The best part of going to a party is getting ready. Dancing to your hype music, picking out clothes and feeling confident as ever, ready to take the night by storm. The experience of getting ready for your appointment at Bright Bar should be no different!

Prep is a very important part of the tanning experience. Without the right preparation, you won’t get the desired results and your tan will likely fade much quicker. Below are some tips to help you prep your skin for a better (and brighter) experience:

The Week Of:

If you’re prepping for an event includes other pampering, make sure to schedule your tan for last. The chemicals and exfoliation used in waxing, hair coloring, eyelash extensions, and manicures and pedicures can interact with the tan and make it fade more quickly. Don’t worry, the tanning solution won’t stick to your hair or nails, so you won’t have to re-color.

Pro Tip: While all solutions dry in 3 minutes and some can be washed off in as little as 2 hours, the airbrush artist may suggest leaving the solution on for longer for a darker color. If you want a darker tan for an event, schedule your appointment at least one day in advance.

The Night Before:The night before your appointment is the real pampering time. Hop in the shower (or a bath with a glass of wine!) and prep your skin:

Shave – It’s important to remove all hair so your tan applies smoothly. Remember your legs, underarms, and bikini area - any part of your body that you want to be tanned.

Exfoliate – Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells and makes way for new cells at the surface. Your tan will last longer because the skin that is being tanned is fresh and new. I use a sugar scrub with lavender oil – just make sure you can actually feel the scrub on your skin. And remember to exfoliate your face!

Pro Tip: If your appointment is in the evening, shaving and exfoliating can be done that morning. But it’s always nice to get into bed with soft, smooth legs!

The Morning Of:

Don’t use any skin products on the day of your appointment. If you need to shower in the morning, wash your face and body with soap, but don’t apply deodorants or lotion. You want to have a clean slate for the solution to be applied and set into your skin. Any barriers to that setting will shorten the length of your tan.

Pro Tip: If your appointment is after work, not having any product on your face can make for a long day. If you want to wear a little makeup to get you through, Brightbar has makeup wipes to take it off before your tan – just don’t go overboard. Embrace the natural look!

For Your Appointment:Wear or bring dark, loose fitting clothing. A bra will rub the solution off, so make sure you have a top that you’re comfortable wearing without a bra. Avoid wearing Uggs or knee-high boots to your appointment for the same reason. Socks, sneakers, and low-cut boots are all fine!

Pro Tip: If you forget a hair tie, nose plugs, or anything else for your tan, don’t stress - Brightbar has extras!

Prepping is a key part of life – you prep for meetings, you prep for vacation, and you should always prep for your tan. All the hard work you do before will be work it when you have your smooth, long-lasting glow. And don’t think of it as a chore – think of it as a Prep Party!