How it All Works

If you’ve ever seen a sliced apple turn from white to brown, you’ve seen how spray tanning products work on your skin.

Natural chemicals cause the inside of the apple to turn brown when it’s exposed to air. The naturally occurring dihydroxyacetone, commonly known as DHA, does the same thing to your skin. DHA is the main ingredient in sunless tanning sprays. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation warns against using any sunless tanning product that does not list DHA as the active ingredient.

DHA is a colorless sugar derived from plants such as sugar beets. It has been used to treat medical problems such as skin-pigmentation disorders for more than 50 years. It’s also been approved by the U.S. FDA for cosmetic use for decades. It was first used in a tanning product by Coppertone in the 1960s, although that early attempt tended to turn people orange. DHA products have been significantly improved since then, partly because the refining process is better.

DHA has an enzymatic reaction with the outer layer, or epidermis, of the skin, causing the dead skin cells to turn temporarily dark. By contrast, the sun’s rays and the UV lights used in tanning beds penetrate into the deepest layers of skin. That’s why they cause lasting damage.

Just as it takes the apple a while to turn brown, so can it take several hours for the DHA to darken your skin. That’s one reason our top of the line spray tanning solution includes a temporary dye or bronzing agent. Our clients want to see immediate results and we understand why! Unlike the darkening caused by DHA, the dye will wash off the first time you shower — or “run” when you sweat. Another common ingredient in spray-tanning products today is erythrulose, also a natural sugar, which gets some credit for the more natural (not orange) color of newer spray tanning products. Our solution also contains botanicals, moisturizers and aloe vera to help the skin absorb the tanning solution quickly and avoid excessive dryness.

Happy bronzing!

Many teens and twenty-somethings want that bronzed glow all year ’round, and when they can’t tan outdoors, millions use tanning beds to get it. Every year, nearly 2.3 million teenagers in the US tan indoors annually, and with prom season right around the corner, the temptation to tan is even greater. But with the big night fast approaching, new research has found that the use of sunbeds during a person’s teens and twenties is linked to an increase in melanoma risk, the deadliest form of skin cancer. People that have ever used tanning beds have a 15 percent higher risk of developing melanoma. More alarming still, based on 7 worldwide studies, people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) conducted a thorough review of several studies associating tanning bed use and melanoma risk. The researchers showed that the use of sunbeds under the age of 35 can increase melanoma risk by 75 percent. “This new research substantiates what we’ve believed for years about the danger of indoor tanning,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “It clearly increases the risk of skin cancer, especially in young women, who are the biggest users. Perhaps people will finally start to listen now that this study and other recent research provides some science to back up the belief.”

If the threat of melanoma isn’t enough to scare teens away from tanning booths, they should know that 90 percent of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. UV tanning accelerates the signs of aging, including wrinkles, leathering and fine lines, which can be seen as early as in one’s 20’s. Yet many teens will still desire a bronzed glow for prom. One safe alternative is sunless spray tanning.

Spray Tanning deliver a perfectly safe tan that typically lasts for 5-7 days. Unlike tanning beds, they don’t involve dangerous ultraviolet rays, they are made with completely harmless common ingredients.

• Making use of shades.
• Avoiding sunburns.
• Sun protection using hat, sunglasses, and clothing.
• Avoiding UV tanning.
• Use of sunscreen with a broad spectrum.
• To keep the newborn babies out of the sun.
• Periodic examination of the skin.

It’s been a long winter with lots of snow and very cold temperatures. Nothing is better proof of that than pale, dry winter skin we’ve been sporting , but there is a glowing solution for the days ahead.  As we move into spring and the weather turns more hospitable, more and more people are looking to prepare to look their best by getting a tan. Most people believe that a tan enhances their looks.

The old-style indoor tanning beds to maintain a sun-bronzed look or to get ready for spring break and other vacations are now being shunned.  And with skin cancer on the rise and the recent ban on tanning beds for those younger than 16, people are turning to airbrush spray tanning more than ever. Also the negative effects of sun or tanning bed exposure — and in many cases overexposure — leads to more and lines, wrinkles, freckles and sunspots on skin.

Airbrush tanning is the ticket. Tan lovers can avoid all the risks to their appearance and health and still get that coveted bronzed look. Superior Spray Tanning offers all skin types the chance to look natural and glowing. No matter if you are going away for spring break or if you are staying home, why not look like you just got back from the Caribbean. A gorgeous tan is just a spray away!

With St. Patrick’s Day, wedding season and summer around the corner, it is a great time to throw a spray tanning party. A spray tanning party is an excellent way to have all of your close friends over, drink wine, eat snacks and get a gorgeous, golden tan. Follow these steps to have a successful and fun spray tan party at your house.
1. Book a mobile spray tan technician
Contact Superior Spray Tanning and arrange for a day and time. Let her know how many people you are expecting so you can figure out the exact time frame and if one technician is enough.

2. Send out invitations or an E-vite
Gather the addresses or email address of everyone that you want to invite to your spray tan party. Select a fun invitation and include all the details of the party, such as time, date, address and what to wear. Recommend that your guests wear loose fitting, dark clothing so that the sunless tan solution does not rub off on it. You can put this information on the invitation or tell them when they RSVP.

3. Set up a spray tanning area
Clear out a small area in your house and set it up to be the spray tan area. We recommend doing this the day before the party to make sure nothing comes up that day. Having a designated area makes sure that all airbrush tanning solution and supplies are confined and makes it seem more professional. Your mobile spray tan technician will bring a pop up tent so that nothing will get in your house. This will allow guests to feel comfortable and will save your floor from any solution over spray.

4. Make themed snacks and drinks
Sun, swim suit or beach decorated cupcakes and cookies get everyone in the mood for a tan! You can also make some great low calories drinks, like a skinny margarita or wine spritzer, to help everyone relax. Purchase small umbrellas for the drinks to remind your guests of the beach.
Have fun and make sure your guests feel comfortable at all times! Make it a day to remember by going above and beyond to treat it like a tropical getaway that results in a beautiful, bronze color. Take a picture once the color has developed, you and your guests will love having a photo of the flattering tans!

Everyone seems to want that perfect dark natural looking tan for events and parties. Spray tanning is a safe alternative to tanning in any form of UV light and it only takes minutes to get a sunless uvfree tan. However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that you can spray tan the same day of your event and have the best tan results possible, all though you will see an increase in tanning results, the best results come from pre-planning.

We wanted to take a quick moment to help you pick the best possible day to tan for your event, that way you can plan ahead and achieve the best tanning results..

Best Spray Tan Day for a Saturday Party

Tuesday

If your event is not until Saturday, Tuesday might be a little pre-mature for getting your spray tan if you want to maximize your color at the party.

Wednesday

If you schedule an appointment for a sunless spray tanning session on Wednesday you can count on seeing the best results on Thursday, or Friday depending if you tan early on Tuesday. If you had to choose an appointment Wednesday vs a Friday, I would recommend spray tanning on Wednesday for any Saturday event. To maintain your glow for the party, make sure to use moisturizer twice a day to extend the life of your spray tan.

Thursday

Spray tanning on Thursday offers excellent results and almost doubles your event exposure ability. Early Thursday uvfree tanners will see excellent results on Saturday, if your appointment is later on Thursday it will give you the maximum dark tan for that Saturday event. Thursday is an optimal day for spray tanning.

Friday

All though many people believe that spray tanning late on Friday evening will generate the best spray tan results for a Saturday it actually would create the best results for Sunday morning and afternoon. If your event is on Sunday or Monday, spray tanning on Friday would be a good plan.

Saturday

We understand that sometimes you have no choice but to spray tan on Saturday or the day of your event, we suggest getting the earliest appointment possible as you should shower BEFORE your event and you need to wait 8-10 hours before you can shower.

Closing Thoughts

There you have it, based on the information above it looks like your best days for achieving the best sunless tan for Saturday event is Thursday, followed by Wednesday or Friday options.

Keep in mind it’s always important to do a few things before you tan, and it’s even more important to take care of your spray tan so you get the best results and it breaks down evenly. Check out our after spray tan care for more information about extending the life of your uvfree tan.

You don’t need to be a film star to get a deep fake tan with golden highlights that hit you in all the right places. Starting from building a matte base color to highlighting your best features, creating the signature tan that we see on runways and red carpets all over the world may be a multistep process, but it’s not as tough as it sounds. While movie stars do have personal stylists, most of the professional products that used to be off limits to anyone outside of the celebrity circuit are now readily available. With a few key products and the easy tips below, you too can create a celebrity-inspired tan that will make you the center of attention at any special event.

Starting with the Base
Why do you need to first create a matte, all-over fake tan to get that red carpet look you crave? The answer is simple. Behind the glowing tans that we see on our favorite celebrities are layers of products that are all strategically applied to create skin with the perfect blend of shimmer, lights and shadows. Base tans are naturally beautiful and ideal for looking your best for everyday occasions, but layering is essential for those glamorous parties and events when you want to get noticed as soon as you walk into the room.

Since you’ll be using additional products on top of your original fake tan, don’t go too dark. If you have pale skin, try a light/medium formula in a golden. If you have naturally olive or darker skin, go with a medium/dark formula for a deeper tan. Whether you prefer spray tans or body lotions, you can use any formula to build the foundation. Just remember to exfoliate the day before to turn your body into a clean canvas.

Add Depth and Dimension
Now that you have a flawless base tan, it’s time to take your color up a notch for your party look with tan-enhancing products. Skin Illuminators and Bronzing Powders are some of the biggest power players in the beauty collections of makeup artists who are responsible for creating UV-free sun-baked skin for their star-studded clientele. The secret of the trade is to use both as contouring tools to add highlights and shadows that accentuate each client’s best features while downplaying imperfections. The result isn’t just the most flawless tan you can imagine, but it’s also a complete transformation from a naturally beautiful woman into an exotic bronze bombshell.

Tips for Using Skin Illuminators and Bronzing Powder

Moisturize after your first shower. Body lotion will lock in hydration, prevent fading and make it easier for bronzers and illuminators to last longer on your skin.

• If you’re wearing a short dress, elongate your legs and make them look thinner by throwing on some high heels.
• To add contrast that instantly makes you look thinner and at the same time define your favorite features, apply some blush to your cheekbones.
• For backless dresses, add a touch of classic Hollywood glamour by dabbing a small amount of body shimmer on your shoulder blades and down your spine.
• Finish by sweeping your tan with a light bronzing powder to seal in your color.

Getting a spray tan is a great way to satisfy your craving for sun-kissed skin during the bleakest days of the year. While dark tanners should be retired until next summer, winter is the perfect time for a subtle golden glow. And with winter-friendly colors and help from a few must-have tanning accessories, spray tanning during the coldest season has many benefits and hardly any drawbacks.

The Benefits of Spray Tanning During Cold Weather

• Love the way you look all year long. Tanning can make your skin look younger, healthier and more vibrant. Browns, greens and other seasonal colors can make pale skin look washed out and dull. Adding a subtle hint of color to your skin can be just what you need to boost your confidence and give your winter wardrobe a quick face-lift.
• Maintaining a natural-looking tan during the colder months is easier than you think. Since you are working with a lighter color palette, you can stop worrying about uneven fading or missed spots, which would be more noticeable in summer.
• Get motivated to take better care of your skin. Cold weather can be extremely tough on your skin, especially if you do not actively protect it on a daily basis. Because you need to exfoliate and moisturize to get even coverage, spray tanning in the winter can make it easier to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

Beautifully done face makeup starts first and foremost with the quality of your skin and its natural glow. If you have recently tanned or exercised, your skin will automatically look more luminous and dewy. To enhance this amazing part of your skin’s quality, it’s important to use the right makeup products in the right places to create a look that is absolutely sensational. After getting a spray tan, treat yourself to a new batch of makeup that will help enhance your natural beauty. Use products that are lightweight and won’t cover the beautiful color you get from a spray tan.

Follow along as each piece of the makeup puzzle is broken down for your convenience. With these tips, you can create a look that enhances your spray tan and your natural beauty!

Face

Use the correct color base and highlighter to improve your skins overall complexion and color.

Foundation – Avoid heavy liquid foundations that cake the skin. Instead, use a loose powder that you can apply at your discretion to create a natural, even look. The color of the foundation should match the underneath of your forearm. It may be helpful to have two or three slightly different shades of foundation during the different stages of your tan. Apply enough to fully cover the face and décolleté area.

(Do you really need foundation? A benefit to a great spray tan is the even tone it provides to your face. You might find you can get away with much less foundation when compared to your skin without a spray tan.)

Illuminating Cream – Apply illuminating cream to the places where the sun would hit you face. This includes your cheekbones, brow bones, and the top of your nose. Lightly apply to these areas for brightened, more defined facial features.

Bronzer – In addition to illuminating cream, bronzer helps blend and add depth to the foundation you use. With bronzer, think less is more (especially when you have a beautiful spray tan!) Keep everything blended with a large kabuki brush. With the combination of these three products, your skin will have an even, beautiful color.

Eyes

People say that the eyes are the window to your soul, but they are also a great area of your face to highlight when you are trying to enhance the look of your spray tan.

Mascara – Use bold, black mascara to create definition and femininity with your makeup look. Long, defined lashes will pop again the whites of your eyes. Apply mascara to both top and bottom lashes for a wide-eyed, beautiful look.

Eye shadow – Use nudes, neutrals, and sparkly shades to highlight your eyes and enhance your spray tan. These colors will blend and create a shimmer that goes perfectly with darker, tan skin. Also, apply a shadow with a shimmer within the inner portion of your eye lid to brighten your eyes. This will make your eyes pop and make your tan look darker. Avoid solid white and bright colors as they will cause your eyes to negatively stand out in comparison to the darker face complexion.

Lips and Cheeks

Blush – Highlight the contours of your cheekbones with blush in a soft shade pink or peach. Avoid darker reds and purple colors that could look overdone. The darker the blush, the more it may overpower your tan and draw attention away from your eyes and lips.

Lip Color – Nude or peach lips create a beautiful look that blends with a tan complexion. The lighter shades on lips create an easy, sexy appearance that adds more to a great spray tan.

Teeth Whitening

Everyone loves a beautiful smile. Whitening your teeth may be an option for those who feel their smile isn’t as white as it could be. A white smile pops against a spray tan and makes your teeth look more vibrant and beautiful.

Together with an easy, beautiful makeup routine, you will look sensational!

Did you just get engaged? Congratulations! Now it’s time to start planning! Don’t forget your spray tan for your engagement pictures! Spray tans are recommended by professional photographers instead of tanning beds because it evens out skin tone so nicely.

I am a big fan of engagement photos and I often do the bride-to-be’s spray tan for the shoot. Engagement photos are fantastic for many reasons.

1. Helps you become more comfortable in front of the camera.  The more times you are photographed, the more at ease you will be.  The best photos are when people are comfortable, happy and authentic.  For all of those people who hate “posing” for photos or think they aren’t photogenic – a professional shoot can be completely different.  Most photographers don’t want you to pose, they want you to be in the moment and interact with your partner. When you take a couple hundred photos with a pro you are likely to get a few good ones – so relax.
2. Builds a bond with the photographer.  You will spend a good portion of your wedding day with your photographer and this is a great opportunity to get to know how  you work best together.
3. See how you photograph with your spray tan and makeup.  While it isn’t necessary to wear the exact same makeup as you will on your wedding day, you can get a sense of how much the camera diffuses the tan and makeup. I recommend putting on more blush than you normally would, go for a slightly brighter lip and apply a thicker darker eyeliner (on top lash line). Since the makeup is just for a photo shoot you don’t need to worry about what it looks like in real life.  I guarantee you will be amazed how little makeup reads in photos.
4. You get to have fun with your honey!  Wedding day photos are done on a tight schedule, in confining clothing, and a lot of people watching you. This is just about the two of you enjoying each other and showing why you feel in love in the first place. Make it a fun part of preparation!

Nicole (pictured above) decided to get a spray tan for her engagement pictures and they turned out gorgeous! We did the same spray tan that we will do for her upcoming wedding and you can see how natural it looks.