fake tan streaking? Or risk indoor tan...

[JoLo908]

Everyone looks better with a little color... but I am debating going to the tanning booth. I am fair and typically wear SPF all of the time, but when we went to Mexico for the site visit, I got burnt even with applying sunscreen all the time (In weird random places... I looked like a leopard). So, I am debating going to the tanning bed for a few times to "build up" my skin. Do you ladies think this is a good idea? I know tanning is bad for you, but I also know fake tans look orange, and can splotch and streak in chlorine from the pool.... so, what do you think? Go to the bed a few times?? My friend did it before she went to DR and didn't get burnt....

[Jacilynda]

I personally go to a tanning bed. I'm sure I'll pay for it later, but I go every spring to build up a tan for the summer. We spend alot of time at our lakehouse. Although I think it depends. Some years in spring I'm a little overweight from the holidays HA! and I have to lose weight or I'll get a spray tan done for me. Just cause my sides always get this roll and tanning beds don't tan ya there so when I do lose a little weight it shows I had a roll and w/ a spray tan they airbrush it on you and get every nook and cranny!

[Jess]

Did you read JamieLynne's thread from yesterday? Don't do it!

 

I don't know if you should do the airbrush tan either though as your pictures might look funny - I know photographers don't usually like the fake tans

[Jess]

if you do decide the fake route - I agree with Jac - the airbrush is way better than mystic or another type of booth because they get you everywhere

[Jess]

Here is that thread Joanna:

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t42467

[Married_In_Maui]

I agree that everyone looks better with a little color. I personally think it makes me look a little lighter & more toned (& who wouldn't want to look 5 lbs lighter right:) I tan for roughly 2 months (going a few times a week) every spring to get ready for vacation & boating season You are really in control of whether you burn or not. You have to start out going for a few minutes & build yourself up. Don't go in & tan for the max minutes, b/c of course you will burn. Ask the people at the tanning salon, they will give you suggestions on lotions & how long to go (they are there everyday, they know what works & what doesn't.) Good luck!!

[Kristy!]

I have the weird blotchy sunburn issue as well, but mostly on my legs. I am really against going to a tanning booth and don't want to go the fake tan route. I was stumped as well. Then the more I thought about it, all that is going to show for the wedding pictures is my shoulders, arms, and face. So I while I will definitely use sunscreen all over, I will really concentrate on the areas that will be seen.

[Sammygurlj]

I used a fake tanner before I went out in the sun before and I get seriously burnt becasue my skin wasn't actually tan, so I wouldn't suggest that. A tan is your skins defense agianst the sun so faking it isn't really a great idea, it will just draw more sun to you since you are darker.

I don't know if that made sense but anywho if you are going to be out in the sun and you are worried about burning I would suggest going to a tanning bed a few times. I know tanning is not good for you but getting a sunburn is far worse for your skin.

[~*Kathy*~]

I went to the tanning bed for about two months prior to my wedding in Mexico. I know that those tan lotions have come a long way and supposedly work great but I'm too paranoid to risk it. Anyhoo, I got a great base tan before I left and didn't have to worry about being too orange or streaks. I'd recommend the stand-up tanning booth if you can, I got a really nice and even tan that way. Good luck!

[TATrisha]

As a photographer, I would highly suggest that you DO NOT use fake tanner. Very rarely is it applied correctly or does it look natural at all. Especially in the harsh lights of Mexico.

if you decide to go in a tanning bed, I would go for VERY short periods of time 6-7 minutes and then just go every other day for two weeks. You won't build up much color, but hopefully just enough that with 50 spf you'll be fine in Mexico.

Then, even when you DO have a tan built up, LATHER the suntan lotion on while down there. The sun is VERY strong and you can still get very burnt. Make sure to cover areas like your nose and ears very well as these will be seen in every picture and are places that sometimes people don't concentrate on.

 

Oh yes, and I suggest a big floppy hat! I wore one the days leading up to my wedding. It made sure that my scalp didn't get burnt and my face (again, key photograph areas). Plus it kept some of the sun off of my shoulders and kept me cooler as well.