PRO
Fast-drying, non-sticky, and streak-free
Contains natural actives and antioxidants
Delivers natural-looking, sunless tan for up to one week
CONS
Comes in a small amount
Not suitable for home use
Whether you are running a spray tanning business or are looking for the best spray tan solutions to DIY at home, getting the perfect solution is an integral, if not, the most important part of the process. Understanding what will work for you or your clients requires heavy research because different skin types call for different products that are formulated with different ingredients.
Ranging from tan intensities and formulations to base colors, this comprehensive buying guide covers everything you need to know about purchasing the best spray tan solutions. Continue reading.
How do Spray Tan Solutions Work?
Spray tan solutions are sprayed as a thin coat on your body using a spray tan machine. Once your skin is evenly covered with the solution, it will begin to develop over the next 24 hours.
The solution contains a skin tanning agent called Dihydroxyacetone or DHA—a natural product derived from sugar beet hence safe for skin coloring. It reacts with our skin surface’s proteins and amino acids which will then produce melanoidines that change your skin color.
Achieve Gorgeous Bronze Skin with the Best Spray Tan Solutions
1. Norvell Premium Spray Tan Solution
Norvell is known for their innovative, flawless tanning solutions that never cease to deliver tip-top results. Imparting natural colors for all skin types, Norvell’s Premium Sunless Tanning solution contains a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that serve to optimize, build, and prolong sunless tanning effects. Their fast-drying, non-sticky, streak-free formulas outgrow simple tanning and are enriched with concentrated antioxidant blends to protect your skin from damage. Using only the most sustainable of ingredients available, Norvell gives you up to a week of gorgeous just-came-back-from-the-beach tan.
Key Feature:
Spray tanning solution formulated with natural, sustainable ingredients.
2. Norvell Premium Sunless Tanning Solution - One Hour Rapid
One of the best spray tan solutions available, the One Hour Rapid by Norvell is loaded with cosmetic bronzers, which eventually washes off after a shower but won’t affect the color that is produced in the upcoming hours after. Within an hour, it delivers light golden hue, two hours a darker bronzy look, and three hours gives you full-on dark and brown shade. The sunless color also continues to develop over the next 24 hours, therefore you won’t see the full tanning results until the next day, and will last about five to seven days depending on your maintenance.
Key Feature:
A tanning solution that slowly develops over the course of 24 hours.
PRO
Works with any airbrush and tanning machine
Natural results
CONS
Takes a long time to dry
May stain tanning gun if not cleaned immediately
3. Norvell Venetian Plus
At this rate you could already tell how dependable Norvell is at creating high-quality tanning products. The Venetian Plus is one of the best spray tan solutions on the market today. It will last you a long time if applied as intrusted. Infused with skin-friendly fruit extracts and natural enzymes that moisturizes and condition your skin after each use, you can trust this solution in achieving the perfect, sunless tan. Fast-acting and applies seamlessly, the solution also develops your tan efficiently and dries pretty quickly. And because it is fast-drying, it also gives you little to no time for errors, thus requiring a bit of a learning curve.
Key Feature:
Spray tan solution infused with moisturizing fruit extracts and natural enzymes.
PRO
Imparts a rich, dark tan
Fast-drying
Fast-acting
CONS
May leave streaks so be sure to give the bottle a good shake before using
4. Isle of Paradise Spray Tan Solution
If you don’t want to deal with a compressor and a spray gun, the Isle of Paradise Spray Tan Solution is just the thing you need. The solution boasts a water-like consistency which you can spray directly onto your body using a light mist spray bottle. Featuring a medium shade (not to light and not too dark), you may opt for a lighter or darker shade that fits your liking. It comes in the form of a refill pouch that fills up multiple spray bottles. To minimize mess, you can easily apply the tanning solution in the shower. Otherwise the natural formulation is fairly easy to clean up. Not to mention it is also transfer-proof, therefore you don’t have to worry about it smudging on your clothes after drying.
Key Feature:
Transfer-resistant spray tan solution.
PRO
Boasts a water-like consistency
Formulated with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients
CONS
Comes in a bottle that leaks
Things to Consider When Buying Spray Tan Solutions
The market for spray tan solutions is rather large, so it definitely isn’t easy to find one that suits your skin. If you are new to the world of spray tanning, here is a helpful guide you may use as a reference:
A. Ingredients
The ingredient list is an integral part of purchasing spray tan solutions. It helps you decide if the product is suitable for your skin type. If you have sensitive or dry skin, opt for products that contain Aloe Vera, almond extract or any other soothing plant extracts or oil. On the other hand, individuals with oily skin should steer clear of the aforementioned ingredients as they pose higher risks of clogging your pores.
It is always advisable to go for a natural or organic product. Even if you decide otherwise, stay away from solutions that are formulated with erythrulose, parabens or alcohol. Erythrulose is non-FDA-approved and will not leave a significant impact on the solution’s performance while alcohol dries and itches your skin and may sometimes affect the end result. Despite parabens’ fungicidal and bactericidal properties, they are often associated with breast cancer tumors.
Most importantly, avoid buying sunless tan solutions that are not transparent about its ingredients.
B. Doses of Each Ingredient
Not only should you consider what’s inside the solution, but you should also factor in how much is there as well. Many spray tanning solutions are loaded with ingredients that don’t contribute much to their actual performance. The more extra ingredients added, the higher the risk of allergic reactions, so beware of that!
C. Base Color
Tanning solutions come in different base colors. While all of them look amazing on all skin types, you should always get the ones you prefer.
Violet-based products are more suitable for medium to dark skin types. A reddish base looks excellent on individuals with an olive or fair complexion that tans naturally. If you have a medium to dark skin tone and are aiming for a rich Brazillian color, opt for dark-ash bases. A caramel base color is fairly universal, making it suitable for all skin tones. If your skin is fair with a pink undertone, we recommend green-based tanning solutions as it corrects the pink and brings out a gorgeous tanned look. Beware when using orange-based solutions as they can make your tan appear fake. In case of doubt, always perform a patch test first. If you like what you see, you may proceed with the full body.
D. Intensity
The intensity is another important factor to consider when purchasing your ideal product. The key is to find the right DHA concentration that darkens your skin without making it look fake. If you have pretty light skin, choose a product with a lower concentration of DHA. And if your skin is naturally dark, opt for a solution that has a higher concentration of DHA. Typically, a solution with 3% DHA content imparts the lightest tan whereas 20% gives you the darkest.
E. Scent
You don’t want to suffocate yourself, so always choose a tanning solution that smells pleasant to you! Some products can smell pretty nice when you are spraying them, but once they start to develop, they might begin emitting an unpleasant odour. Scents like vanilla, cherry, chocolate or coconut are the OGs.
How to Use a Spray Tan Solution
Here are some tips for applying spray tan solution seamlessly:
- Always prep your skin before the application. Use a gentle body scrub or exfoliating sponges to remove dead skin, wash, and pat dry.
- If you have unwanted body hair, make sure to remove them at least a day prior to spray tanning, giving your pores ample time to shrink.
- Apply the tanning solution evenly over all parts of your body. Be extremely careful when you are applying it around the face, neck, hands, and your toenails.
- Avoid spraying the product on open wounds or unhealed cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does a spray tan last?
A spray tan typically lasts for 9 to 12 days, or a maximum of 15 days if you take really good care of it.
- How often should I go to receive a spray tan?
Most experts recommend getting a spray tan done about two to three times a month. This is because a typical spray tan remains on your skin for up to 12 days, thus two to three sessions a month suffice to keep yourself bronzed all year round.
- How do I prolong a spray tan?
You may use skin-care products that are exclusively designed or made to work with spray-tanned skin. After showering, pat your skin dry (don’t rub!). Most importantly, wait a few hours before you step into the shower to give your spray tan enough time to develop.
- Does spray tan get darker overnight?
Spray tan tends to become darker over time. Therefore, leaving it overnight means you are giving it enough time to develop and thus the darker tan.
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