Summary
Prepping for a flawless Christmas spray tan? This guide covers The Tanning Shop Ireland’s top tips for a natural-looking glow that will see you through party season. From when to book (2-3 days in advance is best) to how to keep your festive glow going and when it’s time for a touch-up, we’re sharing everything you need to know before your calendar fills up.
Our favourite time of year is just round the corner! Christmas parties, family get-togethers and New Year’s Eve countdowns: it’s truly a season of celebration. If you’ve already got a few plans in the calendar, it’s time to start prepping your party season glam, and that doesn’t stop with your outfit.
At The Tanning Shop Ireland, we’re sharing insider tips to get the hottest party season spray tan, so you can shimmer and shine like those twinkly Christmas lights. Timings, shades, aftercare – we’ll cover it all, so read on to plan your perfect Christmas spray tan.
When is the Best Time to Get a Spray Tan Before an Event?
48-72 hours before an event is the best time to get a spray tan. Your colour looks its best 1-3 days after a spray tan session, so timing your appointment a couple of days before your Christmas do or New Year’s bash will give you your ideal glow.
If your Christmas party is on a Friday, a Tuesday evening or Wednesday appointment puts you right in that window.
Avoid tanning on the day itself, as your colour won’t have finished developing (full development takes 24 hours). Whichever day you choose, exfoliate and shave the day before so your tan has a smooth base to develop on.
Want the full hour-by-hour picture? Our complete spray tan guide walks you through it.
Your Party Season Spray Tan Planner
If you’ve more than one night out pencilled in, a little planning saves a last-minute scramble for appointments the week before Christmas. One spray tan lasts around five to seven days, so here’s how to match your bookings to the big dates in the Irish party calendar.
- Early to mid-November: December is one of the busiest months in our salons, so book your appointments in November for the best choice of times. Trying a spray tan for the first time, or going a deeper shade than usual? Squeeze in a test run on a quieter day so you know exactly how your party tan will turn out.
- The work Christmas party: whether it kicks off in late November or on the last Friday before the holidays, book your Christmas party spray tan two to three days before.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: heading out with old friends on Christmas Eve, then dinner with the family the next day? An appointment on 21st or 22nd December keeps your Christmas tan glowing for both.
- St Stephen’s Day: your colour will be starting to soften by now. Keep moisturising morning and night so it fades evenly through the long walk and the leftovers.
- New Year’s Eve: a pre-Christmas tan will have mostly faded by the 31st. Exfoliate, then rebook for 28th or 29th December, so your colour is at its best when the countdown starts.
- Nollaig na mBan (6th January): celebrating Women’s Christmas with your friends or sisters? A spray tan on 3rd or 4th January means you start the new year glowing.
Choosing Your Party Glow
Party season is when plenty of our customers go a shade or two deeper than their everyday glow, and there are lots of ways to tailor yours. Your tanning consultant will walk you through it all in the salon, but here’s a head start.
Norvell® Dark or Clear?
Both Norvell® solutions develop into the same natural-looking finish over 24 hours. The difference is what you see in the meantime. Norvell® Dark leaves a visible guide colour from the moment you step out of the booth, so you can check your coverage straight away. Norvell® Clear is bronzer-free and develops invisibly, which makes it a clever choice if you’ve got Christmas shopping or work to get through while your colour develops.
How Deep Should You Go?
Our colour depths start with a soft, everyday glow and go all the way up to an ultra-rich Double Dark. Sequins, metallics, and deep jewel tones carry a deeper tan beautifully, so a Christmas party is a great excuse to go bolder. Never tried Double Dark before? Test it on an earlier night out so there are no surprises on the night that matters most.
Salon Add-Ons for Party Season
We offer a luxurious range of spray tan and skincare add-ons in salon. You can’t book them online, so mention any extras when you arrive, and your consultant will tailor your session. Here are our party season favourites:
- Luminous Legs: a full-body spray tan with an extra leg spray for a little more colour where it shows. Made for mini dresses and bare legs in heels.
- Signature Spray: your spray tan paired with WellFit® spray-on skincare. Cold weather and central heating leave skin feeling dry, and a head-to-toe hydrating mist is a lovely bit of pre-party pampering.
How to Keep Your Tan Going Through Party Season
Late nights in cold winter weather can take their toll on your tan. If you’re wondering how to tan during winter without your colour fading patchy, these habits will keep your winter tan looking fresh from one event to the next:
- Moisturise morning and night with an oil-free lotion once your tan is past its first 24 hours. Central heating dries skin out quickly, and dry patches are usually where fading starts.
- Keep showers short and lukewarm, then pat your skin dry. Hot water and long soaks speed up fading.
- Check your party products. Oil-based makeup removers, body oils, and some shimmer lotions can break down your colour, so stick to oil-free versions where you can.
- Go gently on your face. Facial skin renews faster than the rest of your body, so remove your makeup with a hydrating cleanser and save exfoliating face products for after your last event.
For the full list of do’s and don’ts, take a look at our spray tan aftercare tips.
When to Touch Up Your Tan
With good aftercare, a Norvell® spray tan lasts up to seven days. If all your events fall within the same week, one appointment should see you through. If more than a week passes between dates, or your colour starts to look uneven, it’s time for a fresh tan.
Exfoliate the day before your next appointment to lift what’s left of your old tan. Your new colour then develops on a smooth, clean base, with no patchy tan leftovers underneath. Our guide on how to prepare for a spray tan has everything you need to get your skin ready.
Party Outfits and Your Spray Tan
You’ve picked the outfit; now make sure your tan and your clothes get along.
- Watch where things sit tight. Snug waistbands and bra straps can rub at your colour over a long night.
- Add sparkle last. If you love a glittery finish, apply an oil-free body shimmer on the night, over your fully developed tan.
FAQs
Can I get a spray tan the day before my Christmas party?
You can, as long as you give your tan time to fully develop. Our Norvell® solutions develop over 24 hours, so a spray tan the day before will be ready in time. For the richest colour, though, book two to three days before your event.
Will my spray tan last from Christmas to New Year?
Probably not all the way. A spray tan lasts around five to seven days, so a tan from 22nd December will have mostly faded by New Year’s Eve. For a fresh glow when the fireworks start, exfoliate and rebook on 28th or 29th December, and moisturise daily with an oil-free lotion in between.
Should I get my nails or hair done before or after a Christmas tan?
Before, if you can. Manicures and pedicures involve soaking and buffing, which can lift fresh tan from your hands and feet, and a salon hair wash in the first 24 hours can leave streaks around your hairline. If your appointments have to fall after your tan, wait until it has fully developed and let your nail tech or hairdresser know.
How do I remove my old spray tan before my next appointment?
Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment with a gentle scrub or an exfoliating mitt, paying extra attention to your elbows, knees, ankles, and hands, where old colour tends to cling. Moisturise afterwards, then arrive for your spray tan with clean skin and no products on.
What are The Tanning Shop Ireland’s Christmas opening hours?
Opening hours over Christmas and New Year can vary from salon to salon, so check your nearest salon’s page before you book your appointment. You can also book online to see available spray tan times at Dundrum, Tallaght, and Greystones.
Where to Get a Christmas Spray Tan in Dublin & County Wicklow
You’ll find our automated VersaSpa Pro spray tan booths at Dundrum and Tallaght in South Dublin, and in Greystones, County Wicklow. Book online, and when you arrive your consultant will help you choose your shade and any party season add-ons before you step into your private booth. Sessions take around 15 minutes from start to finish, so it’s easy to fit one in between Christmas shopping.
Party season fills our diaries quickly, and booking your Christmas spray tan early means you get the day that suits your plans.
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