Bridal Bronze
Say hello to flawless, sun-kissed skin thanks to these easy fake tanning tips.
Professional
A professional, in-person spray tan offers reliable results; the application will be even and those hard-to-reach spots won’t be missed. It’s likely you already know how this works, but there are a few things to keep in mind ahead of your appointment. First thing’s first, consider what sort of tan your beauty professional uses. Alcohol-based products are more prone to uneven fades and streaks because they dehydrate the skin, resulting in unwanted patchiness. Water based tanning solutions get a big tick in our books. Discolouration under the armpits is also a common faux pax – this usually means you haven’t removed your deodorant thoroughly enough before your appointment and the tan has reacted with its ingredients., so remember to exfoliate! You should also book at least one trial run ahead of your wedding day – experts usually recommend this test appointment occurs around the same time as your bridal shower. And why not make it an experience to remember? Based in Greenwith, The Afterglow Spray Tans has curated a package that’ll elevate your entire bridal party, with four custom spray tans for you and three bridesmaids plus finishing sprays, tan safe body wash/moisturiser and a bottle of Champagne to celebrate!
Contactless
There’s a new wave of tanning taking the beauty scene by storm: contactless studios. Now you can achieve sun-kissed skin on your own schedule in an automated tanning booth. Crazy, right? All you have to do is turn up to the studio at your pre-booked time, punch in a unique code (or scan a QR code) and unwind in the comfort of a private space. There are no awkward interactions with beauty professionals, no fears of feeling exposed as you stand nearly nude in front of a total stranger, and no having to rearrange your schedule to squeeze in an appointment. Instead, these tanning suites are often open 24/7 and operated only by you. And while the idea of a self-serving professional spray tan may conjure memories of Ross Geller’s unfortunate experience in Friends, these contactless booths are also totally foolproof. Barrier cream is provided to lock in moisture on parts of the body that are prone to turning too orange (think knuckles, ankles, wrists and hands) before you step into the user-friendly booth (most are often voice-guided). Tans take four to five minutes and last for seven to 10 days. It’s recommended you have your tan two days before your event.
DIY
Giving yourself a DIY tan at home is still a popular choice for some brides thanks to the incredible range of products now available. If you decide to go this route, make sure you feel confident in your application process (no one wants tan streaks on their wedding day) and don’t be scared to purchase some tanning tools – a blending brush and back applicator are two great products to have in your beauty arsenal. You may also want to test different tans or shades before your big day. Once you land on your colour of choice, do at least two to three test runs so you can figure out how long your tan lasts, how easily it transfers and if it sticks a little too strongly to pointy body parts (like your elbows). You may also want to up your exfoliating and moisturising game to avoid streaks, splotches and dry skin.
Our top three at-home tan picks:
• Loving Tan 2hr Express, $39.95, Adore Beauty (01)
• ELEFFECT The Tan, $44.95, MECCA (02)
• Eco Tan Cacao Tanning Mousse, $35, Sephora (03)
On the day
What if we told you there’s an easy way to avoid tan transferring onto your dress? Talc absorbs body moisture and reduces friction, stopping (for the most part) any orange smudges from ruining your outfit. Genius!
