Should you spray tan your face too?
Spray-tanning the face may not be for everyone, but it's a simple way to keep the bronze glow going all year long. And with these quick tips for how to tan your face, like choosing a self-tanner, prepping your skin, applying the product, and post-care, you're sure to feel confident every time you walk out the door.
Thanks to regular washing and skincare ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids, fake tan on our faces naturally fades faster than on our bodies. Adding a few tanning drops to your face moisturiser each evening will make sure your face isn't ghostly while you're still rocking a bronzed bod.
The skin on our face is typically more sensitive and prone to breakouts, so using a self tan that has been made for your body may just result in irritation and clogged pores.
If you're looking to come in for a spray tan, you can also use that same hand towel to protect your face. Another option is to take a hair net (available at iTAN at no extra cost) to cover your face, or wash off the spray tan immediately after.
Getting a facial over a recent fake tan is a definite no no. Here's why: The cosmetic products used during facials, such as cleansers, exfoliators, chemical peels and masks, will strip your golden glow away prematurely, leaving you with a bronzed body and a pale face.
Avoid the elbows and stop at the wrists. Working from your bottom down, glide the fake tan over your bottom and legs. Again, take your time with the circular and vertical strokes in order to cover the area evenly. Miss out the knees and stop just above the ankles.
Be careful not to get it in your eyes, but do try to evenly coat all areas, including around your nose and lips and into your hairline. And don't forget your ears, as well as blending down into your neck. Immediately wash your hands when you're done so there's no staining.
If you get a spray tan four or more days before your event, your tan will start to fade, the colour won't be as dark and won't pop against your outfit like a fresh tan would. Try to aim to book your spray tan two to three days before your event and your tan will be the perfect colour.
- Shave and Exfoliate well the night before or day of your tan. ...
- Do not apply lotion or anything with mineral oils or petroleums on your skin the day of your tan.
- Make sure to remove makeup and deodorants prior to your spray tan.
You don't want to get tanner on your eyebrows or your lips as this could cause unwanted staining. Use a beauty balm or petroleum jelly to create a protective layer upon these areas.
What are the negatives of spray tan?
The Cons of Getting a Fake Tan
The aerosols in the products can further exacerbate issues for people with lung conditions such as asthma, Malerich says. Pregnant women may want to consider avoiding spray tans and stick to self-tanners during pregnancy due to the greater risk of absorption from inhalation, Smulian says.
Face fading faster than rest of the tan
Our faces will always fade faster than the rest of our tans. This is because our face is most exposed to the elements (think wind, rain, snow, dirt), and also typically endures the most rigorous daily routines (makeup application and removal, moisturizers, cleansers).
If you're having a total TLC day, choose whether you want to have a facial or a spray tan—just don't have both. “Facials should be avoided right before a spray tan because the tanner will go into the open pores on the skin and create blackhead-looking spots on the skin,” says Suszczynska.
Avoid oils as this can make application tricky and it can react with certain self-tanners – breaking the formula down and making it patchy. Instead, use a light lotion or cream. Remember: moisturising your face day and night is always essential and even more critical after applying a fake tan to make it last longer.
If you fake tan before bed and shower in the morning, you probably wake to orange-tinged sheets, unless you sleep on a large, dark coloured towel. Applying the tan earlier in the day will give the tan time to absorb and prevent it discolouring your linen.
On the morning of your spray tan, only moisturize problem areas like the elbows, feet and anywhere else with dry patches where the tan can stick. Moisturizing all over before your spray tan doesn't bode well for its lasting abilities and will result in a lighter tan.
Don't apply any fake tan directly onto the eyebrows, especially if you have very light or blonde hair.
I know we worry about our skin breaking out, but the Sunless Rae self tan mousse formula is non-toxic and will not cause your face to break out. I personally love having a self tanner on my face as it makes me feel like I have a layer of foundation on and I use less makeup.
“Another quick tip is to move your eye protection slightly during the session, which will diminish any possible tan line. We also like to suggest applying a dab of bronzing lotion on the eyelid and under the eye after tanning to help minimize any possible lines eye protection might leave,” enthuses DeWald.
Since spray tans usually last between seven to nine days, it's actually best to get a spray tan 2-3 days before your big event. This allows time for your tan to fully develop and gives you time to have one rinse-off in between the tan application and the event.
How long before pictures should you get a spray tan?
THE BEST TIME TO SPRAY FOR AN EVENT OR PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION IS TWO DAYS PRIOR. For example, spray Thursday for a Saturday photoshoot.
We recommend getting your spray tan 2 - 3 days before the big day.
Sleep with your makeup on! Putting makeup on after your spray tan is okay, however you CANNOT wash your face until your initial shower. There is a bronzer in the solution, which means that you will have some color immediately after you are sprayed. The color will continue to darken as the solution develops.
- Products containing mineral oil, petroleum or parabins.
- Aerosol sunscreens.
- AHA products (Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, Citric, and Tartaric acids)
- Anti-acne products that exfoliate or dry the skin, such as Accutane and Salicylic acid.
Facials, Waxing and shaving should be done at least one day prior to you spray tan. DO NOT do this immediately before your session!
