I’m proud of my sunscreen game. But its power also means my skin stays what beauty brand NARS defines as “Alaska” in the dead of summer. And while I was learning how to capture my natural shade, I decided to call on the pros to gather loads of tips for drying skin. Because I do sometime want to look like I go out.
And as a girl with a cheap membership to a shoddy tanning salon in her 20s, I know all too well the dangers of a bad tan. Fortunately, I can now reach experts — like Courtney Claghornfounder of Sugared + Bronzed; Izabel WickerCEO and Founder of Hush Hush Tan; Fabiola Trujillo by Miami-based Sobe Tan; and famous spray tan artist Kristyn Pradas by Pradas Glow — for guidance on how to find the best spots for long-lasting natural glow.
Our sun goddesses guide you through exactly what to do before and after sun exposure, along with tips to prolong the benefits of glowing skin. So go right ahead, put on that giant hat, put on a plush rash guard, and reapply SPF without skipping. A radiant, sun-safe complexion (really a sunscreen fanatic’s best friend) is just a thoughtful spray.
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Spray tips to know before going
When should you shave or wax before tanning?
Both Pradas and Trujillo agree: the best time to wax is two days before you spray your tan. For shaving, 24 hours before the appointment is ideal. “Definitely not the same day,” Trujillo added.
And for a little extra coverage, Wicker emphasizes exfoliating right after you shave to prevent pores from looking bruised.
Any products (or ingredients) you recommend exfoliating before your treatment?
When it comes to exfoliation, there’s an art to smart exfoliation. Both Trujillo and Pradas warn against using an oil-based exfoliator on the day of the spray and to avoid anything that could leave a residue (like the Dove body lotion).
For what you Candlestick used, natural salt and loofah scrubs are best for exfoliating.
“Make sure you go everywhere. Don’t forget the armpits, the back of the neck, all the wrinkles, and the emphasis on the hands, feet, elbows,” says Trujillo. “Just take the time to do it meticulously and your sprayed skin will be flawless.”
Why is it important not to moisturize before tanning?
While we love moisture barriers, you don’t want to beef up their moisture barrier the right before painting your skin. It will interfere with the absorption ability of the spray formulation. The good news is that the best spray tans should be naturally moisturizing.
If you have naturally very dry skin, Trujillo asks clients to lightly moisten dry areas on the day of the appointment.
If you’re tanning for a specific event, what’s the best day to spray?
All four of our experts agree that two days before the big event is best. Especially if you don’t have much experience with spray tanning.
“Ultimately, it depends on the client and how fresh they want their skin to look,” explains Wicker. “We recommend no more than two days in advance. The second day of a tan is when it’s fully grown and adheres to your skin perfectly. ”
Any tips for getting the perfect color (not too bold or orange)?
Golden rule of nozzles: as simple as beautiful.
“We recommend not leaving it too dark or having too many layers of solution,” explains Wicker. “A large amount of DHA can look like an orangutan. That’s why Ross looks so bad in the episode Friend– she has three coats of tan spray paint. ”
And as with any beauty treatment, it’s important that you do your research. Pradas recommends finding an expert who understands color theory and skin tones. “Different tones in a melt spray will neutralize your tones or pull from your tones,” adds the airbrush artist. “If you have red, pink or yellow skin, it’s best to avoid a golden tan – an olive tan will work best with those skin tones. If you have olive skin, then a fawn or slightly purple shade will suit your skin tone best. ”
How much should a good fat dissolving spray cost?
Prices depend on where you are in the country (aside from expert skill), but spray nozzles can cost anywhere from $25 to $250. Most of our experts have suggested prices between $50 and $70. Of course, in the end you get what you pay for no matter where you deliver your DHA solution.
Pradas adds: “The more skillful an artist is, the more they have to charge. “It’s like a hair color machine. Someone with more knowledge will charge more because they are widely practiced.”
Tips Tan after spraying
What is the perfect outfit to wear after sunbathing?
Is there anything worse than lifting a pair of jeans over freshly groomed legs? Especially if it messes with your spray skin tone. To prepare for the perfect post-spray experience, wear dark and loose clothing. If possible, be prepared to go drinking.
How long should you wait to shower? Is there any benefit to waiting longer to rinse?
Six to eight hours is the most recommended time frame, although it can be helpful to wait up to 12 hours to help prolong the life of your tan. If you wash your face before 8 o’clock, avoid using soap because the tan is still developing.
Pradas provides a helpful guide to quick release spray solutions:
- 1 hour to glow
- 2 hours for a Light Tan
- 3 hours for a medium tan
- 4 hours for a Dark Tan
- 5 hours or more for Extreme Dark (white skin tones should avoid this)
When can you return to exercise after misting?
If you want to play it more safe, wait two days before doing anything really sweaty. If you are using the express solution, be aware that it may not be fully set up in 24 hours.
However, most of our experts agree that it is safe to work out after the first wash. If you’re working on something rigorous, Pradas recommends applying some talc-free baby powder to areas of skin that can be rubbed off by tight clothing. “The spray only gets into the first few layers of skin – it’s your skin cells that are being rubbed off,” she adds.
What can you do to help your tan last as long as possible?
Moisturize, moisturize and then re-moisturize for good measure. Below, discover a few of our experts’ top tanning tips to prolong the life of your glowing skin.
- Try to stay in the water as little as possible, anything that keeps your skin wet for too long will make the tan disappear faster. – Fabiola Trujillo
- Keep the shower on the shorter and warmest side possible. – Fabiola Trujillo
- Exfoliating before tanning is key! Then, apply plenty of lotion (oil-free) after you tan. – Izabel Wicker
- Hydrate and hydrate your skin with an oil-free moisturizer. – Kristyn Pradas
- No need to soap every time we shower, and definitely don’t exfoliate while our skin is still tan, this is the paint we have on our cuticles. – Fabiola Trujillo
- Drink a lot of water. – Kristyn Pradas
- People often get sprayed before going on vacation, so I can’t tell them not to go into the ocean or take a dip in the pool, but I would recommend spending as little time as possible in the water and taking a quick shower if they have in chlorine. – Fabiola Trujillo
