Thinking of getting a spray tan for a wedding weekend? One of my favorite things to do before any time when I want to look my absolute BEST is get a spray tan. We’ve all seen and had personal experience with bad spray tans, so it’s imperative to seek counsel from the best!
Meet Alexis!
My go-to gal in Cabo is Alexis Durian, of Baja Bronzed. With an obsession for luxury details and a deep passion for making every woman feel like the main character, Alexis is our local expert on all things body bronzing and contour tans. She has taught me that no two spray tans are the same. Alexis recommends working with someone who knows how to spray tan like there’s no tomorrow, especially regarding a spray tan for a wedding!
Alexis has taught me so much about how to make the most of your tan, get the right shade, and make it last. She was kind enough to take a little guest spot on this blog and share all the deets on how to ensure your spray tan for a wedding event lasts throughout with a stunning bronze sparkle.
Baja Bronzed – Los Cabos’ #1 Choice Spray Tan For A Wedding
Baja Bronzed is not your average spray tan; it was created with brides in mind. Destination weddings often present their nuances when it comes to your skin. Travel, climate change, increased alcohol intake (no judgement!), and the ever-tempting resort pool can have an effect. Alexis discerns facts from fiction when it comes to ensuring your bridal spray can bear it all.
Let’s start with skin prep! This step often gets skipped and it is as important as the actual spray tan itself. Another mistake is using some of the favorite market products and thereby committing common mistakes one may be unwittingly guilty of. Let’s talk about it.
Do I need a pre-wedding skincare routine?
The short answer is AB-SO-LUTE-LY and please start now! Find products that work for your skin type, get a routine in place, and be consistent. Spray tans are one of the more finicky beauty treatments in the industry. They are intended to be temporary and heavily rely on the conditions found on your epidermis layer. So, let’s set your skin up for success!
What are the basics for a solid skincare routine?
Skincare is a wildly trendy industry, often presenting over-complicated processes and product choice overload. I’m not here to overwhelm you, I’m sure planning a destination wedding is enough to fill your plate for a while. Here are the basic steps you need to integrate into your routine to ensure a spray tan for a wedding has premium retention.
- Hydrate
- Exfoliate
- Protect
- Repeat
Hydration: Internal vs External & Why Your Skin Still Feels Dry
Hydration should be viewed as both internal and external, not just slathering on some drugstore lotion and calling it a day. Internal hydration just means drinking more water, girl! Water will forever be the ultimate skin hydrator. If you’re an active bride, look into mineral replacements.
Alexis’ Recommended Internal Hydration Products:
External hydration can be a bit more complex. This is largely due to the market being saturated with products that claim to be the best. Clever marketing and cheap ingredients are rampant. I have wasted more money on trendy skincare than I would ever like to admit!
So again, let’s keep it simple. Look for minimal ingredient panels, and brands that show transparency with their formulas, manufacturing processes, and sourcing practices. Invest in essentials only; stop hopping on the trends. High quality is key here and don’t forget body wash is an important part of the equation in every spray tan for a wedding.
Alexis’ Recommended External Hydration Products:
- Aleavia Organics (enzymatic body wash and lotions)
- Kari Gran Body & Bath Oil
- Seed to Skin (pH balancing body wash)
- Nécessaire Body Lotion
- Agent Nateur Body Balm
- Just Ingredients
Exfoliation | Tools & Frequency
Exfoliating is often viewed as a last-minute ‘must do’ before a spray tan for a wedding. And yes, it is a good idea to gently exfoliate 24-48 hours before your appointment. Skin is best served when you exfoliate 2-3 times per week as a routine. I also often hear clients refer to their exfoliation process as ‘scrubbing.’ Please don’t scrub, be kind to your skin! A last-ditch effort to exfoliate will not assist in the spray tan solution evenly developing on the skin.
I can’t emphasize enough that we love a routine. This promotes even skin cell shedding versus aggressive irritation of the skin’s most exposed layer and will ensure the tan develops the way it was intended.
Exfoliating tools can come in the form of dry brushing, shower mitts/gloves, or body exfoliant shower gels. Exfoliating mitts are excellent spray tan and old self-tan removers. If you are a regular self-tan girl, this tool is a must! Use in conjunction with a tan eraser and makeup-removing micellar water for stubborn spots.
Please come with fresh, clean skin to your spray tan appointment. Layering tanner is a big ick!
Alexis’ Recommended Exfoliation Products
- Goop Dry Brush (Pro tip: add a body oil if dry brushing after a shower)
- Honest Company Exfoliating Mitt
- Fur Silk Scrub
- Tan Eraser
- Micellar Water
Protect At All Costs!
We all know SPF is essential to skincare. We also know Vitamin D is intrinsic to well-being. The two can live in harmony, so put on the damn sunscreen! And please, PLEASE, do not get a sunburn. The UV index is considered very high in Los Cabos, pretty much year-round.
This may also be true for clients hailing from California, Arizona, Colorado, or Texas. My guess is you aren’t spending as much time in pure sun exposure back home as you are for your wedding week! A sunburn happens fast and always to the most unsuspecting. So, let’s pack some SPF and sun protection gear, especially for those fiancés who have tee times booked before the big day.
Alexis’ Recommended Sun Protection Products:
Rapid Fire Q+A with Alexis
Q: Can I get a massage before my spray tan for a wedding?
A: No, not a good idea. And to answer your potential next question, after a spray tan is a no as well.
Q: How long does a spray tan last?
A: On average, your tan should last about 7-10 days. This is heavily dependent on prep and aftercare, inclusive of the elements we discussed earlier (pool time, etc).
Q: How long does the appointment take?
A: The application itself will take 15-20 minutes, followed by details and blending. Clean-up and break-down is roughly an additional 10 minutes depending on the size of the group.
Q: What do I wear for the application of a spray tan for a wedding?
A: Clients are welcome to wear as little or as much as they are comfortable with during the appointment. Be mindful of tan lines. Men and individuals under 18 are required to wear undergarments.
Q: How many days before my wedding events should I schedule my tan?
A: Between 1-3 days is the ideal range. Two days prior is the most optimal.
Q: Will I turn orange?
A: While a common concern, there is nothing to worry about at Baja Bronzed. With my 100% extensive certifications and experience, I can select the appropriate darkness level based on your skin type and color-corrective bronzers based on your skin tone to infuse your solution with.
Q: Can the spray tan transfer to my clothes?
A: Yes. The post-spray tan outfit should be dark in color. White can only be worn after the second rinse/first shower. There is a chance spray tan bronzers transfer onto the inside layers of clothing, particularly during the humid months. The solutions are water soluble and should come out of most fabrics with proper treatment. Pro tip: pack a dark Turkish towel (or similar) to cover leather seats if traveling.
FINAL WORDS
Not to sound like a broken record here, but implementing a solid skincare routine for your bridal spray tan will alleviate 90% of the often-associated issues. For everything else, don’t complicate it! You should have clean, bare skin that has been free from soaps, oils, lotions, and water for a minimum of 4-6 hours before your appointment.
AM spray? Shower, shave, and wash your hair the night before.
PM spray? Follow the 4–6-hour rule.
Don’t forget to pack an ideal outfit for a spray tan for a wedding. Ideally something loose, lightweight, dark (or heavily printed), sleeved, and pants. The more covered your skin is, the better. This doesn’t have to mean your fiancé’s grubby old tee and sweatpants!
Watch this space for a fashion part 2 highlighting all the different fits, textures, and materials that can keep you looking bridal while waiting for your tan to develop! In the meantime, follow me on Instagram to book your bridal bronze, and see all the stunning Baja Bronzed Brides and their beautiful Cabo wedding details!
XOXO Alexis
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