Prom Spray Tan: When to Book & How Dark to Go

Get your prom spray tan one to two days before prom, and book the appointment as soon as you know the date, because prom season fills up. Aim for one to two shades deeper than your natural color, adjust for your dress, and tan after your nails and waxing, not before.

That is the plan. The rest of this guide explains each part, with specifics for Brooklyn proms, many of which fall on Friday and Saturday nights in May and June. Parents of younger students may also want to read what age you can get a spray tan.

When to book (not the same as when to tan)

There are two dates to think about. The first is the day you call. The second is the day you tan.

When to call

As soon as prom has a date. Rosie is a solo artist who does every tan herself, and she also does bridal work through the same months, so Thursday and Friday slots in prom season go quickly. Call or text (917) 326-0303; there is no online booking.

When to tan

A spray tan develops over about eight hours. After that, you rinse with lukewarm water and no soap. It looks most natural on Day 2, once the cosmetic bronzer has washed off. Rosie is shomer Shabbat: she works Sunday to Thursday 9 AM to 8 PM and Friday until an hour before sunset. So:

• Saturday-night prom: tan on Thursday.
• Friday-night prom: tan on Wednesday, or Thursday after school.
• Weeknight prom: two days before.

Why not the morning of? A fresh tan has not finished developing, it still has a layer of bronzer on top, and it is much more likely to transfer onto the inside of a dress. The full explanation is in the Day 2 phenomenon.

Fitting the tan into prom week

The order of appointments matters as much as the date. Rosie’s full guide is nails, hair and spray tan: what order to book everything; the prom version is short.

1. Waxing or shaving: at least a day before the tan.
2. Exfoliate: the day before the tan.
3. Manicure and pedicure: before the tan. Soaking after a tan lifts the color around your nails.
4. Spray tan: one to two days before prom.
5. Hair and makeup: on the day, after the tan has been rinsed. Tell your makeup artist you have a tan so she matches your foundation to it.

How dark to go

One to two shades deeper than your natural color is the range that looks like you, just after a good week outside. Deeper than that tends to show in photos: a face that does not match the neck, palms that look stained, a shade that reads orange under flash. If you want to understand why, read the orange question.

Your skin’s undertone matters as much as depth. Fair skin with pink undertones often needs a cooler blend so it does not turn peachy. Olive skin can take more warmth. Rosie mixes for each person, which is the reason to book an artist instead of a booth. More detail is in how to choose your spray tan shade.

Matching the tan to your dress color

Bring a photo of the dress to your appointment. These are starting points, not rules.

White, ivory and champagne

A tan makes white look brighter, which is why white dresses are popular with tans. But very deep color next to bright white can look harsh in flash photos. Stay at the softer end, about one shade up.

Pastels: blush, lilac, baby blue, mint

Pastels wash out pale skin, so a little color helps a lot. Keep it natural and avoid anything too warm, which can clash with cool pastels.

Black, navy and emerald

Dark and jewel-toned dresses carry a slightly deeper tan well. This is the dress for the full two shades if your skin can take it.

Red and hot pink

Strong warm colors can bring out warmth in the skin. A neutral or slightly cool blend keeps you from looking flushed.

Gold, bronze and sequins

Metallic warm tones love a tan. A golden undertone works here, as long as the depth stays believable.

Silver and icy blue

Cool metallics look best with a neutral tan. Too much warmth next to silver is where people start to look orange.

Thinking about the photos

Prom photos happen in two kinds of light: daylight on a stoop or in a park before the limo, and hard flash inside the venue. Daylight is forgiving. Flash is not. It flattens skin and exaggerates any orange in a tan, which is one more reason to stay in the one-to-two-shade range and to let the tan reach Day 2 before the camera comes out. Ask your makeup artist to blend foundation down the neck and onto the chest, so your face and your tan read as one color in flash.

Getting tanned with your prom group

Prom is a group event, and a lot of friends tan together. Two options:

• Five or more friends: a mobile session at someone’s house. Rosie’s mobile minimum is five people, and mobile bookings are quoted per booking based on headcount, location and timing. See the mobile spray tan page and the spray tan party guide for how to host.
• Fewer than five: the Midwood studio; ask Rosie whether she can book your group close together. A Spray Tan is $100; a Spray Tan+ is $150 and comes with a take-home kit of tan-safe soap, tan extender and natural lotions. Full prices are on the services page.

If anyone in the group is under 18, their parents should know and agree before the day. Rosie serves families across south Brooklyn, from Midwood to Bensonhurst, and for groups who are comparing options, there is a straight breakdown in how much a spray tan costs.

The night before and the night of

• Wear loose, dark clothes to and from the tan.
• No sports practice or heavy sweating for the first eight hours.
• Sleep on old sheets the first night.
• Moisturize from Day 2, but skip heavy oils on prom night itself.
• Cancellations and reschedules need at least 24 hours’ notice; the wording is on the policies page.

Book early, tan on Thursday, stay one or two shades up and bring a photo of the dress. That covers most of what makes a prom tan look good.