Lextan is your one-stop shop for all things beauty in Cardiff's city centre. Although my tanning…read moredays are long gone (I'm surprised I still have skin with the amount of sun and fake sun worshipping I've done), I still appreciate a collection of quality sun beds when I see them. Lextan have three different models here, in addition to a range of other beauty services such as Swedish and deep tissue massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, eyelash perms, extensions and tints, and even ear piercing. The draw for me is the Dermalogica range used in their facial treatments; it's also worth mentioning that the therapists at Lextan also carry out a free face mapping skin analysis, where your face is split into 14 zones to target any skin problems or concerns you have. I am coming back to try this, mark my words.

Yes we all know sunbeds are bad but you can't really deny the feeling of stepping out of the cold…read moremiserable British weather and into the warmth of a big tube filled with UV light. Gail owns the shop and has been a friend of my mum's for years. On the rare occasions when I do use a sunbed, this is one of the only places I go. I tend to buy a block of minutes for about £20 and use them sporadically and I know other people that do this and it's totally fine. Gail keeps a tally of how much you've used and how much you have left. She does advise you well on using the beds (most of which are standing) and won't allow you to use a dangerous amount of minutes. If you're a bigger fan of the fake bake then the salon also offers a spray tanning service for around £15.

Sun tanning is one of those easily unnecessary businesses. Unmanned as it is makes it not friendly,…read morethe age restriction means nothing when there isn't someone in there to stop underage people using the facilities. Sun beds can be potentially a risk to skin damage and its always best to use the sun beds for short durations with adequate sun cream and goggles, that being said there's no reason not to come back many times as the price is very low so spread the time to get a tan out over a week or two and don't be tempted to overdo it as your skin won't forgive you for it. The equipment is as good as Supersun so it's a toss up between the two.

I used to live close to this place and when I was into getting a tan I would regularly pop in to…read morethis unmanned shop, drop my coins into the machine select a cabin, get me kit off and let the rays burn my body! I used enjoy my regular little tanning sessions even though I knew there was a risk of skin cancer. Do you know what put me off? When a friend of mine inquired why I looked tanned. Of course I didn't mention I went to a sunbed centre as I am ashamed out this guilty pleasure. In the end she wouldn't let it go so I had to admit it. Then she said this...... , "We have those Consol Suncentres in Bristol. They had to start closing thme early becasue the local prostitutes were using them with their clients". That put me off. Having said that I have been back but this time I wash the bed down about 10 times before I get on it.

I am not launching into how sun beds are bad for you. If you don't want to go, don't go. But for…read morethose of us who chose to go, this place is immaculate and the beds are regularly updated. It is always manned, which I find comforting, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Cubicles are safe, big enough to organise yourself before and after the session, have a handy little bench for your belongings, paper tissues and disinfectant spray in each cubicle and a small rug to step on. You can buy lotions if you want and the eye protection is given free of charge. Prices are extremely competitive and often have a sale on too. It is open really long hours as well, so you can go in before work in the morning or quite late at night ( 10pm I believe). All in all, 5 stars.

When are we going to learn that sun beds generally aren't good for us? They are certainly no match…read morefor the real thing, and we can wear UV protection whilst we enjoy outdoor activities instead of cramming our sweaty bodies into an uncomfortably hot coffin! Where's the pleasure in that? In special circumstance sun beds have their place. For people that suffer with SAD or dermatological conditions that respond well to sunlight, (whether it be real or synthesised), sun beds offer all-year support. But Supersun Tanning Studio plays the vanity card, and targets the narcissists amongst us, instead of mentioning the more profound benefits that can be obtained by people who, if they were to use the facilities, could possibly maintain for their mental health or improve their skin conditions, therefore preserving their self confidence and eliminating discomfort. But that would mean talking about issues that prove that we as humans fall short of perfection... and that wouldn't do! It would also mean possibly restricting their potential customer base, thereby losing them revenue... Hmmm...

I do find that it is sometimes hard to differentiate between the different tanning places. After…read moreall, a tan is a tan is a tan and the way that you get them varies very little. All in all, I'd say a well done to City Suntan Beauty Centre for being just as good as everywhere else. I'm looking now for a place that can exceed all my expectations - that can make me tanned AND satisfied as a customer. For that to to happen, I'm looking for a place that greets me (I don't know why - but I find it disconcerting when there's no one there) and that can deliver a power plate...

The Instagrammers dream that is Dollymixers (formally known as Rehab Nail Bar) is located on Crwys…read moreRoad. The salon offers a range of treatments including St Tropez Spray Tans, Gel Manicures, Nail Wraps, Blow Drys, Colours, Cuts and (among others) Hair Extensions. Upon my last visit I opted for a Blow Wave and 'Colour Tip Nail Extensions' - both of which in total took 2 hours. Now, If like me you sometimes don't feel like sharing the general niceties you usually share with your beautician / hairdresser, Dollymixers is the salon for you! Watch a movie from your personal TV, browse the internet on one of their Apple iPads or opt to listen to their nostalgic choice of music while sipping your complimentary Milkshake (or glass of wine if you prefer) in-between bites of your complimentary cupcake! To view their Pricelist in full click: http://goo.gl/PxzzEZ *Note, there is FREE customer parking. Simply turn left at Subway!

I first came across Consol Subcenter in Bristol, and have to admit to being more than a little…read moreshocked by the concept! It all seemed so new! I couldn't quite believe that it was entirely feasible to leave a shop essentially unmanned, and still to this day I'm not sure that vandalism doesn't present a major threat to these seemingly vulnerable tanning studio's. However, in term of cost effectiveness, the idea is pure genius! And at 50p a minute for really fast tanning, I guess it's pretty unbeatable on price! A friend of mine regularly uses the facilities and wouldn't dream of going anywhere else... she likes to pop in on a whim and spend a few minutes on the sun bed before getting in a few groceries, (she says it makes the prospect of going shopping a lot more attractive). It's funny, I have a few friends who use nail shops in much the same way... They pop in and have one nail done to break up a whole string of chores, and they reckon it lightens the load!

When I arrived I was asked if I had an account. Didn't know…read moreI needed one! Was then told I needed to download an app and then the details would have to go to the head office for approval. What a waste of time! Won't be going there again.

You could very easy walk past and miss this little place, and it doesn't really looks like very…read moremuch from the outside. But, should you venture in, there is a very pleasant and professional service awaiting you inside.

I used to walk past this rather alarming, slot machine tanning salon every day when I lived in…read moreCanton, and it is enduringly popular despite all the sunbed warnings we repeatedly hear. Apparently, this place provides us with 'the modern way to tan', yet every person who emerges from the place seems to have got totally carried away, so that they glow artificially orange. Still, if sunbeds are your thing, it's very accessible, open every day of the week from 7am in the morning until 9pm in the evening, and with no appointment necessary (since you pop your own coin into the slot to get things started) - and with their 'pay as you go' system costing from just 30p per minute, it's also very cheap.