Tantastic life: TOWIE's Danielle Armstrong on maintaining a year-round glow
A new generation of lotions and creams means there is the option of an instant healthy glow. Danielle Armstrong talks to about maintaining her year-round tan
IT wasn’t always fashionable to have a tan. Up until the ’60s, a tan was only for those who worked outdoors. But then tour operators got the sunny idea of offering package holidays to the Costa del Sol and anyone who could afford it headed off to the Mediterranean to roast themselves to a brown crisp. Returning home with a head-to-toe tan soon became a summer fashion statement — and few worried about the need to be sun smart.
Beauty companies cashed in, producing fake tanning products which initially smelt vile and took hours to develop, often with hit-and-miss results. Regardless, we enthusiastically slathered on fake tan before going out at night or at the first hint of summer.
Now a new generation of lotions and creams means there is the option of an instant healthy glow. Most have a pleasant smell, so you don’t have to hold your breath when applying them. Nor do you have to worry about being left with Tanora hands.
The modern art of tanning is a subject close to Danielle Armstrong’s heart. A former Towie star, she’s moved on from the mahogany tans traditionally associated with the series.
“I love having a really sensual glowy tan — all-year-round,” she says. “I’m just back from Dubai with my boyfriend [former professional footballer Daniel Spiller], so I’m lucky I have a natural tan at the moment.”
And she’s careful to protect her skin. “I always use an SPF 50 on my face every day — winter and summer. I use an SPF 30 on my body.”
Danielle, who runs her own fashion business, was in Dublin recently to launch The 10 Second Tanning Mousse by BPerfect Cosmetics. As ever, scent matters. “They smell really, really good,” she says. The new product comes in three different exotic scents — coconut, watermelon and mango — and hint of fun, sea, and sand. Just what any self-respecting Towie star would order.
www.bperfectcosmetics.com
The shape I'm in - Danielle Armstrong
I started doing Herbalife [a nutrition company] 16 months ago and lost 21lb in three months. It’s 2,000 nutrients condensed into a 220-calorie shake, which is for people who don’t have time to make a well-balanced breakfast. I drink two litres of water a day and I workout in the gym two to three times a week — for an hour. It tends to be a bit of cardio, a little weight training and lots of squats. I have a personal trainer.
For lunch, I’ll have a chicken salad or a lot of tuna. For evening meal, I love my white fish — vegetables, chicken stirfry. I like eating out at the weekends, with the odd glass of wine. I believe everything in moderation.
If I have a cup of English tea I would tend to have a chocolate Hobnob or a pack.
Probably my boyfriend snoring.
I like to treat myself sometimes to a massage. And sometimes the gym can be relaxing. And I love an Indian head massage.
Victoria Beckham. And Caitlyn Jenner — she has come through so much in her life. For eye candy, Victoria could bring David.
I like the smell of grass that’s just been cut. And I love the perfume Bond No 9 — you can only get it in Harrods.
I’m 5ft 3in. I’d love my legs to be that little bit longer.
The day before Mother’s Day. My mum’s mum — my nan — passed away when she was aged 26 and we started talking about it. She died of bowel cancer and my grandad died a few weeks later of a heart attack. I love my mum. We have a really strong relationship.
Dishonesty and jealousy.
Sometimes I say yes too many times to things.
I know it sounds silly, but every night I’ll speak to myself and I’ll pray to god. I pray for myself and others. It’s kind of like my own little way of just putting it out there.
I’m always quite chirpy. If my family and friends have their health and they are happy that makes me happy.
