FAKE BAKE talks faves: first up, Kelly Brook…

Our usual chats are on ice right now. From holiday plans to parties to occasions to weddings, we are relying on Skype and Zoom and staying safe indoors instead.And as a team we are changing our conversations, and checking in on each other so much more. Over the next few weeks we are looking back on some of our work as a brand, our fave products and tips, and hints and expert advice from some of our most respected pro tanners.

We thought we’d start off with a classic beauty and someone we love working with: Kelly Brook. An industry powerhouse, her CV is so impressive that it is hard to list everything she has accomplished from model to TV presenter, actress, brand ambassador, designer, and now DJ, not forgetting gardener! Kelly started modelling aged just 16, and soon came to the attention of everyone in the media. TV’s biggest morning audience for those not just wanting a bit of news and cookery, headed to C4’s The Big Breakfast, where Kelly took over from Denise Van Outen.

Kelly stole hearts instantly with her sunshine ways and Hollywood beauty. When she took to the red carpet for the premier of Snatch the following year wearing Julien Macdonald she absolutely floored the photographers, and the image bounced all over the world. Everyone wanted to know more.

A savvy Girl Boss, Kelly knew that she wasn’t going to be stuck in one career box, and so over the next few years she took her talents and was present on our TVs, in our magazines, and just about everywhere worth knowing. Kelly presented the original Celebrity Love Island from 2005, and became part of one of telly’s most popular cult programmes.

In 2007, Kelly partnered with Brendan Cole on Strictly Come Dancing and was a huge favourite to win. However, Kelly’s dad sadly passed away during the series, and she bravely stepped back to spend time with her family. Would we love to see her return? You bet we would, and her Hollywood Smooth remains a firm fan favourite.

Over two decades, Kelly has been known for her streamlined, classic style and has championed curvy girls everywhere. As soon as her swimwear was launched it flew out of stores, as suddenly there was a stylish alternative to tiny bikinis.

Kelly has also never been far from stage and screen. Whether putting on a dramatic show for Agatha Christie’s Marple, taking to the West End stage or filming with Keith Lemon, our Kelly has a great work ethic and never turns away from a challenge.

Kelly has such a distinctive beauty look that it would be a crime to change it too much. Those glossy locks and subtle shades never fail to look knockout.

What we love most about Kelly is her honesty. She celebrated her 40th birthday just before Christmas, and since her career launched she has always been upfront about her life experiences. She has grown up before our eyes and has let us into her world. We love a relatable girl.

Of course, we have always wanted to work with Kelly and everyone on Team Fake Bake appreciates her kindness and support. Our Eloise, the Tan Expert, tans Kelly regularly and misses her right now, but she told us, “It is always a pleasure tanning Kelly. She matches in real life the person you see on TV, in magazines, and hear on the radio. She is just lovely. I often get asked about the tan I use with Kelly, and it is Fake Bake 60 Minutes pro formula as she is so busy. Of course, I am recommending everyone tans at home right now, but I really look forward to working with Kelly again. She wears her Fake Bake tan so well.”

Kelly works on Heart Radio doing the drivetime special and recently has really been keeping us going, as well as supporting everyone in the NHS, and key workers, as well as all of us working from home. Kelly is also on duty on Saturday mornings, so she will be keeping us company every weekend as we get used to this new way of living we are getting used to. Drivetime is now more sitting in the lounge time, but we are just glad to hear her voice.

A final word from Team Fake Bake - thanks for everyone who has got in touch and keeps supporting us through this difficult time. Don’t forget you can still order your Fake Bake Mystery Bag, as just £20, which contains £100 worth of Fake Bake goodies and has been put together to support tanning therapists around the UK.

Thanks to Kelly Brook for two decades of world class talent, beauty, hard work, realness, and finally, heart.

Did you see what we did there?

For more info about the Mystery Bag go to www.fakebake.co.uk

Follow Kelly on Insta @imakb and tune into her shows on Heart Radio at www.heart.co.uk or on 96-107FM weekdays 4-7pm and Saturday mornings 9-12am

FAKE BAKE talks a very different kinda week….

When Team Fake Bake discuss what we are going to talk to you about, we like it to be topical. This week was going to be all about getting ready for racing season, kicking off with the Grand National, or the Scouse Met Gala, as we now love to call it. What a week it has been since we were just talking about Jodie Comer. Even just those few short days ago, we could never really have understood just what today feels like.

So we want to start by saying that over two decades now, Fake Bake as a company has weathered many storms. But like all of you, we have never known anything like this. We like to walk on the fun side of life, but we wanted to take some time to thank everyone working in the NHS and other major key roles to make sure we all stay as safe as possible. We can’t thank you enough. We will never take you for granted again. To the delivery drivers, and people in our supermarkets and our corner shops: we salute you.

The beauty industry, and obviously the tanning world, is all about human touch. And so many of our colleagues all over the globe are worried and anxious right now. We are all looking for answers, and a way forward. All we can do is follow expert advice, and stick together. In the UK this week, we have launched a £20 Mystery Bag, packed with products worth up to £100. We have done so to help raise funds to support our professional clients all over the UK, who will be in need of assistance over the coming weeks ahead. In turn, you get to stay home, and tan! Or Quarantan, as we now call it. Like other companies who we know and love, we want to support each other, and you.

Thank you to everyone this week involved with the brand who has lightened the load with their films, and photos and stories.

Eloise, The Tan Expert popped by to see Jake Quickenden and his gorgeous girl, Sophie, to give them a masterclass on professional home tanning - if you spray together, you stay together, right?

Thanks to our lovely James Harknett, who has been putting his little tips online. Seriously, we know it’s a worrying time. But sometimes taking an hour out from the pressure to give yourself a lift really keeps your spirits up. Our James knows we are all suffering from great tans, and dry hands, so he suggests mixing just a tiny amount of your fave Fake Bake tan and mixing it with your moisturiser to keep your hands as tanned and soft as the rest of you.

We can feel the weather changing and it’s getting brighter. We want to give a huge shout out to those of you who are now teachers as well as all the other roles you have. We do hope when the time is right your ‘pupils’ will be desperate to get back to class.

Listen, we know things like our appearance don’t come first right now. Remember all those hair and beauty appointments we just took for granted? But little things, every day, matter. If you have any grandmas out there who remember World War II, their legendary stories about lipstick and blusher have never mattered more. You might have to Skpye to ask, or even use a landline, but all that matters is that you stay in touch.

You can keep talking to us on our socials, and don’t forget to order your Mystery Bag not only because it’s packed with Fake Bake goodies for you, but it really will help someone else.

Never has the word Team meant more to us, just as you do. Stay safe, be well and our thoughts are with you all and your families.

We usually end the Blog with a bit of snarky banter, but this week just feels different.

Until next week, take care.

With all our golden love to you,

 Team Fake Bake xxx

For all the details about our Fake Bake Mystery Bags go to www.fakebake.co.uk

Follow us on Insta @fakebakeunited for regular updates

FAKE BAKE talks Jodie Comer’s style with our super-stylist Jess Walsh…

We are taking a bit of a break from washing our hands to read our freshly anti-bacterial wiped and then hand-dried subscriber’s issue of British Vogue this week. (Are you exhausted yet? We are!) Never before have we needed to escape life and think about, well, fashion. And not just any fashion. The type that knocks your Gucci socks off.

This month, for the first time ever, Jodie Comer has graced the cover of British Vogue. Shot in New York with the wonder team of Edward Enniful, Steven Meisel, Pat McGrath and Guido Paulo, we don’t think we have seen our favourite native of Liverpool looking more stylish. We also love that when Jodie did the BTS video to go with the shoot, there was a hugely Scouse theme to it, including hairdresser Patrick Wilson, who has gone from sorting out highlights in Liverpool to assisting Sam McKnight at the Chanel Couture shows.

We’ve asked our resident Roy Cropper-type member of Team Fake Bake (there’s always one on every team is there not?) and she estimates this is the first time that someone from Liverpool has been on the cover and then been the featured interview inside. Feel free to fact check. And we also love that Jodie didn’t do the interview in a fancy gaff, but took Vogue writer Giles Hattersley to Penny Lane for a roast dinner. You can take the girl out of Liverpool….

So firstly we just want to appreciate our three favourite looks…

The subscriber edition double denim Balmain…

Monochrome Victoria Beckham is everything…

Balenciaga beautiful in polka dots….

So we thought we’d love to be inspired by these gorgeous shots, but as yet, none of us on the team are quite ready for a spree that could pay for a car. So we asked one of our fave stylists, Jess Walsh, who also happens to be from Liverpool, if she could help us out.

Are you as Jodie obsessed as we are?

Absolutely! I’m a similar age to Jodie and everyone here is so proud of her, and that she has stayed so grounded. I love Killing Eve and the fashion on the show is brilliantly experimental. It also shows the power a TV show can have on style - who doesn’t have a pink dress after that famous Molly Goddard one in the first season? I’ve seen a few pics from the new upcoming shows, and Villanelle looks as chic as ever!

As for Jodie herself, she’s very lucky that she is so statuesque and so a lot of looks are going to suit here. And on the red carpet next to legends like Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Aniston, she clearly holds her own. She’s not afraid of colour and prints and she doesn’t do overblown glamour. She gets the mix spot on every time.

We want to emulate these looks - can you help us out?

I’m lucky as a stylist to work with lots of brands and companies and there is so much choice right now. Plus, you can still pick up an absolute style steal.

This supersoft denim shirt from boohoo is perfect for the cover star finish - without the Balmain price tag!

These asos Sculpt Me jeans are really fitted and give you that body contoured look, and they really do suit every shape.

For more of an investment polka dot piece this puff sleeve blouse from & Other Stories is so versatile and you can wear it with anything else in your wardrobe.

Team it with this pretty Topshop midi skirt with ruffle.

While it’s still cold you can opt for these Charnos soft opaque spotted tights - and as soon as you are ready you can get your legs out, once you’ve got your Fake Bake on, of course!

To finish off the look these white River Island skinny heel shoes and this Fashion Bible at asos marketplace turban will have you good to go.

Thanks so much Jess - what’s next for you?

I’m really focusing on my work in the UK for the moment and I’m hoping to concentrate on getting everyone ready for events as well as my usual photographic styling.

I’m hoping to go to the Rideout Festival in Croatia, and then it will be off to Ibiza again for me - I was so busy there last year, and had a great time meeting Team Fake Bake, and I’m hoping this season will be just as good. I’ll be posting regularly on my Styled By Jess feed to keep you updated.

Well, we are definitely going to be keeping an eye on Jess’s socials, as she always puts together pieces that we want to adorn our wardrobes with. And we are not sure she can top last year’s Ibiza season (she ended up in a bath in Pikes with Lewis Capaldi) but if anyone can, our Jess can.

Until then, we are just hoping everyone out there stays safe, keep your gorgeous chins up people, it’s time to concentrate on what matters, but always stay inspired and positive.

And perfectly accessorised. You know the drill.

For all things Fake Bake related go to www.fakebake.co.uk

To follow Jess’s pro Insta go to @styledbyjw

Images of Jodie Comer courtesy of British Vogue and BBC

‘Killing Eve’ returns to BBC1 in April

FAKE BAKE our final Dancing On Ice report - it’s a wrap….

Some of us are feeling a little bit flipped out today. Last night, Team Fake Bake were on hand at the finals of Dancing On Ice. And we don’t just turn up on a Sunday to cheer. We have been hands on every weekend for this groundbreaking series, and we couldn’t be prouder. This season of DOI has all been all about celebration, and from those celebs who had a bit of dance flair to those who stepped on the ice with two left feet, it was all about what you can achieve.

The judging panel was absolutely up for the job this year with our Olympic legends Jayne and Chris being joined by Ashley Banjo and newbie John Barrowman.

We were all in tears BTS when Libby Clegg took to the ice with Mark Henretty to skate to a piece which reflected her winning experiences as a Paralympic Champion. Is there anything this MBE-on-ice can’t do? Libby gave us a real lesson in facing your fears - and doing it anyway.

When Perri Keily skated on with Vanessa Bauer we knew we were in for the Bolero of our lives. They took the dance’s classic formula and added a few Diversity moves to make it totally 2020. The judging panel voted it the Bolero GOAT.

It was Joe Swash who stole our hearts as Charlie Chaplin with the talented Alex Murphy. We have loved working with all of these guys backstage and Joe is exactly like you see on screen. In such a close run final result, the guy who started off at the back of the skate pack finished right at the top of the podium. It was a lovely moment.

We caught up with our fabulous Global Creative Consultant, James Harknett who alongside our amazing Eloise, The Tan Expert, headed up our Fake Bake crew for this whole series of DOI. These are his words….

“We are so lucky to have worked on DOI for several years now. Of course, we already know some of the backstage crew and the pro skaters. It is always an honour to work with the judges, and Jayne and Chris are legends in every sense.

The presenting team makes sure that everyone feels at home. Phillip and Holly have really gone for Hollywood glam this season, and last night they were Oscar-worthy. It’s been an emotional series this year, and I think that really came across to the viewers.

For us at Team Fake Bake, DOI is a special time of year for us. After Christmas, it absolutely wipes away any January blues and keeps our weekends packed right up until the final. Both the pro skaters and the celebs work so hard and everyone involved in getting their looks spot on are the same.

It’s a really unique job for us. Every tan is different, and you can imagine the amount of Fake Bake professional formulas we get through. One thing everyone notices is how they work so well with different skin types and adapt to each person’s individual tones. These are the hardest working tans we create during the year, and I think that it really speaks volumes about the brand that we get invited back time after time.

We have had such good fun backstage and you can imagine the laughs when you get Joe or H in the booth! They have kept us going for the whole season. It’s great to see everyone’s confidence build as the series progresses and watching Libby’s journey has inspired us all - there wasn’t a dry eye in the house last night when she was skating.

Eloise and I were lucky enough to be invited to the official DOI wrap party and it was great to finally relax a little bit. Every contestant has brought something this year, and last night we couldn’t call the result. Libby, Perri and Joe were all remarkable.

I am so proud of the work we do on DOI. It’s a tough gig and we work a mile a minute, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We thought it was lovely that Joe included the ‘Be Kind’ message in his routine last night, it felt really fitting, and on International Women’s Day, it was the perfect moment to celebrate all of the inspirational women involved with the show. I’d really like to thank Eloise as she’s on that list.

Team work? It’s what my weekends have been about on DOI and I hope we get the chance to do it all again next year.”

So that’s our DOI journey done and dusted for 2020. We always love working with ITV as a brand, they make us super welcome, and we’ve all sat around today and had a few re-watches of the routines. Not only are we in awe of how much James, Eloise and the gang do (the Fake Bake tans are flawless, literally!) we know that watching Libby has really rocked our worlds. Next time we feel anxious about learning a new skill or taking on a new challenge, we will remember her skating out for the dance of her lifetime.

What have we taken from this season? That everything works better when you have someone beside you, and whether you add cold, ice, heat, costumes changes or tears, a Fake Bake professional tan is going nowhere under pressure.

Until 2021, everyone. For the rest of 2020, be a little more Libby. Find your dream and follow it. There’s always a way if you make like Perri - take a risk. And finally, being a Joe means being a winner means you don’t always start off as the best.

Sometimes having the biggest heart is the best skill of all.

For more information about all things Fake Bake go to ww.fakebake.co.uk

Thank you to everyone at ITV and Dancing On Ice for making everyone at Team Fake Bake so welcome

You can follow James on Insta @jamesharknettofficial

You can follow Eloise on Insta @thetanexpert

Additional images ITV/DOI

FAKE BAKE beats the chill Milan style….

We’re not going to lie. We know it’s March and Spring is on the way, but we are getting a bit over the cold. The rain. The sleet. Need we say more? We are mentally preparing ourselves to watch the ChanelA/W 2020 show online, but when it comes to off-duty looks Paris has been a bit of a wash out. Blame the you-know-what virus. So here at Team Fake Bake we’ve been taking a bit more inspo from Milan Fashion Week, where the stylish still stalked the streets and the catwalks were full of vibrancy.

As always, what went on outside the shows was just as important as anything on the runway. How do these people have a knack of putting things together the way they do? First up, we thought we’d run through our favourite sidewalk trends.

Bowled over by Prada

That infamous turn-of-the-century monochrome Prada bowling bag is back and we couldn’t be happier. Team with something sporty, neutral and leggy.

The space age belt bag goes silver

If you haven’t got a belt bag, get one. They were all over Milan and every label worth its salt is launching one. We love this head-to-toe silver space age take, teamed with sparkly military shirt and almost-tutu skirt.

Millennial fabulousness

There are so many style references here we can’t deal. There’s a little bit of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation, teamed with those 90’s Prada accessories. Just add attitude.

Hello to those 2000 tie-ups

We’re coming over a bit 2000 again. It’s been a while since we have tied our footwear around our legs, but it seems that time is with us once more. To get the look right, you’ve got to have a perfect pedicure and meticulously tanned ankles.

Pastel military is fine by us

Maxmara is a classic label that now and again kills us with a youthful vibe. Add a touch of military styling, but swapping shorts for trousers makes it more contemporary. Remember how it feels to wear shorts? Those were the days.

Neutral knits get notched up

This look isn’t strictly isn’t anything new. We bet you’ve got a neutral dress like this in your wardrobe. But, oh, the styling. The dark tan saddle-style bag, those sandals again and matching shades just look gorgeous. The undone pony keeps it fresh.

Earrings hit the big time

It takes a lot to take a shine off a Gucci coat, but these earrings do just that. Yup, those accessory killers pick up the tones of the outfit but there’s no old school matchy-matchy going on here. A little bit retro, a little bit Pat Butcher. Only in Milan.

Chain reaction it

Is it just us, or are glasses chains having a moment? These are big, bold and turn this 60’s inspired look into the chicest librarian of all time kind of vibe. Plus, you never lose your glasses. It’s a win-win.

Next up, a few of our lushest catwalk creations. Hold on to your Euro Millions tickets. And pray.

The little black dress bathed in drama

We know the LBD can get a bit boring. There, we said it. This is not boring. We’re loving the new just-below-the-knee skirt length and the patent boot. Get your shin game ready, they better be polished and gleaming. Gucci does it again.

Prints that ain’t pretty

This is not a girly look, is it? It’s Gucci, again, and is gorgeously powerful. Just add the perfect, glossy bag and sunglasses. (Just checking bank balance - could we stretch to the sunglasses?)

Just add a festival to complete

Oh, Missoni. We do love your knits but it’s not all you are known for. It’s been a while since we’ve thought about bra tops. Now we are thinking about bra tops. Bella wears it well, and all we need now is to think about revealing a bit of midriff. For those in the know we get ours applied via Fake Bake. The things you can achieve with a spray gun, eh?

Get shorty

A neutral short suit sounds not that interesting on paper. In action, much more interesting. This one by Etro is really all about the accessories. Shorts with boots. We like it. Get exfoliating. There’s time.

You can’t talk about fashion without factoring in hair and beauty looks, can you?

All rise at Versace

The ultra-glam top knot is back and we’re glad. Keep it simple with all black and then ramp it up with all gold accessories.

The berry lip

You’d think this was a catwalk shot but actually it’s just an everyday fashion lover. Seriously, could you look any better? That deep, berry matte lip is the perfect beauty statement. Just add prints and whopping great shades. Then find your light.

The up-do down-do

There’s a tiny nod to grunge here but it’s mostly about glamour. Ms. Gerber shows how to make the bob totally 2020, and those smokey eyes give it an edge.

Lashed out

A 60’s centre-parted chignon feels brand new but to make it work you need lilac eyes and giant lashes. That goes without saying.

Angelic chic

There’s a little nod to 70’s icon Farah Fawcett here, but it’s a really subtle one. You need a messy hair flick and a muted neutral mouth and a sculpted cheek for this one.

We are overcome with style lust. We want to break free from our leggings and co-ords and teddy coats and feel so much more Milanese. Staying closer to home, those neutral shades bathed in glamour crossed our desks at, the same time as this magnificent shot of Georgia Steele.

This look was created by the super-talented Stacey Toner, who used our Fake Bake Bronzing Powder not just on Georgia’s cheeks but on her eyes, too. It’s a brilliant multi-tasker, and whether you use your traditional brushes or plump for our Kabuki Brush for an added all-over glow, it’s just the thing for this time of your year when your complexion feels like it’s been winter forever. Gorgeously pigmented, it’s not about the sparkle and all about the warmth.

The cold snap might be with us a while longer, but we are always forward thinking and looking at what’s coming next. And while we don’t have a couture budget, all four Fashion Weeks get us talking about new trends to love and pieces to covet. As we move closer to sunnier months, we are definitely going to be investing in a luxurious belt bag, huge shades and strappy, strappy sandals.

And the only mask we’ll be wearing is a super-hydrating sheet one, because summer glowing skin starts when you’ve got home from a long day at work, after you’ve been soaked at the bus stop for added glamour.

Living your best life sometimes starts with baby steps. Pass us our eye blender brush and Fake Bake Bronzing Powder and we’ll get started.

Via Montenapoleone, arriviamo…….

All featured products available at www.fakebake.co.uk

You can follow Stacey on Insta @staceytoner_artsy