Spray Tans

Salon and do-it-yourself spray tanning

Reviews say the most convenient way to get a sunless tan is at a salon. There are a number of options, all of which last about the same four to five days as at-home products; the one you choose depends on how much you're willing to spend. The least expensive option is booth spray tanning, like Mystic Tan (*Est. $25 at Hollywood Tans and other tanning salons), in which you stand in a booth and are blasted with tanning solution from shower jets. A disposable shower cap protects your hair, and you're advised to hold your breath and close your eyes during spraying. It sounds like this procedure would result in uneven color, but reviewers say wiping excess solution off with a towel immediately after spraying and using the provided barrier cream to keep certain areas (like elbows, knees, and soles of feet) from getting too dark leaves you with an even, natural-looking tan. Since all areas are covered with the spray tanning solution, you don't have to worry about hard-to-reach spots.

Some salons will also do airbrush tanning (*est. $75 to $100), in which a technician uses a handheld sprayer to apply a fine mist of sunless tanner, varying the amount of tanning agent to match what you'd get from laying in the sun. We've even seen technicians enhance the appearance of muscles and abs with airbrush tanning. Another option, if you're doubtful about your ability to apply a sunless tanner evenly at home, is to have a salon do it for you, usually after an exfoliation treatment (*total est. $75 to $125). One reviewer recommends choosing a salon that uses the Flawless Sunless Tan System, which uses a special light to illuminate the tanner so the technician avoids mistakes.

If you have a steady hand, you can even do airbrush tanning at home. The Nuress Home Spray Tanning System (*Est. $150, including tanning solution) consists of a motor unit, hose and spray gun that can be used in your own shower. It applies tanning solution under low pressure, theoretically providing a streak-free, all-over tan. Nuress is mentioned as a home alternative by several magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Soap Opera Digest, but in one comparison test, Nuress was deemed hard to apply and left testers too orange.