Ever had a spray tan in a booth?

[WellTidy]

DH and I are going away to the sun next weekend without the children. First time in years. I am very pale skinned and always look better when I have some colour. It makes me feel better too. I don't tan naturally, so I will need to fake it. I've googled tanning places near me and they are all VersaSpa Pro booths, which I've never done before. Does anyone have any experience of them (as if I end up looking like a mottled moth, it will ruin my break!)?

Yes it smells and it's bloody freezing but the results are nice. If you are very pale you might only want one coat. Have only one coat on your face in any case. When I had two coats I was so dark I looked ridiculous.

Definitely only one coat for me then Once! I am pale and don't want to look super bronzed, just to have a bit of colour.

I won't get a spray tan any other way than in a Versa Spa, I bloody love them!

That's great to know Peach. Thank you. I am feeling a bit better now. What is your skin tone, do you mind me asking, and do you get the choice of one to two coats, and is the whole process idiot-proof?

Never heard of versa but I do get spray tans quite often from my beauty therapist.
Aren't you afraid of ending up like Ross in Friends?

Sorry this is not helpful, my former manager used to have these done and alI I could think of was Ross from Friends.

Less is definitely more

I have a few times and as long as you follow the instructions I think you get a good even tan with them. Definitely recommend going for the lightest option, I had a choice of light, medium or heavy I think? There were 3 levels and I looked a bit intense with the middle level and much better with the lowest.

Do you have to count one mississippi
Two mississippi three mississippi
I think that's where Ross went wrong.

I am very very afraid of ending up dark a la Ross in Friends, yes! It is making me very nervous as it will ruin, ruin I say, my weekend away if I look like that.

I think you will be safe enough Tidy. The tanners know what they are doing. Just be aware that if you go for a dip in a pool your tan will fade. Pat dry with a towel don't rub.
Be careful when washing your hair before the tan has developed. I washed mine over the bath and ended up with two white strips going down my chest from where my wet hair had drpiped.

ok Maud I will give it a go. Thanks. I am ok with the tan fading, as we're only away for 4 days. I don't need it to really last, just give me a bit of all over colour.

Two of my friends have done and both got tangoed.

yes - I've done this and had great results.

I've used Mystic tan which the Tanning Shop has. Here are my tips:

1. Levels - they have 1,2 and 3. I found 2 is the best for me. 1 is to light and 3 too fake - but if you've never used it before you may be better with a one (also if you are fair/ginger).

1. Exfoliate like a crazy fool the night before you go and slather your whole body in moisturiser and lotion. Concentrate on dry patches like knees elbows, ankles, heels. Put on your pyjamas and go to bed fully moisturised. In the morning, have a shower and don't put on any moisturiser and go to the booth bare skinned.

1. Make sure you use a heap of barrier cream on your palms and finger and toe nails - this spray stuff is evil to get off if you get it on the wrong place - layer it very thickly onto palms and finger nails. I also do a very light swipe of barrier cream on my knees because they go orange otherwise as dry - so I would also swipe barrier cream on any dry patches you have. By a light swipe I mean rub a small amount between your palms and then rub them over the dry zone.

A friend swears by wearing footlets in the booth (so you don't need barrier cream on soles of feet or toe nails) and then does a bit of blending/rubbing on the parts that are concealed when she gets out but I've never tried.

When you get out, make sure you properly clean out your nostrils with the wet wipe thing - has a tendency to linger there.

I think a lot of this I learned here actually!

Also - once you've had it done, plan to not have a shower/bath for ideally 24 hours or at least over night - and no getting sweaty/exercise.

Sleep in dark coloured long sleeve jamas to stop colour spread and I use an old pillow case.