an email about the best new Self Tanners, I stopped in my tracks and prepared to take notes.

I am devoted to Kate Sommerville 360 Body Tanning Towelettes and have gone through at least a dozen boxes.  When it comes to doing the math on how much that has set me back, I would rather stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and say, "LALALALALALALALALA".

What I was really hoping to score was a few suggestions on "cheap and cheerful" alternatives. I was happy to see two included.

Mio QuickStart Exhilarating Shower Gel

Mio QuicksStart Exhilarating Shower Gel
$22

Sometimes I'm a bit slow to catch on...I had received several pitches from "Mio" skincare for products that definitely appealed, but I usually prefer to write about easily accessible, well known products that my readers can relate to.

I have used and loved Mama Mio skincare in the past...Duh, "by chance is "Mio" Mama Mio?" I inquired back to my friends at Tractenberg PR. "Yup. One and the same, just re-branded".

"Fabulous.  In that case I'm in!"

Sunday night is the film industries biggest night of the year- The Oscars.  This is my Superbowl. Though I have always hoped that I had a glam party or benefit to attend, I'm usually channel surfing the Red Carpet between E and and whoever is hosting, tweeting, checking out arrivals on my favorite fashion sites Red Carpet Fashion-Awards and Just Jared while  preparing my post Oscars snark blog, in yoga pants and a ratty tee shirt.

Tonight I got my wish! Moet & Chandon are sponsoring and event for The Greenwich International Film Festival at JHouse.  Needless to say, Diva has been in prep mode.

It started with Mio's QuickStart Exhilarating Shower Gel.  Anyone who knows me well, family, bosses, friends, high school guidance counselors, knows morning are not my long suit. My energy peaks as the day wears on...Go figure.

How nice to instantly have my senses jolted awake with this delicious shower gel. This sulfate free cleanser is enriched with coconut cleansers, spearmint oil and guarana caffeine to stimulate, cleanse and brighten your skin.

Flashback Fridays: Kate Somerville 360 Body Towelettes

Kate Somerville 360 Body Self Tanning Towelettes
8/$48

Longtime readers know that I'm all about the "glow" as well as a good "fake bake".  Come January,  I always whine lament, about how pale and pasty I feel. That is because it is truly how I look...Baby needs some sun.

In the interim, I will continue to use Kate Somerville's incredible, streak free, stink free, self tanning towelettes weekly.  No other self tanner on the market produces such a beautiful, natural color; and I  have tried them all, believe me.

I do wish they were less pricey and I have used them on my face...I have even gone so far as to cut them into squares and saved them in a baggie for daily use.

I finally broke out of my doldrums today, after saturating my face in the morning and  at night with a fresh towelette.  I think I smiled for the first time in a week. Alas, my box runneth dry, and it was time to refuel my pricey addiction but this time I did further damage:

Friends and Family/ Black Friday Beauty Deals

I have been inundated all week with pitches about beauty deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  I've narrowed my list and research to some of my favorite skincare and beauty companies.  Jessica Cruel at Bellasugar did a comprehensive round up which you can access here.  Click the links below for details:

Kate Sommerville- 30% off thru December 2nd.  I'm mad for Kate's 360 Body Tanning Towelettes, which are streakless, stinkless and create the perfect golden glow for the Holidays. (I am also hearing great buzz about True Lash $35, her eye makeup remover which has the benefit of actually helping eyelashes grow-- a lot).

Smashbox- 25% off all purchases over $50.  I'm crazy about their BB cream and recently purchased two of their gorgeous Wondervision Eye Sets, a fabulous value that includes a stunning palette of shadow, a black liner and mascara for $32.  Buy one for yourself and give another for a gift, (my favorite strategy).

Spotless Again: Murad Rapid Age Spot Pigment Lightener

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
$60

This year marked my third sunless summer. Honestly, I no longer miss it, in fact I shy away from it, seeking shelter from umbrellas on land and sea. Despite being diligent about sunscreen, I did notice a few of the sun spots that I previously banished with Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum had somehow reappeared.

Time to break it out once more, apply twice daily and wait patiently for results...though one of the nice things about Murad's Rapid Age Spot Serum is that it jump starts the process with considerable lightening within the first week.

I also had a second epiphany...

Review: Kate Sommerville 360 Body Tanning Towelettes

Kate Sommerville 360 Body Tanning Towelettes
8 Pack $48/ 16 Pack $75

It's a good thing I rarely watch the programming hours that QVC devotes to beauty. I find them both mind numbing and fascinating.  I am awed by the hosts ability to banter with unbridled enthusiasm for hours on end.  It's also fun to watch the rivalry for air time that ensues between the guest and the host as they talk over one another vying for pitch time.

And then of course, I want to buy everything.

I have long been a fan of Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads for the Body;  in fact, they have earned 'Holy Grail' status with me.  They are not inexpensive, but I used one towelette per week and it maintains a nice light glow all over my body, year round.

Kate Sommerville's 360 Body Tanning Towelettes have been on my radar for quite sometime. On the night that I tuned in Kate herself said she uses them regularly, and appeared to have a healthy tan that was neither deep or orangey.