Although at this time of year we spend more time indoors there’s nothing quite like glowing skin to boost your confidence and make any outfit absolutely pop! Whilst self-tan mousses and mitts have always hogged the limelight the perilous pitfalls that come with them can be seriously off-putting (think stained sheets and streak risk) so whether you’re a seasoned tanning enthusiast or a newbie looking to dip your toes into the world of self-tanning, a gradual tan is a much better place to achieve a subtle wash of faux glow without imparting a level of tan that seems completely over-the-top!

Gradual tans do exactly what they say on the tin: they allow you to take full control of your glow by building it up slowly as opposed to a one-time application and since you’re able to develop your shade over a few days there’s less risk of ending up with an uneven or overly ‘tangoed’ look. Gradual Tans use the same sugar-derived ingredient found in traditional self-tans - DHA (dihydroxyacetone) - to create a non-toxic browning effect on the skin but what sets them apart is they use far less DHA than traditional self-tans and deliver it in a lavish moisturising product that doesn’t need to be washed off. It’s a massive win win!

Since the sun is going to be more than a little slow showing its face at this time of the year, we figured you might be in need of a little extra colour, so we have got you covered from head to toe this coming March with the exclusive QVC launch of Gatineau’s award winning Golden Glow Gradual Tan in a BIGGER than EVER 1 Litre bottle! With all the heroic hydrating action of your favourite moisturiser it has the tanning talents of a masterful faker imparting a natural sun kissed glow without that tell-tale fake tan scent. Tanning products don’t get more steal like than this absolute bargain - you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Perfect for the face and body, Golden Glow glides on like a velvety dream and is enriched with Coconut Oil and Vitamin E together with low-tanning actives to develop a gradual tan day by day. Forget tan streaks and uneven application, this lightweight, nourishing lotion has mastered the art of ‘subtle’ and promises to bestow a natural, radiant sun-kissed complexion and the best part is you get to control your depth of colour. Let me give you glow-down:

Preparing the skin for Golden Glow 

Exfoliate or body brush skin to remove dead skin cells and create a smooth canvas for the application of product – this will also help the colour last longer. Focus on areas like elbows, knees and ankles which tend to be drier and can absorb more product leading to uneven tanning.

How often should I apply Golden Glow?

How often you apply Golden Glow depends on the level of tan you’re aiming for (I am talking been-away-for-a-couple-of-days versus a two week cruise in the Caribbean). Build you dream tan with daily applications until you are happy with your results then top up whenever you notice it begin to lighten.

When to apply Golden Glow

Golden Glow needs 4-6 hours on your skin to get to work so I would recommend applying after your shower in the morning or last thing at nighttime. Make sure you have removed any make-up, deodorant, and fragrance beforehand to avoid shudder patches.

How long does Golden Glow last?

With the right preparation and aftercare your sun-kissed glow could last 7-10 days and of course if you keep topping it up it will just keep glowing and glowing.

Tanning Tip

To really nail the natural-looking tan sweep Golden Glow all over your body in long strokes to ensure all areas are evenly covered and always finish with a light application over the back of the hands. Make sure you give the palms of your hands a quick wash with gentle soap afterwards.

 Lucy x