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I had my airbrush tan appointment last Wednesday, and I was waiting to give a review until after my cousin’s wedding (which was wonderful) to let you know exactly how it went. I was skeptical at first, but in the end I think it was worth it!
It’s definitely not something for the overly modest, although you can decide how much you want to expose. The spa I went to provided paper undergarments which in and of themselves were quite entertaining. I stood in a shower stall and was sprayed down…the worst part for me was holding my arms out and away from my body for so long. My arms were killing me! The actual spraying took about 15 minutes but then you have to stand around and let yourself dry properly before you can get dressed. Aside from my arms and the fact that the spray itself was cold, it was pretty painless.
My appointment was over lunch, and Wednesday afternoon I was pretty happy with the results. But then Thursday morning I woke up feeling really orange. I was panicky, picturing myself looking like a giant glowing sun in all of my poor cousin’s wedding pictures, but by Friday morning the color had calmed down significantly. So I would say not to worry if you feel orange at first - apparently the final coat they put on includes a bronzer so it can be a little intense the first day.
By the time Saturday rolled around I was a nice shade of tan. Upsides - it doesn’t take very long at all, by the second and third day the color is perfect, it’s been 5 days now and I am still definitely tan, it didn’t rub off on my clothing at all. Downsides - holding your arms up for that long (but, really, that could be an upside too if you consider it a workout!), looking orange for a day, it really dried my skin out a lot, it’s starting to come off in weird places that require some exfoliation.
Would I do it again? Probably. Would I do it for my own wedding? Maybe…I think I might opt for the self tanning lotions instead - having my skin so dry really started to get on my nerves. If you have any questions (I pretty much badgered my friends with questions before I went) feel free to ask!
pictures!
Interesting! I have a question….is that the same stuff that a Mystic Tan booth sprays on you?
Thank you so much for giving such a thorough description of the process and aftermath! I’m very prone to dry skin and I never would have considered it a problem. Now I know the lotions are much more appropriate for my skin.
That’s too bad about the dryness. One thing I’ve noticed when I’ve done it is one coat is enough to give you a slight tan. I got 2 coats once and it was too much. That might help make you less orange but still glowy! Glad you tried it 
I haven’t experienced the dryness–but then again, I always end up laying on the lotion to try to keep the tan for as long as possible (and sometimes the SPF if I’m out in the sun). I hate it once it starts to get all patchy…
The last time I got an airbrush tan, I asked for the palest color option, and it was nice & subtle with very little color variation over time.
Sadly, I don’t really have pictures. I meant to take before/after photos and completely forgot! But when my cousin’s wedding pics come back I’ll be able to show off some results.
Maryalison - I am not sure if its the same stuff as Mystic Tan? The woman who sprayed me noted that it was a sugar based product and included a bronzer, if that helps.
Emily - I think you’re right, one coat might be the key. I got 2 coats and I think that’s why I was orange for a day.
Peacock - I would definitely recommend the place I went! It was Spa Nordstrom, in the Nordstrom Mall on Michigan Ave. Let me know if you want more details, I have the card of the woman who sprayed me.
My fantasy after picture I had painted in photoshop so I could visualize. I added a tan too. Although I’m not to confident it will look anything close to this when I’m at weight:
the reason why you are probably drying out is because you did not exfoliate before the process and you also did not use an after tan extender most of the airbrush tanning places should have special extender lotions if not i would suggest gettiing an indoor tanning type of mosturizer the kind that you use after you tan some have ingredients to help keep the DHA color from fading, fyi spf also ruins the air brush tanning they recommend that instead of applying a lower spf multiple times you apply ahigher spf just once and do not keep reapplying it during the day
Good article. I found this webpage which has some really good tips on what to do before, during and after spray tans.
The first time I used an airbrush company was for a wedding. I had a mystic tan before so I was very worried about looking orange for the wedding. The company I called told me I wouldnt look orange. And guess what, I didnt!! Yay!! From what they informed me, if you looked orange or your skin dried out then the product they used was “cheap” to say the least. There are products out there that will never make you turn orange - I have experienced them many times! There are even people that will come to your home so that you dont have to go out and battle traffic. I have 3 young children so it’s great to have someone come to my home. I dont have the worries of leaving the house. Which reminds me to mention that once shes done spraying the last part of my body I put clothes on.
Just wondering– if its sugar based, did it feel sticky?
if anyone is interested I posted the website of the company I use
I would recommend using a spray tanning product that has more moisterization ingredients. I know http://www.sjolietanning.com products uses all naturally derived ingredients, with ALOE, which will help keep the skin dry over the 7-10 fade period of the tan. Not to mention ist is 100% Vegan and paraben free.
I used to experience the dry skin as well until I found Natural Glows Body oil. I used it to keep my skin hydrated so it wouldn’t dry out. Also you will find at http://www.airbrushsolution.com has airbrush solution that will not turn you orange. Try it or ask your airbrush technician to use that one on you.
You can be as free and as complete as you want to be when you do your spray tan in the comfort of your own home. I have found that with a little practice, I can do just as good of a job at home (with the help of my bff) as they do at the tanning salon.
Yay I am so happy I found a great review about spray tans!
I am considering getting one because I am going to the county fair and I do not want to blind people with my paleness!
It is nice to know there are different variations so I will have to ask when I go.
The only thing I am worried about is that I want to spray tan today and go out later tonight … so I am hoping I do not look abnormal or anything, lol.
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Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor Engagement Date: July 20, 2007 Wedding Date: September 2008 Blogging Since: February 5, 2008 Venue: The Abbey Resort About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
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