If you have an important photo shoot coming up or modeling event you might be thinking about getting a spray tan. It is a great idea as a tan will always make you look thinner, make your teeth look whiter, eyes look brighter and help cover up many skin imperfections. You might think of grabbing that cheap self-tanner and doing it yourself to save some money but I do not recommend that. Many self- tanners are hard to apply ( even with the help of a friend to get to those hard to reach areas) and can streak and develop uneven if you are not practiced at applying them ( Not to mention that dreaded orange color if you have a heavy hand and apply too much) Plus feet and hands can wind up looking dirty from applying too much product. So do some research and get recommendations for a professional that can provide a custom airbrush tan for your important shoot. Also take a look at their website and check out their portfolio to see if you like their work and read their reviews. The great thing about using a professional spray tan artist is that we can customize the color according to your skin tone and the level of tan you want to achieve. It is not just 1 color fits all. We can also contour to enhance or slim certain body parts that you cannot do if you us a self- tanning product or even in a spray booth. If this is your first time getting a spray tan I highly recommend doing a trial first if you have enough time. Unlike makeup or a hairdo, you cannot just wash a spray tan off as it will be on your skin for 7 + days. So doing a trial session first is the best way to go to ensure you get that perfect color. If you do not have time for a trial tell the spray tanning tech to do a natural looking shade to avoid possible disaster by being way too dark for your skin tone. A spray tan works with your natural tone, so if you are very pale (Think Nicole Kidman) there is no way we can get you as dark as Jlo and not have you look pretty silly. So just keep that in mind and let the trained professional select a shade that they recommend for you. Although there is Photoshop it is very hard making a bad tan look good! You can always darken with body makeup or bronzer if needed. Make sure that your face has a natural spray. Two of the biggest disasters I see in photos is always related to the face. If you spray your face very dark and then apply very heavy makeup many times it can make it look orange or too much darker than the rest of your body. The other is when someone gets a spray tan but does not use a little darker makeup to match. This results in a tan body but a washed out paler face. And that contrast does not look very good. So remember if you are doing your own makeup you need to go a shade or so darker or use some bronzer. So here are the answers to the important questions you need to know:

It is imperative that you exfoliate your skin the day before or even for a few days leading up to the Spray Tan. (Not the day of as many scrubs will leave a film on your skin resulting in the tan streaking or being blotchy) Exfoliation is important so the skin can be a clean even canvas. If the spray tan is applied on uneven skin, the older dead skin cells will come off first causing the tan to possibly fade poorly. Do not have any self- tanner on or any old spray tan residue!! This is a very common thing that I see and highly recommend you get all of it off. I compare it to getting a manicure. Would you want a new manicure being applied over chipped polish? (I don't think so) So please have your skin void of any self- tanner. If not you would be combining different colors that can wind up looking very poor and patchy. Any manicures and pedicures should be done before your tanning session. If you must get it on the same day as your spray tan session you must refrain from the massage. You do not want any oils or lotions on your skin as they will cause a barrier. Waxing and shaving should be done at least 24 hours before your session, If you shave the day of, the shaving cream can leave a barrier. Also many razors have the moisturizing strips that will cause the spray tan to streak on the legs! Do not shower right before the session. You may think that you are helping by having fresh clean skin. But what you may not realize is that your pores are being opened and your skin is getting hydrated. It might not absorb as much of the spray tan solution resulting in a much lighter tan. Also many soaps, shampoos and conditioners leave a film (even if you can see it) that can cause blotchy areas and streaks. Do not apply any oils, lotions, perfumes or deodorant the day of the tan. They can also cause a barrier and if you spray over perfume that area can result in the tan peeling.

Wear a dark colored swimsuit or undergarments. I always recommend going topless or nude as this way you will not have to worry about tan lines if you do not know what you will be wearing at your photoshoot.

You will see instant color due to a cosmetic bronzer but the actual tan will take from 9-12 hours to fully develop. You can NOT shower or get wet until that time as you will risk washing off the spray tan ! (no skin to skin contact either) If you do not have time to do that and need to rinse off quickly ask the salon about a rapid tanning option. This is a special tanning solution that many carry that will allow you to rinse off between 1-4 hours depending on the level of darkness you want. It might be a little more money but is perfect for those that have a busy schedule or do not like sleeping in spray tan solution. What should I wear after the tanning session? Please prepare accordingly. Many times spray tans are ruined because the client did not bring the right clothes to wear after their session. Bring either a loose t-shirt,button down shirt and loose pants or shorts. A strapless sundress is one of the best things you can wear. Do not put on any bras, spandex, jeans, leggings or yoga pants. No tight elastic around the waist or ankles & no socks or sneakers so bring flip flops. If is raining an umbrella does not always protect the tan. Water can splash up from your flip flops and get on your legs and heavy wind can still get you wet so long sleeves and loose long pants are the best thing for rainy days. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to the perfect tan for your beautiful photoshoot.

Melissa Weinberg is the creator of Perfect Glow Sunless which is a premium line of professional spray tan solution. Her products are used by professional salons and spas all over the world. She is also a top spray tanning professional located in South Florida.