When Should You Get a Spray Tan Before an Event?

Your Cowtown Tanning timeline for special events, weddings, and vacations.

Have something on the calendar and wondering when you should get your spray tan before an event?

At Cowtown Tanning, our general recommendation is simple:

Book your spray tan 1–2 days before your event.

This gives your airbrush tan time to fully develop, allows you to complete your recommended first shower, and gives your color time to settle before it's time to get dressed, take photos, or head out.

Here's how we recommend planning your appointment.

Spray Tan Before an Event: 1–2 Days Before

For most special occasions—including galas, formals, birthdays, date nights, concerts, parties, and photos—we recommend scheduling your spray tan 1–2 days before the event.

Have a Saturday event? A Thursday or Friday spray tan appointment is typically ideal.

If your schedule is complicated, tell your Cowtown spray tan artist what you're tanning for and when your event starts. We'll help you choose the right development option for your timeline.

Wedding Spray Tan: 2 Days Before

For brides, we typically recommend scheduling your wedding spray tan two days before the wedding.

Getting married Saturday? Thursday is usually the sweet spot.

This gives your airbrush tan plenty of time to develop and allows you to complete your first shower well before wedding-day preparations begin.

We also highly recommend scheduling a bridal trial spray tan before the wedding. Your trial gives you and your spray tan artist the opportunity to determine your preferred color, solution, and development time before the big day.

And remember: bridal portraits, engagement photos, bachelorette weekends, and other wedding events may deserve their own spray tan appointments, too.

Vacation Spray Tan: 1–2 Days Before

For vacations, we recommend getting your spray tan 1 day before you leave.

Ideally, you'll complete your development time and first shower before traveling. If possible, avoid scheduling your spray tan immediately before a flight or long car ride.

Heading somewhere warm? Keep in mind that chlorine, salt water, hot tubs, frequent showering, and certain skincare products can cause a spray tan to fade faster.

Proper aftercare and keeping your skin hydrated can make a big difference in maintaining your sunless tan throughout your trip.

How Should You Prep for a Spray Tan Before an Event?

The best event spray tan starts with properly prepared skin.

24–48 hours before: Exfoliate thoroughly and remove any previous sunless tan. Pay extra attention to dry areas like your elbows, knees, ankles, hands, and feet.

12–24 hours before: Shave whenever possible. We recommend using our LATHER Sunless-Safe Body Wash while shaving instead of heavy shaving creams that may leave residue behind.

Leading up to your appointment: Keep your skin hydrated. Our WHIPPED Sunless-Safe Body Butter and HYDRATE Body Oil are designed to moisturize without ingredients we don't recommend for maintaining a sunless tan.

The day of your appointment: Arrive with clean, dry skin and avoid applying lotion, body oil, deodorant, perfume, or other products that may create a barrier between your skin and the spray tan solution.

And schedule your spray tan after your manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, waxing, and workout whenever possible.

Your Pre-Event Glow Checklist

1.  48 hours before: Exfoliate and remove old sunless tan
2. 24 hours before: Shave or complete any waxing
3. Before your appointment: Complete nails, facials, massages, and workouts
4. Appointment day: Arrive with clean, dry, product-free skin
5. Bring: Dark, loose-fitting clothes to wear home
6. After your spray tan: Avoid water, sweating, and tight clothing during your recommended development time
7. First shower: Follow the exact rinse time given by your Cowtown spray tan artist
8. After development: Moisturize daily with sunless-safe products
9. Event day: Your spray tan is developed, showered, and ready for your plans

Not Sure When to Book?

That's what we're here for.

Tell your Cowtown spray tan artist what you're tanning for and when your event begins, and we'll help determine the best appointment time and development option for you.

Whether you're preparing for a wedding, vacation, or special event, we'll help make sure your spray tan works with your schedule—not the other way around.

Book your Cowtown Tanning spray tan 1–2 days before your event, or contact our team if you need help choosing the right appointment.

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