I think most people can agree there are few things better than that glowy skin feeling. And while not all of us are lucky enough to live in places where we can soak up Vitamin D 24/7, we can get that sun-kissed look thanks to my BFF, the spray tan. I asked my spray tan artist, Allie, who owns Kissed Studio here in Dallas and she spilled the tea. Here are a few tips from a professional to keep your tan looking fresh and au naturale!
1. Out with the Old
I’m usually getting a spray tan weekly or bi-weekly, and it’s super important to remove any leftover tan that may be still on the skin before applying tanner at home or going to a professional. A good exfoliating mitt is an essential part of my beauty toolkit. By gently scrubbing your skin with an exfoliating mitt, the dead skin cells along with your tan will gradually glide off the skin. It’s also super important to remove any unwanted hair 24 hours before getting your tan to let the hair follicles settle.
2. Prep your Skin
After I exfoliate, I always make sure to moisturize the areas that may cause my tan to be a little more concentrated. I’ll use a lotion with super clean ingredients on my feet, knees, elbows, and hands to ensure the tan looks evenly distributed throughout.
3. Speak Up
When you’re heading to get a professional spray tan, be sure to take a minute to chat through your ideal look. For example, I prefer keeping my face a little lighter but like an extra pass on my chest and arms for a bronzy glow, so we worked together to create what works best for me. I also make sure to talk through what undertones of the tanning solution will go best with the natural undertone of my skin to ensure it feels natural and complementary.
4. Let it Dry
I know we’re all busy, and I’m definitely guilty of rushing to my next appointment post-tan without allowing the spray to settle in. Make sure you give yourself those extra ten minutes or so to let everything soak in. Also, be sure to have some loose fitting clothing to throw on (I usually bring dark color shorts and sweatshirt set in case any of the solution rubs off!) and avoid showering or working out for at least 8 hours.
5. Polish and Maintain
This may sound backwards, but a few days after my tan I begin to use a very gentle, light exfoliant like this body polish to ensure my tan fades evenly and I avoid those splotchy or cracked spots. It’s also important to continue to moisturize daily to avoid dryness. You can use your ride-or-die lotion, or even try a tan extender to keep the patchy areas from appearing. Be sure to avoid any chemicals, alcohols and adhesives, too, those will strip the tan from your skin.
Happy tanning, friends!
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