Spray tanning is so fun and incredibly addictive, I mean there’s nothing quite like the instant transformation of feeling like you just lost a few pounds and went to Cabo. When I’m tan, I have a whole new personality.
But whether you have a special event coming up, looking to fight winter depression, or are just looking for some tips on how to achieve the perfect complexion, you have come to the right place. Spray tanning is an art, and so is the art of GETTING one. Just like your spray tan artist has put in hours and hours of training, it is important for you to prep your body and take special care pre- and post-appointment to avoid any of the common mistakes. Here are some pro tips, some painfully learned, to help you become that beautiful, bronzed goddess.
Scheduling your tan:
The tan is usually best on the second day, so plan for your event to be two days after your spray tan. Find an artist with great reviews, and specifically try to see their work on someone with a similar skin tone as you. With the current advanced technology in tanning solutions and application processes, the risk of turning orange is low. Just do your research and make sure that your skin is free from any old fake tan that could be lingering on your skin.
Perhaps the most important tip I can give as a messy gal: schedule your tan as close to bedtime as possible. I like to go at the very last appointment time so I can go home and sleep in it to avoid mistakes and ruining it myself.
3 days before…
A few days prior to your appointment, begin to take great care of your skin. Full body lotions and creams, whatever works best for your body. You can apply an emollient like Vaseline or Aquaphor over any dry patches to help them heal faster. Any dry spot will come out looking darker than the surrounding skin, so pay special attention to areas like your elbows, knees, and ankles. This goes for your face skin care as well. If you are using skincare actives that make your skin flakey or dry like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, I would stop using them a few days before the appointment.
The day before…
Time for full body hair removal and exfoliating! This is when you’re going to want to book your sugaring appointment. If you are getting sugared, there is no need for additional exfoliation because the sugar removes the top layer of dead skin. If you are shaving, you are gonna want to grab a sugar scrub or a washcloth and really get the dead skin off before shaving. The smoother your skin, the smoother the result will be. You can apply a moisturizer after that as long as you are planning to wash it off before your appointment.
The day of (pre- appointment) …
You want your pores to be nice and closed and happy when you go in for your tan, so avoid things that aggravate the skin and open your pores. You’re going to want to avoid:
Showering 4 hours prior (I always just avoid it the whole day).
Hot tubs and bathtubs,
Products that leave a white cast on the skin like dove soap and deodorant
Saunas, hot yoga classes, steam rooms, anything like that… you get the picture.
I like to take a quick cold shower in the morning just so that my skin is clean and then I will go to my appointment later in the day. Do not apply moisturizer or anything to your skin before your appointment. Your skin should be smooth and clean.
Some other quick tips:
Wear loose-fitting black clothing that covers your entire body (long sleeve black shirt with sweatpants) and flip flops that you don’t mind getting dirty.
I always take all my makeup off and apply a light moisturizer to the face. You really don’t want the tan on the face to get streaky or messed up.
Prepare your bed… I like to just put down my designated “tanning” sheets that I don’t mind turning orange.
After your spray tan…
Tans have various amounts of time that they take to develop. Some take a few hours, and some take up to 10 or 12 hours in order to see the full color, so just check with your artist beforehand. The most important thing afterward is that you don’t do anything. I’m serious.
Some things that can mess up the tan: drinking water and having it drip down around your mouth, washing your face or hands (the water will run and cause streaks down your arms), doing anything that involves a lot of use of your hands like laundry or dishes. If you have to pee, just be very careful that it doesn’t drip down your leg because it will cause streaks. If you have an itch, be very careful scratching it. Basically, you just want to treat yourself like a wet canvas. No walking around excessively. Find a peaceful place to park yourself for the duration that your artist recommends.
The tan will dry down and your artist will most likely powder and set the areas that are wet before you leave but, in my experience, the tan always needs a little bit longer to set in than your appointment time. The dead giveaway for a tan is always on the hands and palms, which is why it’s crucial to not touch anything if you can. The perfect excuse to have someone wait on your every need.
After the developing time has passed, hop in the shower and let lukewarm water rinse off the top layer of the bronzer, revealing your perfect glowing goddess body. Do not pee in the shower because it can cause streaks down your leg! Oh, and pat your skin dry with a fluffy towel. I don’t usually apply moisturizer right away. I will wait until the second day to take a shower and then I will apply moisturizer all over, which will leave my skin perfect for the event or occasion on the second day.
24-48 hours after your tan, it’s important that you don’t work out or sweat excessively or do anything that would erode the tan. You don’t have to sit around and do nothing, but just take extra care while the tan is setting in.
The better you take care of your skin, the longer the tan will last so just be conscious of hot showers and anything that scrubs at the skin. Moisturize once a day and enjoy your new personality!