How do you get the best Show Tan? You take time to prep your skin.

We know that there are so many things that you are having to figure out before your show and skin prep is quite possibly the last thing on your list.

Let’s make it easier for you and give you a complete run down of what you need to do if you want your skin and your tan to get you that First Place look.

Tanning…I know it can be one of the dreaded parts of competing as people fret over the preparation process and how to look after their competition tan. There are essential things that need to be done to get a nice smooth and even tan and your skin preparation is key to this…but hopefully this blog will break it down to how and why you’re being asked to do it and make things as easy as they can be!

Every Go Brown Glam Squad Tanning Technician is fully trained in tanning and will always ensure that your tan will be as perfect as can be; but only you have control of your skins condition. Remember your skin preparation is a big part of the final result! For a dark, smooth, even tan you need to focus on skin prep as an essential part of your overall +competition prep.

 Here are a few things that you should be doing during your prep

• At least a week before your show (earlier if possible) start exfoliating your skin regularly (don’t forget to get help for your back or any hard to reach areas). This will remove dead skin cells to leave a smoother surface for the tan to sit on. You can use exfoliating gloves and a PH balanced scrub, for example, Shibumi Scrub
• Moisturise your skin thoroughly immediately after exfoliating and every day to nourish the skin and keep it hydrated. Use Shibumi Optimise for a deep and nourishing skin hydration.
• Hair removal creams or waxing should be done at least a week before the competition, so that the skin pores have time to close, any regrowth can be shaved with a sharp new razor the day before the tan. If you’ve never used these methods before DO NOT start just before your show – do a test at least 8 weeks before to check your skin reacts well to it.
• Any shaving should be done the day before the tan. Ensure to use a new sharp razor.
• Both the ladies and men should apply nail varnish to fingernails and toenails the day before your base coat.
• Tan will not stain nail varnish and we will wipe off tan straight away.

We can always tell when we spray if the athlete has looked after their skin and prepped it correctly for the tan. The result of a prepped skin is a tan that is smoother, darker and more even.

UNDERSTANDING THE TANNING PROCESS

One of the main fears people have about the tan, is the actual process of having the tan. If you’ve never had a spray tan before, we suggest that you have a spray tan with one of our Go Brown Mobiles Spray Tanning Technicians, ideally before a posing workshop or bikini fitting, so that you have some idea of the spray tanning process.

Let’s have a look at the process of your tanning appointment, this will hopefully put you at ease and give you some idea of what will be happening on the day.

You will have completed the Athlete Tanning Registration form a few weeks before competition day, as the official tanners of the show we will always be on site. You will be tanned at the same time as other athletes, we do respect your privacy and you will stand in a booth that is private and not overlooked.

In most cases, the tanning process starts the day before the competition with a base coat – this provides the best tanning result, so the tan has time to settle, develop and absorb properly into the skin. So, whenever you plan on competing also make sure you have the whole day before the competition day clear, so you can relax, head to the area of the show and get your tan done without problems.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST COMP TANNING APPOINTMENT

• You can shower, using only water and an oil free shower gel or Shibumi Wash and do a gentle exfoliation with Shibumi Polish  – try to do this with cool – warm water and a few hours before your tanning appointment time if possible.
• DO NOT moisturise, use deodorant, perfume or put any product at all on your skin before your spray tan – your spray tan needs to go onto clean clear skin. Any products used on our skin could act as a barrier or react with the tan which is not what you want.
• When being tanned its best to wear as little as possible to avoid any tan lines.
• FEMALES – you will be asked to tan nude to avoid any lines.
• MALES – you will be provided with a Rocket pocket for coverage, alternatively bring a sock – or depending on your line up you can wear your boxers.
• Remove all jewellery before the tanning.
• You will be in a tent of your own and depending on your skin tone you will get one or two coats of tan. You may be asked to stand in front of a fan for a few minutes before you can get dressed.
• Wear loose, dark, lightweight old clothing. Drawstring bottoms with no elastic waistband and clothes a couple of sizes too big is best. Ideally you want long pants (not shorts) and long sleeved so there is minimal skin to skin contact. An over sized per of pj’ss should be used for sleeping in or a Onesie for the ladies. Wearing loose clothes when sleeping and the next day will minimize hand prints or marks on the tan.
• Wear flip flops as your only footwear until after the stage preferably; but if its Winter or you know your feet will get cold bring big fluffy, soft and loose bed socks.
• DO NOT shower or rinse off the tan till after the competition, and DO NOT put any products on your skin.

COMPETITION DAY –

When you wake up on the show day morning you’ll notice your tan has probably got darker and you’ll be feeling much more ‘show ready’!

If there are some marks when you wake up try not to worry about it too much, we can fix most things! Things like little clothing marks/scratches, wee lines etc can all be fixed by us. You will have been given a time to come for your next spray tan, the bronzer / top coat or a tan check- It is vitally important that you don’t miss this appointment!
For most shows it will be to do the final darker bronzer coat required to get you stage ready. For some athletes it will be to check if your tan is damaged with any marks, scratches or hand prints.

When you book your Comp Tan with Go Brown as the official tanners to a show, you can count on us to be backstage to help with anything you may need on the day, marks to fix etc, we’ll be there! And we always have bikini glue, a sewing kit, superglue and many other things you may need so always come to see us for any help.

About 20-30mins before you go on stage we will do any final touch ups for you as well as apply your Stage Glaze. Our Stage Glaze gives a nice shine to your tan to highlight your muscles under the bright stage lighting. This will only take a  minute or two and you will need to be in your stage wear and ready to go on stage. After your stage glaze you can then go and line up and pump up before you go on.

There will be a Go Brown Back Stage Athlete Assistant who will make any final adjustments that you may need, to take one last picture and of course wish you one final Good Luck.

Take time to focus on your skin prep to get the most out of your competition experience. Not sure what to pack for your show day, read WHAT TO PACK FOR SHOW DAY to ensure that you do not forget anything.