Calling All Spray Tan Experts! Rigby, that means you!

Ohhh i def. Am keeping up with this post. Ive been wondering the same.thing

@FutureMrsPrada, I hope someone helps us soon! I'm clueless!

I have Done it a handful of times so im no expert but I don't know that id risk it. I think it will be ok as the excess will wash off Friday morning in the shower but that's a big risk to take. And yes, I would still moisturize. I think it helps the color last longer.

Hey Rach! I worked at a tanning salon for a long time and we did spray tanning

Helpful hints and tips:

- If your appointment is at 5:00pm you must shower and exfoliate right before you go (shower at say 4:00 or 4:30 depending on your commute); because when you get a spray tan you shouldn't be wearing any lotion, perfume, deodorant, or anything that is applied on your body. You must be "clean skinned" and natural for best results.

- Take off all makeup -and exfoliate your face too.

-Wear lose fitting clothing that you don't mind getting a little "dirty". You will feel slightly sticky afterwards, and there is a slight chance that a little tiny bit of the spray will rub off on clothing (this may or may not happen. But prepare for the worst just in case! It is usually washable- it also has a lot to do with the brand they are using...I am not sure what brand your spray tanning technician will be using) It may sound funny to you but try not to even wear a bra or underwear. Because those articles of clothing rub on your body and you do not want that.

- Do not sweat or change into tight clothing after your spray tan. The longer you let it dry and not have it bothered- the better it will turn out and the longer it will stay. Give it a MINIMUM 5 hours to dry.

- Shower the next morning but DO NOT EXFOLIATE. Just rinse and wash your hair (if you need to wash your hair LOL) The rinse will get the stinky spray tan smell off of your skin- not the actual color. A tinsy bit may come off, thats okay. But if you see a good amount going down the drain, contact your spray tan place and let them know- because that is not okay.

- You may then apply lotion after your shower (the day after your spray tan). Keeping your skin hydrated will maintain your tan.

I usually aim for the last appointment when getting my spray tan, because that way I can take off all of my makeup, shower/exfoliate, and when I get home I just hang out at home then go to bed. This way I don't have to worry about sweating, or having to do anything afterward.

I hope this helps! If you have anymore questions Ill be watching this thread.

Definitely shower before you go to fitting, you will probably be pretty dark initially, but the tan will last you threw the shower. I like to normally get one done 2 days before I do anything just because its normally too dark for me at first!

@futureklebba, great advice, I was wondering about this, too!

I should add- that you can bring unscented lotion with you to your spray tanning place and ask them if its okay to put that one right before. Some places are okay with it....some aren't depending on their brand and mixture of tan. But I rather you not put anything on and bring it with you so that way you'll be good either way.

I was wondering the same and will it rub off on the dress? How long would you recommend doing it before the wedding? 2 days? 3 days?

@FutureK, thank you! That helps a lot! I work right next door to the tanning place and live 40 minutes away from work, so I can't really shower right before it. I was just going to go after work. Will showering that morning be okay, or do I need to make other arrangements on a Saturday? And, do you think it will rub off on my dress on Friday afternoon, after I shower/moisturize Friday morning?? Thank you!

ETA: I will be making my wedding appointment on that Wednesday, so it will have a little more time to "set" before the big day!

I should add that it is ok with some brands that a lot comes off in the shower because its USUALLY the bronzer they use to see where they have sprayed.

I got a spray tan for my sister's wedding a few years ago. I got the spray tan on Wednesday evening and the wedding was on Saturday. It looked really good on Saturday. Make sure the lotion you use to get your joints is applied well. My knuckles had some dark spots on them. I don't recall the tan rubbing off on my clothes on Thursday, but the sweats I wore Wednesday night after the spray tan did get a little soiled. I'm planning on getting a spray tan for my wedding and I hope I have the same results I had with my last one. Good luck!-- I definitely think the Wednesday appointment for your wedding is a good idea.

@Rach: you're welcome! Since you live so far away, I would bring baby wipes to wipe off your deodorant and makeup before the spray tan. You should be fine It would just be best to shower right before- not mandatory. Bring extra clothes to change into after as well.

As far as the tan rubbing off onto the dress the next day- if you shower that morning, I really think you'll be okay. Most brands of spray tan will not rub off the next day, but since I don't know what brand your using I don't want to give you a for sure answer. However, you can still do your own test. After you shower that morning and you towel dry yourself, you'll see if any is coming off or not. If its not than you are good to go!

ETA: Showering is best- not mandatory.

I am just commenting to follow the thread, I want to spray tan but have never done it before.

@FutureK, Awesome!! Thank you so much!! I have heard a lot of good reviews about this place, so I have high hopes! I will be back with comments after it's done!

@Rach- No problem! I'm exciting to hear the results of your tan....and your last dress fitting! So exciting

Have fun!

I think everyone above have great answers. I just got one Tuesday night and I don't look so pasty. Love spray tans!!!!

I get spray tanned bi weekly and have a spray in my default photo right there, i actually get whats called and airbrush tan done by a person who sprays me i do not like the booths as the color can come off as a orange tint but i usually get spray n thursdays to have a nice tan for the weekend u go to bed tacky and smelly and wash with a mild soap the next morning where u will see some color come off in the water but that usually is the bronzer and then whats left is ur nice brown tan , if its done properly with good product it will not come off on any dress clothes etc but i would definitely recommend getting a person to airbrush u rather then a spray booth, hope this helps

@Stacelynn, I am doing to a person! I was determined to do a MysticTan (booth) before I saw the terrible reviews of that sort of thing on here. The place I'm going to has a really good reputation for spray tans, so I'm excited!

I do them a lot. You should be ok 24hrs prior but two days would be ideal. It would set it nicely so it won't rub off on the dress and you'll still have great color. But 24hrs is totally fine.

I want to do one before Mexico, but all the pictures of other weddings where someone got it done, their skin looks orange. It's almost like the camera captures that hue. Is there any way around that? I don't want to be dark, I just don't want to be pale.