To get a spray tan or not to get a spray tan before vacation? That is the question. Before traveling to Aruba in November I debated this. Having never gotten a spray tan I wondered if it would look natural. I also wondered if it would be worth the money if I was going to be in salt water for extended periods of time. In this post I am detailing my experience getting a spray tan before going on vacation.
Tanning used to be one of my favorite activities in the summer. I used to love lying by the pool with a good magazine with NO sunscreen. However, I’ve stopped doing this now that I know how harmful this is. It can cause cancer or premature aging, both things I don’t want.
I wear sunscreen every day, which means I am pale. I usually don’t mind being pale, but I wanted some color to go to the Caribbean. This is why I decided to check out getting a spray tan. (P.S. be sure to check out my blog post on how to make sunscreen a daily ritual).
When and Where to Get a Spray Tan
I did my research online and I asked a few friends about their previous spray tan experiences. I learned that I definitely didn’t want to step in a machine and have a Ross from Friends situation. Airbrush is the way to go because someone will be carefully applying it.
I decided to try out Tanique which has two locations in the Des Moines area. If you’re local, I highly recommend going here – I went to the Ankeny location. And if you’re not in Des Moines, I cannot recommend a place but don’t forget about checking Groupon to see if you can find a great deal!
Once I selected where I wanted to go, I needed to decide when. I read that if you are getting a spray tan for an event, you should go in a couple days before the big day as the color can be somewhat intense the first day. Since I wasn’t prepping for an event and wanted the tan to last the full week I decided to book my appointment for the night before we left.
How to Prep For a Spray Tan
To prep for my spray tan I made sure that I exfoliated and moisturized my skin the night before. I exfoliated with Raw Sugar body scrub and I moisturized with regular lotion from Bath and Body Works. However, you will want to be sure that you skin is completely clean before you go in for your appointment.
My Experience
I wasn’t sure what to expect when getting a spray tan. And in true Emily fashion I overthought everything. I made sure all my makeup was washed off before showing up and I had a bag packed full of loose-fitting clothes that I didn’t care about.
The woman who assisted me at Tanique was very helpful and she understood that I didn’t want to be so dark that it would look unnatural. The rooms were clean, warm and they had face wipes to remove your makeup – so I didn’t even need to pack them. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all during the tanning session.
I didn’t shower until the next morning and the spray did come off on my sheets a little bit, but it came out in the wash.
Results of a Spray Tan Before Vacation
I am very happy with the results of the spray tan. It helped me look better but it also made me feel more confident. The peace of mind of not worrying if I looked pale or pasty was definitely worth it for me.
By day five on the trip I could tell that my tan had faded in a few spots, but it wasn’t very noticeable. It held up for most of the trip even though I swam quite a bit. I recommend getting your tan the night before you leave if you are going on a week-long vacation.
I will absolutely be getting a spray tan for my next tropical vacation.
Thanks for reading!
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