Comparing Different Spray Tan Solutions - Which is right for you?

This can be a tricky one! Especially if you are a spray tan virgin and just have no damn idea! There are so many spray tan solutions on the market today it can be hard to know which you should try.

All solutions tend to act differently on different peoples skin types & skin colours, so often it is a case of trying a few different ones on different occasions before you know which suits your skin best. This also depends on what kind of look you are wanting... Super Dark, Natural Glow, Medium Bronze etc etc

We are going to compare the spray tan brands we use in our salons and have tried, over the last 5 years, and give you a general idea of what you can expect from each one. Our knowledge here comes from customer feedback and my own personal experiences, as I try every new product personally on myself before selling it to anyone.

1) GLO Tanning Solutions - Anti Aging Spray Tan
www.glotanningsolutions.com

COLOUR: The colour of GLO is a beautiful natural "I just stepped off the beach" type tan. Suitable for those with naturally pale skin, this tan will not leave you looking 'fake tanned'. You can rinse it off between 3 - 8 hours, depending on the level of colour desired. For a light, natural glow, rinsing at 3-4 hours is recommended, for a medium colour, around 6 hours, and for a darker tan, leaving 8 hours, or applying an extra coat is recommended. 

APPLICATION: The solution is finer than some others, and requires a faster spray technique or finer mist of the spray gun. It can go on a bit wet on some skin types, or people that have not exfoliated properly, but always dries fine, or can be blended gently with a clean makeup brush if required. Tends to dry quite quickly after application, and the 'sticky feeling' only hangs around for about 30 minutes. After that you feel completely normal.

WEAR: It contains no alcohol, which is good for dry skin, and also means it will not go patchy or itchy when fading, it just tends to disappear naturally over time with no need to spend hours scrubbing in the shower. GLO tends to last around 10 days on most skin types.

SCENT: It smells like apples. Very refreshing and sweet, no 'fake tan' smell.

SUITED FOR: Those who like a more natural looking tan that doesn't go too dark. People who like to go really dark should either apply 2 x coats of GLO. This tan also contains 4 anti-aging properties and is designed to hydrate the skin and help prevent signs of aging. Visit the website for more information.

2) Naked Tan
www.nakedtan.com.au

COLOUR: A nice golden brown. Comes in light, medium & dark, so is suitable for most skin types. Some people find it goes too orange on their skin, others find it just right. Naked tan is an organic brand spray tan.

APPLICATION: The bronzer is quite dark, which means you leave the store looking instantly very tanned, it is quite quick drying when applied to the skin, although can leave you feeling quite sticky and wet for a couple of hours. You can shower after 2 hours of being sprayed with Naked Tan.

WEAR: Lasts 5-10 days depending on skin type. Some people it comes off within a week and others lasts over a week. I don't know if it is because it is a 2hr tan or not, but it tends to rub off easier on my skin than others (ie, from bra straps, underarms, tight pants, seam lines in jeans) It does tend to fade quite well though and is easy enough to scrub off.

SCENT: Coconut Vanilla, which is quite pleasant, but still smells a bit 'fake tannish'

SUITED FOR: Most skin types. Very convenient for those who don't like to leave their tan on overnight or for 6-8 hours like most other brands. And the best thing about the Naked Tan 2hr tan is that after 2 hours, the colour is already there after you shower. A lot of other 2 hour tans, you can rinse after 2 hours, but it still takes around 8 hours for the tan to actually develop.

3) Black Magic
www.spraytanning.com.au

COLOUR: A very nice chocolate brown coloured tan. Black magic is one of the least 'orange' tans on the market, it is a green based colour and looks great on most skin types. Black Magic have an original tan, a darker tan 'midnite magic' and a 2hr tan. Our clients prefer the original and the midnite.

APPLICATION: Goes on slightly wetter than some other tans, and required faster spray technique or finer mist while spraying. Bronzer is not too dark at first, but develops later (I prefer this, as you don't look so stupid leaving the store).

WEAR: Lasts 7-10 days generally. Stays quite even. Tends to make your skin a bit dry / itchy sometimes so is important to moisturise daily to avoid looking 'patchy' when the tan starts coming off. If you go quite dark with Black Magic it can go a bit scaly when it comes off, although with a good exfoliate you can get it off quite easily.

SCENT: Black magic doesn't really have a smell at all.

SUITED FOR: Those who like to go very 'brown', think Jessica Alba type colour. Makes your skin look naturally darker toned, rather than 'tanned'. Tends to suit brunettes more than blondes. For people with very pale skin, original black magic is recommended, the midnite magic can be too 'fake' looking.

4) Liquid Sun by Vani-T
www.vani-t.com.au

COLOUR: Liquid Sun has a very golden tanned appearance, which can look great on some skin types but quite orange on others if you go too dark for your natural skin tone. It tends to look better 2 days after being sprayed. They have a light, medium, dark and a 2 hour 'velocity' tan.

APPLICATION: Another organic tan, sprays on nicely, but is a thicker type solution, takes longer to dry than others and can feel stickier for longer.

WEAR: Lasts about 7-10 days with daily moisturising. Can go slightly flaky when coming off.

SCENT: Has a fresh, fruity smell.

SUITED FOR: If you have pale skin, the light or medium is recommended, the dark can look very 'fake'. For people with naturally darker skin can get away with the dark.

5) Techno Tan
www.technotan.com.au

COLOUR: Techno Tan has a really nice natural brown colour, is a really good tan for naturally pale people who want to go very dark as it does not give off an orange tone.

APPLICATION: Very quick drying. Has quite a dark bronzer, so be prepared to look a bit 'too dark' just after being sprayed. After rinsing the tan off after 4-6 hours though, it looks a lot more natural and less 'dirty'.

WEAR: Techno Tan has a good life, of around 7-14 days with proper care. Fades well.

SCENT: Has a bit of a 'fake tan' type smell but it's not too bad.

SUITED FOR: All skin types. There is a large colour range available, Champagne, Chocolate and Chocolate Royale, as well as a 2hr tan range. Sometimes the 2hr tans don't develop well on some skin types, on others they work well.

6) Tuscan Tan
www.tuscantan.com.au

COLOUR: A more olive based tan. Looks very nice and natural on some skin types and can look a bit unnatural on others. Those who have had it before and like it, tend to get it again and again, and some that have tried it don't like it at all. 

APPLICATION: Goes on quite fine and misty when applied, not recommended for those with asthma or breathing issues as it fogs up a bit during application. Bronzer is not too dark and looks quite natural straight away. Should be rinsed around 6-8 hours for the original solution, they also have a 90minute tan available.

WEAR: Lasts 7-10 days with proper care. Fades well.

SCENT: Has a odour, but not too bad, smells slightly of fake tan.

SUITED FOR: Best suited for those who tan naturally in the sun, or who have a bit more of an olive toned skin type.

7) St Tropez
www.sttropez.com.au

COLOUR: A very nice natural fresh of the beach tan. Similar in colour to Candy Apple Tan. Comes in one shade, depends how much is applied or how long the tan is left to develop as to how deep the tan will go.

APPLICATION: Application is nice and the tan is very smooth and even when spraying. The bronzer is a good colour, not too light, not too dark. Takes slightly longer to dry.

WEAR: Lasts well, 7-14 days, fades evenly unless going too dark for natural skin type, in which case can take a little extra scrubbing to get off.

SCENT: Has a 'floral' type smell.

SUITED FOR: All skin types. Excellent on very pale skin as well as those who already have a bit of colour. Doesn't go as dark as some others though, not recommended for those who like a very dark tan.

10) En Vogue
www.envoguespraytan.com.au

COLOUR: Very natural colour. Comes in 3 shades. Level 1, 2 & 3. Dark is a very nice chocolatey brown, we describe it as a sort of 'jessica alba' colour. Can leave on from 2 - 8 hours.

APPLICATION: Sprays on nicely, a little finer than other solutions goes on a little wet but dries quickly and evenly.

WEAR: Very good. Lasts 7-14 days. Fades well.

SCENT: Does not have much of an odour at all. Good for those who don't like the tan smell.

SUITED FOR: All skin types. Colour range from very light to very dark. Very natural.

Please comment if you have any other recommendations or feedback!