FAKE BAKE invites our fave Dancing Queens to a Mamma Mia Spectacular

Our question this week is: if you don’t like Abba, are you even human? Our answer to that is simply, clearly not! Every so often a film comes along that gets us away from our box sets and out on the town, and sometimes it’s a film worth dressing up for. The powers that be in Hollywood have realised there are an awful lot of us wanting a film worth getting dressed up for. For one night, we can shelve action movies and anything to do with vampires and go old-school, and you don’t get much more old school that Sweden’s fave supergroup.

So, after we fell in love with the first Mamma Mia, we found out that Mamma Mia 2 included Cher, and that we wanted to round up our fave bloggers and influencers - it seemed too good an opportunity to miss out on. And whilst the film was a key part of the evening, we also wanted time out for a catch up, to discuss all things Fake Bake and ask everyone how their summer was going post-Love Island.

First up, we decided on something a bit out-there for transport. Nothing says look at me more than a blinged-out Hummer. Come on, we were going to see an Abba movie, not a night out at the Oscars. We wanted full-on fun from beginning to the rolling credits.

Then, after picking up our Mamma Mia mavericks, off we popped to Mharsanta, a gorgeous new restaurant in the heart of Merchant City, Glasgow. Do we need to mention everyone looked stunning? Maybe we do. Everyone looked stunning, and we were pleased to see lots of Fake Bake golden glows in evidence. If you are going to meet Cher, even through a cinema screen, you need to up your glam game. A few cocktails in, and we got a chance (take a chance, take a chance) to make them with the Tartan Barman, which is not a shabby way to spend an evening. All we can say is the food is magical, too. Well worth a visit if you are in the centre of Team Fake Bake’s universe.

One of the reasons we chose the film is because it really speaks to so many of us, and we picked our guests because they reflect you, the amazing band of Fake Bake fans out there who simply love life, getting dressed to impress, getting out there and having a good time. The Odeon Luxe played perfect host for us, and it really is a super-social way to view the film. Forget watching it on your phone. Seriously, when you go to an Odeon you wonder why you want to watch a film on little portable devices. You have to see Cher in full screen. Have we mentioned Cher yet?

The film itself is everything we wished for, and more. Without ruining the plot, it is a prequel to the last one, taking you back into the younger years of some of your most beloved MM characters. We love them all, but we have to say, we do have a huge soft spot for Julie Walters, who just gets up there and belts everything to her heart’s content. The boys play their part, too, and we never get bored of watching Dominic Cooper. Ever. And every good film needs a Meryl Streep. She is an actress who can play any part, and we love her for it.

But, we hate to say it and we may have mentioned her a few times, but Cher absolutely steals the screen. We have heard it’s quite hard to sing an Abba song. Well, it’s hard to sing one in tune, as from what went down at the Odeon Luxe we heard a lot of on-trend ladies come up with several out-of-tune notes. But Cher just put her stamp all over the movie.

As we all said goodbye, we really realised that a night like this one, isn’t about being showy or grabbing headlines, it’s getting together a bunch of warm, light hearted people. It’s about packing away everyday lives and making an effort, getting organised and getting out there. Listen, we are often all about a Whats App group discussion, but meeting face-to-face really is the way forward. Call us old fashioned, but a lot of fun and a little touch of gossip about what’s going on in the world, lifts you just as much as the movie. It’s who you share your popcorn with that counts. And thanks to the team at Sweet Sookcess for the sweet treats at Odeon Luxe. We definitely reckon that snacks at cinemas have zero calories. This is the rule.

We want to thank every single blogger and influencer who attended. Team Fake Bake had such a wonderful time with you all, and as the old saying goes, let’s do it again some time. Keep your eyes peeled for more events like this one as we enjoyed it so much we are definitely up for another meet cute. Our Dancing Queens left us tired but happy, and fully loaded with Fake Bake Goody bags to make sure they stay golden for the rest of the summer.

Take a tip from us. Get your girls together, get your dancing shoes on, and get out there to see Mamma Mia 2. A word of warning though. For those of the team who came to work a little, er, tired the next day all we can say is, our Super Troupers made it through the day to tell the tale. And the tale of a magical evening never gets old, either.

Cher. Did we mention her yet?

Mamma Mia 2 is now showing nationwide go to www.obi.odeon.co.uk to check your local listings.

You can follow Mharsanta on Insta @mharsanta

Many thanks also to @thetartanbarman and @sweet_sookcess you can follow them both on Insta too!

FAKE BAKE and Ruby Rose: renegade tanning for our Red Carpet Batwoman

We first came across Ruby Rose as Stella Carlin, when she popped up on a newish show that was doing rather well on Netflix, way back in 2015. Orange Is The New Black. You may have heard of it. Then we met her for real, when our trusty Team Fake Bake tanned her for the MTV EMAs, and we were absolutely bowled over by her beauty, her personal style and the type of cheekbones that are only granted by nature. You can’t contour them, you can’t cheat them, and you can’t buy them. Fact. She absolutely rocked her Fake Bake tan that night and instead of going for the usual starlet dress, she killed it in a tux. The stage had literally been set for a glittering future, and luckily for us, we have been with her all the way.

 It came as no surprise to us when Ruby Rose recently announced that she has been cast by the CW, the channel that brings us brilliance such as Riverdale, to play Batwoman. And as befits the year and timescale, she’s no ordinary superhero, super heroine or trusty sidekick. This is a kick ass gal of such strength that she can carry this role all on her own merit. As Ruby Rose said herself on her announcing Insta post…

“The Bat is out of the bag, and I am beyond thrilled and honoured. I’m also an emotional wreck, as this is a childhood dream.”

What is it about this amazing Australian which has captured our imaginations and won our hearts and minds? In a world full of PR spin and controlling and editing every parts of our lives - celebs do it, we do it - Ruby Rose is the absolute polar opposite. Funny, witty, engaging and absolutely transparent when it comes to talking about life, love, sexuality and fame, she’s not just going to be Batwoman. We like to think of her as the first Totally Woke Batwoman.

Ruby Rose has the kind of appeal which means she can be Avante Garde and mainstream all at the same time - hello Pitch Perfect franchise heaven. She also has the kind of beauty which is both classic and contemporary combined. And in a beauty world where we feel so many famous faces are all beginning to morph into the same vision, she holds her own and flies her own flag. She’s a Grace Kelly kind of wonderful with a Siouxsie Sioux punk edge. You can’t manufacture her look and style, but like us, you can certainly be inspired.

As for fashion, she takes really simple pieces and makes them standout stars. From ballgowns to double denim, she just slips something onto those elegant shoulders and brings anything she wears to life. We have been lucky since that first meeting to have helped get Ruby Rose red-carpet ready so many times, and she also surprises us with her choices. You know how some famous faces are kind of chained to the same look? Not Ruby Rose. She can wear 50’s inspired girlie to pin straight tailoring and everything in between. That makes her a one-off.

 She does love a golden glow but, coming from probably the most sun-aware nation on the planet, her tan is the only faux thing about her. And that’s why we love her. She also sticks with brands she knows and loves, and of course, Team Fake Bake are just devoted. We are always excited to see what she is going to do next, and we love hearing her take on life.

And, just for the record, we also adore her off duty put-togethers. This is just for the ticket for end-of-summer chic. We’d definitely double that look ourselves with the help of our very own Fake Bake Double Shot Espresso. It is literally the strong superhero product in our range, our ultimate kick-ass gel. Concentrated, easy to apply, streak-free and fast developing, it is for the fearless tanner who wants to make her very own style statement. Pretty princess types in pink need not apply.

Hey, we can be honest here, this is our voice. We love that we get to work with so many great people - we just don’t have a type, in any way. From girl-next-door to rock chick, from Geordie Shore to Hollywood, we just like making everyone look and feel fabulous. You don’t need to keep up with anyone with us - everyone is included. You are all welcome in our tanning tents, and we hope you also find space for our nozzles and tubes on your bathroom shelves. We are honoured that you get involved. You are all in our Team.

One life lesson we always learn from Ruby Rose is: it is always OK to be just who you are. You are beautiful and wonderful and fearless. Put on that superhero mask every day, an invisible one helps out here in the Real World, and go out there and show the world exactly what you are made of.

Oh, and you can never, ever go wrong with a tan and a tux. It’s simply impossible.

All products available from www.fakebake.co.uk

Ruby Rose/ Batwoman image courtesy of Instagram @rubyrose

FAKE BAKE wishes Queen of Pop, Madonna, a fiery 60th Birthday!

“The word inspirational doesn’t quite cover Madonna as person, or as a performer. She’s created memorable music, shaped fashion, and made pop culture very much what it is today. She is inimitable and unique.”

James Harknett, Fake Bake Global Creative Consultant

In 2018, we talk a lot about influencers. Some people truly are. Others are just people flogging toothpaste. But whether you are aware of it, or not, a lot of what you enjoy today as a modern young woman traces back to just one true influencer: Madonna Louise Ciccione, who is about to turn 60. 60? It’s hard to believe that a scrappy kid from Michigan, who didn’t win a talent show but grafted, in the old school sense, for everything she has since earned is about to qualify for a bus pass. Well, she would if she still lived in the UK, but you get what we are saying.

It’s hard to really describe in a single Blog post her influence on music, fashion, beauty and culture. She has been an original chameleon, and no matter how famous she has become, especially in her earlier days, she had the midas touch when it came to what was happening on the streets, and in clubs, and amongst the hippest of kids who don’t like their credentials to become mass marketed. Madonna was able to do so with ease, and without losing their respect. Her earliest looks were as cheap as chips for her young fans to copy, as it was just basic dance wear, ripped up and deconstructed. One thing did make her standout though quite earlier on. Despite her Italian heritage, she never really bothered with a deep 80’s suntan, and although over the years has tended to stay pale, she’s skirmished with a golden skin finish on many occasions. We know this because a few members of Team Fake Bake are Madonna obsessives. We have been since one of us actually wore one of these belts.

By the time 1990 came around, Madonna had ditched that high street ensemble, got supremely fit and started wearing couture. Jean Paul Gaultier was a favourite, and it was a look that spawned copies the world over during her Blonde Ambition phase. The music was ever-changing but her influence on young women everywhere was on the march. Before the Spice Girls were even formed, she didn’t talk about Girl Power. She simply was Girl Power. She taught girls everywhere that they didn’t have to be shy, timid, pretty little princesses to succeed in life. She talked the talk and she walked the walk, and she smashed her heels through any glass ceiling put above her.

Whilst the supermodels were still holding court in terms of magazine coverage she formed a relationship with Gianni Versace that was a global success. Her likeness to Donatella was clear for everyone to see, and to this day, it’s a label she still wears with pride. She champions young designers and established names. And of course, she loves an Italian label, Dolce and Gabbana also being a favourite, but she’s also a huge fan of British fashion, especially Stella McCartney.

Perhaps her most esteemed recording as a musician is Ray of Light, which celebrates twenty years as an album this year, and it gave her a softer image that is still copied today. You want to know where those beach waves come from you love to sport? Look no further. And that glossy, golden finished skin is still a winner. From Frozen to Substitute for Love, it’s a collection of songs that still chime with us. Take a bow, William Orbit.

We’re not going to say she’s been picture perfect all the time, because like all of us, she’s worn a few questionable outfits and said quite a few provocative things. She was brilliant playing Eva Peron in the film version of Evita but Swept Away, made with her then husband, Guy Ritchie, is not a classic. However, we did get to see Madonna with a fully fledged tan, so in that way, it’s totally fine with us.

We all want to wish Madonna a brilliantly Happy 60th Birthday. She has thrilled us, entertained us, styled us, shocked us and more importantly, is always talking about our power as women straight from the heart, not forgetting her army of devoted male fans, either. She has given us the very best in terms of pop, and that’s what we celebrate her most for. You can’t argue with a back catalogue that includes Holiday, Express Yourself and Hung Up, to name three out of so many hits, we’d be here all year if we had to pick more.

And we want to say a huge thank you for being unconventional, experimental, ambitious and flying in the face of everyone who has not believed in her or criticised her in any way. She’s just kept working, kept creating, and kept being completely unique in a world where no one has come to close to her achievements.

If you are reading this, though, we have a little request. Any chance of you playing Glastonbury 2019? It’ll be the show of the century, and one where girls, their mums and their grandmas can throw out Like A Virgin like there is no tomorrow. Three generations of strong, opinionated women can’t be wrong. Trust us on that one. You taught us well.

FAKE BAKE unlocks The Key to becoming a top Influencer….

Remember 2012? Now that seems like an age ago. Team Fake Bake were asked to take part in an article for a top business magazine (get us, how posh!) alongside a top designer and the British Fashion Council to talk about how a new type of person was going to change the fashion and beauty industries forever: The Blogger. It was groundbreaking stuff at the time but now looks so old fashioned it appears like it belongs on the Antiques Roadshow. Never could we have predicted what was going to happen on social media. Welcome to the world of The Influencer. 

You have the ones who have some many followers they only have to breathe and there’s an earthquake somewhere else on the planet: hello Selena Gomez. There are those who are just achingly cool and appear to live in an endlessly chic world, like Valentina Muntoni. There are fitness influencers who lie by pools in and live on watermelons and healthy snacks whilst doing fab poses on beaches and talking about positivity, like Jesse Golden. And then there are the beauty influencers. Huda Kattan, who has 26.4 million Insta followers, is a worldwide phenomenon. From You Tube channels to Live Stories, we are surrounded every day, by people showing us the way. And for the media savvy reality star, the current cast of Love Island can clean up in terms of sponsored posts when they leave the villa. They make hay while the sun shines. Literally.

Which all sounds great, until you feel a little bit overwhelmed and bombarded. Because when you are looking at all of these posts and images, sitting there in a pair of old PJ’s and working your way through a packet of Jammy Dodgers thinking…..

Waaahhhhhht! How can I turn myself into my current person into one of these goddesses? The fact is, you probably can’t. They don’t take selfies like you do. They have whole teams of people involved. And yet the original queens of influence, like Zoella, did literally start out in their bedrooms talking about the stuff they love. So, here at Team Fake Bake, we wanted to get back to that kind of vibe.

Fact. Here at Fake Bake we never pay anyone to work with us, which is really unusual in 2018. So when you see an image like this one of the gorgeous Stephanie Pratt, it’s just because she loves her Fake Bake! (Are you still obsessed with The Hills? We are!)

And we love working with bloggers and influencers that really have heart, who are honest and trustworthy in their approach to giving advice. We collaborate with people like Pink Tartan Dolly on a regular basis, as we find she is really positive and embracing.

We adore Ashley Louise James and her honest approach to body issues, too.

So we decided to set up our own Influencer Events but with a difference. We didn’t just want to use the word ‘positivity’ as a marketing tool, but embrace it as a real way of injecting social media with hopeful optimism, and give influencers a chance to get in on the action, with a real mix of experts such as Hayley Sparkes to relative newbies starting out. It was a fashionably beautiful day with a twist!

Team Fake Bake, headed up by our Victoria Halliday headed off to hold our Influencers Event at the beautiful Karma Sanctum Soho London, in association with the UK Blog Awards, and also sponsored by our lovely friends at Lambrini. Of course, it was a chance to network and talk about all of the latest influencer trends and best practices, giving new starters a chance to speak to really experienced bloggers. They also got the opportunity to find out all they needed to know about us - Fake Bake!

As a brand we are interested in fashion, we love the world of beauty and of course, when it comes to tanning, as the world’s leading independent tanning brand, we consider ourselves the experts in our field. We don’t have to answer to huge multinationals, and we never have. We just get on with the business of creating the best self-tanning products on the planet. We heart the glossy end of fashion and love sending our Global Creative Consultant, James Harknett, on missions to tan A-listers and get involved in high end events. But we are an all-inclusive brand, without a hint of snobbery. We are happy for celebs and reality stars from all walks of life to work with us, because we know our fans relate to them. And, of course, we are supportive of women and men of all ages, body shapes and cultural backgrounds because we believe we all deserve an equal chance at looking, and feeling, fabulous!

We also teamed up with Megan McGrory of The Key, who we know and love, and have worked with many times. As a team, she has delivered to us some amazing lessons. Her programme fuses science, success, and spirited technology to inspire everyone to choose a heart and mind set of health, happiness and abundance leaving you focused, energised and with a clear vision of your future. We obviously won’t give away her Key ingredients, but she left our Influencers bounding with energy and bursting to talk about fresh ideas and perspectives. And this wouldn’t just assist them in what they are doing in their work worlds, but in every area of their lives.

We’re a close knit bunch. We are a Fake Bake Family, and that’s how we work. We wanted our influencers to not worry so much about stats and likes and engagement, although they do matter, but to think more about what they want to put out in the world, and how what they do can encourage and help others really feel good about themselves. At a time when body image is becoming a critical issue for everyone, and for young women particularly, we all want to feel more mindful about the messages we are sending out, and we are all about curves of any size, as long as they are on you!

A brilliant day was had by all. The fact is, you can become an influencer. All you have to do is be yourself. If you are genuine, savvy, have a story to tell and something interesting to say, the images you project really come secondary to that. And if you approach what you are doing with a sense of openness, and not just with the hope of getting a famous Discount Code, then your honesty will win you an army of fans. All you have to do is get in the game.

Roll the dice. We dare you.

Many thanks to everyone at the UK Blog Awards and Lambrini

You can find more about Megan McGrory and her work at www.unlock-the-key.co.uk and her range of events, mentoring, training and retreats. You can follow her on

Insta @UnlockTheKey

Stephanie Pratt’s Fake Bake professional tan courtesy of @tans_by_zarina

Ashley Louise James Fake Bake professional tan courtesy of @secretspauk

Follow beauty blogger Laura Maginess on Insta @pinktartandolly

Follow beauty expert Hayley Sparkes on Insta @hayleymsparkes