Beyond giving us an ongoing golden glow, self-tanners help brighten dull skin, even out skin tone, hide imperfections, and reduce the visibility of cellulite. Not to mention, self-tanning products and spray tans deliver a flawless finish — sans sun damage. Sign. Us. Up.
But do sunless tanners and waxing love each other as much as we love them? We get tons of questions about this. Like, should I get a spray tan before or after a wax? How long should I wait before services? How do I prep my skin for both?
With a little bit of strategic timing and the right products, smooth and sunless-ly tanned skin can live together in harmony. Read on for the answers to all of your questions about waxing and spray tanning.
Should you do waxing and spray tanning appointments on the same day?
We get it — self-care is hard to work into busy schedules, and it’s tempting to get all of your appointments booked on the same day. When it comes to waxing and spray tanning appointments, however, you don’t want to do the two services on the same day.
After a bikini wax, Brazilian wax, or other hair removal appointment, your skin’s pores take time to close back up and recover. Getting a sunless tan too soon — whether that’s a self-tanning product at home or a spray-tanning appointment — can mean the product will settle in your pores and result in spotty dark patches. Your skin could also become irritated and red.
Spacing your wax and tan appointments out allows your skin time to recover — and lets you achieve the sexiest tan possible.
Should I apply sunless tanning products before or after getting waxed?
This is the million-dollar question: Should you apply self-tanner or get a spray tan before or after a wax? We’re here to set the record straight. First, we wax. Then, we spray tan.
Why you should wax before a spray tan
If you tan before your wax appointment, waxing will remove some of the color from your skin, leaving it splotchy and irritated.
Waxing before your sunless tan is highly recommended. In fact, getting a leg wax, Brazilian wax, or other type of hair removal treatment is a natural form of exfoliation all on its own, so your skin will be extra smooth and prepped for a sunless tanning treatment.
How long you should wait to get a spray tan after waxing
Although it’s tempting, wait at least 24 to 48 hours to get a spray tan after waxing. Regardless of which area of your body you had waxed, it will be sensitive for a day or two. Giving your pores time to close before applying tanning products will ensure they don’t get clogged and your skin doesn’t break out or look patchy.
Top 5 tips for applying self-tanner at home
If you haven’t tried using self-tanner at home, you should! Many find it to be a quick, easy and cost effective solution. And while it might seem a bit intimidating at first, with the right method, you’ll be an expert in no time. Plus, self-tanning products have come a long way since the ‘80s and ‘90s, they’re easier to apply and produce a natural-looking tan. No more orange streaks.
No matter how you get your sunless tan, there are a few things you can do to ensure the best results.
Prep the skin
Just like with bikini wax aftercare, exfoliation and moisturizing are the keys to maintaining your flawless glow. Use an exfoliator or scrub before tanning to slough off dead skin cells. After you exfoliate, don’t forget to moisturize!
Important note: If you got a wax in the past 48 hours, do not exfoliate the area you waxed, as you risk irritating the sensitive skin.
Wear the right clothes
Be sure to wear clothing with a loose fit to your spray tan appointment or after you apply the product at home. Your tan needs time to dry so that it doesn’t smear or rub off on your clothes.
Use a mitt, not your hands
When applying your self-tanner, try not to use your hands. Try using a tanning mitt instead. Using a mitt can help you apply the tanner more evenly and help you to avoid streaking.
Plus, when you use your hands, you run the risk of the product staining your palms leaving you with a very unnatural look. Mitts are relatively inexpensive and definitely worth adding into your shopping cart along with your tanning product.
Start with your face
Your face is the only place on your body we recommend using your hands for even application. Start with your face so that you can rinse off any excess self-tanning product before continuing with the rest of your body. Pay special attention to the areas around your eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
Keep skin dry after your self-tan
Avoid moisture for at least four hours post-application. Depending on the product, the wait time can be longer or shorter. Try to hold off on exercising, swimming, sweating, showering, baths and saunas for the recommended amount of time—and even beyond that if you can. Patience is your friend with self-tanning products. The longer you wait, the better chance the product has to develop and the deeper your tan will be.
Our product recommendations for waxing and self-tanning skin care
When it comes to a smooth and long-lasting sunless tan, it’s all about prepping the skin. Here are the products we recommend.
Exfoliating Products
Exfoliation is key before you use any sort of sunless tanner — and it’s just as important to use as part of your waxing prep. Here are the products we recommend.
Lalicious Whipped Sugar Scrubs
Why it’s worth it: Gentle enough to use everything, this scrub is also perfect for post-wax care to prevent ingrown hair. While gently sloughing away dry skin cells to reveal a youthful and even skin tone, you’ll also nourish and deeply moisturize the skin, leaving a deliciously soft finish.
Key ingredients: Pure sugar cane, coconut oil, marula oil, and sweet almond oil
Waxing the City Sugar Scrubs
Why it’s worth it: This is an exfoliant and intense moisturizer — all in one. Applying this sugar scrub before a wax or sun-free tan will gently remove dead skin cells so your wax is thorough and your tan is smooth.
Key ingredients: Vitamins E extract, organic avocado oil, brown sugar cane, organic sugar cane, bamboo powder, aloe, organic shea butter, and mango seed butter
Bonus: Merben Bikini Brush
Why it’s worth it: Say goodbye to unsightly and irritated bikini lines caused by ingrown hairs! Perfect for prepping the skin for a Brazilian wax, the handmade brush’s natural bristles are extracted from the trunk of the jute tree. They’re super soft, making the brush perfect for gently dry-brushing the bikini area on a daily basis. Dry layers of skin are removed, allowing the hair to grow in properly. Excellent for sensitive skin.
Moisturizing Products
One of the most important steps to beautiful and healthy glowing skin after a wax or sunless tanning session is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Here are the products we love.
Lalicious Body Butter
post-wax, it’s a great way to prep for a flawless, sunless tan. Its ingredients provide intense hydration to seal in moisture while leaving skin silky smooth and nourished. Plus, using this after you rinse off your sunless tanning product can also help your tan last longer.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, aloe vera, safflower oil, and vitamin E
Fur All Body Butter
Why it’s worth it: This body butter is the solution to dry, cracked skin. With eight moisturizing ingredients and 60% less water than other body butters, it’s deeply hydrating. The thick balm nourishes even the roughest, driest skin. Its rich, gentle formula repairs your natural moisture barrier, which means fewer uninvited guests (like pollutants and environmental stressors) are able to sneak in. Effective for all ages, skin types, and grooming routines.
Key ingredients: Kokum butter, mango butter, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed wax, and carnauba wax
Waxing the City’s Bakuchiol Body Cream
Why it’s worth it: Everything you need in one moisturizer, this wonder cream brightens, firms, improves elasticity, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and is loaded with antioxidants.
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, avocado oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, caffeine, vitamin F, vitamin E, and vitamin C
Ready for smooth, exfoliated, and softer skin before your sunless tan? Find the WTC location nearest you to get started. (Psst! If you’re new to Waxing the City, you’ll get 20% off your first wax.)
Head over to our FAQs for answers to more questions like, “Can you tan after waxing?”
