The sun is out and the beach is on my mind! No one wants to feel uncomfortable or ashamed in a bikini.  We all starting thinking about getting in shape for the summer back in March, but time goes by fast, and next thing you know it’s already bikini season, and you don’t feel bikini ready. Here are a few tips to get ready!

1. Nutrition

Abs are made in the kitchen!! I truly believe that getting that bikini body is 80% what you are fueling your body with and 20% exercise. Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, have lots of protein (chicken, fish, turkey, tofu, eggs, etc.) and plan ahead! Eat more vegetables: While ‘dieting’ we often focus on what we can’t eat, and we forget about about the foods that we can enjoy.  Eat unlimited vegetables, enjoy them and be creative with how you cook them.  Not only will this nourish your body, but it will alleviate some of your cravings.  Stop drinking alcohol: Most people hate hearing this, but the truth hurts.  Other than wine being filled with antioxidants, alcohol has no benefits to your body.  Alcohol is full of unnecessary calories and sugar that not only make it more difficult for your body to burn fat, but can leave you feeling bloated and lethargic. If it’s too difficult to cut out alcohol, try minimizing your intake to 1-2 glasses on the weekend.

2. Exercise

Exercising will make you feel stronger, healthier, more fit, help you burn more calories, give you energy, will help you eat better, sleep better and over all, FEEL BETTER! I can’t stress enough the importance of exercise. Schedule your workouts in advance so you make sure that you go! Include it in your work day so you don’t skip it. So many people limit themselves because they feel like they have to be in a gym. One of my biggest tips is to just do something every day. It doesn’t have to be an hour out of your day, it could be 10 minutes doing a quick high intensity workout and then you’re done! It’s all about consistency and creating habits rather than just going to the gym when it’s convenient. Personally I’m obsessed with doing abs and booty exercises. I find them fun, easy and most of it you can do with just your body weight!

3. Hydrate Yourself

I think this one speaks for itself, but keeping hydrated helps the body to naturally cleanse out , helps your skin glow and leaves your body feeling great! Consuming enough water should be the first thing you change in your diet.  Water helps lubricate your muscles and joints, helps flush out toxins and waste from your body and it helps improves the vitality of your skin.  At the end of the day, drinking water will help you look and feel better.

4. Get Your Bronze On

There’s nothing worse than showing up to a tropical beach and being the whitest person on the sand…or just blending into the sand completely. You gotta get a little pre-tan happening so that you have the confidence to strip down and frolic into the warm waves. I recommend getting a spray-tan the day before you go.  No harmful UV rays needed! Find a swimsuit that showcases your assets: There are so many swimsuits on the market that flatter different body types. Find a swimsuit that flatters your body, and showcases your assets and spray tan.  Keep looking till you find a swimsuit that makes you feel confident and beautiful!

5. Love Yourself and Be Confident in Your Own Skin

Regardless of your shape and size you will NEVER be happy or feel bikini body ready unless you can truly love who you are as a person first. Lets face it, most of us will never look like a Victoria Secret swimsuit model.  Learn to be OK with that, and to appreciate your body just the way it is. That does not mean that you shouldn’t work to improve your body, but learn how to appreciate it every step of the way.  If you have curves OWN IT, and if you are skin and bone, own that too! Everyone was created differently and beautifully! Stop comparing your body to others, and learn how to love your strengths, and your flaws. If you truly want to feel good in your own skin every day, it comes to being able to look at yourself in the mirror and boldly say the words “You are beautiful” even when you don’t feel like it! Surround yourself with people that encourage and support you! You can never gain healthy self-love just from people complimenting you. It has to come from within YOU!

Wedding season is fast approaching and at Superior Spray Tanning we’re busy gearing up for the influx of brides and bridesmaids who grace our tent this time of year. Want to spray tan for your wedding without looking like a carrot walking down the aisle? Well you’ve come to the right place.

Many of our brides have never tried spray tanning, and their number one fear is obviously looking orange–followed closely by fear #2. Will the spray tan run off on my white dress? When applied properly and with these pre and post spray tanning tips you can prevent the orange and achieve that sun-kissed look you crave without the harmful effects of the sun.

I have sprayed many of brides for their big day. In fact, bridal sprays are our specialty. Our solution evens out the skin tone and adds the perfect touch of color — just enough to take a bride out of her winter slump and into the gorgeous glow that she needs. Not to mention that her photos will look incredible!

Here are  a few spray tanning tips and trade secrets exclusively for our brides- to- be.

1. Shave.

The day before your spray tan session yields the best results.

2. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.

Exfoliate 12-24 hours prior with a sea-salt scrub (or other body exfoliating scrub). This removes loose, dead skin cells, which prevent the application of color. Exfoliating will improve and extend your tanning results.

3. Skip the oils, gels, lotions and perfumes.

Prior to tanning, your skin should be clean and dry with no product residue.  All makeup should also be removed before your spray tan session and don’t forget to take off your jewelry! You definitely don’t want a white necklace line with your strapless dress!

4. Tan in dark undergarments.

Bring dark, loose fitting clothing to wear after your tan (no skinny jeans or stretch pants). At bedtime, wear an over-sized T- shirt (I steal my hubby’s) and loose pants

5. Avoid bathing + workouts for 24 hours.

Avoid hitting the shower, pool, or other source of water for 8-12 hours (18-24 hours preferred). I also recommend using shower gel or body wash instead of bar soap (and do not exfoliate or use a shower puff – hands only).

Also, avoid any products that contain alcohol, alpha hydroxy acid, retin-a, beta hydroxy and any other peeling agents. You should moisturize twice daily with a basic product– nothing with perfumes or mineral oil

6. Trial Run

I always suggest a practice session about a month prior to an event. This way, we can perfect the look we are going for before the big day. Do you want to go darker? Would you rather a lighter sun- kissed effect?  Either way, you be glowing all the way to the honeymoon suite!

** Ask about our special discounts and incentives for bridal parties of six or more

With vacation season at its peak, we wanted to share tanning tips for making your spray tan last longer during all of your summer adventures.

Protecting your tan on vacation can be simple if you follow these steps:

1. WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!

A spray tan will not protect you from burning in the natural sun. You always want to use a water resistant, oil-free sunscreen. Although spray on sunscreen can be convenient, most of them don’t provide the water resistance needed to protect your tan against chlorine or salt water. Most spray on sunscreens typically contain mineral oil and alcohol which will strip down a spray tan. Apply Lotion SPF (80 min water resistance) 20 minutes before entering the water. This will create a barrier between your tan and the elements.  If you are consistently in the water, re-apply every 30-40 minutes to keep a strong barrier. If you are just dipping in and out to cool off you can re-apply every 1.5-2 hours. We highly suggest a lotion based sunscreen or the Neutrogena beach defense spray-on sunscreen. Whatever you pick, make sure it is OIL_FREE!

2. Rehydrate & Cleanse

After a long day out having fun, you want to make sure you shower and hydrate your body and add back moisture to your skin cells. You don’t want to sit for hours with chlorine and salt water sitting on your skin. It will dry you out. After your shower make sure to pat dry and moisturize

3. Refresh your tan

We totally understand you likely won’t be perfect with the sunscreen application and depending on your water activities you may have areas that fade slightly faster than others. Taking a tan extender with you is great for refreshing your color. Just apply it to the areas that need a boost at night before bed and wake up with a fresh and renewed tan! It has the solution in it so it will match your color perfect.

4. Protect Your Face!

Your face is a lot more sensitive and has a higher chance of burning.
Don’t forget to wear sunglasses and a hat for maximum protection. And drink your water 😉