Most people don’t realize this, but I was just like every other high school and college girl—obsessed with being tan. Tanning beds were the thing back then, and when spray tan booths started popping up, we thought we had unlocked the secret to the perfect glow. We called it cocktailing—lay in a tanning bed first, then hop in a spray booth right after. The idea? The heat from the bed would open your pores so the spray tan could soak in better. Sounds kinda smart, right? Well… not so much. I can’t believe I followed that trend. But hey, we all have our beauty regrets. My prep routine back then? Shower, shave, exfoliate, show up to the salon with no lotion or deodorant, slap on a prep packet, get the darkest solution possible, and call it a day. Because let’s be real, I loved being tan. But looking back? I am so glad the spray tanning industry has evolved. And let me tell you, I do things very differently now.
How I Spray Tan Now (And What I’ll Never Do Again) One of the biggest game-changers?
Custom color. I still love a rich, deep tan, but I want a shade that actually fits my skin tone. No more grabbing the darkest solution just because—it has to look natural. And if there’s one thing I hear all the time, it’s: “I just don’t want to turn orange.” Yep, I said it. The O word. And I hear it more than ever. But listen—spray tanning in 2025 follows a completely different set of rules. For starters, I never shower right before a spray tan. That’s a hard no. I do my prep 24 to 48 hours before to make sure my skin is ready to absorb the solution evenly. And let’s talk about solution time—I don’t let my tan sit on my skin for 12+ hours anymore. No more marinating overnight. Four hours, and I’m good. Oh, and you best believe I’m not making the rookie mistake of wearing tight leggings and a sports bra after my tan. I am fully embracing my Adam Sandler era—oversized tee, loose shorts, full-on comfort mode. Once that solution is on, I’m not changing, adjusting, or messing with it for the next four hours. And post-tan? I’m lotioning twice a day and drinking all the water. Hydration is the key to a long-lasting, even fade, and I avoid tight clothes for at least 24 hours.
Exfoliating, Shaving & Other Lessons I’ve Learned Let’s talk about exfoliating.
Because yes, you can do it too much. Exfoliating every single day before a spray tan is actually not the move. Your skin needs time to recover, and overdoing it can lead to overdevelopment—AKA your tan pulling too dark or looking patchy. Instead, exfoliate 24 to 48 hours before your appointment and let your skin chill. Same with shaving—if you shave right before your tan, the solution can settle weirdly on your skin, leading to streaks or uneven spots. The best move? Shave the night before, not the day of.
I’ve learned so much about spray tanning over the years, and I love sharing what actually works. If you’ve ever struggled with your tan fading too fast, looking uneven, or not developing the way you hoped, try these tips and see if they make a difference! And if you’ve got a go-to spray tan routine (or a funny tanning fail—because let’s be real, we’ve all got one), drop a comment and share. I’d love to hear it!
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