We are in a 50/50 relationship
It's you + me baby!
Spray tans are a little more high maintenance than other beauty services. That being said, it’s our job to provide you with all the information you need in order to have a perfect tan. Your job is to read through all of the information provided to you and to execute it when preparing for your appointment. We really are in a 50/50 relationship! Both of us ( you + me!) are responsible for the outcome of your tan. We call it “The Ritual” because that’s exactly what it is!
If any of this information is confusing or if you have any questions, please text us! We are always here to help & educate others on the process. This page is constantly being updated so be sure to read it through before every appoinement. Visit the “pre tan ritual” and the “post tan ritual” highlights on our Instagram for more tips + tricks.
The Pre-Tan Ritual
The Pre-Tan Ritual contains everything you need to know in order to prepare your skin for the spray tan.
All unwanted hair must be removed at least 24hrs before the appointment. Residue from wax/sugar/razor blades will leave a barrier on the skin preventing the tan from fully developing in those areas. This is the same for facial hair! Yes, you can shave while you have the tan but you can not wax/sugar or laser after as these will completely remove the tan from those areas.
Exfoliating is the MOST important step of the spray tan process. Exfoliation ensures that your tan develops evenly, fades evenly and lasts a loooong time. If you are not properly exfoliated, we can not guarantee your results. We recommend exfoliating 12-24hrs before your appointment. If you need to exfoliate right before your appointment, its not the end of the world! Just make sure you ONLY use a tool and warm water. DO NOT use soap or scrubs within 12hrs of your appointment.
Taking a shower and using a loofah or wash cloth does not count as exfoliation. In order to prepare your skin for the spray tan you must invest in a dry brush or exfoliating mitt. We sell the best exfoliating mitts at the salon! If you would like to pick one up before your appointment send us a text. We sell a reusable one ($15) that lasts 3-6 months and a single-use disposable mitt you can use in the studio right before your appointment ($7).
When it comes to exfoliating before a spray tan, we HIGHLY recommend tools instead of products. Exfoliating sugars, beads, and scrubs are typically oil based and can leave a residue on the skin which will prevent the tan from fully developing. As much as we love a Tree Hut body scrub, scrubs like these do not properly prepare your skin for a spray tan. It's also very important you stop using any chemical exfoliations at least a week before your appointment. This includes retinol, tretinoin and AHAs/BHAs.
Before you arrive to your appointment please make sure to remove anything that can serve as a barrier to your skin. This includes moisturizers, serums, oils, perfumes, make-up, deodorant, and sunscreen. If you have hormone patches bandaids, nipple pasties, please remove before the appointment and scrub the sticky residue off. If your skin has sticky residue from patches or band aids, the tan will not fully develop in those areas. We can tan over these if you are okay with the tan line they will leave behind.
DO NOT shave or take a shower right before the appointment! Razor blades and shaving cream will leave behind a residue that will prevent the tan from fully developing. If you need to shower and exfoliate right before the appointment, PLEASE don't use any soap! Hot water only.
The week leading up to your appointment please make sure to moisturize every day twice a day. Dry skin does not react well to spray tans and can cause it to fade quickly and patchy. If your skin is too dry, the spray tan can crack and start to look scaly. Even drinking more water than usual will help keep your skin hydrated.
Yes, you should be moisturizing the days leading up to the appointment but NEVER apply lotion or any other products the day of your appointment. Any lotion, soap residue or other products will prevent the tan from fully developing.
Please keep in mind that we can not tan you if you have a sunburn so be religious about SPF the weeks leading up to your appointment. If you show up to your appointment with a sunburn you will be turned away and our late cancellation policy will apply. If you get a spray tan over a sunburn, your skin will start to reject the tan and it will start to peel off! We promise, its not worth the risk!
The perfect spray tan outfit consists of a long sleeve top & long sweat pants. A loose dress works too but we promise, you will be more comfortable with the body completely covered! You can not wear any tight clothing for at least 12 hours after your appointment. This includes a bra, jeans, tight shoes or leggings. For shoes we recommend uggs or slides. If there is any rain in the forecast please make sure to bring an umbrella and a rain jacket. Rain is the enemy when your tan is fully developing.
PLEASE REMOVE ALL JEWELRY AT HOME SO ITS SAFE!
The Post- Tan Ritual
The Post-Tan Ritual contains all of the information you need to take care of the spray tan
The Rapid Rinse Spray Tan is a time based blend, so the timing of your first rinse off is very important and not flexible! Your artist will give you a precise rinse off time during your consultation, but here is what to expect! Rinse in...
1 hour for an ultra light tan
2 hours for a light tan
3 hours for a medium tan
4 hours for a dark tan
5 hours for a deep dark tan
The Standard Rinse Spray Tan has a more flexible rinse off time. Please plan on leaving it on for at least 8 hours, but no more than 24 hours. With the Standard Rinse, your color is determined by the blend we apply to the skin. We will help you choose the blend based on your skin type and desired results. The rinse off time is the same for all shades.
Regardless of what blend you are doing, your first rinse off is just a warm water rinse without any soap/lotions or products on the skin for 24 hours. During your first rinse off, you will see the cosmetic bronzer running off the body. Keep rinsing until the water is running clear and then hop out and pat dry. This first rinse off should only be a couple minutes but it is very important to make sure you are getting all of the cosmetic bronzer off the skin. You can use your hand to guide the bronzer off, but do not use any loofahs or wash cloths, be gentle with your skin. We highly recommend not washing your hair during the first rinse off.
Please don't pee in the shower doing this first rinse off. The ammonia can prevent the tan from fully developing if it comes into contact with the skin.
Regardless of whether you do the Rapid Rinse or Standard Rinse, it's normal to lighten up after the first rinse. Spray tans take between 12-24hrs to fully develop, which is why you can't use any soap/lotions or products on the skin during that time period. If you do, the tan won't fully develop.
With the Rapid Rinse, since you are showering so soon after the appointment it is completely possible to for alllll of the color to go away. If you're as pale as you were before the appointment, don't panic! As long as your follow both the Pre-Tan Ritual + Post-Tan Ritual, your tan will continue to fully develop
With the Standard Rinse, since you are marninating in it a little longer, you can expect to see color after your first rinse off but it will still take 12-24rs to fully develop.
Get in your work out before the appointment because you can't sweat for at least 24hrs after the appointment. If you start sweating before your tan has had a chance to fully develop, those areas that you are sweating in can develop blotchy or not at all! Getting a little hot and muggy is okay, but if you start to drip sweat that can be a problem! If we are in a heat wave, we highly recommened doing the Rapid Rinse Spray Tan with Finishing powder. Even if its hot out, wear an outfit that fully covers the body. Exposed skin with a spray tan in the heat is extremely uncomfortable.
After your spray tan has fully developed you are now good to use a spray tan friendly body wash while showering! Keep your body wash sulfate free, paraben free, non-exfoliating & as natural as possible. Our showers are were the majority of the fading happens so its important to use a body was that is formulated specifically for spray tans. We sell a travel size body wash ($10) that is designed to keep your skin clean and hydrated without stripping the tan. If you're not interested in investing in a spray tan safe body wash, then only use the body wash you have at home in the pits & privates instead of all over the body. Body wash is designed to clean the skin and remove elements from it so any body wash that isn't made for spray tans will take the tan off with it! When showering with the tan, just use your hands and avoid loofahs or wash cloths and they can exfoliate the tan off. Be very gentle with your skin and keep your showers short!
Like mentioned earlier, spray tans don't react well with dry skin. In addition to moisturizing the week leading up to your appointment, you must be moisturizing the days after it! After your spray tan has fully develop, you want to start using lotion every day twice a day. Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized will help make sure the tan is lasting a long time and fading evenly. If you skin is too dry the tan will start to crack and look scaly. This is most important for clients with mature skin or clients traveling to a drier climate. Ingredients to avoid in your lotion are mineral oil & petroleum. If you have severe dry skin then you should also avoid a lotion with alcohol and fragrance. The Hempz brand is our favorite lotion to use with a spray tan & we sell travel sizes of it in our studios.
Spray tans last about 7-10 days with proper care. If you are going on vacation and plan on indulging in the water actives then it can fade even quicker than that. Our Tan Enhancer lotion is a hydrating night time moisturizer that deposits a tiny amount of color each time its used. If used regularly, you can get your tan to last 2 weeks or more! If you are going on a vacation, long trip or getting the tan way in advance of your event, this product is a must! We conveniently sell a travel size Tan Enhancer and a value size for those that are checking a bag.
All good things must come to an end! When its time for your spray tan to come off, your skin will tell you! When you are ready to remove your spray tan, soak in a warm bath to loosen up the skin cells. Lather up some body wash and let it sit for a couple minutes before using your exfoliating mitt or dry brush to scrub the tan off. This is another reason to invest in our exfoliating mitt! Not only does it help prepare your skin for the spray tan, but it also helps remove it evenly. When lathering up a body wash, feel free to go back to your non-spray tan friendly body wash as it will help strip the color.
FAQ's
The more you know, the better you glow! Take a look at our most frequently asked questions along with helpful answers. If you're a bride to be, check out The Bride Guide! It contains FAQ's catered to brides. If you don't see your question, text us!
You can book any of the services and we will go over all the different options during your appointment! However its very important to not book a half body or face& neck tan if you want the full body. Our Rapid Rinse option is the most popular but feel free to read about the different options on The Menu
We tan pregnant people all of the time! Since each pregnancy is unique, it's always best to consult your doctor first. We have ingredient lists available if your doctor requests!
Your services should be done in this order to have optimal results
Waxing: At least 24hrs before your spray tan
Nails: At least 24hrs before your spray tan
Eyelashes: At least 24hrs before OR after your spray tan
*Don't forget, your spray tan is the LAST stop and should be done after completing all other beauty services!
Spray tans do not completely cover tans lines. Our solution is formulated to react with your natural skin tone so any naturally lighter areas could develop lighter than naturally darker areas. However, spray tans do help blend tan lines but we can not guarantee 100% coverage. If you have deep tan lines, ask your artist about our at home products that can help with more coverage.
No, spray tans will not cover tattoos! You will need to use body make up if you need to hide them. You should not get a spray tan until your tattoo is completely healed unless its completely covered.
You may experience slight rub off from the cosmetic bronzers immediately after your tan but our blends are water soluble and will easily come out in the washing machine. If you are doing the Standard Rinse Spray tan, we suggest wearing loose long pants and long sleeves if you have to sleep in your tan!
We prefer cash but accept all credit cards and Apple Pay!
We reccommened getting your spray tan 2-4 days before your event. If you are traveling and need to get your tan before that do not panic! We sell a Tan Enhancer that will increase the longevity of your spray tan.
We recommend getting your spray tan as close to leaving for your vacation as possible so it lasts the longest. Leaving on a red eye? Get a Rapid Rinse Spray Tan that morning, rinse before your head to the airport and develop while you're on the plane! You'll be good to go by the time you land. Leaving early in the morning? Come in the night before and do either blend!
The active ingredient used in all tanning products is Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. This ingredient, which is naturally derived from sugar cane, reacts with the amino acids in the skin to create a browning effect on the outermost layer of the skin. Full development of the color takes about 24 hours after application regardless of the formulation type (Standard/Express). The intensity of the color depends on the concentration of the DHA as well as the individuals skin type. The color will gradually fade over the course of 7-10 days through natural skin exfoliation just like a natural tan from the sun.
The only difference is the rinse off time! Both blends will offer the same color results, quality and longevity. With the Standard Rinse, you will need to rinse in 8-12 hours. With the Rapid Rinse blend, you will need to rinse in 2-5 hours depending on the darkness level you would like to achieve.
All clients are welcome to wear as little or as much as you are comfortable with during the appointment. Be mindful of tan lines. However, please understand that clients under the age of 18 are required to wear undergarments during their appointment. No exceptions.
The entire process from start to finish will take about 20 minutes or less. Please be on time!
Yes! Only in San Francisco at the moment but we hope to offer house calls in Marin in the future! To inquire about house call availability + rates, please contact us via text/email with your address, desired date/time and how many clients we will be tanning. The more clients, the less it costs per person!
While a common concern, it is nothing to worry about. With our 100% customized solution system, our team of airbrush experts are able to select the appropriate darkness level based on your skin type and color-corrective bronzers based on your skin tone to infuse your solution with.
On average, your tan should last about 7-10 days. Unlike other beauty services, the life of a spray tan is 50% dependent on the clients preparation and maintenance while the remaining 50% relies on the artists application and solution selection. We can’t stress enough the importance of properly preparing and caring for a spray tan and following our guidelines to a T to ensure a long-lasting tan with an even fade.