Life To Lauren’s Guide To Spray Tanning

There is nothing I love more than having a good tan and there is doubt about the fact that I look better with a tan. Plus, I am a huge believer in the “if you can’t tone it, tan it it” approach lol. 

In highschool, I would go to the tanning bed every week to maintain my tan. Which, literally makes me sick to my stomach to think about now. The 16-year-old me could have cared less about skin cancer or wrinkles. But 24-year-old me? It’s whole different story. I’m petrified to find out the damage I did to my skin. Needless to say, I have reevaluated some things in my life and have become paranoid over protecting my skin.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I love more then sitting by the beach, getting a little bit of Vitamin D. But even then, I am lathering myself in sunscreen.

Ever since graduating, I have become obsessed with spray tanning. They are an easy (& the best!) fix to my pale problem. 

I feel as though a few years ago, spray tanning had a bad reputation. Girls were going to their local tanning salons, going in a booth and coming out looking like a burnt Umpa Loompa. Orange hands, weird streaks and all. So don’t worry, if you have ever been hesitant, I understand! But I promise you, there are ways to get that perfect glow with out frying your skin or coming out orange. 

Pick Your Type of Tan

-Boutique Spray Tan 

Find an indvidual Spray Tanning Salon you trust that does not have machines, but instead sprays you by hand.  For example, I will only go to Bronze Bar Tan in Houston, near the Galleria. Hands down the best spray tanning place in Houston (they also just opened one in Katy!). Not only is Bronze Bar amazingly affordable, but they do a flawless job, every time. I also love the fact that their products are all organic. I tan here pretty close to every other week, and my tans usually last about 7-10 days. If you are in Houston, I highly suggest them! You will not be disappointed 🙂 Celia and Sabrina are absolutely amazing! You can read my whole post on Bronze Bar here. 

If you are not in Houston, do your research and find a place near you. Ask your friends, ask for recommendations on Facebook and read Yelp reviews on boutiques in your area.

-Self Tanner

In a hurry and cannot make it to the salon? No worries! Self tanner is a  great option depending on what you use. The only self tanner I will use and swear by is St. Tropez. While I definitely think going to a salon is the better option, sometimes life just happens and you need a quick fix. The St. Tropez comes with a little glove and you can apply as little and as much as you want. I especially love taking this with me on vacations. It also saves me when I need to add a little bit of color to my legs before a shoot. It surprisingly does a fantastic job. St. Tropez also has shower gradual tanner and a normal gradual tanner, but I have not tried either. 

Before You Tan 

-Shower, shave & exfoliate before every spray tan

This is the first step to getting a flawless tan and one of the most important! Exfoliating will make your tan last that much longer. Shaving is also important because shaving tends to not only take off hair, but also dead skin. If you shave or exfoliate after a tan, you will literally take it all off. 

–Get all waxing, pedicures & manicures done before a tan

Please picture yourself getting a spray tan and then getting your eye brows waxed the next day. It is not a pretty picture lol. Waxing and the exfoliation from pedicures will take your spray tan right off so be sure to do these primping steps before you go in. 

-Take off all Makeup & Lotions

This is important because you want clean, bare skin before you tan. If you are wearing makeup/ and or lotion, then the tan will stick to that and not your skin. 

-Wear darker & loose fitting clothing to your tan. 

You do not want to wear anything form fitting like jeans! This will make your tan dry funny and leave you with lines. This dress & this dress are my go-to post spray tan dresses! Flowy & comfortable is key. I also choose to wear flip flops as opposed to all other shoes! 

After You Tan

–Wait 8-10 hours before showering 

This gives the tan enough time to set. If you wash it off too soon, it will not work. I usually like to get my spray tans right after work around 6:00. Then I go home, sleep in my tan and wash it off first thing in the morning. 

–Lather on lotion after each shower 

Make sure to put lotion all over your body after each shower in order to lock in moisture. I swear this is what makes my spray tans last so much longer! 

-Fix the orange palms 

I normally do not have to worry about orange palms, but sometimes it happens. My secret is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! Swear.  I forget where I heard this from, but none-the-less, it works like a charm! 

What are ya’lls thoughts on spray tanning?

xo,

Lauren