Welcome back to Australia James! Since we last chatted, the brand and range have gone from strength to strength. What are some of the new products you’ve released this year?
The Coconut Melting Tanning Balm is our newest innovation. It’s the first self-tanning products that combines oil encapsulated DHA and also coconut oil in the same formulation, this gives you the same hydrating effect as if you were using your normal coconut oil but with a tan! This is perfect for those with eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. It still fades like a natural tan and keeps you moisturised.
The H20 Illuminating Tan Mist is great as its over 90% water. If you loved the original H20 Face Mist you will love this product as it gives the same rosewater affect, with the addition of 24k gold, this reflects the light when it hits your skin which illuminates your skin.
You’ve worked with some amazing celebrities like Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, Rosie Huntington Whitely. Who are some of the celebrities you’ve worked with this year and what products did you use with them?
Ryan Reynolds is obsessed. He used the Instant bronzing mist and sleep mask tan and actually self-tans himself! We’ve just sent him products for Deadpool 2 and he is using them every day.
Obviously, there are so many guys in Hollywood that like to keep their beauty regimes a secret. But if you flick through the magazines you will find them! We’re doing the Oscars this year and the guys just love the products as they’re super natural and hydrating. They love that it’s a tan for a man, by a man.
If you had to pick your top must have James Read products, what would they be?
H20 Tan Mist, Sleep Mask Tan for Face & Body and of course I’m totally obsessed with my Instant bronzing mist and I actually don’t go anywhere without it. Once I left home without it so I had to go into a store and buy it.
We’re in the midst of Spring and perfecting our tans for Spring racing. What are your top tips to get tan ready?
Exfoliate to make sure your old tan is gone! Apply self-tan the day before so that it lasts for the whole carnival and moisturise daily to make your tan last longer. If you’re going to layer your tan to build it up, do it on the same day, unless it’s a gradual tan. Nobody wants build up! A trick to keep your tan lasting longer is to use a tan accelerator, as these are designed to make a real tan last longer, work this in with a self-tanner also.
What would you recommend for different skin tones e.g. Olive, Pink, Yellow skin tones
So, the great thing about self-tanning products now is that they work with every skin tone and type. Ideally, if you have a light skin tone use a gradual tanner and if you have medium to dark skin use a bronzing mousse.
What’s next for James Read?
Looking at trends from around the world and adding my take on them. To me it’s about stepping outside the self-tan beauty box to create products that are easy, effective and innovative. I love to create products that people have never seen before. We have some amazing new products coming out soon that I’m really excited about.
James Read is available at Mecca Cosmetica and www.mecca.com.au To celebrate Mecca’s 20th Birthday, James Read has developed the Mini Tanning Kit, a limited edition pack that is now available in store and online.
MECCA 20 Mini Tanning Kit ($45)
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