Sun’s out, guns out! Spray tan guns, that is. But before you book in for a faux glow for your next holiday, festival, wedding or even just LIFE, take heed of our top tips to extend the life of your spray tan and ensure it lasts the full 5 days!
Exfoliation
Perhaps the single most important thing you can do to ensure a flawless fake tan is to get your skin in the best possible condition prior to walking through those salon doors. And as an added bonus, the better its condition, the better and longer lasting your tan will be! Start exfoliating every day three days prior to your new spray tan, and make sure any waxing is completed 24 hours prior to spray tan application to ensure the tanning solution doesn’t seep into aggravated pores and hair follicles. Use Sunescape’s Exfoliating Body Polish and Tan Removal Mitt for optimal pre-tan results!
Arrive at your appointment clean and buffed
Try to shower and exfoliate about eight hours prior to your appointment to allow your skin to settle and be at the optimal pH balance level for self-tan development. Avoid applying any products to your skin after showering because oils, lotions and even deodorants and perfumes can affect the way the spray tan sets on your skin – resulting in patchiness and a lighter-than-expected result.
Wear loose clothing and pedicure-friendly shoes
No one wants to ruin nice clothes or cute underwear for a spray tan, but there’s actually another reason why you should go to the salon in your loosest clothes – tight-fitting clothing can wipe your tan off when you’ve just gone to the trouble of having it sprayed on! Our advice? Don’t let a bra ruin the bronze on your back! Thongs are the ideal footwear to don for your salon visit, but if you accidentally wear enclosed shoes just ask your therapist to sprinkle a little talc over your feet, especially if you’re wearing socks.
Baths & showers
Don’t hop in the shower the minute you get home! It’s crucial you let the tan settle and continue to develop. This goes for sweating too, so skip your yoga sesh, spin class or any activities that might cause you to break a sweat.
Sunescape’s Professional Spray Tan formula is ultra-hydrating and quick drying, so you’ll only need to wait 2 hours before showering and your tan will continue to develop over the next 8 hours. Cool, huh?! When it’s time to wash, avoid long soaks in the bath and instead go for short, cool showers using a lightweight shower gel like Sunscape’s Hydrating Shower Gel. As it doesn’t contain sulphates it won’t strip your tan!
Moisturising is key, but it can also be your tan’s undoing
Proper hydration will make your glow last, but an oil-rich formula will make it slip right off! Use Sunescape’s Hydrating Body Butter infused with cocoa and shea butters to lock in moisture and instantly revive and hydrate dry skin.
Gradual tan
Use a high-quality gradual tan product like Sunescape’s Gradual Tan Extender to gently replace the colour your skin loses between tanning sessions. This double-duty product is key to extending the life of your spray tan as it tops up your colour whilst keeping your skin moisturised and hydrated. Apply to freshly cleaned skin every day to maintain a deep tan or every other a day for a more subtle glow.
Regular top ups
Using a self-tanning mousse like the Sunescape Instant Self-Tan Mousse to cover faded spots that may appear following a spray tan session (or your previous self tan session) is a great way to avoid an emergency trip back to the salon for a quick fix.
Now that we’ve shared our golden rules to ensure the best spray tan results, it’s time to book yourself in!
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