Hey, You Should Spray Tan!

The idea of spray tanning may seem intimidating to you, but I've done it and it's not scary at all! Let me tell you why it's perfect for a super white, stay at home mom like me. I don't have a lot of extra time on my hands to tan outside or make frequent visits to a tanner. When I'm going to be in a wedding or attend a special event, I want to look tan! Spray tanning is instant gratification and if done properly, looks as natural as can be. Let me tell you what I do...

First, I always go to a reputable spray tanning establishment. I figure I'd rather not risk a second rate tanning experience and fake looking results. The most common line of spray tanning that I have used is Mysic Tan.

1. Shower and exfoliate thoroughly. I use a washcloth and   regular soap or a grainy scrub. Scrub everywhere, especially the knees, elbows and heels.
2. Use a light moisturizer all over.
3. At the facility, ask the advice of the employees on which shade to use. My first time spray tanning, I used the lightest color. It was just a nice healthy glow. I got daring and have gone all the way up to the darkest. Being as naturally pale as I am, you can't go wrong with the lighter shade. The only tricky thing about going darker is the potential for more pronounced lines and patches. 
4. Pull your hair up away from your face and neck. Cover your hair in a hair net but don't pull it down over your hairline at all. Pull it up over your hair so the hairline is uncovered.
5. Use the barrier cream on your knees, elbows, finger nails, between fingers, palms and any other dry areas. You want to cover your knees especially well, but blend well or you will have lines and uneven patches. 
6. Follow the instructions that were given to you to operate the equipment. Be sure to hold hands and fingers in various positions while rotating in the chamber. Try starting with fingers bent in a claw-like position, then straighten them out and bend wrists in the opposite direction. 

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I forgot to take a before picture! 

The one seen above is is the best I could find that 

beautifully displays my naturally pale skin :)

I spray tanned in the morning and by the evening, 

this is the color that had developed.

This is another occasion that I used the darkest level tanner. 

I just loved the results!

If you look closely at these two pictures, you'll notice that I didn't blend the barrier cream well enough from around my ankle to my leg. There is a slight line. You have to be careful with the cream. Not enough and you will get lines around any dry areas (knees, elbows, wrists, etc). But too much and you can end up with patchy spots.

The spray tan works in two ways. It sprays an instant bronze color on the surface of your skin for instant gratification. This can get warn off by showering, swimming, tight clothing, etc. The deeper layer of color develops over time. I got my spray tan in the morning and by evening it had fully developed. I showered and spray tanned on a Thursday morning, sat in the hot tub for several hours that night, went to a rehearsal dinner on Friday night, showered Saturday morning and was in a wedding that afternoon. The tan held up well through the hot tub and one shower. I actually felt like I still had the remains of it left, a week later with only showering every other day.

Happy tanning!!