TanTime

There is nothing that Contributing Editor to Vogue and all-round beauty aficionado, Anna-Marie Solowij, doesn't know about products and trends. Here she has a sit down with The Tantalist to share her insider secrets.

Do you use self-tan? If so which brands do you swear by?

I do use self-tan, fake tan and bronzers and if I think back to the first time I used a tanning product, in the 70s, and then consider everything I’ve tried since, it’s quite overwhelming. Highlights include UltraGlow from the 80s, a mineral powder bronzer that came with a big brush that I would sweep all over my face. I thought I looked great (Really? With blue mascara and chalky pink lipstick?) but thinking back, I probably looked as if I had radiation sickness. Now, my favourites include Chanel Soleil Identite, a self-tan for the face, which is the best colour for my complexion (I do think that you have to test a lot of products until you find your ‘one’). I also love Clarins Radiance Plus for body, a great gradual tan with a really fresh scent, that gives just a bit more colour than most gradual tans but less than a full-on self tan. Speaking of which, I’m a huge fan of He-Shi Liquid Express which has taken the place of most of the other self-tanners in my cupboard. It’s just so easy and instant and the glove makes all the difference and there is no smell. It’s perfect for body parts that you can reach. However, for the bits you can’t get to easily, nothing beats L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Express Pro for drying quickly and delivering great colour. I love the way that formulae are getting increasingly clever and tuning in to what women need – I can’t imagine what I did before St Tropez Wash Off; if I’ve been too lazy to ‘tan’ the night before, I apply it in the morning and dress immediately. I’ve even worn it with a white cotton YSL skirt and I couldn’t quite believe that the colour didn’t transfer at all. My great regret is that you can’t buy Helena Rubinstein in the UK any longer as they do a genius tinted self-tan called Summer Legs – I’m down to my last three tubes.

Do you think make-up is a good way to enhance your tan?

I think Laura Mercier has got it right with her Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser that comes in three flattering shades that add a light sheen to tanned skin. Apart from this, I love Chanel bronzer, and tend to use whichever their new bronzer is each summer. Another year-found favourite is Bobbi Brown Bronzer/Blush Duo in Natural/Pale Pink. It’s a milk chocolate bronzer teamed with a candy pink blush and I think that it is the combination of the two colours worn together that looks so great. I also love Guerlain’s Terracotta Men Bronzing powder which is quite matt as I’m not keen on shimmer. My other essential is Givenchy’s Acti’Mine Sun, a light bronze liquid with minimal shimmer and a great scent, but, unfortunately, it was a limted edition, so it’s on strict rations, for parties only. It works as a very prettifying highlighter for eyelids, cheekbones, Cupid’s bow etc.

Do you feel self-tanning has become more fashionable?

I’m really looking forward to this summer’s 70s tan, mainly because it’s going to be a huge nostalgia trip for me – I was a teenager in the 70s – but also because it’s the first time that ‘tan’ skin is a mandatory accessory to a major fashion trend. I know that we always talk about a tan as an accessory, but there’s always the sense that it’s an optional part of a fashion look; this season is different.

Have you ever had a tanning disaster?

Oh God, yes: my worst spray tanning disaster ever was last summer. I couldn’t get an appointment with James Read because he was booked up so I casually got an appointment at a salon near where I live for a Fake Bake spray tan (I’d used Fake Bake before so I knew the colour would be fine.) I’d left it to the last minute so was actually on my way to the airport (privately congratulating myself for this time-saving wheeze). 20 minutes later, looking as if I’d been dipped in chocolate, with white circles around my eyes, I was en route in a mini cab . Someone had used too much guide colour in the mix and I paid for their mistake for the rest of the day. At the airport, people stared at me; I heard one man commenting on how dirty my feet were; when I washed my hands in the loo, all the colour came off, so I had white hands and brown arms and when I checked into the hotel the receptionist clearly thought I had some sort of skin disease. I couldn’t wait to get into the shower, furious that the tan I’d paid for, and was relying on so as not to look pasty for the beginning of my holiday, was to be washed down the drain. The moral of this story is: if you can’t get an appointment with James Read then make sure you’re got a burka handy.

Will you be backstage at this years A/W shows?

I’ll be backstage at this season’s shows, looking out for new beauty trends. It used to be that we just reported on hair and make-up trends but now it’s impossible to ignore all the other exciting beauty details such as nails and skin finishing.

What shows are you looking forward to?

I always love Louise Gray’s collections for her ‘mash-up’ approach. She works in an irreverent, accomplished way that epitomises British fashion. Her ideas appear to come from street culture but she’s a genius at making them look high fashion. I’d love to see what she’d do for, say, Kenzo, or I could imagine her taking the reins at Benetton, doing her thing and making it the most thrilling place to shop on the high street.

What do you think the new beauty trends will be this year?

I have no idea but I can’t wait to see!

Name one fashion accessory you can’t live without?

I’m not that dependent on fashion accessories. I’ve always preferred anonymous-looking bags and shoes and I don’t really wear jewellery. Having said that, I’m in love with my pink, blue and white christopher Kane scarf because it’s chic and cosy.

Cab or Tube?

Walk – so much better for the legs.