how to apply a self tanner Archives - Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty®

Dec 24 2016

Self tanning myths – How to properly prep for a sunless tan

I am sure you have read to “Shower & Shave right before applying a self tanner or getting a spray tan”

No No No! I see so many beauty bloggers or spray tan salons advising to exfoliate, shower & shave right before applying self-tanner and it makes me crazy! You do NOT want to do this before application or before your spray tan session. This can actually hinder your self-tanning results!

Why you ask?

Doing so can result in a lighter tan and a patchy or streaky development! Scrubs, exfoliants, soaps, hair conditioners, shampoo, shaving cream and other products leave an invisible film on the skin. This can affect the tan and result in a patchy or streaky application.

Let’s break it down some more and I will explain why many common self-tanning problems occur:

First off, when you shower right before you are hydrating your skin. When you apply the self-tanner (or get a spray tan) right after (even a few hours after) your skin will not absorb as much of the product since your skin is already hydrated! Anytime I see spray tan solution being repelled by my client’s skin it is because they always showered right before,

Streaky legs? -Chances are you shaved right before. Shaving creams and razors with moisturizing strips leave an invisible film blocking the absorption of the sunless tanner. In some cases you did not rinse long enough and some of the cosmetic bronzer did not wash off. Do another quick rinse to see if this solves the issue.

Specks on your legs (in your pores)? -Chances are that you showered right before application. The hot water opened up your pores and it absorbed more of the bronzer pigment (Tip- before tanning do a very quick cold water rinse to close them up)

Tan came out very light?- Chances are that you showered right before. And as discussed your skin was not absorbing all of the product.

Patchy Tan? – Chances are you showered or exfoliated right before and the product residue created a barrier which prevented product from being absorbed in areas. Or you did not exfoliate at all and the skin was not an even canvas. (Read further below for more info on this)

Tan did not last long– Same reason as why it caused it to be light (plus you are possibly not using the proper aftercare products)

Tan faded bad– This happens when you apply more self-tanner /spray tan on your body without scrubbing the other one off first. Or you do not use the right aftercare products (cleansers) and a poor body moisturizer.

So here are my expert recommendations:

Start your exfoliating a few days before your spray tan session or the day you are going to apply the self-tanner. Do not exfoliate the day of! Exfoliation is very important so the skin can be a clean even canvas. If self-tanner or gradual tanning lotion is applied on uneven skin, the older dead skin cells will come off first causing the tan to possibly fade poorly.

Do any waxing, pedicures or shaving at least 24 hours before.

Do not shower or apply any soaps (especially Dove) oils, lotions, perfumes or deodorant to the skin the day of the tan. These can create a barrier preventing the self-tanner from fully developing or resulting in patching or streaking.

Follow these recommendations and I guarantee you will see great results!

Have any more questions? Please check out my website Q&A or feel free to contact me for more information.

Melissa Weinberg is a South Florida spray tan expert, educator. She is the creator of Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty® and Perfect Glow Sunless™ a premium line of professional spray tan solution used by professional salons and spas all over the world. Providing custom spray tans in the areas of South Florida including Wellington, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Royal palm beach,

Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach

Mar 16 2016

Fake tanners for fair skin-will I turn orange?

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I get many emails asking me if my self tanners are good for very fair skin. If you are reading this then chances are that you as well have turned that dreaded orange from a self tanner or spray tan salon. Many of these women describe themselves as being redheads with freckles, or very pale that have never been able to achieve a tan in the sun. They ask me if I think that self tanning is just not for them.

Well the answer is NO 🙂 The problem is that unfortunately they just have not found the right product or have been to an experienced salon. Many times a little extra coaching on to what product is best for them is what they need and tips on how to use it properly. Orange comes from the following:

A salon using a product too strong for your skin tone
The tech having a heavy hand and applying too much product on your skin.
You had picked a self tanning product too strong for your skin tone ( Just because you want extra dark does not mean your skin can take it).
The product has a low quality form of dha.
You had a heavy hand and applied too much product to your skin causing it to over process.

I was born a redhead with freckles and my tanning experience was burning and peeling (ouch) I had the thought that even if my freckles connected that looked somewhat like a tan and was better than being pasty. Growing up in Long Island I would crave the summers and recall even sitting on the tar roof slathered in baby oil (No wonder why I experience skin cancer now)

So I turned to sunless tanning and before I became a spray tan professional I have experienced all the same things as you have. So I want to share my professional tips on how to get that beautiful sunless tan that you are craving for.

First off, self tanners are not magic they are a cosmetic. Just because you want super dark does not mean that your skin will cooperate. There are different levels for a reason and that is because there are different skin tones. The depth of color that you will pull will be dependent on your starting natural skin tone and if you are able to achieve a tan in the sun.

So even if a product shows a picture of a super dark Mediterranean looking goddess and labeled a “Extra Dark” shade, if you are a ginger and buy that type of product I can guarantee you that you will be orange. It is just wishful thinking and many times it is not the self tanners fault, but the consumer who fortunately did not pick the right shade for their skin or just applied too much. So always read product labels as to recommendations and usage instructions.

Why is this you ask? The simple answer is because DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is the main ingredient in all sunless products. The darker the shade the higher level the DHA. And certain skin tones can only take so much dha before they start to turn orange. I know it is not fair but you cant change genetics. So even though you want to be dark, just because the label says so does not mean it is going to happen. So us pale pasty people need to start low and see what our threshold is.

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With my self tanning products I recommend using them the same way that I would spray tan a client coming in my salon. I always recommend that very fair skin tones start off conservative. You can always add color but you cant take it away. So if you can not tan in the sun you have to be careful and start off and use a light shade or a light application.

If I have friends coming in together for a spray tan session and the pasty one says she wants to be the same color as her olive toned friend, I explain that it will not happen. I can spray each of them with the same color solution and each of them will pull a totally different color. So the same concept also applies with self tanners. Unlike painting a white piece of paper where the outcome of 10 pieces of paper will be identical , there is body chemistry involved with self tanners. The sunless tan is going to develop by interacting with your skin undertones.

Not everyone can get a dark tan and some people can only realistically handle a glow and anything higher will cause them to look unnatural, So I always say start light and gradually push the envelope.

What I would suggest my customers start out with is the following:

If you choose the regular self tanning mousse ( Medium to dark shade) start off by applying only one coat. That will adjust it to a light shade. If after developing it looks natural on you then the next time you can apply 2 coats and test it.

If you use the rapid mousse, the leave on times are from 1 hour for a light tan to 4 hours for a dark. So again, just because you want dark does not mean your skin can handle dark. So for the first application I would only keep it on for 1 hour and then rinse off (just water no soap ) and that would be the equivalent of what I would tan you with if you came into my salon.

If once it developed the color looked fine the next time you could leave it on a little longer say an hour and a half. Then if good then the next time do 2 hours etc…The longer you leave the product on the darker it gets. So with fair skin you have to be careful and start conservative. I call it baby steps. (And remember that with the ️rapid mousse you won’t see immediate color after rinsing. It still takes 8-10 hours to develop) So wait until the next day before you do another application.

Another option is the gradual tanner . It is not an instant option but this is a great a fail safe way to build your glow if you just want something very natural. Use the lotion 2x a day and the perfect glow will build over 4-5 days. Just stop applying when your desired level of color is achieved.

CLICK TO SHOP

So I know first hand there is hope for us pale people. It is all about choosing the right products and starting off conservative. Any questions please feel free to contact me at Info@mwmelissaweinberg.com

Melissa Weinberg

Melissa Weinberg is the creator of Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty® and Perfect Glow Sunless™. She is the South Florida sunless tanning expert and her products are used by salons and spas worldwide.

Dec 04 2015

Self Tanning tips and demo

When applying a self tanning product proper preparation is very important. It can make a huge difference in how the tan will last and adhere to the skin. Here is a Youtube video I did explaining some great tips.

Nov 25 2015

The Best self tanning mousse

Thank you to Brady for taking the time to review the Rapid self tanning mousse!

This self tanning mousse is a rapid development. Rinse off in 1-4 hours based on your skintone and the darkness you are looking to achieve. This foaming mousse is a gorgeous proprietary color that you won’t find anywhere else! Paraben free and will give you the best self tanning results without any odor or streaking. Recommended for use with a tanning mitt (sold separately) Size- 4.2 oz

SHOP: https://mwmelissaweinberg.com/shop/
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Argan oil, Blackberry seed oil, caffeine, meadowfoam seed oil

Directions:

Exfoliate the skin a day before to prepare for the tan. Do not use any lotions, oils or perfumes on the day you are applying the self tanning mousse as they can create a barrier causing the tan to develop poorly. Apply mousse in circular motion on clean skin.

Skin tones that can tan in the sun can apply 2 light coats.
Very fair skin that always burns and never tans- start off with 1 coat to avoid risking an unnatural color.

(If after your shower you want to be darker then it is OK to apply another application . When in doubt always start of with a lighter application. If unsure a patch test is always recommended. *Contains nut extracts )
WHEN TO SHOWER:
This is my recommended time frame to leave on before rinsing:

1 hour- light
2 hours- medium
3 hours- medium/dark)
4 hours- dark

This self tanner is not recommended to be left on for over 4 hours.
If you are very fair client that can not achieve a tan in the sun or are not sure how long to leave it on it is recommended that you start at 1 hour and gradually increase it next time.

You can not get wet or sweat until your rinse as that can adversely affect the tan development. The rinse should be with water only no soap. Refrain from using any oils, perfume or lotion on your skin until the next day as the tan will continue to develop over the next 24 hours.

**Please note** When you rinse off you might not have much initial color. It might even look like you washed the tan away. That is normal as the color will still take 8-10 hours to develop.

Sep 19 2015

How to use a self tanner

When choosing a self tanner there are many on the market and the choices can be overwhelming. However it is important to realize that there are more factors beside color. While of course that is crucial, the quality of ingredients will be a huge factor in the color, longevity and fade and if it is drying to your skin. The self tanning mousse & gradual tanning lotion from Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty is the best on the market and will last while providing a beautiful tan and flawless coverage. Below is great information on how to use a self tanner and Tips on using the best self tanning products.

This self tanning foam is made with same luxury spray tan solution as found in the top selling solution from Perfect Glow Sunless ( The professional spray tan division of Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty) This premium self tanning mousse contains ingredients that will nourish your skin while providing a gorgeous tan. Free of parabens and other nasty ingredients that can be found in other self tanners.

Your skin will feel hydrated and nourished. Formulated with key ingredients such as Sunflower oil, Olive oil, Coconut oil, Argan oil, green tea and White Tea extracts. No orange, streak free and non blotchy. I recommend appliying with a tanning mitt to ensure flawless coverage and to avoid staining of the hands.

Here are some answers to the most common questions.

How do I prepare for the self-tanning application?

You want to prepare the same way you would for a regular airbrush tanning session. It is imperative that you exfoliate your skin the day before or even for a few days leading up to the day you are going to apply the self-tanner. I recommend you use exfoliating gloves and refrain from a scrub that contains oils unless it is more than a day before your appointment.

Exfoliation is very important so the skin can be a clean even canvas. If self-tanner or gradual tanning lotion is applied on uneven skin, the older dead skin cells will come off first causing the tan to possibly fade poorly. Do any waxing or shaving at least 24 hours before. And remember. No oils, lotions, perfumes or deodorant the day of the tan. These can create a barrier preventing the self-tanner from fully developing.

Do not shower right before applying the self-tanner as the steam will open the pores and can adversely affect the tan by not absorbing all of the tanning product. I recommend at least showering 4 hours before (no soap or body wash) & if you absolutely must shower before your appointment do not use very hot water. Just do a quick rinse and refrain from using soap or body wash .

What is the best way to apply the product?

If you are using the tanning mousse I highly recommend you apply this with a self-tanning mitt. This will ensure no mess to your hands and provide a flawless, streak free application. Apply mousse in circular motion on clean skin. *Tip* If you are using the mitt and it is too big for your hand put a sock or 2 on your hand first. (This will help the mitt fit more snug to prevent it from moving around)

If you are using the gradual tanning lotion, apply like you would a regular body moisturizer in a circular motion. Make sure you wash or wipe down the palms of your hands to avoid staining and discoloration. Go lightly on the hands and feet with both products. These are the driest areas of the skin and tend to absorb more of the solution causing a darker more unnatural appearance. You can put a very light layer of moisturizer on those areas before to help with this.

What is the best way to apply the mousse to the back which is hard to reach? –

We all know that this is the most annoying part of applying self tanner. It is always a pain in the “you know what” to get the back. Many times somebody does not have a friend with them or somebody at home to help them get those hard to reach spots. So they wind up missing parts of their back because they cannot reach it. ( Ummm, not a great look when wearing tank tops) So here is a great fix that I came up with that you could do that so simple!! Put a spatula in your tanning mitt and fasten it with a hair tie, ribbon, string or rubber band. Now you can get those hard to reach areas and the mitt is snug and won’t move.

How much product should I use?

When it comes to self-tanning remember the golden rule of less is more! You can always go back and reapply more if you are not dark enough after the first application. That is a much better result than over applying and turning an unnatural shade! If you are extremely fair and cannot tan in the sun start off by applying just 1 coat of the mousse or use the gradual tanning lotion only once per day. Skin tones that are darker and that can tan nicely in the sun can apply 2 coats of the self-tanning mousse or use the gradual tanner up to 2x a day. *Remember to err on the side of caution and start easy as you can always increase* Many times when a person looks orangey it is the result of not the product but due to a heavy hand applying too much product *

How long until my tan develops?

You will see instant color due to a cosmetic bronzer. The actual tan will take from 8-12 hours to fully develop, so do NOT shower or get wet until that time as you will risk washing off the self-tanner. When you finally shower you will see color washing off. Do not be alarmed as that is just the cosmetic bronzer that is washing off. You will have a beautiful tan underneath. Do not use any loofas, washcloths, anything exfoliating or bar soaps containing Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS) .When getting out of the shower BLOT your skin with a towel. Pat dry and DO NOT RUB!

How long after do I have to wait to exercise?

Do not exercise or do anything that will make your sweat. Refrain from ANY skin to skin contact until you have showered. If you do not follow this you will be preventing the tan from fully developing which can result in patches and streaking

How often should I moisturize after a spray tan?

Moisturizing is a crucial part post tan. Do not moisturize until AFTER you take your first shower. After that you must moisturize at least 2x per day. The DHA in the tanning lotion reacts to the outer layers of the skin. The more you moisturize will delay natural exfoliation which will prolong your tan. If you don’t, your skin will get dry and your tan will fade quickly & fade poorly. Drugstore moisturizers are not the best products to use. I have products that are made specifically for sunless tanning. They will hydrate and extend your tan because they do not contain drying alcohols or SLS which can strip and fade a tan. You really should use the proper maintenance products so you can get your money’s worth and get longevity out of the application.

Do I still need sunscreen after using a self tanning product?

YES!! There is no SPF protection from a spray tan. You will not be protected against UV rays and will still burn. If you peel the sunless tan will peel off as well.

I always burn in the sun and never tan. Can I still get a sunless tan?

Absolutely! If you are someone who always burns in the sun (Like myself!) and therefore has never been able to tan, you can achieve a sunless tan. Just start with a light application to avoid an unnatural color.
How long will it last?

It will last anywhere from 5-9 days depending on how diligent you follow post tan instructions and moisturizing. Remember a fake tan is on the outer layer of the skin, so anything you do to cause exfoliation will cause the tan to fade quicker. It is imperative that you moisturize at least 2x a day and avoid hot baths, pools and hot tubs. I highly recommend using the luxurious body lotion or tan extender by Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty. They were formulated specifically for sunless tanning and do not contain any Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS) parabens or drying alcohols. It can help extend your airbrush tan for up to 2 weeks in some cases.

Can I shave or wax?-

Yes, but I do it at least 24 hours before your apply the self-tanning mousse. If any sooner the wax or cream will provide a barrier against the skin preventing it from being absorbed. Do not shower or bathe for at least 8-10 hours after application. If you do not wait the recommended time it can prevent your tan from fully developing. The longer you can wait the better. I recommend waiting 10-12 hours for optimum results

Here are some tips to remember

When you first shower you will see color washing off. Don’t be alarmed as that is only the cosmetic bronzer from the application and your developed tan is not washing off.

Do not wash your hands or get them wet for at least 8 hours after application. Use rubber gloves if you have to use the sink for anything.

Wear loose fitting dark clothing after application. Avoid socks & boots until the tan fully develops (I recommend flip flops or sandals with an open toe) it washes off most fabrics but can temporally stain some clothes. Do not wear wool, silk or nylon immediately after as it can stain those materials. Avoid wearing anything red as that color can make the tan turn green!

Avoid the rain until after you shower. Water can ruin or hinder the development of a sunless tan so make sure you have an umbrella and watch for puddles if you need to go out. Do not let pets lick your sunless tan.

Wait at least 24 hours to shave as shaving can cause fading. Try to shave only as needed & use a sharp new razor & hair conditioner instead of shaving cream.

Do not do any spa treatments for a few days after your tan (pedicures, waxing, massages) as these treatments can fade or remove the tan.

Avoid any waxing, baby oil, mineral oil or massage oil

This can be purchased here: https://mwmelissaweinberg.com/
Please contact me with any questions at info@mwmelissaweinberg.com and happy tanning ! xo- Melissa

Melissa Weinberg is the founder of Perfect Glow Sunless and Melissa Weinberg Tanning & Beauty. She also provides spray tan training and is the South Florida sunless tanning expert .

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