7 Tips for Spray Tanning on your Wedding Day

Your Perfect Tan on Your Big Day. 

LET'S BE HONEST, THE PLANNING LEADING UP TO YOUR BIG DAY IS WELL STRESSFUL TO SAY THE LEAST. I'VE AIRBRUSH TANNED MANY BRIDES BEFORE THEIR WEDDING DAY, AND MOST ARE STRESSED, EXHAUSTED AND HAVEN'T TAKEN A MOMENT FOR THEMSELVES IN MONTHS.

OBVIOUSLY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST STRESSES IS MAKING SURE YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY PERFECT FOR YOUR DAY. BETWEEN YOUR DRESS, SHOES, HAIR, AND MAKE-UP ARTIST, YOUR SPRAY TAN SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES. BUT- SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T PLAY OUT THE WAY WE WANT, AND WE'VE ALL SEEN THAT BRIDE IN THE DREADED OOMPA LOOMPA TAN. I'VE RECEIVED CALLS FROM BRIDES COMPLETELY BESIDE THEMSELVES BEGGING ME TO FIX THEIR NOT SO GOOD TAN THAT THEY GOT FROM A CHEAP MYSTIC TAN, OR WENT SOMEWHERE WITH AN UNEXPERIENCED TANNING TECHNICIAN.

BELOW ARE 7 KEY FACTORS TO MAKE SURE YOUR SPRAY TAN IS ON POINT FOR YOUR DAY.

1.) LOOK FOR A SUGAR BASED TAN. SUGAR BASED TANS ARE MUCH MORE NATURAL LOOKING, AS THE BASE IS NOT BETA-CAROTENE, AKA THE INGREDIENT THAT WILL HAVE YOU LOOKING LIKE A CARROT.

2.) LESS IS MORE. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR WEDDING. THE GOAL IS NOT TO BE THE TANNEST PERSON AT YOUR WEDDING, BUT THE BRIDE WHO HAS THE PERFECT GLOW. OPT FOR A LIGHT OR MEDIUM TAN.

3.) GET A REFERRAL. WITH SPRAY TANNING BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR, LIKELIHOOD IS YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND WHO HAS HAD ONE DONE. ASK AROUND, OR POST ON FACEBOOK. IF YOU DON'T GET A REFERRAL, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND READ REVIEWS.

4.) YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO SKIM ON A SPRAY TAN, WHILE $20 SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL, SOMEONE WHO IS OFFERING REALLY CHEAP TANS IS MORE THAN LIKELY USING A CHEAP SOLUTION FULL OF NASTY CHEMICALS AND DYES, NOT TO MENTION IT'S A MUCH HIGHER POSSIBILITY YOUR SPRAY TAN WILL TURN OUT ORANGE. 

5.) DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. WHEN YOU CALL TO BOOK YOUR SPRAY TAN APPOINTMENT, FEEL THE SALON OR PERSON OUT. KEY THINGS TO LOOK FOR--ARE THEY EXPLAINING HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TAN? WHAT TYPE OF TANNING SOLUTION DO THEY USE? DO THEY OFFER CONTOURING AS AN ADD ON SERVICE?

6.) PLAN AHEAD. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT AT LEAST 2 DAYS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING DAY. MOST SPRAY TANNING SOLUTIONS HAVE A COSMETIC BRONZER IN THE SOLUTION (THIS IS THE SPRAY TAN TECHNICIANS GUIDE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING) THIS MAKE-UP IS STILL IN YOUR PORES AFTER THE FIRST SHOWER, AND IF YOU END UP SWEATING ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, IT WILL RUB OFF ON YOUR DRESS.

7.) DO A TRIAL. IF IT'S POSSIBLE GET A TRIAL AIRBRUSH TAN DONE BEFORE HAND. MOST OF MY BRIDES WILL DO THEIR TRIAL FOR THE BACHELORETTE PARTY, THIS WAY THEY CAN SEE THE COLOR, AND HOW LONG IT LASTS. IF IT'S A GOOD COLOR, BUT A LITTLE TOO DARK OR LIGHT YOU CAN TELL YOUR TECHNICIAN THAT YOU WANT TO TAKE IT UP OR DOWN A NOTCH.

IF YOU FOLLOW THESE TIPS, YOU'LL BE ONE HELL OF A GLOWING BRIDE!

XOXO

ALEX
BARE ORGANIC TAN

Too Skinny, Too Fat, Too Much Make-up.

The things you see and hear behind the closed doors of a spray tan room. Everything from their biggest insecurities, negative self talk, to their dirty little secrets, and their most intimate stories. Because I see women (and men) in their most vulnerable states- normally naked with a paper thong, or completely in the buff, it's natural that they'd open up and tell you...well everything. And to be honest, I feel quite lucky that my clients feel comfortable sharing these intimate details with me. I'm just as much a therapist as I am a spray tan tech. I've seen and heard it all. Nothing fazes me.

Women over think just about everything. (myself included) The amount of chatter going on in a woman's brain is baffling. Being a woman myself I know what it's like to feel insecure with my body. My boobs aren't perfect, and they've never been perky. You know when you see those models in the magazines or perhaps that woman in your yoga class who just rolled out of bed and still manages to look perfect? And you think to yourself if only I had her tummy, or her no cellulity legs, then I'd be happy with my body. Women are constantly wanting to know how they measure up to other women. I've got news- even the gorgeous 5'10" model, with a flat tummy, non cellulity legs, perfect perky boobs and clear skin is wanting to know how she measures up to other women. And believe it or not, she’s also got negative self talk going on. 

The reality is, the standards we hold ourselves to isn't real. Every celebrity and model we see in a magazine is photoshopped and airbrushed and that's after she's had her team of make-up artists, hair stylists and of course her spray tan technician work on her. Even photos we see of our friends, or Instagram celebrities have been retouched with filters, and apps like FaceTune to clear up our skin and make us look 4 sizes smaller. We put so much pressure on ourselves to look like something or someone who isn't real. How do I know this? Because I’ve tanned countless celebs, Instagram celebs, models, and TV personalities. 

So what’s my point? I want to bring awareness to women to love and be comfortable in their skin. Stop comparing yourself to someone else, and especially striving to become something that’s not real. I’ve really had to dive deep and finally feel like I can look at myself in the mirror and love myself. It’s been a journey, and the journey continues. I’ve got a few tips that have helped me get there…

• Find something you like about your body, and practice gratitude. 
• Be mindful. We’ve got so much negative self talk going on in our heads, we forget how nasty and hard on ourselves we can be because we’ve normalized it. When you hear it coming on, shut it down, for god sakes you’re running the show here, you’ve got the power to control what’s going on in your brain. 
• Take a compliment, women are so good at shutting compliments down. When someone gives you a compliment, practice saying “Thank you” it doesn’t have to be followed by a “Oh please, you’re beautiful.” 
• And finally, be kind to one another. It seems so simple, yet how often have you witnessed women tearing each other down? “Too skinny”  “Too fat” “Too much make-up” “Let herself go” We see this on a daily basis, and especially on the internet. STOP ripping each other apart and be kind. Speaking negative about someone else usually means we’re speaking out about something that we’re not content with in ourselves, and if that’s the case we need to look inward. 

Like I said, I’m still on my journey, I’m still learning to love my imperfections. It won’t happen over night, take baby steps, be kind to yourself, and remember love begins with and within each of us.

xoxo 

Alex 

Never Had a Spray Tan?

Being a spray tan addict the last 8 years, I'm still baffled when I get the new client who has never had a spray tan, or the spray tan virgin as I like to call them. Don't worry, if you're a spray tan virgin you're not alone. Coming prepared will make what can be, well, an awkward moment standing naked in front of a stranger a little less scary. 

Here's what you need to know....

It's best to book an appointment and prepare your skin before hand. Unlike getting your nails done, your hair or brows done, you'll want to have your skin prepared. As Anne Bauso contributor from Allure magazine says..."Working in an environment where the spritzing of new perfumes, facial mists, and dry shampoos fills the air on a daily basis, I often feel like I'm simply absorbing an all-encompassing, cross-category store of beauty knowledge. Which is why I nonchalantly waltzed into my first spray-tan appointment recently without giving the session a moment's prior thought. Anything I needed to know, I already magically knew, right? Nope." 

So how do you prepare for your spray tan? 

• Exfoliate your skin the day of or the night before your appointment. Stay away from oil-based exfoliators. 
• Shave or Wax before your appointment. Shaving with a new razor after your appointment is fine! However, no no no to waxing. I can't tell you how many times I get a call from a client a few days after her tan who forgot and went and got waxed! Waxing will remove the top layer of the tan and cause splotchiness. Not a good look if you're planning on being in a bikini. 
• No lotion on before hand. 
• Stay away from face make-up, this will allow absorption into the face. If you're coming from work, most likely the salon will have make-up remover wipes. 
• Bring something dark and loose to change into afterward. The bronzing component that is applied to the skin to show the technician where she is spraying is like a make-up. You know that embarrassing moment when you hug the cute guy in a white crisp shirt and step away only to realize you've made your mark on him with your make-up? This applies to spray tanning. NO WHITE. 

You will have to be NAKED or close to it during your appointment

Here's the deal...you're not her first. Most likely your spray tanner has been doing this for a long time. Spray Tan technicians have seen it all, big boobs, small boobs, no boobs, saggy boobs, creases under the butt, cellulite, stretch marks, the list goes on and on. She's tanned all body types. She's comfortable with nakedness, otherwise she wouldn't be in this industry. So breathe, relax and take it off. (if you don't want to go the whole full monty, feel free to wear your underwear, or ask for a disposable)

Now what happens after your naked?

After you take it off, she will begin to spray you down. Most appointments last for 15-35 minutes. Unlike the sometimes awkward silence after a first encounter, your spray tanner is going to spark a conversation and get to know you. I always tell my spray tan virgins who are a little nervous about baring it all- "I'll make you forget you're naked in about 3 minutes."

You'd be surprised by the relationship you'll build with your spray tanner, she becomes your go to for gossip, boyfriends, relationships, you're crazy mother-in-law, and more. I once had a client tell me, "You're cheaper then my therapist, and I always feel and look better when I leave." I've been fortunate enough to see my clients in and out of relationships, then meet that special someone, get engaged, plan a wedding, meet and tan the bridal party and then see that client get married, and later tan her little baby bump. And this is why I absolutely love what I do! I get to know people and build relationships with amazing people, and give them the little pick me up they need. 

Maintaining your glow

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! Get yourself a paraben free lotion, and apply after every shower. This will not only help your tan last, but will also prevent patchy fading. Having a nasty fading tan is not the look you're going for. Lotions that contain parabens will literally eat away at your tan causing it to fade funny. Your tan should fade like a natural sun tan would- gradually, not splotchy. If you're wanting to get the most out of your glow, opt for a paraben free lotion with a hint of DHA, or a gradual tanning lotion. Also, Try to avoid chlorine. and steam rooms/hot yoga. Especially 1-2 days after you're spray tan. Sometimes the make-up component can still be in your pours even after the first shower, you don't want to be that person in the yoga room who has brown sweat. 

Now get out there and show off your golden glow

I can't tell you what a little glow does for any skin tone. It's an instant confidence booster. You just feel good with a tan. You're eyes look brighter, you're teeth whiter, maybe you felt bloated when you walked in and leave feeling 5lbs lighter. A little color goes a long way, and you know what they say "If you can't tone it, tan it." 

Pale & Pasty?

SUMMER BEAUTY PROB #4 – PALE AND PASTY

Porcelain skin is gorgeous, but some of us prefer the bronzed look when the weather warms up. Plus, we all know the slimming benefits of a great spray tan! But messing with pale skin is a risky endeavor, and nobody wants to look like an Oompa Loompa. 

THE SOLUTION: We're currently crushing on Bare Tan in South Yarra. These babes use an organic apple sugar solution that gives the most glorious natural golden hue (no orange tint, no siree), and doesn't stink the house out.  In fact, it even smells nice! Bare Tan products are enriched with moisturising ingredients, and they tan faces evenly. Be gone, dreaded splotches!

Bare Organic Tan Making Waves in Australia

Bare Tan have made a name for themselves by creating their own spray tan solution, which is completely organic and made from apple sugar.

You can really tell they care about their product range and their service. One of the benefits of their formula is their moisturising agents, which as your tan slowly wears off, fakes like a natural tan would over time, not splotchy, patchy and horrible.

Bare Tan offer their tanning solution for sale for home use, but they also offer an exceptional tanning service in South Yarra as well. Their full body spray tans start from $55, which includes contouring, which will make your tan look even more natural.v