Mystic Tan vs Airbrush Tan (review)

Sweet_Adeline

So I know a lot of ladies prefer to get the UV-free tan... I have to because I'm having a tattoo removed and you can't let the area get exposed to uv rays for a year after your last laser treatment..  Anyway, Last year I went to Vegas for a friends wedding, and I didn't want to be super pale (which I am naturally - pasty pale). 

I ended up getting an airbrush tan because their version of mystic tan wasn't working.  I really didn't like the results.  I could see the flecks of "mist" all over my skin like tiny freckles.  It just didn't seem to absorb at all.  On top of that, after I had been sitting on the plane for 3 hours all of the mist congealed in the creases of my bikini line, and looked awful.  Not that anyone but me and FI would see it - October in Vegas is warm but NOT pool weather, lol.  I was just disappointed with the whole thing. The tan lasted barely 2 days (was fairly non existent by the day of the actual wedding) and was something like $35 ish for the one session.

Fast forward to today. We are having our e-pics done tomorrow (YAY!!!) and I am, again, all pasty.  So I opted for actual Mystic Tan.  I went to the Desert Sun on Bellevue Way in downtown Bellevue because they have a newer machine called "MyMyst".  The girl there recommended a level two (out of 3) so that I wouldn't wake up tomorrow SUPER dark.  I got a package of 4 "tans" for $45... they had larger packages that ended up saving more money per tan, but I wanted to make sure that I liked it, after the terrible airbrush incident.

Okay, so I LOVE it.  The machine sprays you front and back, then on your right and left sides.  I did it about 4 hours ago, and I already can tell a HUGE difference. I'm not super tan by any means, but I my skin just has a lot healthier glow to it now.  I'm excited to see what it will look like tomorrow.  I would be happy with just a touch darker. 

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience because I know I was really curious how it would turn out.

ahuette

Question: when you went to dessert sun, did they try to sell you on, oh I foget what they call it - tropical cocktail or something along those lines.  Where you tan in a bed first and then do the mystic tan?  Many years ago I used dessert sun and they told me that a mystic tan stays longer if you regular tan first.  Thinking back on it now from your post - I think they told me that to get me to purchase more.  I was just curious if they still push it when you go in to say you are there for a mystic tan.

Also, did you use the clear or the bronze?  I've always used the clear but I'm interested to know how deep the broze goes in one shot.  I'm scared I'll turn Snookie orange.

Sweet_Adeline

She didn't mention the tropical cocktail (I remember them trying to sell me on that a few years ago when I did conventional tanning), but that could be because I told them that I can't do the real tanning.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I got the clear solution. 

Kahalagurl

i didn't realise they were that affordable...now im interested, more to even out tan lines rather than get darker

dbraulik

Interesting. I am super pale also... and I can't do Mystic Tan. I come out orange. But I can do airbrush tanning. I get a nice glow and it lasts for a week.