Spray tans - yay or nay?

[TheCunnyFunt]

It's my sisters wedding at the end of the month and I'm a bridesmaid, we have lovely sage green dresses that are kneelength. I have horrible legs, whiter than milk and with weird pimply things all over them. My arms however, are nicely tanned. I really don't want to walk down the aisle with hideous legs (I know people won't be looking at me, but just incase the odd person actually does! And I'll feel self concious all day about them) we have open toed sandals too so tights are a no-go. I hate getting my legs out, this is why I have an extensive collection of maxi dresses.

Is a spray tan a good idea or will I end up looking like an original Oompa Loompa? Do different places have different quality sprays? I.e, if I go to a cheapie place will it be a bit crap?

Hhhm, I was about to say 'no way', until I got to the bit where your arms don't match your legs. In which case I might just go for it .

I hated the one and only spray tan I had. The experience itself was awful (freezing cold and noxious fumes) but it also stank to high heaven and made my skin beyond dry. Never had one again. Why don't you just DIY? Get loreal dry mist tanning spray, do your legs and follow up on the day with Sally Hanson.

Try leg make up if you are not keen? Experiment with different shades and see how you get on.
If no joy then I would def say yay. They do different shades so don't go too dark.
I am in Essex though where, n my recent experience, most people are fake tanned before attending weddings and any vaguely special occasion.

I tried that loreal mist stuff. Thought I'd done it really well then when the colour showed I swear I looked like this. not a good look at all.

I had a good one - Fantasy Tan - you can choose how subtle or not the colour will be. So it could match your arms. Didn't smell or streak. And like the OP I was very very wary, never had one before, but very pleased with the results

I really think you should get one done.

Go to a proper salon and explain the situation.

If you do it yourself it could go streaky and look naff.

There's a place in town called Tanglo. Doesn't sound very promising :o

My friend told me about the place she goes to, £12. I'm not going there. My friend looks like an Oompa Loompa.

I would go for a fake tan that is massaged in - like a St Tropez treatment, they will exfoliate etc find a good beauty salon.

Have had spray tans before and they always look patchy to me.

You also have to leave all dignity at the door and then get cold sprayed all over by a skinny beautician who asks you to hoick your saggy boobs up so she can spray under them

you say you have pimples on your legs. Do you mean KP
www.nhs.uk/conditions/keratosis-pilaris/Pages/Introduction.aspx

i get this and find it gets better for sunshine or (contraversially) light sunbed use. I also find exfoliating and moisturising helps and make sure i shave legs top and bottom with a clean razor every couple of days as a efficient exfoliator.
I find a holiday skin type self tanner makes the bumps less noticeable too. I really like the nivea one and the dove one, and i go for medium to dark, as its still more subtle than a normal fake tan, but not a waste of time like the fair versions

Yes Dinah that's it! I never realised it was actually a skin condition with a name! I just thought I had horrid legs :o

Bollocks I feel quite reassured. I went to the place I'm planning on going and both staff in there were far from skinny! I'm not too fussed about my dignity now :)

Erm, how naked do you have to go?

I've had a Fake Bake spray tan a few weeks ago. It looked fab at first but now has gone horribly patchy.

I preferred the effect of the lotion tan I had - this one didn't go patchy, it faded gradually (also Fake Bake).

For a spray tan you need to have everything off except knickers really. Lotion tanning feels more comfortable as they cover you with towels.

Oh, and for a spray tan you need to exfoliate first because they don't do it in the salon. For a lotion tan, they should exfoliate you first in the salon.

The one they do is called Sienna X according to the price list, £16 full body.

Try macs face and body foundation and then you can get make up setting spray so it stays in place.

The key to a successful fake tan is to only tan a couple of shades darker. When fair skinned English/Celtic people have a yearning to look Southern Mediterranean it ends in disaster.

If it's only your legs you could always just use Sun Shimmer (looks awful when you squirt it on but rubs in well) or Sally Hansen's leg spray thingy. Both of these wash off.

Don't have Sienna - it looks orange! (I wonder if you're in the west midlands?) Fake Bake is a much more natural shade. I loved the colour on me and normally I'm white all over (and quite like that too).

I'm a redhead and quite often get a spray tan. I actually prefer the sienna x to fake bake. It will only go orange if they put too much on, a good salon will ask exactly what you are looking for.
As other posters have said, if you do decide on a spray tan make sure you properly exfoliate the night before and don't wear any deodorant as it will turn green. Also wear really loose clothing.

Yay! I do them for a living. My clientele are ahem mature, fussy and a bit on the posh side. They really like them.

But...go for a fairly light colour - 8 or 10% is what you need to ask for.

And when they tell you to exfoliate and moisturise your skin in the days leading up to your tan, they ain't kidding.

I'm in Lincolnshire so somewhere near the mids-ish.

I'm curious now, what will happen if I don't exfoliate?

Nothing really, but your tan will not last as long and it may be streaky. If the product goes on to dead skin cells, they will come off when you've had a shower and dried yourself, etc and the result will not be as good and certainly won't last.

You also need to exfoliate after the treatment (3 or so days after imo and then regularly so that the tan fades evenly). If you use a body moisturiser (or face) it needs to be oil free or it will break down the tan.

It is true that how you look entirely depends on your skin type so maybe try a couple of different treatments out now and next week so that you can decide what to use for the wedding.

If you dont fancy a fake tan, how about the instant tan stuff. I have got the fake bake one and it just takes off the blue overtones of my legs! Doesnt really notice but just makes the legs look a bit less persil automatic whiter than white. Let it dry properly. Showers off.

Depending on your shoes you could also try toeless tights. I love them in the summer. M&S do them.

I love a spray tan I usually have fantasy tan.