I embrace being pale with passion, but I've always wanted to know what it was like on the other side... the golden, bronze side. So yesterday, I went and got my first custom airbrush tan! I will share my experience here, with you.
Here's some quick background information: I am going to be in my friend's wedding in August, 1 of her 6 bridesmaids. I saw her Mom a few months ago who said, "You're going to tan before the wedding, right?" I never would have considered it, but after that, how could I not? As I considered it more seriously, I played out all the awful scenarios in my head: what if the tan looks streaky? what it comes out too dark on my face, but light everywhere else? what if I look like a giant oompa loompa?
After weeks of thinking, I came up with this solution: I needed to try out the spray tan BEFORE the wedding to make sure I didn't hate it. So I found a place, Perfect Tan on Commonwealth, who offers a package of 3 custom airbrush tans for the price of 2. I made my first appointment for the day before my friend's bachelorette party. Of course, with my luck, I picked the hottest day of the year to get my first spray tan. One of the "golden" rules of spray tan is to avoid getting wet for the first 8 hours. That includes NO excessive sweating... on a day that hit 100 degrees... awesome.
Yesterday, I woke up and followed their directions explicitly, exfoliating and moisturizing all over. I picked an old, blue and white, striped dress to wear knowing it was going to get stained. And then I went to my appointment, pale face held high, sun-starved shoulders back. I was greeted by 2 women who immediately scolded me for being late. I guess 5 minutes makes a big difference in tan time. I was given a paper g-string with instructions to put it on in room 16. My white legs were shaking a little as I walked to my room. I felt like I was walking the pale mile!
I put the paper panties on in my private room and waited for the lady to spray me. She came in and asked me how dark I wanted to be, so I explained how I wanted to look tan, but natural. She then told me not to worry and she would take care of me - she was going to make me look "normal" and not "washed out" anymore. (Thanks for the confidence boost, lady.) No more than 15 minutes later, I was standing naked in front of a fan waiting for my new, tan exterior to dry.
At first, it was only a slight difference, but the lady explained the tan would increase as the day went on. After it dried, it was time for me to boldly and bronze-ly face the world. I was still me, but a new, tan me - TanChic! Sure enough, I failed miserably at not excessively sweating. My dress is now blue, white, and brown stripes. Oh well. By the end of the day, I had reached a solid, bronze-y glow. Luckily, I didn't look as ridiculous as I thought I would... well, I didn't think so anyway. But now, the true test: the bachelorette party tonight and actually seeing people who know me. I'm about to head out to have my makeup done because I don't have tan makeup (one of the downsides to tanning). I will update you with pictures later. Wish me luck!
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