I have never had a spray tan in a salon before - tell me what to expect

[mysteryfairy]

I am naturally very pale and freckly (Irish heritage).

I am thinking a spray tan might be in order before an upcoming wedding.

My normal beauty place does St Tropez tans but is v expensive and also doesn't have any appointments right before the day I need the tanning for. I have seen other local places offering spray tans for £10-£15. Is it a risky process - should I avoid somewhere I don't know?

Think I could do with a trial run but don't really have a window where I could lurk in the house overnight.

So I am wondering loads of things
if I go for the palest colour what is the chance of it going wrong?
what do you need to do in advance?
what does process consist of, what do you wear?
what do you have to do afterwards?
how long would you need to hide for?

To embarrassed to wear in real life so thanks in advance for any responses

[traceybath]

I've had st tropez spray tans several times and pay £25 a go.

You wear paper knickers and a paper hat and just adopt various positions whilst you get sprayed.

I exfoliate the day before.

I wear loose clothing - nothing that digs in or it'll leave a mark.

Ideally get it done late in the day - then showere/bath the next morning and you'll be golden.

[SixtyFootDoll]

As tracey says
I have had a few.
You can ask for light or dark where I go

[PollyTicks]

I would have one before you have the one for the wedding, because if you don't like it, you will be stuck at a major event with possibly orange / too dark / streaky skin.

I have St Tropez done weekly during the summer months. They don't really do 'shades', but you can ask them to use a light touch.

In advance, shower that morning and exfoliate all over (doesn't have to be a heavy scrub - I use a light exfoliating shower gel - just kake sure you give your dry bits like elbows, knees, heels a good going over)but do not use any creams, deodorants etc. Any trace of product on your skin makes the chance of it going on streaky/patchy greater.

Usually they get you to strip off and put on some thin paper knickers 9or go knickerless if you like). Then you stand in a booth and they get you to stand in different positions while they spray you. Takes a couple of mins.

Afterwards you wait a couple of minutes before getting dressed. If you can wait up to 10 mins all the better. Bring flip flops and very loose clothing. I usually bring a pull on dress or light culottes and a tee-shirt.

Get someone to pick you up or drive home! you won't be going out that evening. You will smell funny and will look really dark and very possibly streaky that night (and start to panic!), but in the morning you can shower and the 'real' colour' will be apparent - usually much lighter and more even.

Do try it first, though. It is not for everyone.

[mysteryfairy]

Thanks for all responses.

Am I likely to trash whatever I put on after the spray?

What about sheets at home?

What is the view on opting for a bargain salon over my normal lady - is there a big variation in quality meaning I should stick with St Tropez and someone I trust?

[traceybath]

I would stick to st tropez and someone I trust personally.

Sheets/clothes will get marks on them but it washes off.

[kittya]

It has always washed off my clothing. There are so many types. I think most of them are ok. I tried Fake Bake last year and liked it. They do have a lighter version. I think lots of salons have offers on at the moment so it might be worth shopping around.

[HinnyPet]

Fake bake very nice but goes GREEN if you have any perspiration on your skin!

[TakeLovingChances]

I am Irish - pale with freckles, dark hair and pale blue eyes.

In my desire to look healthy, tanned and glowing for some social events I tried spray tans in a few salons.

Standing naked apart from plastic pants and a hairband (on my head) was pretty embarrassing, but not as as the result...

I looked totally unlike myself. I didn't look like a human from any racial group on earth! My sister said it looked like I'd thrown woodstain over myself

It smelt yucky for days, was only a semi-nice colour once it'd died down after about 3-4 days.

For some reason I tried a few different ones in hope that one would transform me into a tanned beauty... it didn't... I'd much rather be pale and not scare children in the street with my oompa-loompa type hue.