Are you dying to know the best spray tanning solution for you? With more people becoming aware of the risks that come with tanning under the sun or going into a tanning bed, spray or sunless tanning has emerged as a more viable option.
Still, many folks out there are relatively new to the world of spray tanning and they will likely seek help from the professionals to get the kind of complexion they want.
If you are among those in the business of providing spray tans, then you absolutely must get your hands on the best spray tan solutions.
For this article, we will talk at length about different spray tan solutions and the characteristics that can make specific products better than the rest.
Let’s get started.
Sunless Tanning Solution Buyer’s Guide
Spray tan solutions all have the same goal of giving people the sun-kissed looks they desire, but they go about doing so in different ways. Those differences can greatly impact whether or not a particular product will work for a specific client.
Also, If you need a spray tan machine, checkout our buyer’s guide to help you choose the best one. Please read on to learn more about the qualities that separate spray tan solutions from one another.
The Reviews
1. Norvell Premium Sunless Tanning Solution – Dark 1
One of the issues that come with using sunless tanning solutions that users often complain about is the smell. Some describe it as “unnatural” while others go with “unpleasant.” If your clients are thinking about going to the beach sometime soon, chances are they won’t want to draw attention to themselves because are they are giving off a weird scent.
You can assure your customers that they won’t have to deal with that problem by offering this sunless tanning solution from Norvell.
The almond and raspberry essences infused into this spray tan get rid of the unpleasant smell and replace it with something significantly more inviting.
As for the look this solution produces, it’s very reminiscent of skin that has been on the receiving end of cosmetic bronzers. It’s the kind of look that can work for different kinds of complexions.
The natural enzymes featured in this sunless tanning solution will also work to moisturize your skin in order to prepare it before you hit the beach.
Take note that this Norvell tanner does not have an exceptionally long shelf life. After seven months, it will lose its effectiveness and will have to be replaced.
PROS
- Leaves behind a pleasing aroma
- Good for hydrating skin
- Suitable for all kinds of complexions
- Made without gluten, glycol, nut allergens, paraben, propylene, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances
CON
- Expected shelf life is seven months
2. SJOLIE No. 9 Medium Blend Spray Tan Solution
Catering to vegan customers is important for any business that is selling products meant to go on or in the body.
You can do exactly that by offering the SJOLIE No. 9 Medium Blend Spray Tan Solution in your establishment.
This product has been certified by PETA and it is also made using naturally-derived ingredients. So, what are those naturally-derived ingredients that are flowing through this spray tan solution?
One standout ingredient is aloe vera. Aloe vera is great for moisturizing your skin and it is a welcome addition to any spray tan solution.The other special ingredient found inside this spray tan solution is walnut extract. That aforementioned ingredient is great for producing that specific type of complexion that people want from spray tanning. The walnut extract featured in this solution also prevents that unnatural orange color from developing after the tan.Compared to some of the high-end spray tan solutions, this product from SJOLIE does not last very long once it’s applied. The aloe vera is supposed to improve the longevity of the tan, but it doesn’t do enough.
PROS
- PETA-certified product
- Aloe vera provides moisturizing benefits
- Walnut extract creates a better tan
CON
- Does not last as long as some of the top-end spray tans
3. Fake Bake Original Formula Instant Self-Tanning Liquid
Fake Bake’s Original Formula Instant Self-Tanning Liquid features a somewhat controversial ingredient in the world of spray tanners, with that being Erythrulose.
Some manufacturers stay far away from this particular ingredient, but as you’ll see, there are some valid reasons to like it.
As noted by Making Cosmetics, Erythrulose is useful for creating a darker-looking tan. It’s also an ingredient that can improve the longevity of the spray tan.
Erythrulose is not an ingredient that everyone seeking a spray tan may want, but if your customers are more focused on getting great value out of their tans, then you can promote this Fake Bake offering.
You can also present this spray tan solution as an option if you have customers who are going on week-long vacations.If you’re still getting used to applying this spray tan on customers, you can reference the built-in color guide.
Unfortunately, this spray tan solution does have an issue related to smell. The after-scent that comes along with it is not very appealing and it also tends to linger.
PROS
- Erythrulose used in this spray tan solution improves longevity
- Great for darker-looking tans
- Comes with a built-in color guide
CON
- Leaves behind an unpleasant smell
4. Norvell Ultra Vivid Cosmo Professional Tanning Solution
We’ve already talked about a Norvell product earlier in this article, so how does the Cosmo Tanning Solution differ from that item? The answer to that is evident in the quality of tan this product provides.
Cosmo is actually a combination of two different types of tans. It blends together Norvell’s Venetian and Dark blends to create a different shade of tan that will look terrific on the skin of many customers.
This is the kind of solution that can produce the shade of bronze that most people heading in for a tan are looking for.
In addition to the blended solutions, this Norvell product also comes loaded with cranberry and tomato extracts. Cranberry extract is prized for its moisturizing properties while tomato extract is great for making your skin look younger.
The aloe vera present in this solution is similarly useful for the purposes of hydrating your skin.
Much like the previously reviewed Norvell spray tan solution, the Cosmo also comes up short in terms of shelf life. You should only use it for a period of about seven months.
PROS
- Features different blends of Norvell spray tan solutions
- Loaded with both cranberry and tomato extracts
- Also contains aloe vera
CON
- Only expected to last for about seven months
5. Belloccio Professional Salon Sunless Tanning Solution
Finding a spray tan that works can be somewhat difficult for customers with a medium to dark skin tone. Many of the options available simply don’t create enough contrast to really change their look.
The great thing about the Professional Salon Sunless Tanning Solution from Belloccio is that it is specifically formulated to help out people with medium to dark skin tone.
The reason why this specific tanning solution works great for medium to darker skin is because of its DHA content.
The 12 percent DHA content this solution features is the preferred amount if you are looking to bring out the best in medium to darker skin tones.
The aloe vera base that this product utilizes is good for providing adequate hydration. Additional ingredients found in this spray tan solution help give the skin a more youthful glow.
They also do a great job of tightening up the skin and making it bouncier.Scent is a problem with this spray tan solution however. It’s supposed to feature a citrusy scent, but the end result is something that comes out way too sharp to be pleasing to the senses.
PROS
- Great for medium to darker skin tones
- Utilizes an aloe vera base
- Tightens up the skin after application
CON
- Citrusy scent is way too strong
6. SJOLIE No. 12 Dark Blend Spray Tan Solution
We’re discussing yet another product from SJOLIE, but this time, it’s their No. 12 Dark Blend Spray Tan Solution that is getting the spotlight. Unsurprisingly, this product does have a lot in common with the previous SJOLIE entry discussed in this article.
This spray tan solution is also PETA certified so feel free to offer it to customers who want to steer clear of animal-based products when they are going in for a tanning session.
The supporting ingredients that can be found in SJOLIE’s Medium Blend are also present in this product.
The aloe vera is there to provide the hydration that people also want from the tanning solutions they use and the walnut extract creates a better-looking tan that you will be proud to show off at the beach.
Basically, this is remarkably similar to the SJOLIE product from earlier and really, the only notable difference is that it’s more suitable for people with a darker complexion.
Of course, being very similar to the other SJOLIE spray tan solution means that the No. 12 blend also struggles with staying on for a long time.
PROS
- Tanning solution is certified by PETA
- Contains aloe vera that helps with hydration
- Included walnut extract is useful for creating a more even tan
CON
- Not the solution to use for those who want a longer-lasting tan
7. Siennasol Extra Dark Premium Spray Tan
What sets Siennasol’s Extra Dark Premium Spray Tan from the other options available today is its DHA content.
This product from Siennasol contains 20 percent DHA and that is significantly higher than what you’ll find in most tanning solutions.
So, what does having that much DHA allow this spray tan to do?
What it means is that this is a solution that is capable of effortlessly producing a deep and darker-colored tan. It’s an ideal solution to offer to customers who want that kind of tan, but also want it to last for a few days longer than what most tans would.
That improved longevity is made possible in large part by the Erythrulose present in this tanning solution.
This Siennasol creation is worth considering for those customers seeking a darker-colored tan that can stay on with no problem throughout a weekend at the beach and even beyond that.You need to be careful when applying this tan though.
Use too much of it and hints of orange could start to develop. It’s best to moderate your usage of it since it’s already quite strong to begin with.
PROS
- Features 20 percent DHA
- Erythrulose content prolongs the life of the tan
- Does not have to be applied twice
CON
- Hints of orange could show up in the tan if too much of this product is used
What Is DHA?
Let’s discuss some things in this buyer’s guide by answering an important question that many of your clients may ask before they decide to sign up for a session: What exactly is the DHA that’s always used in spray tan solutions?
DHA, also known as dihydroxyacetone, is a substance that reacts to your skin cells. The reaction between the DHA particles and the cells leads to your skin appearing darker, according to The Mayo Clinic.
Crucially, the DHA used in many spray tan solutions has indeed been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
It is perfectly safe to use when applied externally. Products containing DHA should not be applied to areas immediately surrounding the eyes, nose, and lips mainly because the effects it will have on those parts of the body remain unknown.
DHA Level
Now that we have a better understanding of DHA, let’s talk about DHA levels or percentages. The DHA level is often indicated on the container of the solution so that it can be found quickly.
Generally speaking, the DHA level of a specific solution helps determine which people are best suited to use it.
Spray tan solutions that contain eight percent DHA are best for those with lighter skin. People with a type of skin tone that can be accurately described as medium will benefit more from using spray tan solutions that have 10 percent DHA. For people with a darker skin tone, products that contain 12 percent DHA would be best.
Those are just the general guidelines however.
Some of your clients with fairer may want a darker tan, meaning they may want a product with 10 percent DHA. Still, when dealing with customers who are new to spray tanning, it’s a good idea to adhere to those aforementioned guidelines.
Special Labels
Some of the spray tan solutions being sold today come with special labels. It’s important to pay attention to those labels because the customers who come into your salon may look for products that correspond to them.
Hypoallergenic is an example of a label that you will find often on spray tan solutions. It simply means that the product in question is good for people with sensitive skin.
You may also have clients who are vegan and they will obviously not want to use any solutions that make use of animal-based or animal-derived products. You can still meet their needs as a salon owner because there are spray tan solutions that feature vegan-friendly ingredient lists.
Additional Benefits
Spray tan solutions are supposed to make skin darker, but that’s not the only thing they should be capable of. If you want to convince more people to try out spray tanning, you can do so by pointing out that the products used for it often provide additional benefits.
Many of the spray tan solutions that are available currently offer moisturizing benefits. Along with darkening your skin, they can also keep it better hydrated, which is always welcome especially when you’re planning to head to the beach.
In order to find spray tan solutions that are capable of providing those moisturizing benefits, you should look for the ones that contain aloe vera, though there are other ingredients that can offer adequate hydration.
You can also find certain spray tan solutions that can make skin look younger.
The bottom line is that spray tan products can do more than just darken skin. Look for the products that are capable of offering wider-ranging benefits in order to entice more people to come and try spray tanning.
Aroma
When it comes to spray tan solutions, you’re not necessarily looking for something that smells good. If you can find a product that simply doesn’t leave behind any kind of unpleasant after-scent, that is more than good enough.
Unpleasant after-scents are common complaints with spray tan solutions so be careful when you are out shopping and make sure that you avoid those products.
Shelf Life
Spray tan solutions do indeed have a shelf life. You can’t just store them indefinitely and keep using them until they run out.
Seven months is an acceptable shelf life for spray tan solutions, but you can find some products that will remain usable for up to a year.
Conclusion
The specific needs and desires of your client should always be prioritized whenever you’re thinking of which spray tan solution to use. However, if you are looking for a product that is capable of catering to a wide audience and delivering great results each and every time it’s used, your best bet is the Ultra Vivid Cosmo Professional Tanning Solution from Norvell.
The type of tan produced by this solution is simply gorgeous and the additional benefits it offers work to make it even more useful as a beauty product. Along with applying a beautiful tan, this product also nourishes and cares for the skin.
You may be worried about its shorter shelf life, but odds are your customers will love this so much that it will run out long before the seven months are up.
