Stay Out of the Sun!!! Custom Airbrushing Tips & Tricks from Weslie Christensen

No one wants to look like Magda from There’s Something About Mary [ circa 1998 ].

So call me weird, but I’m a real stickler when it comes to staying out of the sun/using tons of SPF [ say yes to hats, say NO to wrinkles!! ].

When it comes to custom airbrush tanning, I’m definitely no pro. I mean, I’m an avid spray tan lover [ esp. iTan’s Versa Spa ], but I’ve never really been custom airbrushed.

Today the gorg Skinny Conf beauty expert, Weslie [ also find her over @ Love Chugs ] is spilling all her profesh secrets.

Here ya go, sexies:

Hello lovelies! 

I’ve become to love Lauryn & The Skinny Confidential so much, that really, I just can’t stay away. So, this time around I have come to talk airbrush tans…the good, the bad, & the oh-so-orangey-ugly. 

I’ve been airbrush tanning people for going on six years now, & I think it’s safe to say that I’ve seen it all.

Lucky for you I’ve compiled a list, & I want to spill out all my secrets, tips/tricks, & knowledge I have right here, right now.

…Drum roll…Get ready…

 + THE 10 GOLDEN RULES for Airbrush Tanning

1. } Choose your location carefully.

 Only go somewhere that uses professional airbrush tanning solution. Call up the spa, tanning place, or person you are going to get tanned by, and ask them what brand of solution they are using. Then google it. Yes, I’m serious. Google it. If its not a professional solution do not get sprayed by them. A professional solution=golden brown tan, while an un-professional solutions= ‘Oopma Loopma’ orange. I am extremely picky with the solution I use so I only use Norvell solution in the color Dark. Its perfect every time, on every skin tone.

2.} Schedule.

Once you’ve found the perfect person to get spray tanned by, schedule the tan in advance. This may seem silly & obvious, but it’s a crucial part of the success of your tan. A lot of people get spray tanned for an event, right? Well, depending on the event, and if they have or have not ever gotten spray tanned before, they don’t know how their skin will react. So, get a pre-event spray tan. I would try it one month before your event, vacation, wedding, or pictures, etc…and then monitor yourself each day after you get tanned to see what day you most like the color of your skin. On my skin, my tan looks the best 2 days after I get sprayed. Some people like it best the very next day, and some people like it best four days out….you simply wont know until you try.

3.} Be a Night owl…a tan one.

Get spray tanned at night. I’ll say it again…get spray tanned at night! I schedule all my clients from eight to ten pm, that way they can get airbrushed and go directly home, hop into bed & let the TiVo binge begin. I don’t let them: bathe kids, wash dishes, go dancing, get drinks, nothing! WHY? This is the only way to prevent water damage. Time, and time again, I’ve seen clients leave my house golden brown, then come back two hours later a splotch-fest because their teething 1 year old drooled all over their arm, or the snack lady at their kids soccer game accidentally spilled Gatorade all down their back, or even me…..two nights ago while eating an ooey, gooey enchilada after getting spray tanned…..I dropped my plate right down the front me [ I know, I know…I should know better. But, I was hungry! ]. You have to allow six to eight hours for your tan to ‘set’ before getting it wet or it will be uneven. So, eliminate some of your have-to’s during the day, & tan at night.

4.} Prepare.

Prep your skin by exfoliating & shaving in the shower before you get sprayed.

5.} Naked Skin.

Make sure you show up to your appointment with completely clean skin. This means no lotion, no oils, no deodorant, no make-up, no moisturizer, & no perfume…nothin’, nada, zilche. Get it? Got it? Good.

6.} Clothing.

Have you thought about what your going to wear, or not wear, while getting airbrushed? An old swim suit is great, old underwear works, too… naked? Sure, why not!? Its up to you, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Wear, or not wear, whatever makes you most comfortable. My favorite to get tanned in (sense I’m sure your all dying to know) is little underwear…thong or booty shorts…with nothing up top. I like having a line that no one, but me, can see. Also, I like my clients to see the immediate difference too. Instant gratification!

7.} Post Clothing.

Bring looser fitting clothes to your appointment for after you get tanned.

8.} Barrier Cream.

 Now that you’re prepped and at your appointment, its time to lube up. The tanning technician will have some sort of barrier cream, or lotion, for you to apply liberally to your hand, wrists, feet, & ankles. And by liberally, I mean apply liberally. Remember your nail beds, too, folks. If you’re questioning if you have enough, ask your technician to help out. We don’t mind!

9.} Sticky Feet.

Pet peeve numero uno: I have seen people airbrush tan their clients with the client standing on a towel, or even nothing at all. DO NOT DO THIS! The soles of your feet will pick up the tanning solution that has fallen on the towel/floor and your soles will get very dark. You should be wearing something called ‘Sticky Feet‘. These are little insole shaped sticky pads that stick directly onto your foot, so when you move around while getting tanned, the soles of your feet never come in contact with any solution. If the tanning salon doesn’t use Sticky Feet, ask them for two paper towels. This is an easy fix! Slather the bottom of your feet in lotion then step on the paper towels….they’ll stick! Problem solved.

10.} After care & upkeep.

After you’ve waited six to eight hours to shower, its important that when you do shower to use mild soaps and stay away from scrubby brushes and exfoliates. When you get out, pat dry and slather up with baby oil or any other heavy moisturizing lotions. Do this for the next ten days & your tan will be prettier & surely last longer.

 There you have it.

By sticking to my 10 Golden Rules, you will have spray tan success!