Prep & Maintain
‘Half of a good tan is within the prep!’
Preparing for Your Spray Tan
Preparation
- Start moisturising the skin as soon as you book your appointment
- Make sure all sunless tanning products have been fully removed prior to your tanning day
- All beauty treatments should be completed prior to your appointment, spray tans should always come last
- If waxing, do this 48 hours before your appointment and for shaving it’s 24 hours before
- The night before your spray tan exfoliate and moisturise
- On the day of your tan, do not apply any products to the skin as this can act a barrier
- Please do not shower within 4 hours ahead of your tan
- Be sure to have loose dark clothing and sandals/flip flops ready
Developing
- Be patient - plan a chill evening (we recommend pizza and prosecco)
- Do not get wet - no sweating, pet licking or washing up. To wash hands use a wet wipe
- Don’t touch your skin
- Rinse as per what has been recommended by your spray tan artist
- Do not moisturise after your first initial rinse
Maintaining
- Use sunless tan appropriate products (nothing oil based)
- Moisturise at least twice a day
- Stay hydrated
- Top up with gradual tanning lotions once the spray tan starts to fade
- Avoid products which are on our no go list
- Avoid taking long hot showers/baths
- Do not rub with a towel and pat dry instead
- Avoid heavy sweating as your spray tan may fade quicker in certain places
- Use fresh razor for shaving with correct lubricant
- If you have areas where you spray tan has rubbed off you can use an exfoliating mitten to help blend the area but remember to be gentle!
The Ultimate Spray Tan Step By Step guide
When to book your appointment
We always recommend booking your spray tan 48 hours before your planned event (wedding, hen do, festival). This allows for the tan to fully develop and settle. We recommend you have two showers prior to your planned event to reduce any risk of transfer to your clothes.
Holiday tans are different. We recommend booking your spray tan as close as you can to your departure. This will ensure you will be glowing the whole time you are away.
Please always let us know of any known allergies you may have ahead of booking.
Day Before
Day Before
Wax at least 48 hours before and shave 24 hours before
You want your pores to have time to be fully closed before receiving your spray tan. When shaving make sure you have a razor that does not have a moisturising strip.
Day Before
Have all beauty treatments completed
We always advise the spray tan being the last thing on your list of beauty treatments. Some treatments can create barriers to the skin. If getting lashes done, it might be worth considering how long you have to wait until you can get them damp.
For best results allow 48 hours between your last beauty treatment and your spray tan..
Day Before
Exfoliate your entire body with a mitten
Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells this will make the tan settle better and last longer.
We do not recommend you use an exfoliating scrub ahead of your spray tan as a lot of products are oil-based and may leave a residue and create a barrier.
We do not recommend you use an exfoliating scrub ahead of your spray tan as a lot of products are oil-based and may leave a residue and create a barrier.
Day Before
Please do not use bar soap or cream-based body washes
They are known to leave a residue which can create a barrier. Use a gel like body wash instead.
Day Of Your Spray Tan
Day Of Your Spray Tan
Shower in the morning
Unless your spray tan appointment is in the morning, avoid showing all together on your tanning day. Showering affects the PH of your skin and it needs time to settle. If you must shower within 4 hours of your appointment please rinse at the end with cold water to ensure pores are not open.
Day Of Your Spray Tan
Avoid some beauty products
Do not apply any deodorant, moisturiser/oil, makeup and/or perfume on the day of your tan. Nothing should be applied to the skin at all. These products may create a barrier and could potentially affect your spray tan.
We understand you might want to put makeup on during the day of your tan, if this can’t be avoided, you can use Micellar water/wipes to remove any products please avoid oily solutions/wipes.
We understand you might want to put makeup on during the day of your tan, if this can’t be avoided, you can use Micellar water/wipes to remove any products please avoid oily solutions/wipes.
Day Of Your Spray Tan
Have dark loose-fitted clothing ready and some sandals or flip flops
Some of the bronzer may transfer on to the clothes. Please do not worry the solution is water soluble and it will come out in the wash.
During Your Development (2-12 hours)
During Your Development
Avoid moisture until initial rinse
This includes no workouts, hoovering or anything that might get you a little hot and sweaty, particularly during those hotter months. Do not put any kind of lotions on your skin including liquid foundations, serums, etc. Do not let you pet lick you either…trust us it happens!
If for any reason you have accidentally had your pet lick you, you can take a big fluffy makeup brush and in circular motions buff it out. If you have any self-tanner you can use a tiny bit on the brush. It may not look perfect during development, after the first rinsed it should even out. Fortunately, once the tan hits the skin, it has already started developing so it should be okay.
If for any reason you have accidentally had your pet lick you, you can take a big fluffy makeup brush and in circular motions buff it out. If you have any self-tanner you can use a tiny bit on the brush. It may not look perfect during development, after the first rinsed it should even out. Fortunately, once the tan hits the skin, it has already started developing so it should be okay.
During Your Development
Do not touch your body
You do not want tan on your palms or fingers.Equally, you don’t want finger marks on your tan.
During Your Development
Standard tans
Must be rinsed after 8-12 hours – Use lukewarm water then pat dry with a towel (do not rub). You will start to see your colour develop but please do not moisturise for another 12 hours after the initial rinse Any product applied during this time may affect the result.
During Your Development
Express tans
Between 1-4 hours – Use lukewarm water then pat dry with a towel (do not rub). You will feel like you have rinsed your tan down the drain as the tan won’t have had time to develop, this is totally normal. You will carry on developing even after your initial rinse so please don’t panic. It is all part of the process.
Please do not moisturise for another 24 hours after the initial rinse. Any product applied during this time may affect the result.
So we know this sounds odd, but we must tell you, if you urinate during your rinse it may cause streaking due to the ammonia.
If you feel streaky after your rinse please step back in the shower and ensure you have rinsed off the guide bronzer fully as this will cause streaking.
Please do not moisturise for another 24 hours after the initial rinse. Any product applied during this time may affect the result.
So we know this sounds odd, but we must tell you, if you urinate during your rinse it may cause streaking due to the ammonia.
If you feel streaky after your rinse please step back in the shower and ensure you have rinsed off the guide bronzer fully as this will cause streaking.
24 Hours After Your Spray Tan
24 Hours After Your Spray Tan
Moisturise, moisturise and then moisturise day and night.
The more hydrated the skin is the longer the tan will last. It’s really not a myth, it’s true. It is best to moisturise with a specific lotion that is for sunless tan. We recommend St tropez Prep & maintain or Bondi Sands Body Moisturiser. If you prefer to use your own moisturiser please check that it is a water based moisturiser and it is free of artificial fragrances and mineral oils.
24 Hours After Your Spray Tan
How to maintain your spray tan
You may use a tan extending product such as St Tropez Gradual Tan lotion after 3 days of having your spray tan to increase the longevity of your tan.
Avoid using a flannel or an exfoliating loofah as this will decrease the longevity of your tan. It is best to wash with your hands only in areas where needed to ensure a longer lasting tan.
Avoid swimming, long hot showers/baths, saunas, hot tubs and excessive sweating as this will cause quicker fade.
Staying hydrated will not just make you feel better it will also help with the longevity of your tan. Hydrated body means hydrated skin which equals long lasting tan.
When you are ready to say “Good Bye” you can start exfoliating.
Avoid using a flannel or an exfoliating loofah as this will decrease the longevity of your tan. It is best to wash with your hands only in areas where needed to ensure a longer lasting tan.
Avoid swimming, long hot showers/baths, saunas, hot tubs and excessive sweating as this will cause quicker fade.
Staying hydrated will not just make you feel better it will also help with the longevity of your tan. Hydrated body means hydrated skin which equals long lasting tan.
When you are ready to say “Good Bye” you can start exfoliating.
Products to avoid
Our no go list
- Dove soap or shower gel
- All Retinoids products (Retinol, Retin-A)
- AHA products (Alpha Hydroxy Acids -Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, Citric and Tartaric acids). Anti-aging products that "renew" "refresh" or otherwise exfoliate skin
- Anti-acne products that exfoliate, or dry the skin- Accutane, and Salicylic acid, can affect tan fading. Skin also peels, which can look unacceptable, especially with a tan. Unfortunately, using acne or retinol products on your face may make the tan become blotchy so it is best to avoid these products while you have your spray tan.
- Insect spray, perfumes, body sprays can all affect your spray tan. You can spray on clothes instead or spray into the air and walk through the mist.
- Wax or hair removal products (Nair, Veet, Neet, etc) this will remove your spray tan.
- Shaving can exfoliate your skin so please use a sharp clean razor with conditioner instead of shaving cream. Using an electric razor or epilator will fade your tan less.