TanTime

Fashion journalist extraordinaire, who is moving over from Style.com to the new American Vogue website, downs tools to talk to The Tantalist about her tanning and beauty regime.

What Tanning Brand do you swear by?

St Tropez- but only as administered with the utmost subtlety by James Read. If I am on a trip I use He-Shi Express Liquid Tan, it leaves my skin with a healthy glow.

What’s your favourite make up brand?

That varies according to the time of year and what I’m experimenting with. Year round, I will wear Chanel foundation and Sisley concealer; just lately I’m playing around with eyemakeup and love the colours of Ilamasqua, Nars and MAC.

Do you have a top Tanning tip? i.e do you apply a bronzer after a tan to enhance your glow.

For evening I use Mac’s Strobe Cream on my shoulders and arms or I touch highlights on my face and body with a Shiseido Glistening Stick.

How do you feel about having a Tan named after you? “Fashion Tan”.

That’s really funny! I only ever like a very light colour, almost undetectable – I don’t want people to really comment on it, in the same way that I don’t wear bags or any clothes that are over-identifiable. Also, I am sometimes in such a hurry during Fashion Week or when I’m off on trips, that I’ll just have my top half tanned. Then, if I’m wearing a sleeveless or backless dress at a dinner or event, I feel more confident. Is that fashion’? Maybe!

Do you feel tanning has become more fashionable?

Tanning has always been fashionable in my lifetime, just in varying shades. One thing that is absolutely unfashionable now is sunbathing. I actually hate it now and always wear La Roche Posay factor 50 when I go out. But I love it that we can now have the illusion of a tan which is acquired within minutes, with no skin-damage involved. I don’t even want to feel ‘tanned’ – just a more honeyed,even shade !

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

Yes, for the moment. But you can never tell with fashion what will come back when, and for what reasons!

What shows are you looking forward to at this years LFW?

A huge list: Christopher Kane, Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Burberry, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham, Holly Fulton, David Koma, Louise Gray…

You work with alot of young designers, do you feel the Fashion business is hard at the moment?

Fashion business is always hard, but the young Londoners are breaking through!

Will you be going to New York, Paris and Milian?

I’m doing them all.

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

I’m switching from style.com to www.americanvogue.com , which is relaunching in a very exciting way for the shows.

Name one makeup accessory you can’t live without?

Sisley foundation with cucumber extract – it is so sheer, fantastic colour and lasts ages.

Name one fashion accessory you could not be without?

I’ve got a very minimalistic Paule Ka brown leather bag which converts from being a tote to carry everything including laptop, to a squashy clutch. So a two-in-one. Lost count of the number of people who’ve asked where it comes from – it’s perfect for this autumn too.

What are you doing after this interview?

I’m going to interview Kristina Blahnik, who is Manolo Blahnik’s very clever and glamorous young niece, who has joined him – about the collaboration Manolo is doing with Liberty’s – a pop up store for September.

Cab or Tube?

It’s going to have to be a cab…I’m running late!