Virgin No More: Baby B Browne

Right, so heres the story. I'm an Irish girl in her 20's who has never gone near tan in her life. What rock did I crawl out from under I hear some of you saying. Yup, I didn't even know how much a tan mitt would be on average. But after been given a lovey bottle of Baby B Browne by the girls in the RDS earlier this month, how could I not try it out and see if it was worth the effort to look sun kissed. Heres how I got on and keep in mind, I've never ever done this before so if it sounds awful it could just be purely because I'm a gobshite who was trusted with fancy tan. Jesus save us!

My fears? The colour first off, obviously. What the hell am I going to look like and will I ever be able to return to my milk bottle legs? The smell. Every man I know scrunches up their face and complains of horrible smells when you mention tan. And lastly, will it rub off onto my clothes and everything I touch off of for the next week, hence ruining my bed sheets, clothes, bath towels and so on. Oh feck, I was terrified. 

First off, exfoliate, shave and then wait for the blood to dry from the nicks you just gave yourself with the razor. Bull in a china shop, me. Then it was time, I used the really handy pump and put some on the mitt. Sweet divine, it was so dark and actually didn't smell awful at all. I was tempted to eat it with the sweet smell drawing me in, but in the name of guinea pig for blogging I started rubbing it on my legs. It was a little darker then my skin but after rubbing it in - which was really easy to spread and do - I was left with sweet smelling, slightly darker legs and a plain scary looking tan mitt. (But a quick soap up of the mitt and it came out looking brand new, so hooray for getting several possible uses out of the mitt.) I only did my lower legs and feet because well, if things went awfully at least I could hid the stumps, ehrr pins. Cough.

That was day one in the morning. Soon after rubbing it in I forgot about it until I swung my legs out of bed the next morning and did a double take in my only half waking state. My legs are tanned, like glowy? How'd that happen? Oh tan, yes. I was genuinely surprised at how it turned out. I didn't look scary OR orange.. Well at least on my legs, the knees and feet needed major work. Hello orange knees and badly, half done feet. How do people tan those bits?! I need serious practice and can say it had nothing to do with the tan itself. 

However, on day 3 there was a slight eh, blonde moment on my part yet again. I used my Vaseline moisturiser spray on my legs, the force of it stripping the tan in what I can only describe as 'go faster' strips down the both of them. Oh man, major failing was had with this poor tan. On the plus side at least you can all see the nice before and after shade on my legs? Needless to say it got scrubbed off not too long after so I was no longer faster, sadly. Side note, sorry for the foot picture. How I despise them, its a passion. Thinking about them scares me, not to mention having a photo of them on my screen. So sorry. Oh and awful chipped nail varnish? Yeah, no comment.  

Over all I am pleasantly surprised by this tan. I had a few dodgy  moments but that was purely my lack of knowledge on the how to's of tanning and not knowing I could pressure spray it off! Would I use it again? Yes, I actually would which even I find shocking to admit. However, this is medium tan for face and body and as much as I really liked this, it will never ever go near my face, or any other tan for that matter. At €14.95 I don't think I'd be running off to demand more any time soon, but the bottle is 250ml and a little seems to go a long way. - Another sneaky thing to add in here. I've been testing out a few different tans for reviewing and for making better comparisons. This tan has been the best one I have used so far! Make sure you keep an eye out for my next tan review, its a shocker. 

Baby B Browne* is a Northern Irish brand and is great to see a good quality product coming out of this little island. From starting out as an idea for a good self tan at an affordable price to being stocked all over in salons, this is an amazing achievement. Have a goo at it over here.

*I did not pay for this item, it was a PR gift.  Please see my disclaimer here. 

Gossip: The Irish Beauty Show

Yesterday I toddled off to the Irish Beauty Show in the RDS armed with my camera and some high hopes. Oh the excitement, so many companies, beauty things and new jems to find was overwhelming! And I was not disappointed either, meeting loads of people and getting to have great chats with everyone. Heres who I met and what bits I picked up. This is a really pic heavy post, sorry about that but I wanted to show everything!

First place I spotted was Graham Anthony, they had an offer on and I came away with a new foundation for a fiver, bargain! I'm not too familiar with the brand so I really wanted to get something and try it out, you never know when love might strike! I'm going to be slapping it on my mug and writing a review for you all in the coming future. 

At the second stand I approached I was met with the most distressing part of the show, Pro Impressions. I asked the person in charge if it was ok to take a few photos of the stand to show on my blog, which none of the other companies and stands had any issue with. But the man there refused saying that it was an English company and with me being Irish it was pointless as no Irish people would buy from across seas. He was also worried I would write something negative. He came across as really aggressive and I wasn't going to mention anything but after telling a few friends they suggested I talk about it considering how upset I was. So, I guess you don't need pictures to write a 'bad' review. I don't think I'll be getting anything from their site, for obvious reasons.  

But from most negative to most positive in a few short moments, I rounded the corner and my set my peepers on Honey House Natural. I got nattering to all the lovely people at the stand, in particular Angela Rohrer who was so knowledgeable on the brand. I was blown away by the products and bought a bundle of goodies to try and was kindly given a gorgeous Bee Bar Lotion to try out. Oh my goodness I couldn't wait to get home to try them! They are an American company that have broken into the English market and are now looking to bring their products to us here in Ireland. Fingers crossed it happens soon because I have a mother, granny and bundle of friends who I showed my bits to and they were near blows arguing over who got to try what! I'm going to be doing a full review of them soon. Hold onto your knickers people, these lads are ones to watch out for! 

Next I wondered over to the girls at the Baby B Browne stand. They were really chatty and helpful and I was lucky enough to be given bottle of their medium tan for face and body. I'm a tan virgin so this will be one very interesting post to write up once I've either become a tanned beauty or (more likely) I'll have done something wrong and end up like a streaky orange. I wouldn't trust me with a gorgeous tan product like this, fair play Baby B Browne! A few giggles for you coming soon!

I couldn't have been happier then when I found the Waxperts stand. Bloggers have been raving about this brand and I was almost throwing my pennies at them begging to have a go of all their things. (what can I say, we all know I'm a bit mad) I got talking to Trish who was nothing short of a ray of sunshine. She told me all about Waxperts ingrown hair pads, their wax and their lovely exfoliating gloves. She kindly gave me a few bits to try out and I can't wait to. I also want to give Himself the option to try out some as Trish was telling me men use them on stubble rash with great results. Unisex brand anyone?

Next I found myself in front of Victoria H Organics. This is a brand new Irish business that has just started and I got to talk to the lady herself all about it. Everything is hand made and hand packaged, organic and the range is huge for something that is only new and all done by hand. I was so impressed with it and come on, who could say no to products that look that good! I was lucky enough to be given a  gorgeous lavender bath creme brulee bath melt, it smells as good as it looks and I will definitely be reviewing it after I've tried it out. Another new Irish brand to watch out for!   

One of the last stands I went to before my poor feet gave up on me was Pixy Natural Skincare. I got talking to Jayleigh (I hope I haven't butchered her name, If I have I'm so sorry!) She was a tonic and was so helpful talking about all the products they had on offer and a general natter on all things beauty. I'm a massive fan of Pixy as I love supporting good Irish brands so I was happy as anything having a goo at the full range. I bought a lovely Honey bath bomb and was kindly given some Cellulite body oil to try out. I meant to pick up a face mask but it went out of my head entirely. I guess I'll just have to go shopping for it (How awful, not!) I admitted something awful to the people at the stand and I think its only fair I tell you all as well. I was cleaning out my bag the other day and found about 2 (ok, 5) of Pixy lip balms in the bottom. Obsessed is not the word. I can't wait to try out the bits I got and report back!

So there you have it, my day at the Irish Beauty Show. I got to meet some really lovely people and was so lucky to be given some things to try and nab a few lovey things too. I can't wait for next years show and to try out  everything I got at the show. Me-oh-my I am going to be one purtty lady! I also want to mention the lovely girls at the Jessica stand who answered all my questions and the same for the lovely girl at the Pink Distributions stand who was full of information for me. And finally Tara and Michael at the Powder Pocket  stand, they were fab craic and I love their beauty box so uber much, thank lads!

Make sure and have a goo at my Twitter page, I tweeted for the whole day and have some extra photos up there that aren't here. One includes a lovely naked but sadly painted guy. Meow ;) Check it all out Over Here. and sure maybe follow me too!