When Should You Get a Spray Tan Before a Wedding, Vacation or Special Event?

Quick Answer

For most weddings, vacations, photoshoots and special events, I recommend getting your spray tan about 1–2 days beforehand.

That gives your rapid tan time to develop, allows you to complete your first rinse and gives the colour time to settle before the big day.

But your perfect timing can depend on what you're tanning for.

Let's plan it properly.

When Should I Get a Spray Tan Before a Wedding?

For most brides, I recommend booking your final spray tan 1–2 days before the wedding.

I don't love leaving it until the absolute last minute.

Your tan needs time to develop, you'll need to complete your rapid rinse, and you'll want your finished colour settled before you're putting on a white dress.

If you've never had a professional spray tan before, I also strongly recommend considering a trial tan before your wedding.

A trial lets us figure out:

• How your skin develops

• How deep you like your colour

• How your tan photographs

• How it fades

• What rinse time works best for your desired result

Your wedding week isn't my favourite time to discover that you actually wanted half the colour you thought you did.

Trial first. Perfect it. Then recreate it.

What About Bridesmaids?

Same general idea.

Aim for approximately 1–2 days before the wedding.

And no, every bridesmaid does not need exactly the same colour.

Different skin tones and undertones may need different approaches.

Matching dresses?

Sure.

Matching DHA percentages?

Absolutely not necessary.

When Should I Spray Tan Before a Vacation?

This depends a little on your travel schedule.

For most vacations, I like the spray tan done 1–2 days before departure.

That means you're not trying to rinse a developing tan in an airport bathroom or spending a flight terrified that you're going to leave a perfect bronze silhouette on seat 14B.

It also gives your colour time to develop before you arrive.

Keep in mind that swimming, salt water, chlorine, hot tubs and prolonged time in water can make your spray tan fade faster.

So if you're heading somewhere tropical, your tan may not last quite as long as it would during a regular week at home.

And remember:

A spray tan gives you colour.

It does not provide sun protection.

Bring the SPF.

When Should I Spray Tan Before Photos?

I'd generally aim for 1–2 days beforehand.

That gives you time to rinse and allows your colour to settle.

For professional photos, my goal isn't necessarily to make you dramatically darker.

I want enough colour to give your skin a beautiful glow while still looking like you.

If you're doing branding photos, engagement photos, family photos or anything else important, tell me.

Knowing what the tan is for helps me customize it.

What About Grad, Stampede or a Big Night Out?

Again, the 1–2 day window is usually a great place to start.

For something on Saturday, for example, Thursday or Friday may work beautifully depending on your schedule and rinse time.

And because Wyld Sol uses rapid-rinse solutions, you don't need to spend your entire evening marinating in your tan.

I'll tell you exactly when to rinse based on your skin and desired colour.

What Should I Do Before My Event Spray Tan?

The best event tan actually starts the day before.

Ideally:

Complete shaving or body sugaring beforehand.

Exfoliate thoroughly but gently.

Moisturize well in the days leading up to your appointment.

Then arrive for your appointment with clean, completely dry, product-free skin.

I prefer that clients avoid showering immediately before their spray tan.

If possible, shower, exfoliate and complete hair removal the day before. This gives your skin time to settle and avoids arriving with skin that's still warm or damp from a hot shower.

Body washes, conditioners, shaving products and moisturizing cleansers can also leave residue behind that may interfere with even colour development.

If you do need to shower the same day, keep it lukewarm, avoid oily or heavily moisturizing products and give your skin plenty of time to cool and completely dry.

Should I Get My Nails Done Before or After My Spray Tan?

If you're planning manicures, pedicures, massages, facials or other treatments involving soaking, scrubbing, oils or lotions, try to schedule them before the day of your spray tan, not immediately before your appointment.

These services often use lotions, oils, creams or other products that can leave a residue on your skin and potentially interfere with how evenly your spray tan develops.

Before you tan, make sure all lotions, oils and other treatment products have been completely washed off your skin.

Your spray tan should ideally be one of the last beauty appointments in your event-prep lineup.

Once we've created your colour, we also don't want you heading straight into a massage, pedicure or facial where your fresh tan is being soaked, scrubbed, steamed or covered in oils.

Do the pampering first.

Wash off the evidence.

Then we tan.

From Whitney's Treatment Room

One of the biggest mistakes I see with event tans is assuming darker automatically means better.

If you're wearing white, being photographed or standing beside your natural skin tone in old photos, suddenly going six shades darker isn't necessarily going to feel like you.

My goal is always:

You, but suspiciously well-rested and recently returned from somewhere expensive.

We'll choose your colour based on your skin tone, undertone and how bronzed you actually want to be.

FAQ

Is the day before an event too late for a spray tan?

Not necessarily. With a rapid-rinse tan, the day before can work well because you can complete your first rinse and allow your colour to continue developing.

Can I get a spray tan the same day as an event?

It's generally not my preferred timing for an important event. Giving your tan time to develop and complete its first rinse makes things considerably easier.

Should I get a trial spray tan before my wedding?

If you've never been sprayed before, a trial can be incredibly helpful for choosing your preferred depth and seeing how your skin develops and fades.

Should I spray tan before flying?

Ideally, give yourself enough time to complete your rapid rinse before travelling rather than flying while your tan is still developing.

Can I spray tan before a beach vacation?

Absolutely. Just remember that swimming, chlorine, salt water and prolonged water exposure may shorten your tan's lifespan, and a spray tan does not replace sunscreen.

Planning Something?

Wedding. Vacation. Grad. Photoshoot. Date night. Girls' weekend. Or simply Tuesday and you want to look fantastic.

All valid.

At Wyld Sol Body Sugaring & Spray Tanning in Calgary, I'll customize your rapid spray tan around your natural skin tone, undertone, event and desired depth.

You don't need to figure out the solution or rinse time.

That's my job.

Tell me where you're going and how you want to feel.

We'll take it from there.