Summer Glow

Ok, if it isn't obvious... I am very, very pale.  But I've never been one of those people who spends their summer baking in the sun, though.  As a die-hard skincare lover, the idea of roasting is terrifying.  So, I'd always been curious about spray tans but didn't try them until I started modeling.  Occasionally, especially for beach shoots, clients will ask for a spray tan.  I always go for a "healthy or natural" glow.

Shoot with Always for Me, they have great suits for all sizes! 

Because I've been getting these for a while, I thought it would be best to do a post about my tips and FAQ's for tanning, especially with summer being in full-swing.

How does it work?  What happens?
Basically getting a spray tan is like getting hosed down with a machine-operated spray paint.  People always bring up the Ross episode of "Friends" where he is in the automatic tanning booth and gets overly sprayed.  I've never been to one of those, I've always gone to a place where a technician sprays you.  It may be more money, but I don't want to find out the hard way that the machine and I don't count Mississippi's the same way.  (If you have no idea what I'm referencing, please watch.)

Don't be scared off by Ross though, go to a place where it is a "custom" tan and someone sprays you.  Once you do all of your prep (see below), you will go to the tanning salon.  You will stand in a funny booth with a ventilation system that helps suck out the fumes and dries you off.  You will remove all your clothing, they usually provide a disposable pair of panties/thong.  (Unless you aren't worried about tan lines, I'd suggest skipping the panties and going with your birthday suit.) They also provide a hair net to keep your hair from getting coated with the spray. 

The technician will discuss with you your optimal tan level.  I always ask for a "healthy glow", mostly because anything more would look unnatural on me.  (The irony is that when I get them, most people at my day job don't even notice, hah!  A testament to TRULY how pale I am.)  Then the technician will come in and spray you down, they will ask you to move your arms and body in different ways to make sure to get an even and ideal tan.  At this point they are applying the tan and the "Color Guard".  The Color Guard helps lock in the color to your skin and develop the tan throughout the drying process.  As I detail below, the Color Guard will develop and darken as the day goes on.  It is also very easily transferable, so I'd recommend covering anything that will come in contact with your skin, and wearing long sleeves and long pants.

Once the time for "development" has ended (this will be dependent on your solution), you can wash the color guard off.  It will not remove the tan, just the excess.  

I've outlined below all of the steps I take when getting tanned, if you have any questions, definitely don't hesitate to shoot me a message.  

Before I forget, I do have two places in the city I'd recommend:  Brazil Bronze Soho and Gotham Glow.  Usually Brazil Bronze has a Groupon deal available (YAZZZZZ!), and I normally get mine at Brazil Bronze, but do like Gotham Glow, too. 

PREPARATION
First I'd like to start with prep things based on days off of the "Spray Tan Day".

3 Days:
If you’re getting your hair colored, at least 3 days in advance, as you won’t want to wash it the first time you wash off the color guard

2 Days:
Get any waxing done, this will allow your skin to heal and pores to close up before the tan applies.  (I guess this is a good time to tell you about my favorite place in the city for waxings and facials: J'Aime Spa in midtown.  I usually ask for Angela, their prices are great and they are very clean.  FYI:  They don't take credit cards, but will take Venmo.) 

1 Day:
Get a manicure and pedicure.  I like to get a gel manicure because I am too clumsy for a regular manicure and will probably end up peeling off before the tan is over.

SPRAY TAN DAY
- Shave and tweaze anything that needs to be taken care of.  (This should be done before the tan so that the hair doesn't leave a line when the spray is applied.)
- Exfoliate your entire body while showering.  I usually like to exfoliate before I use body wash to ensure that there is no oil left on the skin (any oil will keep the tan for sticking).
- Don't use oils or moisturizers on the day of as it will keep the tan from applying evenly to the skin.
- Don't wear any makeup or jewelry.
- Take black (because the "color guard" will rub off), loose fitting clothes (little to no seams). Best to not wear a bra or panty after the tan to not cause tan lines.
- No sneakers, preferably a thin strapped flip flop.
- Unless you don't need to worry about lines, I’d suggest birthday suit for the spray.
- If it's rainy:  remember an umbrella/take a car if it rains so the color guard doesn't run and mess up the tan.
- If it's very hot/humid out:  best to take a car home from the appointment.

On my way home from a spray tan... healthy, makeup free glow already setting in! YAY!

MY PERSONAL PREFERENCES WHEN GETTING TANNED
- I usually suggest people to go one shade darker if you haven’t done it before and if the event you are tanning for is more than 2 days away.
- Because I have sensitive skin I don’t let them do more than a light spray (or just 1 time) on my face. I prefer to build my face tan with a bronzer (favorite one is Benefit Hula)

WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU WAIT FOR THE TAN TO DEVELOP
Depending on where you go for your service and which you select (standard or express tan), will determine how long you need to wait for the color guard to set before taking a shower.

- Blast AC so you don’t sweat and the color doesn’t run.
- Cover any surfaces that will come in contact with your spray tan (at this point the color guard will stain whatever it touches). If you're going to sleep in the tan, I'd suggest sleeping in slightly darker sheets/ones you don't care for.  The solution can wash out... but it's a pain.
- If it’s a 12-hour tan: Make sure you sleep in something loose and long sleeved and long legged so you don’t rub off the tan. Avoid skin-to-skin contact.

Always recommend some rosé champs while hanging out!

SHOWERING TO RINSE THE COLOR GUARD
- Use lukewarm water to rinse, no soap the first time.
- Try not to wash your hair as to not have shampoo run onto your skin at first washing.

POST-CARE
- Don’t use soaps like Dove as they will remove the tan, the key is to find a body wash with no sulfates or parabens.
- To clean your skin, don't use anything with salicylic acid or that has “cell-rejuvenation” as it will cause the tan to rub off.
- Definitely use sunscreen, just make sure it is "oil-free".

Happy sun-free tanning! X

Me sporting my glow on the Today Show