Top 7 Tips for a Perfect School Formal Tan

School formals are the new wedding. It’s almost unacceptable to turn up without hair and makeup professionally done, a new dress, new shoes, sparkly accessories, nails painted, a spray tan and a chauffeur-driven Hummer!

Here are our top 7 tips for the perfect school formal spray tan.

1. Book a trial

Why? Because no two tans are alike. What looks great on one person (or a celebrity) may not be right for you. Professional tanning solutions are now so advanced that you can tailor your tan to not only match your skin tone, but your outfit too! If you're having a makeup trial, book your trial tan for the same time, so your makeup foundation can be matched to your tanned skin. Book your spray tan a month or so before your formal and get the perfect tan for your special event. Invite your friends and make a party of it! Our Colour Me Bronze tanning solutions can be mixed to produce 14 different colours.

2. Prepare your skin

For best results, spend the week prior to your formal moisturising your body using an oil-free moisturiser. The day before your spray tan, exfoliate with an oil-free body scrub and remove unwanted body hair by shaving or waxing. If you prefer waxing over shaving please do so 72 hours prior. While exfoliating, pay special attention to the knees, elbows, hands, feet and heels (synthetic exfoliating gloves will give you great results). The better condition your skin is in, the better the tanning solution will absorb and the more flawless your tan will look.

3. Lock in a date

Tanning solutions often take up to 24 hours to fully develop, so the best time to tan is two days prior to your formal. If you know the date, lock it in with your spray tan technician now so you don’t miss out. If you happen to need any repairs to your tan, this will give you enough time to do so.

4. Take photos of your trial tan

Take a photo of yourself with your tan, and your outfit, after the trial. This way you will see what your skin will look like in your formal photos. If you have a ‘bad’ spray tan, you will be forever reminded of it, and it can be very difficult to repair in photo shop.

5. Tan with your friends

If you and your friends are all tanning for your formal, why not book a tan party and tan at the same time! We have a very comfortable waiting room and you are welcome to bring food and play your own music. And you know what they say.... Friends that tan together, slay together!

6. After your tan

Avoid exercise, sport and activities that cause you to sweat or to get wet. Wear loose, dark clothing and don’t wear tight clothing, socks or a bra (these can cause marks on your skin before and after your tan).

7. Pick the right tan technician for you

Do some research, find an experienced spray tan technician and ask family and friends for a referral. Check out their portfolio of work and if this is your first time getting a spray tan, we highly recommend doing a trial first. Unlike makeup or a hairdo, you cannot just wash a spray tan off as it will be on your skin for 7+ days.