Tanning for pale skin pre holiday?

I'm a similar colouring to you and I tried Dove gradual tan and found it a bit streaky on my skin, not a good look!

I tried a build up moisturiser one too and didn't like it either I'm afraid.

Can I ask why you don't fancy a spray tan? I never ever had one either until before my wedding, I had a few to get used to them before the wedding and absolutely love it now, going for one tomorrow night for a wedding at the weekend actually!

You look lovely EF! Maybe you're right, and I should just sport the paleness.

Mrs Mack I do have spray tans, I too am having one tomorrow for a friends wedding on Saturday but I can't imagine anything worse than having one before your holiday, spray tans, sea water and chlorine don't mix well.

Haha - good point, I thought you had some aversion to spray tans and i was going to tell you how wonderful they are (I'm a pro after 5 or 6 your see haha). Well in that case I would just go pale. I always go on holiday pale - like almost blue I'm so white. If you don't naturally tan you could always book in for a cheeky spray tan when you get back so everyone can commence commenting on your lovely holiday tan! hehe

Claire, you're blonde! Is red your natural colour? I never knew that.

Not very helpful for during the day, the beach etc but what about the like of E45 shimmering gold moisturiser for evening? Wont give you a tan but a nice glow?

https://www.boots.com/en/E45-Silky-Radiance-Body-Lotion-Lightly-Fragranced-250ml_1250001/

You can always dust a bit of bronzer over the top?

I think the gradual ones are only good if you already have a bit of colour ie topping up a fake tan or a real tan.

This is exactly what I was going to say!!!!

Ha! I am a fake blonde! ? Although only highlights rather than full head.

This is the only pic I have on my pc to show you my real hair colour, I was full on ginge!

Im the one on the left.

You'd never know, you suit blonde hair well! Not obviously covering up the red!

I have found the St Tropez gradual tan quite good in the past, alternatively I have heard that Laurens Way fake tan is really good.

I am off on holiday next week and have just spent my lunch break on a sunbed to prep my skin so that I dont look freakishly white when I get to Vegas and dont get burnt whilst away so I am very naughty and probably not the best person to advise !

Although I have been told that a short course of sunbeds once a year in prep for a holiday is no worse for your skin than going out and getting burnt in the first few days of a holiday but I dont know how true this is !

Ahh thanks ATB. I've often considered going back to my roots (singing it in my head) but I just think it would be a little drastic for me.

Not if you protect your skin. I couldn't possibly go on a sunbed, not with my colourings. I couldn't be that irresponsible.

I do love the St Tropez tan, so their build up might be worth a shot.

The chemicals that cause your skin to tan are the same in fake tan lotions, spray tans and gradual tanners. It's just the proportion of active tanning chemicals to water/moisturiser that changes.

Whether you have a spray tan or a gradual tan, the 'tan' will still behave the same way in chlorine/sea water, and you will still have to moisturise like a mad woman to keep the colour for an entire week.

I woud recommend getting a light spray tan a day or two before you leave, and moisturise daily with a gradual tanner whilst there to keep your skin's moisture levels up and keep your colour too.

But would you really risk it with pale skin?

I think it will be ok, especially if you get a good exfoliating and moisturing routine on the go for at least a week prior to the tan so your skin is super evenly hydrated. Then ask for a very light tan.

The salon I go to are very good and they offer 3 strengths, a 'light' tan is if you want a hint of colour, for very fair people, a 'medium' tan which they describe as when you want to look healthy for a wedding or christening, and a 'warm' tan for those with medium tones or those wanting a darker tan for a night out.

You could have a trial before you go? And use a gradual tanner after a couple of days too at home, see how things go?

Thanks DB. As I said earlier I'm actually having a spray tan tomorrow for a wedding at the weekend, so I'll apply a gradual tan to it after a few days and see how it looks. Thanks for the advice