ok, so im wearing a strapless wedding dress and desperately need to even out my tan but dont want to look red, blotchy, or orange on the day of the wedding. im getting married at the end of march. what do u all suggest? real sun tan? tanning bed? spray tanners? and how long before the wedding?
anyone can give me advice from their own experience?! thanks!!
Do you have tan lines, or is it just that you want more color on your shoulders to set off the dress? If it's tan lines, I'd start off with a tanning bed, and then finish up with spray tan if you still need it. Do the tanning bed now so you can get it done gradually (instead of trying to load up at the last minute and looking weird). Then lay off for the two weeks before the wedding and try to use spray tanners or that "natural glow" stuff to even it out.
Depending on where you live, I don't think you'd get enough natural sunshine at this time of year to even out your tan lines. Although it's horrible for your skin (and your health), I think the only way to avoid being blotchy & orange is to go in a tanning bed. But go slow! Start out your first session at 7 or 8 minutes (less if you're incredibly fair) and increase your time sloooowly every session. I've had this situation before (for a formal, not a wedding) and I went about 3 times the first week, 4 times the 2nd and 3rd week and increased it to about 5 times for the last few weeks. And remember, do NOT jump in the tanning bad and tan for 20 minutes! You shouldn't be tanning that long until you've been going for at least 3+ weeks. Remember to wear SPF and moisturize your skin to keep your tan longer. And alternate between regular beds and stand-up units so that you don't get the "shoulder blade circles". Hope this helps!
As a person diagnosed with malignant melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) at 25, I'd say stay away from the tanning bed. Being pale or having tan lines is better than having a huge scar on your shoulder (or nose) or even being dead. There is no such thing as a "base" tan - it's all bad. I'd go the Jergens route, it works for me.
Try the 6 second spray tans...they last about 5-7 days...the tan will deepen on the second day. The spray tans looked the best on me on days 3 and 4. It starts fading around day 5 and just about gone by day 7. The spray tans looked great on me...I didn't look orange at all. The only caveat is....make sure you rub all over after the misting to make sure is comes out even. Then thoroughly scrub your fingers and toes. Your nails do get a bit orange-y if you don't scrub well. I looked like a gardener who never washed her hands the first time I tried the spray tan. Do a couple of trial runs to see if you like it. Can't hurt and it's not permanent.
I have tried the automated mist on tan and the airbrush tan, and I highly recommend the airbrush. My airbrush tan was even and looked pretty natural (I am extremely fair, so no tan looks totally natural on me). The automated spray tan turned out blotchy and stopped about two inches above my ankles. Also it faded within 3 days. The airbrush tan is applied by an actual person who can regulate where they spray - ie. no super dark knees and elbows. It's a bit more personal as you have someone spraying an airbrush a few inches from your skin while you stand there in just panties, but the results were worth it in my opinion. Mine lasted about 6 days. The cost wasn't that much more than the automated mist on tan. Maybe a $5-$10 difference.
I used to work for a dermatologist. Please don't tan. I remember crying with a 30-something woman who basically had her face mutilated during a procedure to remove her skin cancer. It was just so sad. All of the girls in the office used spray tans and looked great. I recommend Estee Lauder's tanning products. Don't forget to exfoliate first.
Airbrush is much nicer than the automated Mystic tan or the ones you do yourself. I would not suggest a tanning bed to anyone. If you live in the Southern California area, I have a great lady that does my airbrush tans. Depending on how well you moisturize the airbrush tan lasts 5 - 10 days, looks completely natural, and a good airbrusher can customize the tan for you. Here is a link to who I use. http://www.konatanningcompany.com/about_us.html
I've used Mystic tan before.. definitly plan to go at least 2-3 days before your wedding and try it out prior. Make sure you moisturize your hands and feet like they tell you to or else you;ll try orange.
I'm pretty fair and everytime I've done a mystic I've have streaks ... I got them on the back of my calves once becasue I didn't wipe off the tanner quick enough.
I live in LA and go to Kona Tanning too! How funny! Katie actually tanned my entire bridal party and I gotta tell you my photos were like magazine ads. We were all beautiful. I've never had a bad experience with them so I wouldn't worry about trying them for the first time for your wedding. :)
If you go the Mystic route, I cannot stress enough how important it is to do trials and practice with it. I've done it twice, and both times I ended up with the streaks that Kimbeerlee mentioned. Definately buff out the wrists and other joints. The last time I did it I had blotches on my wrists for the two weeks it lasted!
thanks so much ladies. i live in miami/ft. lauderdale area, so we do get plenty of sun, but i agree that its becoming too harmful. so im going to try the spray tanning to see if i like it. i'll probably go the airbrush route, since im hoping it'll come out more even. if i dont like it, there's always the self-tanning lotions and such, i'll def keep u guys posted. thanks again for all the responses!
ok, so im wearing a strapless wedding dress and desperately need to even out my tan but dont want to look red, blotchy, or orange on the day of the wedding. im getting married at the end of march. what do u all suggest? real sun tan? tanning bed? spray tanners? and how long before the wedding?
anyone can give me advice from their own experience?! thanks!!
posted by danibel 69 posts 9 months agoDo you have tan lines, or is it just that you want more color on your shoulders to set off the dress? If it's tan lines, I'd start off with a tanning bed, and then finish up with spray tan if you still need it. Do the tanning bed now so you can get it done gradually (instead of trying to load up at the last minute and looking weird). Then lay off for the two weeks before the wedding and try to use spray tanners or that "natural glow" stuff to even it out.
Good luck!
posted by tanya2s 276 posts 9 months agoDepending on where you live, I don't think you'd get enough natural sunshine at this time of year to even out your tan lines. Although it's horrible for your skin (and your health), I think the only way to avoid being blotchy & orange is to go in a tanning bed. But go slow! Start out your first session at 7 or 8 minutes (less if you're incredibly fair) and increase your time sloooowly every session. I've had this situation before (for a formal, not a wedding) and I went about 3 times the first week, 4 times the 2nd and 3rd week and increased it to about 5 times for the last few weeks. And remember, do NOT jump in the tanning bad and tan for 20 minutes! You shouldn't be tanning that long until you've been going for at least 3+ weeks. Remember to wear SPF and moisturize your skin to keep your tan longer. And alternate between regular beds and stand-up units so that you don't get the "shoulder blade circles". Hope this helps!
posted by sayithot 58 posts 9 months agoI love this post! I went last week for a trial run of one of the spray mister booth things. (think Ross when he got "2 Twos")
While it was ok- nice and even and after 2 days looked somewhat natural. it would be ok for a fun event. but not all that great for wedding.
I work in a modeling agency and a lot of the girls use Neutrogena spray tan too and love it.
I like Tanya2s idea- I may do that!
posted by beesknees 274 posts 9 months agoWhatever you do, make sure you do a trial run so you don't wind up with something that makes you a little miserable on your wedding day :)
Have a great wedding!!!
Bobby Earle
posted by bnlearle 55 posts 9 months agoSpray tanning works well and has no harmful effects!! Like bnlearle said, try it our first!
posted by ErinMarieMack 266 posts 9 months agoAs a person diagnosed with malignant melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) at 25, I'd say stay away from the tanning bed. Being pale or having tan lines is better than having a huge scar on your shoulder (or nose) or even being dead. There is no such thing as a "base" tan - it's all bad. I'd go the Jergens route, it works for me.
posted by jma19 364 posts 9 months agoTry the 6 second spray tans...they last about 5-7 days...the tan will deepen on the second day. The spray tans looked the best on me on days 3 and 4. It starts fading around day 5 and just about gone by day 7. The spray tans looked great on me...I didn't look orange at all. The only caveat is....make sure you rub all over after the misting to make sure is comes out even. Then thoroughly scrub your fingers and toes. Your nails do get a bit orange-y if you don't scrub well. I looked like a gardener who never washed her hands the first time I tried the spray tan. Do a couple of trial runs to see if you like it. Can't hurt and it's not permanent.
posted by Yach 234 posts 9 months agoI have tried the automated mist on tan and the airbrush tan, and I highly recommend the airbrush. My airbrush tan was even and looked pretty natural (I am extremely fair, so no tan looks totally natural on me). The automated spray tan turned out blotchy and stopped about two inches above my ankles. Also it faded within 3 days. The airbrush tan is applied by an actual person who can regulate where they spray - ie. no super dark knees and elbows. It's a bit more personal as you have someone spraying an airbrush a few inches from your skin while you stand there in just panties, but the results were worth it in my opinion. Mine lasted about 6 days. The cost wasn't that much more than the automated mist on tan. Maybe a $5-$10 difference.
posted by woody 12 posts 9 months agoI used to work for a dermatologist. Please don't tan. I remember crying with a 30-something woman who basically had her face mutilated during a procedure to remove her skin cancer. It was just so sad. All of the girls in the office used spray tans and looked great. I recommend Estee Lauder's tanning products. Don't forget to exfoliate first.
posted by Niki 433 posts 9 months agoAirbrush is much nicer than the automated Mystic tan or the ones you do yourself. I would not suggest a tanning bed to anyone. If you live in the Southern California area, I have a great lady that does my airbrush tans. Depending on how well you moisturize the airbrush tan lasts 5 - 10 days, looks completely natural, and a good airbrusher can customize the tan for you. Here is a link to who I use. http://www.konatanningcompany.com/about_us.html
posted by caliocteach 720 posts 9 months agoI've used Mystic tan before.. definitly plan to go at least 2-3 days before your wedding and try it out prior. Make sure you moisturize your hands and feet like they tell you to or else you;ll try orange.
I'm pretty fair and everytime I've done a mystic I've have streaks ... I got them on the back of my calves once becasue I didn't wipe off the tanner quick enough.
posted by Kimbeerlee 99 posts 9 months agoI live in LA and go to Kona Tanning too! How funny! Katie actually tanned my entire bridal party and I gotta tell you my photos were like magazine ads. We were all beautiful. I've never had a bad experience with them so I wouldn't worry about trying them for the first time for your wedding. :)
posted by AliB 1 posts 9 months agoIf you go the Mystic route, I cannot stress enough how important it is to do trials and practice with it. I've done it twice, and both times I ended up with the streaks that Kimbeerlee mentioned. Definately buff out the wrists and other joints. The last time I did it I had blotches on my wrists for the two weeks it lasted!
posted by Snowflakebride 5 posts 9 months agothanks so much ladies. i live in miami/ft. lauderdale area, so we do get plenty of sun, but i agree that its becoming too harmful. so im going to try the spray tanning to see if i like it. i'll probably go the airbrush route, since im hoping it'll come out more even. if i dont like it, there's always the self-tanning lotions and such, i'll def keep u guys posted. thanks again for all the responses!
posted by danibel 69 posts 9 months ago