To tan or not to tan...

Yellen · August 2009

So, who is going to be tanning for their wedding day? I can't decide. I don't do tanning beds because I don't want permanent damage from this. I was thinking either mystic (which I have tried before and have had good results with) or a gradual tan moisturizer.I guess the dilemma is looking like myself (hello albino olympics) or looking a little glowy without look fake.What about you?

anhngo · August 2009

I was really struggling with this decision too (plus I had tan lines from a BBQ a few weeks before the wedding). In the end I decided not to - and just went with my natural look for the wedding. I have seen a few brides or bridesmaids going a little too far with the tanning and wanted avoid the risk.

anglyn · August 2009

definetly try it well before the big day. I suggest in the winter when you can hide it if its bad with long sleeves and long pants.

Yellen · August 2009

I've tried it out several times and it looks good...me but darker. It's just that these photos will last forever and I don't know if I want to alter the way I look.

jackelbride · August 2009

I'm completely against tanning in my normal day to day life... but I have major tan lines so I'm hitting the tanning beds lightly the month prior to the wedding.I use to work at a tanning salon that offered spray tams... so I'm not going the airbrush or spray tan route. I think it looks weird and obvious.

nutmegmjk · August 2009

I really dislike tanning beds so I definitely won't be doing that. I just bought a strapless bathing suit top that I can wear for the rest of the summer to even out my tan. If I'm looking really pale when the time comes I might consider a spray tan, but I'll have to see what I look like closer to the big day.

jackelbride · August 2009

I would prefer to lay out to get a light natural tan to even out the lines but I don't get to see the sun often enough because I work too much and my weekends are packed!I have silly tan lines that are going to look dumb if I decide to wear my strapless dress. Tanning beds give me anxiety and I'm going to swear that I have skin cancer for months after... but what's a girl to do when it looks like you're wearing a tank top with no clothes on???

Yellen · August 2009

I'm the same way. I'm stuck in my office cave and wear tanks on weekends that give my sexy awkward shoulder tans that make it look like I am always wearing a tank top.I think I'll do the light gradual tan for a couple of days and back off when it's enough to cover the lines. I'll supplement with a little powder and call it a day.Thanks girls!

JP082009 · August 2009

I think I'm a little late to this one, but since I just got a Mystic tan yesterday I thought I'd offer my two cents.I am quite possibly the whitest person ever. Literally, people will point and stare if I wear shorts because I am that white. And I get really burned without getting tan, am worried about skin cancer/wrinkles, etc, so I don't want to go the tanning bed/outdoors route.I got the first Mystic tan a month before my upcoming wedding to try it out. I asked for the lightest possible shade they have, and made sure they use the "new and improved" solution -- the old one evidently causes a lot more streakiness and orangeness.It actually looked really good! There were a few small nonblended areas, mostly because I didn't know what I was doing. It lasted for about a week -- got darker for the first 24-48 hours and then gradually faded out. One downside is that the DHA (chemical in Mystic solution) can really dry your skin out, so lots of extra moisturizer starting the day after the tan is good. I'm getting married on Sunday and I just got a second Mystic tan yesterday (Thursday). It looks even better than the first one, and I no longer feel like some kind of albino snow creature. I did the last tan right before a dress fitting (two days after), so I know that it will look OK with the dress too.Sorry this is so long. I think the keys to not looking orange and weird is that if you are light-skinned, ask for the lightest possible shade application. There's no point in trying to look 10 shades darker than you are and it just leads to orangeness. Make sure to blend well afterwards by wiping all of your skin like you had gotten out of the shower. And use TONS of the blocking cream on your palms, cuticles of nails (including toenails), and between your toes and fingers.HTH!

StefandTodd · August 2009

I tanned before my wedding...for about 6 months or more leading up to it, very gradually. I figured 1) it was once in a lifetime and I didn't think the damage was going to be that significant for the one event, and 2) I was going to Hawaii for the honeymoon, so it would be good to have a good base. I was glad I did. That said, I ALSO did mystic about 3 days before my wedding to add to and enhance what I had done "naturally" (what else would you call it?? beddingly?? haaha), and I look back on my wedding pics with tan-glow envy. I was very happy with Mystic, but I did both. GL!

kpstowell · August 2009

I went to the tanning bed. I am not worried about 6 10+ minute tanning sessions doing permanent damage. I think anything that will make you look tan is better than nothing as long as it is done in moderation. You don't want to look pasty in photos...white dress...white skin....not so great. It also helps to even out your skin tone.

koolcat22 · August 2009

Hmm.. I just want to really thank everyone for their long posts because it has definitely helped me not to worry too much about using a tanning bed. I didn't know which to choose and know that when i've used self tanning spray on myself it just doesn't look right...2 months of 9 minutes tans should wrinkle me like a prune....

To tan or not to tan...

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