Spray tans - any good?

[DietDiva]

I was thinking of booking a spray tan to give me a bit colour for a party at the weekend. Are these any good never had one before. Its for Saturday night - what day would be best to get it done?

Eek! Be careful! I have had this done twice and looked like Donnatella Versace both times. A streaky Donatella at that..
Personally,I think if you are very fair as I am it can look really harsh.It seems to show up every blemish on my skin.
If you do decide to go for it,exfoliate well,and moisturise elbows,knees and ankles very well.It takes 2 days to "calm down". Obviously that is just my experience.I'm sure plenty of others have loved it.
Now I use Johnsons Tinted Body Moisturiser. Goes on so easily,no smell,no streaks and gives a lovely even glow. I have a wedding on Friday,and will start applying it tonight.And do so everynight until Friday.A friend prefers the Dove version.Boots and Tesco etc do it.Leaves skin lovely and moisturised too.
Have fun at the party!

Spray tans are brilliant if they are done well and AWFUL if not. I would have a trial done first rather than first one for a big event. Some formulas will look more orange and some more brown and natural (depends on your skin to some degree). Also, the spray tanner should know how much to put on your skin to get the right effect. Orange streaky tans arise from too much spray tan applied in the wrong formula. To avoid streaks it is also a good idea to let it dry thoroughly before you dress (in some salons this means standing in the nud for 10 mins with a fan on you!). A good spray tan is a few shades darker than your skin tone and very even. When I have a good one done, people admire my tan and don't even realise it is fake - so much better than self-applied.

Best day to get it done for a sat function is Thursday night in my opinion.

But this time around I would opt for a gradual tanner like woops suggests.

But coffeenut,how do you KNOW if someone is good? I would give it a go again,but those last times I was recommended the places,as people said this girl/salon were brilliant?

Yes, agree with the above. Gradual tanners better.

I have sworn off spray tans. You end up smelling like soggy cornflakes... for days!

No.

I would go for a beautician hand applied tan rather than a spray - more expensive but better coverage.

Exfoliate and moisturise lots this week then get your tan applied on the thurs / fri but don't plan to go out that night as you'll look like you're coverd in gravy.

I tried a salon sprayed fake bake tan - never again!

DH couldn't look at me as he was so horrified and in the morning DS asked why I was orange!

I did a gradual spray tan at The Tanning Shop and that was better, a gentle glow rather than a glowing orange look.

Great if you want to look like an orange imo if you want a bit of a tan, get the moisturiser with gradual tan in it, do it everyday for 4 days (less if you have reached the desired colour and you might need help with your back unless you can dislocate your shoulders) and you wont smell like a fish smothered in air freshner.

i was ok
fake bake one

I always think of Ross in Friends

I have had bad and good. You really just have to hunt around and find a good salon and good formula for you. I always try to find salons who use a particular type of spray tan (name escapes me, something like "tahitian" spray tan) because I know it goes brown rather than orange on me. I have had a nasty donatella orange experience (done for a friend's wedding eek) and never want to repeat that! Look for recommendations and reviews online - I found the best one on a bridal review forum.

If you are worried that the colour is going too deep, then shower after 8 hours - don't wait overnight as they recommend. And apply moisturiser to knees, palms, elbows but DO NOT touch it onto anywhere else.

thanks for all the replies.

I've been to shops and bought st tropez gradual tan & just found doves self tanning lotion in cupboard that I forgot I had.

Anyone tried the st tropez gradual tan?