How to Self Tan Like a Pro, According to a Celebrity Spray Tan Artist

There’s a reason a really good self-tan can make you feel like you just got back from vacation. When it’s done right, it gives skin that smooth, glowy look and has you feeling your best self—minus the sun damage. But according to celebrity spray tan artist Isabel Vita, the difference between a flawless tan and a patchy one often comes down to a few small mistakes people make before they even apply the product.

On a recent episode of GlowLab, Vita shares with host Susan Yara the exact prep, application, and maintenance tips she uses on celebrity clients, along with the surprisingly simple tricks that help a tan fade evenly and last longer. 

Think of this as your all-encompassing guide to self-tanning.

Tips for Applying Self-tan From a Celebrity Spray Tan Artist

1. Prep your skin before tanning day

The biggest mistake people make is doing all the prep work right before tanning. 

What to do 24–48 hours before:

✅ Exfoliate your entire body
✅ Shave or wax
✅ Start moisturizing consistently
✅ Drink plenty of water

What not to do right before tanning:

❌ Take a hot shower
❌ Exfoliate again
❌ Shave
❌ Apply lotion, oil, perfume, or body spray

Why it matters:

Vita explains that a lot of people try to “fix months of dehydration” the night before with one exfoliating session and a layer of lotion, but true healthy, hydrated skin really needs to be an ongoing routine.

She also warns against shaving or taking a hot shower right before tanning because the skin becomes too irritated and the pores stay open, which can cause the DHA to develop unevenly. “The number one cause for streaks in a spray tan is shaving right before your spray tan,” Vita says, noting that leftover razor residue and freshly opened pores can lead to all the things you don’t want.

2. If you do shower before tanning, keep it quick

If you absolutely need to rinse off before applying self-tanner:

Do:

✅ Use cool or lukewarm water
✅ Keep it short
✅ Use minimal soap (only where needed)

Don’t:

❌ Steam up the bathroom
❌ Use moisturizing body wash all over
❌ Apply deodorant, perfume, or lotion afterward

3. Apply in thin layers

For spray tanning:

Think of it like applying SPF spray.

• Spray in circular motions
• Hold the bottle slightly away from the body
• Apply in the shower to avoid mess
• Cover your feet with a towel while spraying the rest of your body to avoid overspray buildup

For mousse:

• Pump product onto the mitt—not directly onto skin
• Blend in circular motions
• Use lighter pressure near wrists, ankles, and hands
• Work quickly

One surprising tip: Vita avoids using mousse directly on feet because it tends to grab too dark there. Instead, she prefers spray formulas for feet and ankles.

4. You probably don’t need lotion on your knees and elbows

You know that age-old tip telling people to apply lotion to dry areas first? Vita says you can skip that. In her experience, doing so can actually make things worse if it isn’t blended perfectly.

Instead, only lightly moisturize feet and behind the ankles if needed, and let hydrating formulas do most of the work. Too much “barrier cream” can leave obvious pale circles the next morning.

5. Don’t skip this post-tan trick

Right after applying self-tanner:

Do:

✅ Wear loose clothing
✅ Avoid sweating
✅ Use body powder if you have it

Vita says powder helps:

• Reduce stickiness
• Prevent transfer
• Absorb sweat while the tan develops

6. The first shower is extremely important

This is where a lot of tans go wrong.

During your first rinse:

✅ Use warm water only
✅ Skip soap completely
✅ Rinse until the water runs clear
✅ Pat dry instead of rubbing

Why? Because the DHA continues developing even after you rinse. Using soap too early can interrupt the process and make the tan lighter or patchier.

7. Know when your tan will actually look best

If you’re tanning for a wedding, vacation, pretty much any major event where you want to look and feel your best, DO NOT—we repeat—DO NOT do it the morning or even the night before.

Vita recommends tanning two to three days ahead of time, as that is when the color looks the most natural and fully developed. She specifically mentions that brides often try to book tans the night before their wedding, but said that timing can backfire. “It’s still going to be developing during your wedding, and you’re not going to get that true brown,” Vita says.

8. How to fix common self-tan mistakes

If your hands or wrists get too dark:

• Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad
• Gently wipe the area ASAP

If your tan starts fading unevenly:

• Add tanning drops into body lotion around day five or six
• Use it like a gradual tanner to extend the life of the tan

If your tan looks streaky:

Check for:

• Soap residue
• Shaving too close to tanning time
• Rushing your first rinse

To hear the full rundown on all things self-tanning, listen to GlowLab wherever you get your podcasts.

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