I used to dread summer: hotter weather meant I'd go darker, and that was the last thing I wanted. On holidays, I'd religiously apply sun block in a desperate attempt to avoid the inevitable. A straw poll of black female friends found that I was not the only one. I guess it's not that surprising - black women spend their whole lives being told that the lighter they are, the more attractive and, by implication, the more successful they will be. Think of any female black film stars, and they're probably relatively light (unlike their male counterparts); watch music videos, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that all black women were honey-coloured, with straight hair and legs up to their armpits.
Thankfully, I no longer agonise about tanning. In fact, quite the opposite: the darker I am, the more confident I feel. By deliberately going darker, it's as if I'm finally showing the world that I'm proud of my colour. That's not to say I don't wear sun protection. I learned that we burn the hard way, after a day on a beach in Greece. "All skin burns, irrespective of colour," says Allison Edwards, make-up artist for Iman cosmetics, whose moisturisers all contain Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15.
Although black skin is naturally better protected against UV light, due to its higher melanin levels, it is still prone to sun damage and premature ageing, says Dr Ravi Ratnavel, consultant dermatologist at Chiltern Hospital and consultant for skincare specialist, Neutrogena. But many sun creams and lotions leave a blueish film on the skin, so it pays to try them out before buying. Full Service Sun Block from Clinique and Modern SkinCare from Elizabeth Arden (both SPF15) are great, oil-free, lightweight creams that won't streak on dark skins.
The wide range of sun sprays, meanwhile, is a godsend for darker skin, as they are of a far lighter consistency than traditional creams, so are less likely to leave a white film (it's still worth testing them first, though). Shield from Zirh (SPF14) and Aqua Protect from Lancme (SPF10) are great non-drying sprays that go on clear. And finally, for a lightweight but heavy-duty moisturiser, try ActivA Facial from Uvistat or Neutrogena's Intensified Moisture Day Cream (both SPF15).
