I get asked about tanning all the time — spray tans, self tanner, tanning beds — what works, what doesn’t, and how to get color without looking orange, streaky, or patchy.
First things first: I only prefer to use Norvell Venetian spray tans and self tanner. They have a cool, blue-based undertone, which is important because blue tones help cancel out orange. That’s how you get a more natural, bronzed glow instead of that fake, pumpkin look.
That said — even the best tan can look bad if it’s not done correctly.
One thing I always warn people about is the processing phase. While your spray tan or self tanner is developing — before you rinse — you might look a little… dirty. Maybe greenish. Maybe gray. Sometimes uneven. That is completely normal. What you’re seeing is the bronzer, not your final color. The bronzer is just a guide so we can see coverage. Once you rinse, that part washes off and your real tan continues developing underneath. So if you catch a glimpse of yourself and panic — don’t. Trust the process.
Timing matters a lot with tanning. With a regular Venetian tan, you’ll want to wait about 8–12 hours before rinsing. With a Venetian rapid tan, you can rinse anywhere from 1–3 hours, depending on how deep you want the color. The longer you wait, the darker it will be. When you rinse, use lukewarm water and skip soap the first time. You’ll see bronzer washing off — that’s exactly what’s supposed to happen. Your color will continue to develop over the next 24 hours.
Before any spray tan or self tanner, your shower needs to be an everything shower.
That means exfoliating, shaving, and doing any hair removal ahead of time. If you wax, make sure you do that at least 24 hours beforehand, ideally one to two days before. You want your skin calm and settled before tanning so the color applies evenly.
If you’re going to wash your hair, do it before your tan — and make sure it’s completely dry. You don’t want wet hair dripping onto fresh tan or running down your back and shoulders. Wash it, dry it, then tan. Doing it in the opposite order is a guaranteed way to mess things up.
Coming in with clean, exfoliated, dry skin makes all the difference. The better the prep, the better the tan.
Now let’s talk about what actually turns people orange, because this is where most issues happen.
Before tanning, your skin should be clean and dry. No deodorant. No lotion. No oils. No perfume or body spray. Anything scented or oily can interfere with how the tanning solution absorbs and can cause discoloration — especially around the armpits, wrists, hands, and neck. Clean skin is key.
After you rinse, you’re in the clear. Deodorant is fine. Lotion is actually encouraged. Just make sure you’re using an oil-free lotion and applying it evenly. Moisturizing helps your tan last longer — it won’t turn you orange once the tan has processed properly.
If you’re using self tanner at home, application matters more than people realize. Always use a mitt. And here’s a real-life tip: if you notice your hand getting product on it while you’re applying, that’s when adding a glove underneath the mitt can really help. If your mitt is worn out or absorbing too much product, you can even slip a plastic sack inside the mitt. It keeps the product from soaking through and helps everything apply more evenly.
Use less product on areas like the hands, feet, knees, elbows, ankles, and wrists — those spots absorb color faster. I always tell people to apply your tan normally and then lightly blend those areas using whatever product is left on the mitt. Bend your knees and elbows slightly while applying, and wash your hands right after — just the palms, not the tops of your hands — even if you used a mitt. More product does not mean better color. It usually just means streaks.
One thing I always recommend is Venetian’s gradual tanning lotion. This is a daily lotion you can use to maintain your color without having to fully reapply a mousse or get another spray tan right away.
Even though it’s a lotion, you still want to follow the same basic self-tanner rules when applying it. Use a mitt, go lighter on areas like the hands, feet, knees, elbows, and ankles, and blend using whatever product is left on the mitt. It builds color gradually, so you don’t need a lot — consistency is more important than loading it on.
It’s super hydrating and adds color slowly, which keeps everything looking natural and even. You can use it daily or every few days, depending on how much glow you want. This is especially great for maintaining a spray tan or if you just want a subtle, low-maintenance glow.
If you’re new to tanning or nervous about going too dark, this is a really good place to start.
We also have a 20-minute lay-down tanning bed at the salon. It uses a combination of UVA and UVB rays to help deepen and build color. The biggest thing to understand with tanning beds is that consistency matters more than intensity. Coming in regularly and building your tan gradually is much better than coming in once a week and overdoing it. More is not better — and we’ll always talk through timing so you’re tanning responsibly.
At the end of the day, there’s no one right way to tan. Some people love spray tans. Some prefer self tanner. Some use the tanning bed. Some mix all three. The key is choosing what fits your lifestyle and doing it correctly.
A little glow should make you feel confident — not stressed.
If it’s something we talk about in the chair, it belongs here.
