Audra & Lauren's Spray Tanning Experience

by Audra Anders and Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

Katie Phillips reached out to me about a month ago to let me know about her neighbor, Shelley, who has a spray tanning business out of her home. Shelley was nice enough to offer a free spray tan for Lauren and me to try. We went yesterday to her home studio in The Branches neighborhood and are both now proudly sporting a “Winter Glow”! We decided to give you our thoughts on the experience separately:

Audra’s Notes:

So- I’ve heard about this “lady” in The Branches who does spray tans out of her home. I’ve experienced Prom and Homecoming from a boy mom perspective for about 7 years in a row. Although spray tans aren’t a part of the boy dance prep ritual, I’ve noticed that the girls are definitely including spray tans along with hair, nails and makeup as they get ready for these big dance events. Several girls I know prefer Shelley for their pre-prom/hoco tans. I don’t think I would have ever even explored the idea of a spray tan if not for Katie asking me to try. I have two winter weddings to attend and felt like I was pale as a ghost so why not?!

I must have read the prep directions 8 times to make sure I was ready. I was still nervous as apparently most go topless and wear a thong for the process and I’ve never even met Shelley. Again – I trust Katie. Turns out Shelley is very nice, easy going, and we have several mutual friends so she put me at ease right away. Plus Lauren was there to keep me laughing. Shelley also told me that some people wear shorts and tanks…all depends on your tan line preferences and modesty level!

I went first and the room is private, the spray is a little chilly but not too bad. You are supposed to not get any of your skin wet for 12 hours afterwards. I was a little over overcautious about this but its been more than 24 hours and I’m really liking the color. My husband and kids begged me not to do it. They were worried I would be orange when I returned. They definitely noticed the color but all three say it just looks like a good tan. If it lasts through my first wedding on 12/30 I may do it again for my mid January event! It only costs $35….Lauren and I agreed that it is well worth the price. Plus, if you notice any flaws or want to be darker Shelley will give you a touch up for free!

I’m so glad I tried Shades by Shelly. My skin thanks me for not resorting to the dangerous UV rays of a tanning bed to rid me of my ghostly winter pallor.

Lauren’s Notes:

I’ve never had a spray tan before. I was a little nervous for a few reasons, like being orange and a stranger seeing me in my underwear. Unlike Audra, I didn’t have an event or anything to look tan for, so I figured I’d be fine however this turned out. It helped that my friend Nina went to Shelly a week earlier and looked good. I followed Shelly’s instructions except for not wearing deodorant; I’m a smelly person and need deodorant. Audra and I showed up to Shelly’s house, baggy clothed and ready to be tan. We went downstairs where she walked us through the process. I ended up wiping off my deodorant because the aluminum has a temporary reaction with the spray tan and turns green. I also have melasmas (dark spots on my face) so I talked to my dermatologist before to make sure this wouldn’t make it worse. He said it would be fine, but it would make them darker (duh) even if only temporarily but put aquafore or coconut oil delicately on the dark spots to repel the tan from that area.

Shelly gave me good directions and I felt very comfortable. The spray tan is COLD, but she warns you as much. I went with her suggested color and it didn’t look very dark when I left. I was a little freaked out later that night when my thighs appeared orange, like Clemson orange but my face was fine. I was out all day without any foundation or lotion on. Also, a point, if you are a sunscreen freak, you can wear powder but foundation and lotions are not suggested. As said sunscreen freak, I used (and use every day) Peter Thomas Roth sunscreen powder.

Once I showered the following day, my thighs were not orange, in fact, none of me was orange. My gummy bear belly is really less terrifying with some color and I feel confident enough to not wear make-up in public, which I usually don’t.

For me, everything comes down to cost analysis. Do I like this enough to fit it into my splurge budget in replacement of something else, and I’m thinking, yes. I would definitely do this before a special occasion or a trip to the beach, but also, I think I would consider this more often. Do exfoliate 4+ hours before going and wear baggy clothes and no deodorant. I would plan to get a spray tan a few days prior if I was doing it for an event. Shelly mentioned that she does offer touch ups if you get showered and feel like you should be darker. I like that I didn’t have to stand around sticky, and I like that I feel like I look like I have a healthy glow.

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