psssst…. there’s no such thing! 👀

let me explain.

spray tan solutions are available in a variety of formulations. some options on the market prioritize cleanliness and safety, featuring no dyes, safe preservatives, and predominantly organic ingredients. In contrast, there are also products that contain synthetic dyes, preservatives, and other artificial components.

even the cleanest solution cannot be considered fully organic - but it can come super close!

why?

DHA. Dihydroxyacetone! This is the active ingredient found in all solutions and is primarily responsible for giving you that glow.

a little bit about it —

—The primary active ingredient in most spray tans is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is derived from sugar beets or sugar cane (yay! plant-derived!). While DHA itself can be sourced from natural origins, it has to be extracted and put through a fermentation process to isolate the DHA component into powder form. basically, it starts as a juice, is then fermented, isolated, and purified. it is then ready to be formulated!

pretty cool huh?

we are always doing market research and looking out for the best solutions for you and your skin. while we would LOVE to claim to be organic, it’s just not truthful. however, we can get pretty dang close.

we proudly use an organic-based solution free of dyes, sulfates, parabens and harmful preservatives. made here in sunny CA :)

our main solution line does not contain any fragrance and is very gentle on the skin. it is organic-based, vegan & PETA approved. It is free of sulfates, parabens, harmful chemicals and dyes.

what’s the difference?

original solution:

wait 6-8+ hours to swim, shower, exercise.

lasts 7-10+ days.

won’t over develop.

takes 24 hours to reach full development.

When leaving the original solution on over night, it is highly recommended that you wear long sleeves and pants. This will minimize the amount of transfer onto your sheets, as well as help prevent your hands from resting on it at night (no one likes tan palms!).

express solution:

lasts about a week.

shower in 1 hour for an extra light tan, 2 hours for light, 3 hours for medium, 4 for medium dark, and 5 for dark.

we will work together to decide just how much time you require for your desired look.

do not leave on longer than recommended by your tech.

takes 24 hours to reach full development.

your tech will use color theory to custom mix a solution based on your skin type (we use the Fitzpatrick scale), to ensure a no-orange tan.

please understand that a spray tan is not like a UV tan. some skin types are not able to achieve a deep, dark tan without the orange.

we always keep detailed color notes on your profile, in order to find your perfect blend.

wedding tan should ideally be booked 2-3 days before big event.

we highly encourage all brides to book a trial tan.

trial tan tips:

book trial tan 3+ weeks prior to wedding tan. this allows sufficient time to remove any residual tan.

book your trial around hair and makeup trials, and/or dress fittings.

consider your partner’s skin tone when deciding how dark you want to go.

provide inspiration photos.

chat with your photographer about editing style + tans.

if you’re really nervous, we can start with the legs! book the half body option :)

—

if you desire to go above a medium level tan, we require at least one trial.

clear solution available with our Master Artist, Tatum.

I’m a gym girl. Will my spray tan survive?

Yes! Whether you’re into hot Pilates, yoga, CrossFit, running, or lifting, you can absolutely enjoy a spray tan.

The only rule? Try not to sweat before your first rinse. During the development period, excessive sweating can interfere with how your tan develops.

After your rinse, it’s business as usual. Just know that lots of sweating, hot showers, and tight workout clothes may shorten the life of your tan a bit. Daily moisturizer and a quick rinse after workouts can help keep your glow looking fresh.

Being active doesn’t mean spray tans aren’t for you. It just means your tan may appreciate a little extra TLC.

Our top product recs for the gym girlies…

—Arumé! This is our signature hydration spray you know and love from our hydration tans, in a bottle! Spray on high friction areas (think around sports bra, waistline, inner thighs, etc.) for extra protection before a workout. It’s great as an overall body hydration spray :)

—Extendè! This beautiful tan extending lotion contains a small amount of DHA (that active ingredient that makes you glow). Start applying around day 4 of your tan, and keep applying daily or every other day as needed. This will extend the life of your tan and “replace” and glow you might lose during your workouts.

a perfect spray tan is a mix of proper prep, flawless application, and great aftercare.

got an issue? here are some common things we see:

little to no color -

this can be a result of numerous things— showering too close to appointment, product residue on skin prior to tan, hormones, menstrual cycle, medication, and pregnancy.

patchiness on face/neck/chest -

most commonly this is due to retinols/exfoliating treatments, acne medications, perfume on skin prior to tan, or poor exfoliation.

patchiness anywhere on the body-

if you have a sunburn that has not healed (4+ weeks to heal), the tanning solution will cause your skin to peel.. trust me, you don’t want this!

can also be a result of poor exfoliation or patches of residue from products.

green underarms:

oops! you must have worn deodorant, and this caused your skin to turn green. lightly scrub with soap but do not exfoliate. may take more than one shower to fully disappear.

We have airbrushed many pregnant women, but we always ask that you check with your own doctor first.

If you are in your first trimester, we ask that you please wait until second trimester to get airbrushed.

while not common, it is possible for tans to not develop fully during pregnancy, resulting in little to no color.

all of our airbrush rooms are equipped with a triple filtration extraction system. nose filters provided upon request.

Our solution is organic-based, vegan & PETA approved. It is free of sulfates, parabens, harmful chemicals and dyes.

all of our airbrush rooms feature a triple filtration extraction system with a 12,000CFM airflow rating - it’s the best in the biz!

this ensures both client and tech are protected from excess overspray.

while you can absolutely tan naturally through your sunless tan, you MUST still use SPF!

avoid most aerosols (alcohol=uneven tan)

here are some recs:

Sun Bum | Alba Botanicals

Color Science | Babyganics

Australian Gold Botanical | MyChelle Dermaceuticals

*some of these are not reef-safe and should only be used for day use!

sensitive skin - our solution is very gentle and does not contain any fragrance, but we understand some skin can be more sensitive to new things.

hyperpigmentation - a spray tan can provide a temporary uniform skin tone and may reduce the visibility of hyperpigmentation, but it is not a treatment for the condition itself. self-tanners, including spray tans, utilize dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to enhance skin color, which could also intensify existing hyperpigmentation. thus, it's essential to recognize that while a spray tan may highlight hyperpigmentation, it won’t aggravate the condition if applied properly and followed by appropriate aftercare.

if you are concerned, you can always come in to test it out on a small patch of your skin.

tattoos are perfectly fine to spray over and must be completely healed to do so. spraying over an open wound will cause infection.

clients with fresh tattoos that are not healed or properly covered will be turned away.

to cancel:

please use the link provided in the confirmation/reminder texts & emails you’ve received regarding your appointment.

appointments cannot be cancelled with less than 24 hours notice (link will not work). please text us at 415-747-5309 if you need to cancel with late notice (will result in a fee as per our policy).

Proper tan maintenance will result in an even fade, which is perfectly fine to spray over.

Clients with significant, patchy build-up of tan will not be sprayed with higher than a 6% DHA (extra light tan).

Spraying over an old, uneven tan may result in uneven application, and can hinder development, resulting in a brassy/orange tone.

Please try to remove all previous tan prior to your next appointment. Tan remover available in-studio.

We take pride in our tans and kindly ask that you take care of them before re-spraying :)