How to prep for a spray tan

If you’ve ever gotten a spray tan and thought, “Why do my ankles look like they’re auditioning for a different body?” this one’s for you.

A flawless spray tan is 90% prep, 10% magic, and at Sunless by Stephanie, we’ve got the magic part covered. You? You just need to follow a few deliciously simple steps to ensure you glow like a bronzed goddess instead of a Halloween decoration.

Step 1: Exfoliate Like You’re Removing Your Ex’s Energy

24 hours before your tan, exfoliate thoroughly. Think: scrub, shave, moisturize (but skip anything oily).

Why? Because smooth, even skin = smooth canvas, which means a smooth, even colour. And because your tan clings harder to dry patches than you cling to your iced coffee in August.

Step 2: Ditch the Heavy Lotions

On the day of your appointment, keep your skin clean and product-free.
No lotions.
No perfumes.
No deodorant.
No sparkly unicorn body shimmer (save it for after).

Anything you apply on your skin can act like a barrier between you and your tan, and we want your tan to commit to you fully. Like, some serious relationship-level commit.

Step 3: Dress Like You Just Gave Up on Laundry

Loose, dark clothing is your best friend. Think oversized tees, flowy pants, and nothing with elastic really digging in. Tight clothes right after a tan are basically asking for weird tan lines.

Cute? Maybe. Consistent? No.

Step 4: Trust the Process (And Don’t Panic During Development)

Your tan will look darker before your first rinse. This is normal.
This is not the colour you’re left with.
This is your “I'm in my bronzing era” phase.

Once you rinse, your colour softens into a seamless, natural-looking glow that says:

“I vacation in St. Barts even when I’m actually in line at Canadian Tire.”

Step 5: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Moisturize daily after your first rinse to extend your tan. Your lotion should be hydrating, simple, and vanilla in personality, meaning no intense oils or ingredients that accelerate fading.

The more hydrated your skin, the longer you stay sun-kissed. It’s basically the fountain of youth that lives in your bathroom vanity.

Final Thoughts

Perfect spray tans don’t happen by accident, they happen by prep. Follow these steps and you’ll show up ready for your most even, radiant, “yes-I-woke-up-like-this” tan ever.

Want a flawless tan without the guesswork? Book your appointment with Sunless by Stephanie — where your skin becomes art (minus the brush strokes) 😉.