I underestimated the power of a spray tan until I finally got my first one. I had been an at-home fake tan girly for a few years when the occasion arose and had no complaints. Last year, I was going to Mexico for my anniversary and wanted to feel fabulous and nothing fills you with the level of delusional confidence that a solid tan does. So it was time to go all in with a spray tan!
I was so nervous before going. I have got rolls, folds, and hanging bits, and it is easy to get caught up in your head. But trust me when I say your spray tan artist has seen it all. And as long as you are going in fresh and clean, you’ve got nothing to worry about!
I’ll take you step by step through the whole process, so you can go into your first spray tan feeling comfortable and confident!
If you are local to the Connecticut shoreline, I go to Kara Mac’s! All of her employees are lovely, but book with Kara if possible. She is a master and the kindest human. She made me feel so comfortable my first time in.
How to Prep for Your First Spray Tan
Before going into your first spray tan, you are going to want to make sure you are exfoliated and moisturized. I generally start two or three days before my appointment and scrub, scrub, scrub, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. It sounds like more work than it actually is! But here is a little sample schedule of what I do the few days before.
None of this is necessary, but I have found it to drastically improve the effect and longevity of my tan. Highly recommend not skipping the prep work! Get your money’s worth!
Monday – Full body scrub in the shower. Shave if you remove your body hair. Slather your body in your favorite, super-rich body cream. Top it off with body oil before bed!
Tuesday – Repeat the above, focusing on dry areas like hands, feet, knees, and elbows. I also make sure to exfoliate between my breasts well, as I find my tan can “collect” a bit there.
Wednesday – On the day of your tan, give your body a final shave, but skip the exfoliating. I still do a super simple skincare routine in the morning but don’t apply any lotion or products to my body after my shower to allow the tan to sink in. I’d rather my face be a little bit too pale vs too dark, hence still applying a light moisturizer to my face before.
What to Wear to Your Appointment
Loose, dark clothes. Think sweats, your comfiest bra, and undies that are cotton and not going to rub. I have even forgone wearing my bra out of my appointment if I head home after. Don’t forget to bring shoes that aren’t going to rub or make your feet sweat. Fuzzy Birkenstocks or Uggs are my go to.
What to Expect During Your First Spray Tan
You are going to have to take some clothes off before you get going. But don’t sweat it. Like I said before, your spray tan artist sees all types of bodies all day at all levels of undress. You are in control and get to decide what works for you! You can bring your favorite bathing suit if you don’t want to be fully naked. Wear your skimpiest undies to have minimal tan lines. Or go fully nude! I usually wear a thong that I know is lower than my bathing suit bottoms. And you should be given a little shower cap to cover your hair.
I am sure things vary from salon to salon, but the process of a spray tan is pretty standard. You may have the option to add some things on, like a prep spray or a moisture treatment afterward. Your artist will come into the room when you are ready and get started. They will ask you to move in different positions, like turning a leg out, bending your knuckles, or turning your face from side to side.
If you are like me and have those rolls, folds, and hanging bits, don’t worry! Your artist should be wearing gloves and will gently hold or lift different parts respectfully. My artist is so good at this and doesn’t make it a big deal at all. The boobs need to be lifted, and it is totally normal!
After your artist is done spraying, they may use a fan to help speed up the drying process. Before they finish up, you will probably get dusted down with a body powder to take away any of the lasting stickiness. Keeps those rolls and folds dry!
That’s it! My appointment maybe takes 15 or 20 minutes. It is super quick!
What to Do After Your Spray Tan Appointment
Immediately after your appointment, you are going to do whatever you can to avoid getting wet. That is the number one thing, and it is the hardest part for me! I always ask for a fast-developing formula (usually costs a few more dollars), and it is so worth it. Only needing to worry about it for three to five hours is way better than needing to wait eight to twelve!
Keep those loose clothes on and stay dry until your time is up. Your artist will tell you what time you should rinse off to achieve your desired level of color. Follow whatever instructions your salon gives you. Some will tell you to wash with soap and water, others will say just water initially. They know best!
How to Get Your Spray Tan to Last
Generally speaking, you can probably plan for 10 days of a solid tan. The best color is going to be on days two through seven. Your tan will be fully developed, fresh, and gorgeous!
Be grateful for all that prep work, because you are going to want to avoid any rough exfoliating. You can shave, but no body scrubs until you are ready to see your tan start to slough away!
Focus on hydrating your skin and lotion up that body whenever you can. At least once a day, if not twice! It will help keep your skin smooth and soft and help to avoid the tan flaking.
Avoid too much exfoliation in the beginning, since that could lead to your tan fading prematurely! As your tan starts to fade, you might see patchy areas or “scaly” skin. This is the time to start using a gentle body scrub or exfoliator. Usually around a week in. From here on out, you will see your tan gradually fade away. Just don’t stop the moisturizing!
If you are hesitant to get your first spray, don’t be! There is no level of delusion quite like that of a freshly tanned woman!
xxx
