Help me beauty goss, I’ve totally stuffed up an application of fake tan and I look ridiculous - what’s a quick way to eliminate the brown smear?

Kylie, via email

Kylie your timing is impeccable - now that summer is slowly slinking out the weather door and heading for the Northern Hemisphere the usage of fake tan will increase ten fold. Women across the country are shaking and smearing their limbs with the faux-glow goo. And not all of us do it correctly. Even us experts.

That’s my foot in the photo above and that’s a pretty good example of how NOT to apply fake tan. I was rushing, trying to do far too many things at once and got very slap happy with the cream. I forgot where I applied and I just got lazy with my feet. Hence the tell-tale tide mark. So Kylie m’dear - you’re not the only one!

There are a few tricks to get rid of wrongly applied fake tan, of course it all depends where on the body the offending marks are but they usually occur on knees, elbows, wrists, armpits and feet.

First, exfoliate the hell out of it. Scrub and scrub with big beads, little beads and everything in-between beads. Then, if you need to, blend with a gradual moisturiser - not a full strength fake tan, but a gentler version. This should, hopefully, help smooth it out appearance-wise.

In the case of my foot, well feet if truth be known, there were a couple of other sneaky tricks I adopted to bleach the colour out. One was to hang them in a pool so the chlorine could bleach them a bit (which was no problem at all given it was the height of summer that I did that) and I also used a teeny amount of nail polish remover on a cotton bud. Not too much though, I didn’t want to dry my feet out completely. I was desperate for a change because it was way too hot to wear sneakers and I couldn’t stomach the option of showing such a disaster on jandal’d feet.

Have you ever had a fake-tan disaster? How did you fix it?

Tamsin xo

Keely (pictured) starts every facial with a ‘Ground Zero’ skin analysis before commencing treatment. This was the first time she’d treated Kathy so they worked out what suit Kathy best. Kathy wanted it to be relaxing because she does shift work and has very early starts; she also wanted to alleviate puffiness around her eyes and to avoid skin irritants that have caused reactions in the past. Kathy works in a hot kitchen and is noticing a few breakouts so this was something she was concerned about too.

‘I do all my talking before the facial so clients can doze off - Kathy did about 10 minutes into it,’ explains Keely. ‘I chose to use the MV Organic Skincare range that I get in from Sydney. It’s a luxury organic range that’s very pure and delivers amazing results. It’s got quite a cult-like following and I send it to clients all over New Zealand.

‘I never do the same facial twice, but keep the same philosophy throughout each one which is: deep cleansing, some form of exfoliation depending on the client’s needs - ranging from organic clays to different blends of hydroxy acids, infusion of serums and masks using various techniques and then locking in crucial hydration at the end.’

All of this is done while the client rests peacefully.

‘I think it’s really important to do a unique, personalised treatment on the day that’s specific to my clients needs, some of my clients I’ve been seeing for years and I’m always giving them something different as their skin changes or for different seasons.

‘So with Kathy, I did a deep cleanse, a clay mask for mild exfoliation (while keeping skin calm), lots of facial massage (including lymphatic drainage around the eye area) and decolletage and upper arm massage using a rich body oil.’

Want one? I do! Gift one to someone you love or spoil yourself - Keely Watson is a facialist and waxing specialist and works on appointment only.

Suite 19/465 Mt Eden Road. Phone (09)630 3478, mobile 0275 489 369.

What’s your earliest makeup memory?

Growing up, my best friend’s father owned a chemist. So she had the most make-up and perfume of anyone I knew. We used to play with it all. I remember my mum telling me that I stank when I came home from my friend’s place, as I would always put on all the scents she had at the same time!

What was your first perfume?

My Gran used Pleasures by Estee Lauder when I was young, so this was the perfume I adopted. But the first perfume I ever bought for myself was Paris.

Now, do you have a signature scent?

I’m a sucker for a beautiful bottle, so I have never settled with just one scent. I’m now in love with the new Marc Jacobs Lola - almost entirely due to the shape of the bottle.

Describe your everyday makeup look and what products you use:

I’m pretty natural when it comes to my look. I use Lancome foundation, Anna Sui eyeliner, Benefits mascara, and a Juicy tube lip gloss.

How do you change this for night?

I just put a little more on!

What was the last item of makeup you bought?

Anna Sui eyeliner in a fabulous blue.

What’s on your shopping list to get?

ghd hair straighteners.

Biggest hair/makeup disaster you’ve had?

I think experimentation is good, even when it get it wrong or go too far. If you don’t push the boundaries your look will become stale.

What are your thoughts on cosmetic surgery - would you? Have you?

Never say never.

Best beauty discovery?

Kerastase haircare.

Ultimate indulgence is?

A Kerastase in-salon treatment. You and your hair come out feeling beautiful.

What advice would you tell the younger you if you could go back in time?

Use fake tan, drink lots of water and always apply sunblock.

Has motherhood changed your beauty routine and if so, in what way?

Sped it up!

my new BFF

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting the gorgeous Kate Ritchie - you know, Sally from Home and Away?

Well it’s been two years since she was on the hit show that made her a household name, she left after 20 years! Incredible. She grew up on the show and we grew up watching her.

Kate is the face of Vaseline skin care and the launch was for a delicious new offering - Cocoa Body Butter. If you love the Body Shop’s body butter then you’re going to adore this. It’s a rich, creamy formulation that is going to be perfect for winter (maybe too thick for summer or humid weather). The best bit is that it is an absolute bargain at $11.99.

Here’s the bubbly Kate discussing her decision to be brand ambassador for Vaseline.

Isn’t she a doll?

Tamsin xo

Bubblegum

Coral Rose

Dark Plum

Here’s a great idea from Maybelline - mini sized nail polish called Colorama.

For just $7.99 for a wee 7.5ml bottle, you can change your colour as often as you change your underwear, without breaking the bank account.

I’ve never managed to use an entire bottle of nail polish - have you?

There are heaps of fun shades to choose from including these. You get the benefit of a great formula in tiny packaging - size is the only compromise here. It’s worth sacrificing a coffee and muffin for.

Tamsin xo

photo from bumble bells

My sister-in-law bought these for my daughter for her first birthday - Bumble Bells. They are a huge hit in LA - Gwen Stefani managed to get Zuma to wear a pair.

They’re stirling silver anklets with bells that chime when the bebe moves. Coco doesn’t even seem to mind them, I thought she’d rip them off like she does with shoes, but she’ll happily crawl around the floor with them on. They are really cute. Not sure if they’re available here - but worth trying to track down!

Check them out: www.bumblebells.com

Luminary makeup artist Tom Pecheux keyed the look for Salvatore Ferragamo. It’s a look that he says is natural, ‘the girl is a beauty - no big statement, just fresh and naturally gorgeous in camel and honey tones. She’s chic, elegant and proper.’

Here’s how he did it:

Eyes: Mineralize Skinfinish natural powder in medium dark dusted over lids. Eye kohl in Prunella - traced along the upper lash line very finely and smudged. Opulash mascara in Bad, Bad Black for the top lashes. Pro Lash Mascara in Charcoal Brown on lower lashes. Eye shadow in Cork through the brow for a slightly boyish feel.

Face: Face and Body Foundation applied as a base. Studio Sculpt concealor where needed. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder in Medium Dark to contour the cheekbone with a 119 brush.

Lip: Lipstick in To Pamper (available Fall 2010) applied from the tube and patted in with fingers.

All makeup is MAC.

What do you think? Gorgeous non?

Tamsin xo

This month we’re asking you to nominate a friend, colleague or someone in your family who could do with a pick-me-up. Are they always helping others? Are they feeling a bit beaten by the boring bits in life (bills, juggling committments etc)? Give them something to make them smile and let them know you care and appreciate everything they do.

This month’s Wednesday Wish is a free makeover at Phoenix Cosmetics. The lovely Phoenix Renata has come to the beauty rescue and is offering one lucky Beauty Gossie a free makeover. Using Phoenix products, the recipient will learn a new trick or two and will discover the best way to make up her face. Time it for a special event, so they can go out looking amazing. I love getting my makeup done - it’s such a treat.

So - write below and tell me who you think should win this wonderful prize!!!

Tamsin xo

Lancome advertised heavily before the product had hit the shelves creating mile long waiting lists at every counter. Estee Lauder snuck in, ahead of their original schedule and managed to get theirs on the counter before Lancome reaping some of the marketing benefits that Lancome had done.

Both sold extraordinarily well. Both delivered fantastic results - longer, fatter lashes with a smooth coating of mascara that didn’t smudge.

Yes, the vibrations are a bit gimmicky, they are said to replicate the wiggle motion that makeup artists use to deliver as much product along the lash as possible - a technique most of us would rarely do (but should). But it works. And it’s fun.

Now there’s a new one. Little sister brand Maybelline New York has released its own version of the vibrating mascara and it’s fantastic. Maybelline Pulse Perfection is a fantastic produce and even when the battery malfunctions and no longer works (as mine seems to have done), it’s still a fantastic mascara delivering the desired results. No, I’m not being paid to say this - I truly love it.

Have you tried it?

At only $29.99 it is under half the price of the Lancome and Estee Lauder versions. So for those who love to bag a bargain - don’t delay!

Tamsin xo

But before you get too depressed and kick the chair and mutter about the curses of cool temperatures - head back to your happy place and think about what this means. Winter means transformation time. New clothes, new hair cut, new lipstick colours. Winter is snowboarding, red wine, crackling fires and delicious roast dinners.

Winter is a good time to grow your hair out and go for a darker shade. Match the hues of your wardrobe and the heavier textures with a heavier cut - try a blunt fringe. Blondes are either icy, platinum or warm caramel. Brunettes should add flashes of red.

Here’s some hair porn courtesy of L’Oreal Professionnel. Enjoy!

What are you going to do this winter? Chop your hair? Grow it? Change colour?

Tamsin xo