Spray on Tan disaster. 3 weeks until Holiday - please help!

[PatchyNora]

Going to Thailand in 3 weeks. It's a massive deal to me, just me and my partner, luxurious once in a lifetime adults holiday.

So because I'm pale chicken skinned and frumpy looking I decided to use Garnier Solaire spray on tanning mist. It looked gorgeous at first but after a bit full on patches and lines accured! My arm has a line down it where one side is tanned and the other side brilliant white!! FFS. And it won't come off.

What do I do??? I was so careful! any chance I could "patch it up" myself or will that make it look worse? don't know what to do :-(

Secondly once I've sorted this mess out, do I just go for a proper spray on tan at a salon or will that go streaky and daft once I hit the swimming pool??

Don't patch it up yourself! It should fade pretty quickly and be gone in a week or so. Gently exfoliate every day until it's gone.

Before your holiday I recommend St Tropez mousse. They do a gradual tan version too. I don't get any streaks with it and if you just do one coat it gives you a subtle, even tan.

Fake bake is also good. Make sure you use a mitt with either.

I've had tan disasters from salon sprays before so if you go for one make sure the therapist and brand of tan come recommended.

I have tried spray and St Tropez the latter being much better and lasted much longer.

The advantage I found with a rub all over tan was that it gave a better finish and I didn't get bitten to death abroad ( Thailand/Aussie trip)

You can use tomato ketchup on cotton wool / a flannel to remove the tan now but it will fade before you go away - 3 weeks is ages.

A spray tan WILL eventually go patchy in chlorine / salt water. It will 'lift' it. But I'd get one and then use a gradual tanner after your shower in the evening; exfoliate gently in the shower and then use a gradual tan in place of your after sun or get an after sun with tan in it.

You'll be gently buffing off the spray tan but replacing it with your gradual and the gentle exfoliation will mean your real tan will last longer!