Bridal makeup by Diana of BeautyinVA
Many brides like to have a glow for their wedding day. As a seasoned bridal makeup artist, I’ve seen a lot of tanning mishaps. Here are some things you should know before you dip your toe into the world of tanning before your big day.
Laying out
Please don’t lay out in the sun… like ever, but especially not too close your wedding day. Put aside the long term cancerous effects of baking in the sun without proper protection, and think about the uncontrollable nature of using natural sunlight to get a bronze look for your wedding day. A few minutes too long and you’ll be dealing with lobster red and sore skin on your big day. If you do like to soak up the sun, grab a floppy hat and strong SPF to protect your face, neck and shoulders.
Self Tanning
Self tanning is my recommend way of getting a summer tan for your wedding day. Start your tanning process at least a month before your wedding day to give you enough time to correct any mistakes like streaking or going too dark.
Yikes! Avoid this self tanning mishap
Remember this Met Gala mishap from Selena Gomez? The beautiful star admitted that she and her beauty team applied a self tanning gel the day of fashion’s big night and as the hours went by the tanning gel just kept getting darker and more orange.
Exfoliating your skin in the shower a day before you plan to self tan will help you achieve a smooth application. I’m a fan of the OSEA salt of the earth scrub. The self tanner I recommend is St. Tropez Express Self Tan Mousse. Using the brand’s mitt, apply the mousse in circular motions all over your body. Get help for your back and use sparingly on elbows and knees. Be sure to get your hands too. Leave on for an hour.
The next day check out your results. If the color needs to be darker, apply it again the following week but leave it on for 2 or 3 hours this time.
Your final application of self tanner should be two to three days before your wedding.
Don’t worry about getting your face. Professional wedding makeup artist will always color match foundation to your neck and chest for your wedding makeup.
Spray Tan
If you’d rather leave your tanning goals to the professionals then a spray tan is your best option. Like the self tan, we recommend doing a trial run a month or two before your wedding day to ensure the best shade of tan. Even better bring you spray tanner a photo of your skin glow goals- if it’s a photo of you from your last vacation even better!
Go for your final spray tan application a few days before your wedding day and PLEASE make sure they don’t spray your face. Spray tan leaves a film on the skin that doesn’t mesh well with most makeup. Your wedding makeup artist will thank you!
