Wedding tanning

ayeshaqureshi00

I'm getting married in July and would like to enhance my already natural tan. I DO NOT want to be unnatural, merely enhanced. I don't go to the tanning bed though, as I prefer to take care of my skin. Does anyone have any experience with spray tans? How long do they last? We will be taking our honeymoon two days after the wedding and will be in St. Thomas. Will the spray tan act as an impediment to a natural tan developing? I appreciate any input!

fallbride1109

Definitely try out any spray or airbrush tanning well in advance of your wedding to see how you like it, how long it lasts, etc.  Most spray tans only last 3-5 days, less if you exfoliate while showering.  I got one 2 days before the wedding.  I had actually planned to get another one on Sunday before we left for Hawaii on Monday but was too exhausted.   

Spray tans do not contain any UV protection so you would still need to wear sunscreen on your HM. 

amagwire

Agree, try going to a reputable salon now to try spray tans now.  I do not like tans, period, so I won't have this issue.  But you need to figure out now what will look natural on you. Good luck!

Karen's MOH

Agree that you  must try it out well in advance of the wedding! I've never done a spray tan, but I do like the St. Tropez mousse. It's pretty dark though, so if you just want something subtle, what about one of the daily use kind, like Jergen's or whatever? For me it takes the edge off of the winter white, If you do a spray, make sure to scrub the bottom of your feet and check your face. My sister has done it a couple of times and got really brown edges of her feet once, and breathed in as it started once and had huge brown streaks going up to her nostrils! She wiped them off before they set, so just check the mirror!

And no, it won't affect how you actually tan at all, although it will make it harder to see real tan lines and such, so you need to be extra vigilant about the sunscreen since you won't have the natural cues before you burn.

ElleTR13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_wedding-tanning?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:cdf831b8-2b49-48e8-9e89-34d547d35dbbPost:37ef9e2e-a0ec-4c76-9ff6-e487cf5cbc13">Re: Wedding tanning</a>:
[QUOTE]I say go to the tanning bed once a week or so and start building up a good base. Then you won't be as susceptible to burn while you're on your honeymoon. I think spray tanning looks too oompa loompa-like.
Posted by lisamarie19791429[/QUOTE]

Personally, though I want to look great on my day,  I wouldn't up my chances of skin cancer for ONE day. And there is no such thing as a "base tan".

I've never had a spray tan, but if I go that route I will experiment a couple of months before. However, I'm an April bride so noone will expect me to look like I just stepped off the yacht :)