Get Your Glow on With a Spray Tan at Bare Essentials, But Don't Forget About Sunscreen!

I love having a sun-kissed glow, especially during the summer months. In fact, I used to love it so much, I wanted my skin to have that glow all year round. I spent tons of time and money on tanning sessions, using high end tanning beds and moisturizing lotions. Unfortunately, your skin doesn't always look or feel healthy after time in the sun, or a tanning bed. Once I discovered I had a sun spot on my face during a doctor's appointment, the sessions were stopped completely! It was time to search for another way to get my glow on, and this is when I discovered spray tans!

When I heard that one of my favourite places in town, Bare Essentials, added spray tanning services for clients, and offered me one to try, I jumped at the opportunity! I had huge success with a spray tan in the past, and wanted to try another one to get me summer ready. Bare Essentials uses Fake Bake, a leader in self-tanning and spray tanning products because of their exclusive sunless tanning formula with three organic tanning agents. These are Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), DMI, and Erythulose, and they provide a safe and long-lasting golden tan. Other self-tanners can often turn your skin orange because they’re chemically-based, but Fake Bake’s naturally-derived tanning agents will not turn skin orange, leave a bad odour, or stain your clothes.This is really important to me, as I have had crazy experiences trying sunless tanning products at home. I have seen everything from orangey, Oompa-Loompa looking tans, to massive streaks on my legs!

Fake Bake works with your own unique skin tone to produce a naturally-based darker pigmentation on your skin’s surface. By enhancing your skin’s own pigments, Fake Bake provides a natural-looking tan that lasts longer. The product also deeply moisturizes and protects your skin without clogging your pores or irritating sensitive skin. I have sensitive skin, and this is incredibly important to me, not to mention a huge bonus!

Before I went in for my appointment, I was advised to shower and exfoliate my skin, so that the spray tan would absorb properly into my skin. You won't be able to shower for 8-12 hours after the application takes place, or get any water on your skin (other than hand washing, of course!) When you get the spray tan, you will strip down, or wear a bikini (if you aren't comfortable being nude for the application process). You will be in a tent, and have the spray tan applied on your body. The duration is 10-15 minutes, and then you will have your skin dried with a special machine that resembles a huge blow dryer.

Taken after my first application

Here are a few tips for ensuring you have the best results for your spray tan:

• Even though you will be dry after this takes place, I strongly recommend waiting another 10-15 minutes before putting your clothes back on. There will be parts of your body that take longer to dry, and if you aren't careful, you will have streaks and white spots if you put your clothes on too soon. 
• Wear loose clothing. A t-shirt and jogging pants or yoga capris are perfect examples. I learned this the hard way by wearing a strapless top and bra. You will get white spots and lines if you don't wear something loose, and it's not worth the disappointment.
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! You want that tan to last and look silky smooth on your skin. Using body lotions and a moisturizer after you shower or wash your face will allow you to keep that beautiful glow for the duration of your spray tan.
• Typically, spray tans will last about a week. If you work out, sweat a lot, or shower on a regular basis, it won't last as long. My spray tan lasted about five days, as I was running a lot, and showering more frequently. It was still worth it to have the amazing sun-kissed glow!
• Be very specific about the level of darkness you want for your tan. When I had my first application, there was a miscommunication, and my tan was very light. I showered the next day, and the tan was  gone. I went in for a second application, which was much darker, and the results were amazing!
• Try to avoid going outdoors if it's raining, if possible. The day I had my second application, we had a full day of torrential rainfall! I managed to get some errands done when there was a slight break in the weather without too much damage to my tan, but there were crazy watermarks on my skin. Fortunately, they came off after I showered later in the evening, but I looked like I had a terrible skin condition. Better to avoid a situation like that, if you can.

Both pictures were taken after the second application

Having a spray tan doesn't mean you can go out in the sun without protecting your skin! You still need to wear sunscreen with a high SPF factor, to shield your skin from the sun's strong rays. Here are a few great brands that I use and highly recommend:

• I love Hawaiian Tropic’s  Sheer Touch line of products. They are effective, no matter what activity you are doing outdoors. They have products ranging from SPF 15 to 50, so there is something for everyone. I used to be a die-hard SPF 15 girl, but use a 30 or 45 at home, and especially on vacation. I live in the ocean on vacation, and reapply constantly! This product smells amazing, too!
• No matter how hard you try to protect your skin, you might get burnt under the strong rays of the sun, and your skin might feel tight and dried out. I highly recommend Hawaiian Tropic's Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion. This product combines ribbons of gel and lotion to leave your skin feeling luxurious and refreshed. With silk protein and shea butter to moisturize skin, and aloe for cooling benefits, Hawaiian Tropic® Silk Hydration™ is an indulgent after sun experience that pampers and soothes the skin. I never go on vacation, or to the beach without this!

• I recently discovered Shiseido's amazing line of Wet Force products, and can't say enough great things about them! These products provide powerful protection for your skin, and the innovative protective veil becomes even more effective on the applied area when exposed to water for 15 minutes. This is due to the WetForce technology. The unique formula for body and face includes beneficial ingredients to help prevent skin dryness. This line of products is ideal for outdoor activities and sports. It provides high sun protection, yet is comfortable and gentle on the skin. I use this when I'm out running and sweating up a storm. It sticks to my skin like cement, and is super effective! I can't wait to try it on my next trip to the tropics. 

I can't say enough about my experience getting my spray tan at Bare Essentials. I have been a client for a while, and everyone is incredibly professional and friendly. They are known for their wide range of waxing services, and adding spray tans is the perfect pairing. At $35.00 for a spray tan, or $120.00 for a 4-Pack, this is a great deal for anyone who wants a gorgeous tan, without spending endless hours in the sun. Make sure to check them out. You won't be disappointed!

Bare Essentials is generously offering one of my readers a chance to win their very own spray tan session! All you need to do is follow Bare Essentials on Twitter (@icanwaxthat), follow my account on Twitter  (@sassygirlcanada), like their Facebook page, and Tweet 'I want to get my spray tan on with Bare Essentials! @sassygirlcanada @icanwaxthat #getyourtanon'. If you don't have a Twitter account, just post the same message above on the Bare Essentials Facebook page! Please note that Bare Essentials is located in Waterloo, so the contest is open to anyone in Ontario, but you need to be able to travel to Waterloo for the appointment. Good luck!

Disclaimer: I received perks for this post, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.