Top 5 Airbrush Tan Rookie Mistakes

Top Mistakes Made by a Rookie Airbrush Tanning Clients 

1.) Too Dark – Don’t go medium or medium dark on your first time getting an airbrush tan, no matter who does it or how great the reputation.  You don’t know if you will actually like the look on you and you can always go darker in the future.  It is best to start with a light or light medium color.  Less shocking the next day and fades very naturally, until you know that you will love it!

2.) Wrong Outfit – Yoga pants and flip flops are ok, however some Lululemons have very thick seams and are very very tight fitting, they can leave a mark down you legs.  Flip-flops are good during the summer, but the rain on your feet will ruin the spray tan.  Jeans are always a no no…if you have jeans that are baggy enough to not leave a mark then you have a horrible pair of jeans and you shouldn’t wear them anyway;)  Wear very loose fitting clothes and shoes and preferably something with a hood or bring an umbrella.

3.) Poor Scheduling – Get your waxing, nails, pedicures, hair coloring, and clothes shopping done first.  In fact your Flawless Tan should be almost last on your list of services before any event or vacation.  Don’t schedule a massage the very next day (the oils they use can sometimes strip the tan).  Don’t exercise or bath your toddler that night.  If it is summer time, don’t go on a boat or to happy hour sitting in the hot sun for hours sweating.

4.) Bikini Bottoms – I know it is awkward and uncomfortable to get sprayed by a person…especially the first time.  I assure you that all the spray tan technician is paying attention to is the results of the tan!!!  I highly recommend getting your airbrush tan done in the nude.   Having said that, if you are going to wear bottomw, it is crucial that you know how your bikini bottoms are going to fit and where exactly the line is going to be so if you do decide to wear bottoms during the spray tan service you don’t end up with funny lines that show when you put on your swim-suite (completely defeats the purpose of the Flawless tan)

5.) Tanning in a Bed for a Base Tan – This simple truth is that this process does nothing except dry out and ruin your skin.  A ‘base tan’ is equivalent to SPF 2-4 (American Academy of Dermatologist).  Just don’t do it.  The tanning beds before a spray tan will cook your skin and the spray tan will have a hard time drying and processing.  The tanning bed after your spray tan will dry out your already dry skin and create horrible flaking of the spray solution and often premature fading in patches.  Not recommended….the California Cocktail is a thing of the past, not a good look on anyone.  

This is probably more informaiton about spray tanning that you ever thought you needed to know, but it is important random things to consider to get a truly Flawless Tan.

Tanning for SeaFair Weekend

SeaFair Weekend in Seattle -

SeaFair has offiacially started with the Tourchlight Parade the other night and now we get ready for the festivities!!!  Along with buying bikinis and beer...most girls get a tan, a pedicure, and a wax before the big weekend on the boats.

A couple tips to make sure your tan is flawless for SeaFair Parties...

1.) Get your pedicure and waxing appointments done before you come in for your airbrush tan (we recommend at least the day before your tanning appointment)

2.) Schedule your Flawless Tan appointment in advance.  It is one of the busiest weekends for us and we fill up fast and often have a very hard time moving around appointment times.  We recommend either Wednesday or Thursday (open 9am - 9pm) as the best days before the weekend.  Book ahead of time and just remember these appointments are pre-paid and non-refundable.  

3.) Exfoliate a couple days before your tan (you want your skin to be prepared nicely for your tan and this will help the tan go on evenly and stay longer

4.) Find an outfit for your tanning appointment that is loose fitting, darker colored, and light weight so you dont sweat.  I love maxi dresses and loose fitting flip flops.  No bra (it can leavea  tan line).  No sunglasses right after the tan either, they can leave a mark on your nose.

5.) Hats.  Hats are cute on a boat, but a really tight fitting baseball cap can leave a mark and maybe rub off the tan on your forhead depending on how much you sweat.  So I would stick with loose fitting hats or sunglasses instead.

6.) Buy a touch up lotion or spray to keep the tan looking flawless all the way to Sunday.  Normally it lasts beautifully without touching up, however that much sweat and water on the skin will naturally exfoliate the tan prematurely and you still want to look glowing on Sunday.  I recommend the spray at night and the lotion during the day.

7.) Sunscreen!!!  Use at least a 30 when you are on the water (50 for your face).  Keep reapplying it so that you dont get burned.  It will ruin your weekend, and your Flawless Tan will peel off funny the rest of the week:(

8.) Extra hydrating lotion at night (if you dont use a touch up spray).  I like Cetaphil.  It will help you hydrate your skin after being in the water and sun all day. Chances are you are drinking alcohol too, and that dehydrates your skin as well.  So lots and lots of water!!!

Those are my tips for a flawless tan for SeaFair.  Have fun, be safe, and we will see you later this week.  Post your SeaFair pics on Flawless Facebook page and we will do a drawing at the end of the weekend for a free Whish Tan Extender Lotion!

Whats Hot for the 4th of July

Top Looks for Independence Day...

1.) The Red Lip - this is a popular trend for 4th of July, because it gives a pop of color to you makeup look.

• Keep the eyes simple with lots of lashes and maybe black liner 
• Add a pop of candy apple red blush but apply very conservatively (just as if someone pinched your cheek)
• Use a clear wax lip liner to keep the red from feathering

2.) Bronzed Babe - a medium airbrush tan to give you a glow will compliment any summer dress, with a little body bling on the shoulders and shins and a touch of bronzer on the forehead and across the cheeks and nose

• Dont go too dark with your airbrush tan, because it will fade unnaturally 
• Put shimmer body lotion (my favorite is Body Bling by Scott Barnes) only on the areas that wont touch your clothes or other people
• Use a matte face bronzer only in the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face (forehead, across the nose and cheeks, and a touch on the chin)

3.) Denim - I like just one piece in denim...denim top and bottom is way too much in my opinion, but I do love a strapless denim dress!  (the denim shorts witht he pockets hanging out the bottom...even though it is the trend right now, I think you will end up regreting it if you do)

5.) Stars and Stripes - Pick one.  Wearing both together can start to look like a parade or costume.  I prefer a smaller stripe it is more flattering

6.) Fun Sunglasses - If you can get away with colored rims, I love them.  But for me... I love Gold Rims and a bronzy tinted lense.   Plus it always looks great with my airbrush tan.

7.) Summer Highlights - Everyone wants to lighten their hair a bit during the summer...however, chunky overdone highlights tend to look dated.  Keep them natural and in the right color family for your skin tone.

Airbrush Tanning Prep and Post Care

Proper Tanning Prep…

12-24 Hours Before Your Airbrush Tan

• Make sure you shower and shave or wax prior to your appointment.
• Exfoliate with a loofa or sugar scrub prior to your tanning service, however do not apply any perfumes, deodorants, lotions or moisturizers on you skin before you appointment. 
• You will be able to remove makeup when you arrive, but lotions can act as a barrier and will affect the processing of you tan.
• Make sure you get your manicure and pedicure done the day before.
• Make sure you have all your waxing and sugaring done at least one day prior to your tan.
• Pack your tanning bag (black or dark undergarments if desired, loose fitting shoes, dark  and loose fitting clothes to wear afterwards, umbrella in-case of rain)
• Uggs or similar shoes are best during the winter and flip flops are best during the summer

15 Minutes Before Your Airbrush Tan

• Remove all makeup and deodorant with baby wipes
• Pull hair back away from face and up off your neck (we do not provide hair ties, however we have them available for purchase)
• Remove all jewelry
• Change into your desired tanning attire (anything or nothing for females, boxers or briefs for men)
• Put on the undergarments you want to wear and adjust them to where you want the tan lines to be (we do not provide disposable undergarments, however we have them available for purchase)

Proper Post-Tanning Care…

 

1 Hour After Your Airbrush Tan

• Dry yourself with the hair dryer for about 5 minutes
• Gather all jewelry and place it in a safe place, rings and earrings are the only thing you should put back on after the airbrush tan
• Keep your hair up off your neck
• Avoid touching your skin with your palms or fingers to prevent the airbrush tan from transferring to your hands.

 

6-8 Hours After Your Airbrush Tan

• Avoid any activity that would cause seating, exercise, showering, or any activity that may result in water coming in contact with the skin.
• If you choose to sleep in your airbrush tan, you may want to put down dark sheets or towel to prevent the airbrush tan from transferring to your sheets (it should wash out, but it is recommended to wash immediately) 

12 Hours After Your Airbrush Tan

• Shower and shave like normal (extra hydrating body wash is recommended or hair conditioner)
• Make sure to wash off ALL the airbrush tanning solution off your skin or it may appear to look streaky if there is left over bronzer on the skin
• Pat your skin dry after showering to avoid unnecessary exfoliation
• Apply a generous amount of moisturizer all over the skin to help the tan last

Day 3-7

• Apply recommended At Home Tanning Spray at night in the areas that start to fade first (hands, face, and feet)
• Apply recommended Tan Extending Lotion every other morning to moisturize the skin and extend the life of the tan
• On Day 7 use the Tan Off Glove to remove all the remaining airbrush tan residue to prepare for your next airbrush tan

 

The Life of Your Tan

The life of your spray tan depends on the care you take of your skin.  Moisturize twice a day and avoid exfoliation. 

Products may reduce the number of days your spray tan will last…

• Band Aids
• Face Masks
• Anti-Aging or Acne Products
• Bar Soaps
• Hair Removal

 

Activities that may reduce the life of your airbrush tan…

• Hot Tubs
• Salt Water
• Prolonged time in the pool
• Hot Yoga
• Extreme Exercise
• Walking in sand for long distances
• Massage
• Mineral Oils

 

Tan Off Glove - How to Remove Your Spray Tan

How to Remove Unwanted Spray Tan -

Summer is coming soon, and a lot of you will be coming in for airbrush tans on a regular basis...each week if you want to keep your glow.  The tan often gathers in specific areas and builds up...starting to look unnatural and orange.  Sugar scrubs and salt scrubs are luxurious, but often don't take off all the left over tan and some leave you with a residue.

I was recently sent a product to try at home myself...and it was advertised to take off any left over tan residue or take of any unwanted tan (if you went somewhere else and your tan was less then flawless).

It is the Tan Off Glove, and it is from Australia.  It works amazing!!!!...best part is that you can wash it so it is totally hygienic and it lasts for a really long time.  

I also use the Natural Bristol Scrub Brush because it is nice for me feet and it has a handle for my back.  But the Tan Off Glove has 2 sides, one side as a 'tan corrector' (orange side) gets off excess tan especially around my underarms which is where it gathers for me the worst, and 'total tan remover' (black side) to remove all the remaining tan before your next appointment. 

Use the Orange Side to if you are going to be wearing white the very next day after you get your tan.  It will lightly exfoliate the tan off the areas where you are going to sweat where the tan might not even show...rib cage area, between the breasts, and around the underarms.  That way the tan still looks even and glowing, but you wont risk any excess running or rubbing off onto your beautiful white clothes.

It is my favorite new product that we have and it is reasonably priced...and lasts a long time.  It will absolutely make a difference in how your tan looks and lasts this summer.

Cheers!