FAKE BAKE gets icily festive and launches our ultimate Bronzed Hamper….

Decorations are already up. We've already been watching Christmas movie channels until we are drowning in mince pies. We are counting down how many sleeps. But how many of us have planned all of our own party looks and made sure we are all stocked up with our fave beauty goodies? That will be not many of us. The season of goodwill means that we all want to give the perfect gift, and that’s great, but it’s also a time to meet up with everyone you love and basically, have a great time, and look amazing, of course!

It also means getting out of our PJs now and again to get out and about. And let’s face it, sometimes looking at Holly in all of her perfect outfits in the jungle, and her long, toned, tanned legs means it’s time to get moving and get on the mulled wine. Last week, Team Fake Bake headed to Manchester to mix and mingle with some of the area’s leading Influencers. Not many tanned legs on display that particular night, but we still had a wonderful time, and there were plenty of glows on display.

As we get towards a new year, we are finding that this more democratic way of meeting Fake Bake fanatics is entirely different to star-studded red carpet parties with a velvet rope and an RSVP. Yes, we still love a celeb gathering, but during 2018 we’ve really enjoyed meeting bloggers, Vloggers and influencers from all over the UK. And sometimes their approach to style is so fresh, they really do leave us feeling inspired.

We are currently eyeing up what we want to put on for party season events, whether that means a fancy work do, a night out with the girls or that family party you have to go to where one auntie always tells you that you need to put a coat on, and another wants to take hers off and head off to a club night with you and your mates. So we’ve scoured online and in store and while none of us are actually influencers in our own rights, you can’t hang around with all of these style gurus without being sprinkled with a little of their style sparkle.

We love hanging out with Tanya Maynard on the ice….

Jess Flanagan is our one to watch for 2019. No explanation needed….

Black Organza Jumpsuit by Kirsty Doyle

We are a bit obsessed with this jumpsuit, as it’s featured on Jess at the head of the piece, and again here. One shouldered, with an endless leg and a little bit of stretch that makes it super-flattering. Pure joy.

Navy Draped Bandage Dress by House of CB

This one is for when you need to look seriously hot and a bit formal at the same time. The colour is dramatic but makes a nice change from black, and the fit is proper curve-hugging.

Black Fishtail Hem Lace Midi Dress by AX Paris

Jess Wright always gets it right - pardon the pun! We love tanning her for events and we also helped get here ready for this shoot for her range for AX Paris. Meeting your other BAE’s mum for the first time? This is that dress.

Elizabeth Blush Tassle Dress by Missy Empire

Be brave and go white. Listen, this one isn’t for a night where you have to search for a taxi home. But it’s perfect for a house party or for having your own. It’s an absolute steal. Just keep away from the cranberry sauce in it!

Last but by no means least, we always find that for every few presents you buy it’s rude to not reward yourself, so our new Limited Edition Fake Bake Bronzed Hamper is packed full of treats to keep you (or whoever you buy it for!) looking tanned and gorgeous from now until 2019. It’s amazing value and includes:

Fake Bake Flawless Self Tan

Fake Bake 5 Minute Mousse Self Tan Travel Size

Fake Bake Coconut Oil Free Moisturiser

Fake Bake Coconut Body Polish

Fake Bake Face Polish

Beyond Bronze Face

Scream & Pout Shine On Face Palette, Sunset Nail Polish and Sunset Lip Gloss

You have everything you need to prepare your skin, tan yourself to perfection and get yourself camera ready. It’s just 100 per cent our type of gift on paper. Ah, remember Love Island? That seems like literally centuries ago, doesn’t it?

Oh, and if you are reading this whilst you are supposed to be at work or college and you are actually tucked up in bed watching the daily Christmas Movie on Channel 5, we won’t tell if you don’t. Bear in mind that Santa always knows if you’ve been naughty or nice though.

That’s the ultimate festive rule to live by, is it not?

The Fake Bake Bronzed Hamper is available at www.fakebake.co.uk while stocks last

We had an amazing night on the ice in Manchester for all the deets go to www.manchestericerink.co.uk

Follow Tara on Insta @taramays25

Follow Jess on Insta @jessflanagan

Fashion Stockists -

www.kirsty-doyle.com

www.houseofcb.com

www.axparis.com

www.missyempire.com

FAKE BAKE on Victoria’s Secret flawless drama and celebrating our own Flawless success…..

It’s starting to get to that time of year. Christmas movies have started to appear. In fact, now there are whole channels devoted to them. Michael Buble has started his assault on the festive charts. And the world’s most expensive catwalk show has taken up far more column space than the models’ knickers: the Victoria’s Secret annual show is back, and the tinier the models get, the bigger the drama. It’s a debate we pass backwards and forwards and is a Team Fake Bake classic.

Do the VS Angels all have to be so uniformly tiny? And if so, why?

Victoria’s Secret is now a superbrand. Back in the day, it was just quite a twee little lingerie catalogue, but then when the underwear market really took off in the 1990’s, especially after the success of the Wonderbra, it was time for the brand to take flight. The stores got bigger, the look got sexier, and the VS catwalk show was born. And yet, if you look back at 1999, model Laetitia Casta showed how to rock a curve on the catwalk.

Tyra Banks did the same in 2003.

Over time, though, the standard on the catwalk has been changed and honed. Models like Gisele and Heidi Klum brought in a new gold standard, literally, and now a VS Angel almost has to be other-wordly. Even on our travels in beauty land we rarely meet anyone who looks like one. Maybe that’s the point. Yes, the brand has become more diverse in terms of ethnicity but still the models are toned, tall, and super-super slim with gloriously long locks and a standardised, conventional beauty. Is that a bad thing, or is it what we expect from a VS show?

For any prospective VS Angel, it is difficult enough to get a spot on the runway, and then the hard work begins. None of these girls sits backs and inhales doughnuts in preparation. It is all about gruelling preparation in terms of fitness and appearance. And if you look up close, there’s not a sign of cellulite, a hint of body fat, and not so much as an ingrown hair, as this year’s superstars show…

Perhaps there is an argument that the VS is all about fantasy - it is selling us a dream on the bodies of superhuman girls. But how do we feel in reality? Our Fake Bake fave, Ashley Louise James, is an experienced lingerie model but over recent years has been campaigning about body positivity and diversity, and we were really proud to Fake Bake and prep her ready for an alternative to the VS show, where she looked spectacular.

And as our lovely Ashley is all about the brains as well as beauty, she followed it up by appearing on GMTV talking with Kate Garraway about the whole VS debate. Ashley spoke with warmth, humour and intelligence and we are so proud of her. She aced the argument, and we agree with her sentiments. Of course, it’s great to have VS Angels but it would be wonderful to include models like Ashley Graham and Kate Upton in the roster, so we all feel included.

One thing is for sure, though, whether you are on a catwalk or getting ready in your bedroom, everyone wants their skin to look and feel fabulous when they’ve invested in some new lingerie. We tanned Ashley just before her own heavenly shoot, and she looked just lush!

How to get the VS look without the personal trainers, carb-free diets and steel-like willpower? Step forward, Fake Bake and this week we are starting off the party season with a little celebration of our own, as our very own Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Serum recently scooped the Best Tanner: Body Award at Women’s Health Beauty Awards, where our gong was picked up by our Global Creative Consultant, James Harknett.

Flawless is one of our most iconic ranges, and this incarnation is all about creating that high glamour super-luxe tan that looks angelic on every golden body. As it’s festive season you can get yours as part of our Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Serum Christmas Gift Set. It also includes our Coconut Body Polish which preps your skin ready to tan, as winter skin can become so dull from central heating and winter woolies. Add some of our pretty blushers and you are good to go.

Our final tip is to add our Fake Bake Faux Glo Instant Tan Spray, especially if you are getting your arms and legs runway ready.

So there you have it. You don’t have to be 5ft 10 inches tall with endless legs to be gorgeous and with beautifully fitted lingerie, a great faux tan and a whole lot of attitude you can work it like an Angel no matter what celestial shape you are. Get ready to party. Oh, and bring your own wings…

All featured products are available from www.fakebake.co.uk

You can follow Ashley on Insta @ashleylouisejames

Victoria’s Secret is available in store and online www.victoriassecret.com

FAKE BAKE talks Spice Girls reunion and our Christmas Launch….

It’s been a while since we’ve seen them live, and twenty three years since we first saw them launch on The Box (hands up at the back if you remember that one!) but this week we’re charging our phones, ready to get ordering our tickets. The Spice Girls are back, and this time they may not have Posh but never mind. Of course, we’d have loved to have seen VB in person, but she’s very busy running her fashion empire. We think she’s missed a cultural beat. Because really these are the Famous Five. That’s how they started. That’s how they should always be.

What is it about the Spice Girls? When they first caught our attention the country was really feeling hopeful and joyous. The 90’s were in full swing, and Britpop was taking over the world, courtesy of Oasis and Blur. We’d always loved a great girl group - and the Americans were cleaning up with bands like TLC and En Vogue. We shed tears when Take That broke up. We were ready to be lit again.

The Spice Girls infamously got their new names from a teen mag and Sporty, Ginger, Baby, Scary and Posh were born. Posh wasn’t actually that posh - back then Victoria Adams bought her LBD’s from Miss Selfridge. It was a few years before she was in head-to-toe Gucci with David by her side. The message was all about Girl Power, and young women all over the world were ready to hear it. Girls like Denise Van Outen and Zoe Ball were all over the TV, but it was our fave five girls who literally stormed the planet in platforms.

As a brand, the Spice Girls were everywhere. There were dolls and pencil cases, a movie and that legendary BRITs appearance where Geri wore that Union Jack dress. But what we remember most were the songs. Could they all sing? Rumour has it that they couldn’t, but we didn’t care. As a band they delivered hits like Who Do You Think You Are and Stop. If you don’t get up an dance to them, we can’t be mates.

Like all big bands, though, the wheels started to come off. Firstly, Geri left. That was a dark, dark day. The Spice Girls continued and tried a new, cooler image. Geri’s new solo career was on fire, as she ditched her Ginger persona. When the Spice Girls ended, all of the girls went on to forge ahead with their own successes. They all made their own music, which Sporty really excelled at as Melanie C. And since then they’ve done everything in between, from cookery books to talent show judging.

When they announced their first reunion, we were on it. This time out they took their kids along and gave us all another dose of Girl Power joy.

The London Olympics 2012 open and closing ceremonies were a talking point around the world, having been masterminded by ace film director Danny Boyle. When the girls whizzed out in their London taxis they created a moment in music history. You don’t get much more iconic than that.

Since then, the gils have gone back to their own lives whilst never leaving the tabloids. And now they are back, this time with a Missing Spice, but we won’t let that spoil the party. We’re going to get our glow on, do something inspiring with a Union Jack and get our platforms out. As five come four, we’ll still be there….

In honour of our Spice Girls love-in, we have matched up some of our newly launched Gift Sets to each of the girls. From your fave self tans and prep products to on-the-glow cosmetics we’ve got Christmas wrapped up, crackered and covered…

Double Shot Espresso Gift Set - the perfect gift for the Baby Spice in your life

Emma is all about a deep golden glow, and she’s never without those toned, tanned pins. She also loves a bronzed complexion so this would be the perfect gift for her featuring our Double Shot Espresso Self Tan. Add our Coconut Moisturiser to keep skin hydrated, our Bronzer for a little contouring and our Blusher for a Baby faced glow. Sorted.

Flawless Coconut Serum Gift Set - the best choice for someone Sportily understated

Sporty has grown up to be super-sophisticated, and so our award winning Flawless Coconut Serum is spot on for the girl in your life who likes a low key, classy look.Our Coconut Body Polish is perfect for prepping party skin, and our Blushers create that glow, with our without a sporty session in the gym.

Gold Christmas Gift Set - the ultimate gift for your mate with the best taste…

We love a comeback. Geri is the queen of the comeback, and we've just relaunched Gold, our most luxurious self tan. If you’ve got a Posh friend, this would suit her, too. Our Lemon Meringue Body Whip is just the treat to give your skin a super skin finish, and our Sunrise Lip Gloss will give you a gorgeous pout to keep you looking beautiful right until dawn.

Glitterbomb Gift Set - all you need to treat your most colourful girl

We think Scary has grown up to be fearless, and we love her colourful approach to fashion and beauty. Forget neutrals. This Eye Palette and Lip Palette are all about creating a statement beauty look, add our three Eye Liners and Nail Polishes and you’ve got it nailed, literally.

What would we send Posh? Well, it is more of a request than a present. Forget about couture, high end fashion and being a designer name for just a few weeks, and get that little black dress back on. Bring back the Pob. Because sometimes it’s important to remember where you started, and celebrate the journey. It might be private jets and stretch limos now, but sometimes the bus is the best way to travel.

We’ve going into battle for our tickets. We are ready. Because this time we don’t want to hear Goodbye, we just want to Holler…

All of our Christmas Gift Sets are available at www.fakebake.co.uk

The Spice Girls reunion tour is on 2019. Tickets launch November, you can find all the deets at www.tickemaster.co.uk

FAKE BAKE talks The Apprentice, and how to be an Ultimate Girl Boss with Sandra Vaughan

The clocks have gone back, Christmas still seems like ages away, and between weekends, what’s a girl to do? Firstly, we love a catch up with The Apprentice every week, and secondly, if you spend too much time wishing your life away you need to get inspired and try something new. But more of that later. Team Fake Bake are a bit obsessed with The Apprentice, and it has certainly come a long way since 2005, when Sir Alan Sugar launched at us, with the legendary Nick and Margaret as his crew. Fourteen seasons later, and it’s still amazing TV. Now Sir Alan is a Lord, Nick has been replaced by Claude, and the Ultimate Lady Judge role goes to Karren Brady, or Baroness Karren Brady CBE, to give her the full title.

It might be about business and feature a lot of clever people who have some of the worst taglines in the genre’s history, but The Apprentice is still reality TV. There is always a favourite, a bad guy, a geek and an annoying one. And it’s a show that has given us some pretty inspiring candidates to some people named, well, you know her name. Katie. Yes, her. We’ve seen some hugely impressive female winners, from Michelle Dewbury to Leah Totton, and the show has its tried-and-tested scenes we wait for. This year it’s all about the Sub Team, wearing block colour dresses and that scenario in the greasy spoon cafe for the losers. And you can’t have reality TV gold without a spray tan task and this season’s is a belter.

Oh, how Team Fake Bake sat back with the popcorn for this one. These were just some of the comments for the contenders before they’d done any training or been near the task…

“I think we could charge high prices and it’s simple.”

“It can’t be that difficult to spray evenly, right?”

“If we could just spray body parts we’ll get it done quicker, we’ll make more money.”

We were with Karren on this one. Anyone who thinks spray tanning is that easy clearly does not know anything about spray tanning. Obvs.

But one thing we love the programme for is shining a light on business. It gives young women (and guys!) a chance to see their ideas spring to life. It gives us an opportunity to shout about how we would do everything differently, and kick about our own innovations. Google ‘young women in business UK’ and you will see some surprising success stories in every field: furniture design, ethical snack building, indie gaming, currency trading and jewellery design to name just a few. Come on, you’ve got an idea haven’t you? But would you ever dream of making it a reality?

Away from our favourite business show, we don’t have to look far from home for inspiration about being an Ultimate Girl Boss. Our Fake Bake MD in the UK, Sandra Vaughan, is a brilliant example of how to shape your future: grasp it, work it, and create your own success. Sandra already had a successful business of her own when she spotted a gap in the market for a new tanning product. Back in the day, she wasn’t too impressed with what was out there, and Sandra was looking for an all-new formulation which was easy to apply and lasted: Fake Bake was born.

Sandra had already learned from the best, having trained with super hairdresser, Ian Carmichael, and she could have settled where she was, but she knew she was destined for so much more. Since then, Fake Bake has gone on to be the world’s leading independent tanning brand, has become a celeb fave, a beauty ed must-have and a blogger’s first choice. As well as winning so many awards with the brand, Sandra has also been recognised for her own achievements, meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace to receive her Nat West Everywoman Award, as well as being named as a business icon as a Modern Muse and an inspiration to young women, which led to her being photographed by Mary McCartney - a big day in the spotlight for our also Shy Boss! We caught up with Sandra to get her ultimate tips. Here goes……

Sandra, what’s your biggest tip for young women starting their own business or making their way in the commercial world?

There is no one sure fire way to success - there are many routes to get there, so keep your options open! I loved school but I was so keen to get out into the world and work, and it was a great choice for me. I picked up lots of inspiration along the way, which allowed me to open my own businesses, and then start my journey with Fake Bake. It’s important to get the best education you can, but you really start to learn when you are out there in the real world. Get as much experience as you can, and find a great mentor to support you.

What turns a budding entrepreneur into an Ultimate Girl Boss?

I love that saying that mentions the harder I work, the luckier I get! If you check out social media you get the impression that success comes easily, and that you suddenly end up by an infinity pool somewhere, living the luxury life. It doesn’t work that way, and it takes a huge amount of dedication. I put everything I had personally, and financially, into bringing Fake Bake to the UK and I spent many hours driving up and down the country, meeting prospective clients, and selling the idea of the brand. It can take a while to turn a profit, even with a great product base, and it’s a risk that lands on your shoulders. So I would say what you really need is an adventurous spirit, and a sense of confidence. You have to believe in yourself, and your brand.

About being an actual Boss - what happens when your business takes off and it’s not just you?

I saw a great talk by psychotherapist Esther Perel recently, and she said most business start-ups don't fail because of finance, they falter because of poor communication skills. One thing I worked out early on was what my own strengths were, and if a skill wasn’t on my list, I needed to find the best people to bring their own skills set to the table. Everyone who works for you represents the brand, so you need to choose wisely. Another thing I learned was about being direct. As young girls, we are often sold on the idea of being ‘nice’ but it often doesn’t work in business. Being honest and straight is the best way to be, and is the ultimate long term way of developing great relationships with people, as well as giving them the opportunity to breathe, create and develop, too. That’s the real route to creating a positive workplace.

Who is your Ultimate Girl Boss?

I admire any woman who is out there enjoying the hustle, whether they are in a boardroom somewhere, or in their spare room starting out. I’ve always wanted Fake Bake to be a democratic brand, and that inspiration comes from just one woman: my mum, Louise! She was really ahead of her time, and she taught my sister and I that if we wanted something, we had to work for it. Nothing was handed to us, and that’s a lesson that has stayed with me, and that I pass down to my own children. My mum was a multi-tasker and so am I - I am never one to sit back and relax. I’m always about the next idea and a new innovation. I like to think I get that drive from my mum.

Come on girls, what are you waiting for? Even if it’s just a get together next Wednesday, make it an midweek tanning fest. Get your team around, your Fake Bake on and throw your new ideas into the mix. Don’t just watch the clock in college or work. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be conquered, and it’s time to put together a game plan. Got book smarts? Great. Street smarts? Brilliant. Whatever you are smart at, that’s just the beginning. Wherever it takes you next, that’s the best part.

And one day you could be an Ultimate Girl Boss, a mentor, a Baroness and maybe even an Apprentice Judge. To think, someone reading this could be the new Sandra Vaughan or Karren Brady. Team Fake Bake would like to take the full credit for inspiring you today. The champagne’s on you, right?

The Apprentice Season 14 is now available on BBC 1 and BBC iPlayer

For great information on starting your business and further training go to www.princes-trust.org.uk