TanTime

Beauty Editor of Red Magazine reveals her tanning and fashion secrets

Do you use self-tan products? If so what brands do you use?

In the summer, I love a little bit of tan to take the edge off my ghostly limbs. I love Xen Tan – their gradual tanner smells lovely and develops into a wonderfully natural colour. Their spray tan is great too – although having to wait around to ‘air dry’ for a while can be a bit strange. The colour’s worth it though.

What Make up brands do you swear by?

Bobbi Brown for natural lips and cheeks. Estee Lauder’s glosses. Becca and Giorgio Armani for the most natural looking foundations. Lancome for mascara and anyone that does a really good smudgy eyeliner.

Do you feel self tanning has become more fashionable?

It’s all about a subtle look now, either a light, urban just sun-kissed gleam or a dusty 70’s inspired hue that looks so chic. Products technology and delivers systems are so good now, and high definition television so unforgiving, that anythingh that looks even slightly fake just doesn’t seem acceptable anymore.

Did you go to any shows at LFW?

Sadly not, I just don’t have time! The web is so wonderful – I can have instant, live, hot-from-the-catwalk updates now without having to be there.

What shows did you enjoy the most?

The absolutely flawless skin at Chole (doesn’t everyone want to look like Chloe girl?). Stella McCartney and D&G was so pretty, the deep teal eyeliner and rock-chic waves at just Cavalli and the golden bronze eyeshadow at Julien Macdonald – they’re looks you can literally take right away and wear in real life. I love that.

Do you think the days of the over-dark tans are over?

Definitely. And it’s about time too. That faux-glow from a few years ago – that deep, almost orange look – has finally fallen out of favour. Anything that looks false or contrived just feels wrong now – same goes for big fake nails and bad hair extensions. The new generation of tanning products seems to have made it easier to get a natural looking colour without any fuss.

Do you have anything exciting happening that you want to share with us?

Our new website redonline.co.uk has finally launched and we’re just so excited . It’s been a long time in the making, a true labour of love, and it’s just packed with useful, beautiful things women will want to know, buy and share. The online team are just incredible.

Name one item of make up you can’t live without?

Can I have two? Eyeliner and concealer. Without them, my face feels bald – like a big white potato!

Name one fashion accessory you could not be without?

Jeans. I live in them.

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

70’s luxe (full hair, bronze makeup, glossy skin), bright colours and full-on lips. It’s going to be colourful and bold.

Who is the most inspirational person you have meet?

Jane Wurward, the founder of Dermalogica. She’s a one-women business genius on a real mission to give something back – without making people feel guilty or come across as ‘worthy’. She’s currently promoting their link to Kiva.org, which helps women in third world countries set up their own businesses with a system of micro-loans. Just listening to her speak about the new campaign ( http://www.dermalogica.com/us/blog/under-my-skin/fight-the-good-fite) made me well up!

What’s in the latest issue of Red?

January issue is all about our Best of Beauty – 100 of the best products we (and our expert panel) cannot live without.

What are you doing after this interview?

Heading out for a serious sports massage – I can’t wait. I was thrown from my horse a couple weeks ago and my back still feels a bit sore.

Cab or Tube?

Bus – I like to see where I’m heading. But in London, it’s often easier and faster, to walk.