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Everything You Need To Know About Bridal Tanning
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THE INITIAL STEPS
Choose Your Method
“For your wedding day, you can of course go professional or opt for self-tan. It comes down to confidence, convenience and the occasion. If you're confident applying self-tan and know what works for your skin, then self-tan is a great option. That said, I advise most brides to see a professional for a more tailored, flawless finish – and peace of mind. Self-tan can then be useful as a top-up to maintain your glow.” – Nadine Sereaton-St.Croix, tanning expert
Think Of It Like Foundation
“Choose your tan like you choose your make-up and shade match accordingly for glowy, natural-looking skin. The same applies whether you’re self-tanning or booking a professional – you want the product to be right. Ensure the formula contains skin-hydrating ingredients like erythrulose, glycerin and organic DHA. The aim is to enhance your natural colour, not disguise it. The right tan should make your skin look healthy and even without being the first thing people notice.” – Jules von Hep, tanning artist
Consider The Colour Of Your Dress
“Your dress can affect how deep your tan appears. Bright white fabrics tend to make skin look more bronzed, so a medium-toned tan is usually the most flattering choice. Champagne, ivory and blush shades can generally take a slightly deeper colour. The whiter the dress, the more tanned you will appear. As a rule, for bright white dresses, opt for medium-toned tans and avoid ultra-dark formulations. If you’re having your tan done professionally, an expert can help you decide all of this.” – Jules
SELF-TAN: TIMELINE & TIPS
Match Your Tan To Your Skin Tone
“Paler skin tones should choose a light tan for a gentle glow or a dark formula if they want a deeper finish. Medium and olive skin tones generally suit medium through to ultra-dark shades, while brown and black skin tones usually suit dark and ultra-dark formulations. A darker formula doesn’t necessarily mean your skin will look dramatically darker. It usually contains a higher concentration of DHA, allowing the colour to develop more deeply if your skin can support it. This is another reason a trial is so important: the same shade can look very different depending on your skin tone, undertones and how your skin develops colour.” – Jules
Understand Your Formula
“If you’re self-tanning, remember that the finish you achieve isn’t just about the shade. Different formulas suit different levels of confidence and different areas of the body. Drops are ideal for the face, although they can be trickier to apply evenly across the body. Tanning waters and milks tend to be easy to use and work well for beginners or anyone with dry skin, as the colour builds gradually. Gradual tans are a good option for first-time users and can also be used to build colour gently before applying a deeper self-tan. Start by thinking about the result you want rather than choosing the darkest shade. If you're new to self-tan or have very fair skin, it's usually best to begin with a light to medium shade because you can always build the colour gradually.” – Nadine
“Mousse is a really good formula to practice with. It’s the easiest to achieve a streak-free finish. If you are doing your face yourself, I always recommend drops as they can be mixed into skincare and built up easily. A gradual tan is useful for topping up colour in the days leading up to the wedding, while a mousse can give more even, visible coverage in a single application.” – Jules
Apply It Two Days Before
“Apply your self tan at least two days before the big event. This gives the tan time to settle and, for many, day two is when the colour looks its best. Always apply it during the day, rather than overnight. This gives you time to rinse it off according to the instructions and reduces the risk of your palms resting against your body while you sleep. If you’re using a gradual tan, build the colour over several applications. With a mousse, one application may be enough, although some brides may prefer a second coat for a deeper finish. Always trial the routine first and stop applying top-ups two days before the wedding.” – Jules
SPRAY TAN: BOOKING & AFTERCARE
Book Your Final Tan Two To Four Days Before
“I recommend having your final tan two to four days before your wedding. This allows enough time for the guide colour to be rinsed away, the tan to settle beautifully and the colour to soften into a natural-looking glow. The exact timing will always depend on your skin and the result you're looking to achieve. The same applies to your trial. It gives you the opportunity to assess the colour, depth and finish and make any adjustments.” – Nadine
Make Sure You Book A Trial
“Also trial the spray tan artist. Your hen do is the perfect time as you'll mainly be wearing white and lighter colours. Ask your friends what they think and take photos – that way you can judge if this is the right tan for you. After your appointment, wear loose, dark clothing made from natural fibres. Pyjamas or a loose maxi dress are ideal, and activewear should be avoided. Choose loose shoes too. Avoid flip-flops as they’re more likely to rub and the plastic will make your feet sweat, pulling colour off while your tan develops.” – Jules
Prep Your Skin
“Exfoliate, but don’t overdo it. You need to have some dead skin cells and amino acids on the surface of the skin before you tan. Exfoliate two to three days consecutively before your tan but don't exfoliate immediately beforehand because the tan needs something to react with. Focus on dry areas such as the elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Waxing and shaving should also be completed at least 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.” – Jules
Keep Skin Hydrated
“Dehydrated skin only results in a patchy tan. Moisturise using aloe vera-based body butters, drink plenty of water and add electrolytes – it really makes a difference. I would moisturise daily in the lead-up to your appointment or twice daily if your skin is particularly dry. On the day itself, arrive with clean skin and avoid applying moisturiser, oil or deodorant immediately beforehand, as these can interfere with the application.” – Nadine
Pause Your Actives
“Retinoids and AHA/BHA products are fine before tanning but stop using them once your tan has developed because they'll strip the colour. If you use active skincare, check the timing with your tanning professional and avoid introducing anything new in the days before the wedding.” – Jules
Plan Your Beauty Appointments
“Make tanning your final beauty treatment before the wedding wherever possible. Manicures, pedicures, massages and facials should be booked beforehand, as oils, friction and water can affect the finish.” – Jules
Work Hard At Aftercare
“Once your tan has developed, gentle aftercare will help it stay even and fade naturally. “Wash off the guide colour with a gentle, non-oily shower gel, then moisturise daily to keep the skin soft and supple. Avoid harsh exfoliants, very hot showers and excessive friction in the first couple of days if you want your tan to last as long as possible. Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it and wear loose clothing wherever possible. In the lead-up to the wedding, avoid excessive sweating, swimming, saunas, hot tubs and body oils, all of which can affect the finish and longevity of the tan.” – Nadine
“Listen to what your spray tanner tells you because every tan is different. Express tans usually need between one and four hours, while traditional formulas can take up to 12 hours.” – Jules
WHAT TO DO IF…
…Your Tan Goes Too Dark
“Don't panic. Gentle showering, moisturising and light exfoliation will gradually soften the colour. I also can’t recommend a well-made tanning mitt enough. It can make a big difference to how evenly the colour is spread and ensure you don’t get colour build-up and dark patches in certain areas.” – Nadine
…You Notice Streaks
“Buff the area gently in small circular motions before lightly reapplying tan if needed. It’s also important to stop layering tan two days before the wedding so the colour has settled into the skin.” – Jules
…Your Tan Looks Orange
“Sometimes a tan appears more orange before the guide colour has been rinsed away, so check the final result first. If it still looks too warm afterwards, allow it to fade gradually rather than applying more tan.” – Nadine
…Your Hands Or Nails Are Stained
“Wash your hands regularly, use cuticle oil around the nails and, if necessary, a tan remover can help with stubborn areas. Most importantly, don’t try to fix everything on the wedding morning.”– Jules
…Your Skin Is Drying Out
“Everyone knows to moisturise dry areas before tanning. What they don't realise is you should moisturise those same areas afterwards too. The moisturiser doesn't remove the tan – it simply softens and blends the excess colour. I also recommend using micellar water to tidy up small areas immediately after tanning – that goes for both DIY and professional spray tans. Soak a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe your palms, wrists, nails and between your fingers immediately after tanning. Then take a kabuki brush and blend over the knuckles, elbows, knees and feet. A rich lip balm can also be applied over the lips, eyebrows, cuticles and around the hairline before tanning to stop excess colour clinging to dry areas.” – Jules
Follow @NadineStCroix & @JulesVonHep
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