Leading up to your tan
Leading up to your tan
Spray tans require PREPPPP at least 24 hours or more leading up to your session. Proper spray tan preparation plays a massive role in how your spray tan will look and last. Follow these steps for the perfect spray tan, every time!
24 hour rule
Tanning is your last stop! Complete all other services at least 24 hours/ the day before your tan, such as manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, eyelashes, brows, botox etc. Wax or laser at least 24 hours before your appointment, ideally 48 hours before to allow the pores to close and to ensure an even looking tan.
(Shave as you normally do before your appointment – ideally 8ish hours prior)
EXFOLIATE!
A MASSIVE part of a fabulous tan is making sure you exfoliate & shave before getting a spray tan, ideally the night before. This will remove any dead, dry skin cells which will allow the spray tan to absorb into fresh, clean skin. This will mean your tan will not only be more even, but it will last a lot longer too. An exfoliating mitt or glove in a warm shower works perfectly. Ensure to avoid any body washes or exfoliators that contain oil as these can create a barrier on your skin and may interfere with the tanning process, making the tan develop into a lighter or no colour at all. DO NOT USE DOVE OR OLAY PRODUCTS! Dove soap and Dove lotions leave a film on your skin that directly leads to a blotchy tan.
MOISTURE!
Moisturise AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE leading up to your tan… EXCEPT the day of – nothing should be on your skin. Drink plenty of fluids leading up to keep your skin hydrated & plump. Avoid AVEENO moisturisers as these can leave a film on the skin and lead to a blotchy looking tan.
Squeaky clean
Ensure you arrive at your appointment with a clean canvas, with absolutely nothing on your skin/body. No makeup, moisturiser, perfume, jewellery (this can be removed at the appt), deodorant etc. Make sure your deodorant is completely off prior or avoid wearing it the day off as any deodorant residue can turn green & blotchy.
During your tan
During your tan
Unsure what to wear during the tan? You can wear or not wear whatever you feel comfortable with. A bikini, bra, a g string, nothing… WE DON’T CARE! It’s completely up to you.
Please be aware that you will have tan lines with whatever you choose to wear.
At The Glow Job we provide disposable g strings & hair nets!
Before beginning, we will discuss your desired colour & darkness to ensure you are feeling confident when the appointment is over! You will be guided through various positions to stand, as I apply the tan!
The entire process takes less than 20 mins and off you glow!
After your tan
After your tan
Rinse at the time I’ve recommended to you!
After your spray tan, do not touch your tan and avoid skin-to-skin contact until your rinse. If you rub and touch your tan before you’ve rinsed it off, you’re going to end up with tanned palms. We definitely don’t want this!
Stay in your loose fitting clothes! Don’t get changed into tighter fitting clothes and avoid wearing undies or a bra, best to go commando😉
While your tan is marinating (between 1 – 8 hours depending on which tan you have chosen) avoid getting your skin wet. This can result in little droplet patches. Washing your hands and getting caught in the rain can result in your tan washing off patchy. If it’s raining or even if it’s not – we do live in Auckland after all, bring an umbrella in case. I will of course do my best to get you to your car dry.
It’s important to avoid getting your sweat on after your tan. Workouts are best avoided until the tan has fully developed, time to relax. Development time ranges from 8 – 24 hours.
When rinsing, use lukewarm water and NO soap/products to rinse off the top coat, also known as the bronzer. Use your hands to brush the water down your body until the water runs clear down the drain, ensuring all of your bronzer is washed off. Don’t worry, this is not your spray tan washing away, even if it seems like it!
Gently pat your skin dry with a towel after your rinse shower (& after every shower with a spray tan). Worried your tan looks lighter after you rinsed it? It definitely will! Your tan takes up to a full 24 hours to see the final result.
*Spray Tan Tip: The instant cosmetic bronzer that you see upon application is like makeup! It will build up/move around or smudge and may appear imperfect but don’t freak out. It is important to wait until after the first initial rinse and full soap shower to see the real results!
Making your tan last
Making your tan last
Moisturise like CRAZY from the first day after your tan! Proper hydration is what will help to maintain your tan, you have to guard it from becoming dry and those tanned skin cells rubbing off. BUT an oil-rich formula can actually make it come off faster. Use a very basic lotion that isn’t oil-based. Moisturise morning & night to prolong your tan & keep your skin nice and plump. Fragrance and alcohol free is the best way to go.
If it exfoliates your skin…it will exfoliate your tan right off. How about a hot, luxurious bath after your spray on tan? I don’t think so! Bathing, swimming (especially in chlorinated pools), rubbing sand all over your body…all of these activities result in a layer of your skin coming off which can make maintaining your tan difficult.
Final tip, pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing vigorously. It all sounds like a lot to remember but you get used to it very fast.
Things to avoid with a spray tan (where possible)
- Ocean, spas, swimming pools (especially chlorinated), saunas, massages, lying around in the sand etc. (but hey that’s why you got the tan right?)
- Exercise/sweating for 24 hours, but please be aware that sweat may still affect your tan in general
- Perfume or any sprays for 24 hours
- Dove & Olay body wash or soap & AVEENO moisturisers
- Lotions or products containing oils
- Taking long hot showers or baths
- Using any product with acids in it
- High UV sunscreens (but remember you are not protected from the suns harmful rays)
- Fashion or boob tape, bandages, and anything else that may strip your tan.
Your tan should last for around 7-10 days if you look after it. If for some reason you get less there could be a few valid reasons for this, including not following the above advice. Also your skins PH balance plays a big part in how your tan takes. If your skins PH is out then that can affect this, things like diet, medications and hormones can all contribute to this. We have the option of using our Tan Prep PH Balancing primer if you notice this issue of your tan not lasting like it should.
Remember, if you don’t follow every step to a tee, it’s not the end of the world! These tips are just recommendations to help you achieve the best possible outcome and longevity for your tan. Rest assured, we’ll still have you looking gorgeous and glowing, no matter what!
Getting your tan off
One of the best ways to remove a spray tan is by doing a few of the things we mention not to do to make it last! We’ve talked before about how you can exfoliate before a spray tan to prepare for your appointment, and this is exactly what you need to do to remove a spray tan too. You can use an exfoliator mitt, glove or a washcloth to gently scrub away your tan in a hot shower or bath. Most of the spray tan solution is on the first layer of your skin, so when you are ready to remove your spray tan, consider how you can gently remove this first layer to reveal clean skin underneath for a fresh start. Now you can finally take that hot, long, relaxing shower!
We highly recommend purchasing one of our “Pre Glow Job Exfoliator Mitts” for pre appointment exfoliation and also removal of your tan x