SalonAddict.ie: Tantastic

Summer is nearly here but instead of getting the winter white legs out for a good scorching, get a spray tan instead! Spray tans are very popular at the moment because you don’t have to expose your skin to any harmful UV rays. Also, we are all used to seeing them on MTV with the Jersey Shore and let’s face it we all look better with a tan!

The process is very simple. When you arrive in a salon to get a spray tan you will be brought into a little room and asked to undress. You may leave your underwear on but they can get covered in tan - most salons will leave a paper thong in the room to change into and a hair net! The therapist will ask you to perform various poses when they are using the spray tan gun. The therapists are all professionals and will make the process as comfortable as possible. Remember that when you leave after your first spray tan you will be very brown and the tan will possibly be a bit muddy looking - this is only the colour guide and comes off in the shower the next day.

Before going for your spray tan, here are some tips!
· Exfoliate and do any shaving the night before to remove the dead skin and ensure the tan goes on evenly.
· Do not wear deodorant, perfume, moisturiser or make up on the day.
· Wear loose clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit of tan on and bring flip flops so your shoes don’t get any tan on them.

· Ladies do not put the bra back on unless you want strap marks!
· For the best results leave on overnight and wash off the colour guide after it has been on your skin 8 hours, some tans developing times are quicker. We recommend leaving it on overnight
· Paint a coat of nail polish on your nails the night before so your nails are not tanned too.
· If you are going somewhere on a particular day we recommend getting your spray tan 2 days in advance so if it’s not dark enough, you can return it to the salon and ask for a top up. Also, if it’s too dark give it time to tone down or give yourself time to get used to it!
· Needless to say no water, no washing your hands or heavy sweating until the tan has developed!

After the tan has developed have a shower, bring the shower head down to your feet and rinse going upwards this ensures even removal. The next thing to remember is moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Load it on every day, this keeps the tan fresh for longer. The last thing you want is scaly looking skin, so no prolonged swimming or bathing because it will take the spray tan off you.

To remove your spray tan in a rush here is something you can do at home - mix up 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of baby oil and exfoliate your skin. The best way to do this is to have a long soak in the bath first, then dry your skin and exfoliate! Shower the remains of the scrub off and the tan comes off, you can repeat if necessary.

There are loads of spray tan brands to choose from! Fake tan is actually made by a substance found in sugar beet called dha’s which react with your skin to create the tan. Each brand has different levels of these and colouring! So we have worked very hard at SalonAddict.ie to find you a wide variety of salons with all kinds of tan brands to suit every skin tone! Please see the list below to find your favourite brand of spray tan.

4th Avenue Beauty Salon - Karora

Allure Beauty Salon - Heshi, White to Brown

Baggot Beauty - Tan Organic, Viva Liberata, White to Brown

Beaumont Beauty Clinic - TanTruth

Beauty Laine - Vanity Tan
Beauty & More - Crazy Angel

Core Beauty - Liquid gold

Couture Beauty - Liquid gold

Ebano - Crazy angel

Elaine’s Beauty Care - Fake Bake

Face Forward - Tan California

Indulge Hair and Beauty - Tan organic

Light Wave Beauty - White to Brown