As much as many of us are keen during this time of year to set off like migrating sparrows to warmer climates, a certain amount of beauty preparation is required in order to avoid looking starkly pale against tanned locals, and to ensure your body is guarded against the sun’s deadly rays.

Clinique Self Sun Tinted Lotions for Face and Body are a good place to start; both oil and fragrance free, they absorb easily, deliver a boost of moisture and the 'medium to deep' version of the body lotion provides a noticeable colour after just one application (so attention to detail when applying is a must.) As neither contain sunblock, it is vital to slather on UV protection over the top to avoid a rouge-tinted tan (and obviously to considerably lessen the risk of skin cancer.) Darphin’s Vital Protection sunblock with SPF 50 creates a ‘botanical shield’ on the skin, comprising Edelweiss and Vitamins E & C to neutralise free radicals (unstable molecules caused by UV rays which attack healthy tissue.) It also contains 100% mineral filters to protect against both UVA and UVB.

 

 

When it comes to the face, sun protection is your best (and possibly cheapest) anti-aging tool, as UV exposure is the biggest cause of premature lines and wrinkles, so applying sun block every day over moisturiser (unless the latter has added SPF) is essential.  The paler your skin or warmer the weather, the higher up the SPF scale you should go (avoid anything lower than 15.) NARS Multi-Protect Prime with SPF 30 contains Tibetan Urnula flower to protect against free radicals, Indian Frankincense to calm and balance irritated skin and Shea Butter to provide a barrier against environmental pollutants.  And although many of us buy copious eye creams to firm the delicate skin and diminish wrinkles, few think about applying sun protection to this fragile area. Happily Ole Henrikson has created a special Total Truth eye cream with SPF 15 containing nourishing Omega 3 and collagen boosting micro algae and Tripeptide-5 – it’s also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

 

Lastly, if your nails need some last minute tidying up, The Chelsea Day spa are offering the Speedy New York Manicure and Pedicure, where hands or feet are soaked, nails are trimmed and filed and a polish is expertly applied (but make sure you're wearing trousers if you're having a pedicure as the treatment beds face out onto waiting clients...) Being able to watch vintage episodes of Sex and the City as well as getting thoroughly pampered by the cheerful and friendly staff are further plus points.

 

 

 

Clinique Self Sun Tinted Lotions are £16 for both the face and body versions available at clinique.co.uk; Darphin Vital Protection with SPF 50 is £49 available at darphin.co.uk; NARS Multi-Protect Primer with SPF 30 is £24 available at Space NK; Ole Henrikson Total Truth Eye Cream with SPF 15 is £43 available at Harvey Nichols.

 

Chelsea Day Spa's New York Manicure is £12.50, New York Pedicure is Â£18.50, based on 2nd & 3rd Floor, 69a King’s Road, London SW3 4NX. For appointments call +44 20 7351 0911

thechelseadayspa.co.uk

Edited by Viola Levy - 01 Jul 2011 at 3:02pm