A Mystic Tan is the perfect way to instantly achieve a natural looking glow and save your skin from harsh UV rays at the same time. What’s not to love? Here is how to properly prepare for the best Mystic Tan possible:
Take a shower or bath and be sure to exfoliate with a good salt scrub, like this one from Alba.
If you don’t happen to have a scrub and you are in a pinch, use a washcloth or pumice-like stone to exfoliate your skin all over. Focus on dry areas such as your ankles, knees and elbows. This rids your skin of its most recent dead cells, making your skin a perfectly smooth canvas for the Mystic Tan solution.
Firmly scrub your skin with a clean towel.
Apply a very thin layer of lotion all over your body. Make certain that the lotion’s first ingredient is water. This will ensure that the tan will stick. If oil is one of the first ingredients, the tan will not adhere properly. I adore Cetaphil.
Add an additional layer of lotion to the driest parts of your body. These tend to include the elbows and knees, wherever you get dry.
Apply lotion to your face. Make sure to include your eyelids, underneath your chin and your neck.
Within several hours, go get your Mystic Tan! Be sure to bring your lotion in case the tanning store does not have any in the Mystic Tan Room.
When you are in the room preparing for the Mystic Tan, most stores ask you to put on little disposable slippers or gloves so that your feet and hands don’t get tan. Don’t use these coverings, except for the shower cap type hair covering. Using these coverings causes the solution to creates distinct lines on your hands and feet and gives you a very unnatural reverse farmer’s tan.
Using the lotion provided (called “barrier cream”) or your own if they do not have any, rub a thick layer on the palms of the hands and the tops of your feet.
Follow the specific instructions for the Mystic Tan unit you are using
After the unit is finished spraying the solution, be sure to remain in the booth for at least 30-45 seconds. This will allow additional droplets in the air to settle on your skin. I choose not to breathe during the entire Mystic Tan process if I can, because inhaling mist kind of freaks me out.
Exit the booth and let your skin air dry for several minutes. The longer the better.
Gently blot all areas of your skin with the towel. Focus on the backs of your legs, the middle of your back and your face. These areas sometimes have darker streaks on them from the solution if you do not dry them evenly.
Dress and be sure to avoid taking a shower or getting your skin wet for at least 4 hours. 8 hours would be ideal and 12 hours even better. This includes keeping your hands dry if you can.
Several additional suggestions:
Don’t use the Mystic Tan for the first time right before an important event. You want to make sure you have flawless skin and practice makes perfect.
If you are planning to get a manicure or a pedicure around the same times as your Mystic Tan, I would recommend getting them done at least a day after your Mystic Tan. The formula usually saturates areas that have more dead skin and your cuticles will likely get darker than the rest of your skin making your tan look less natural. A pedicure or manicure will fix that right up.
If for some reason, a portion of your tan looks darker or a bit streaky, gently rub a cotton ball with a little nail polish remover over the darker area. This should help blend the area. Be sure to try this on a less conspicuous area first.
Maintain your Mystic Tan. Moisturized skin will maintain your tan much longer. Use your lotion that has water as the first ingredient.
Chlorine will remove or ruin your Mystic Tan
In my experience, a Mystic Tan usually looks radiant for up to 4 days. If you are very vigilant and use moisturizer often, don’t take a shower everyday and do not exfoliate or scrub your skin while you bathe, it could last up to 7 days. I have never had it last 7 days, however.
A Mystic Tan is not a substitute for SPF. You may look bronzed, but you will get burnt if you are out in the sun without proper protection.
Mystic Tan does sometimes transfer onto your bed sheets or clothing, so be aware of this. I chose not to do a Mystic Tan for my wedding because I did not want the tan to transfer onto my beautiful dress, especially in the armpit area. That would have looked interesting in the pictures and possibly made for an expensive cleaning bill.
Mystic Tans look most natural on those that can achieve some sort of natural tan in sunlight. So redheads or really fair individuals may look unnatural with a Mystic Tan.
If you can’t look good with a Mystic Tan despite the steps above, who cares! Love the skin you have, Mystic Tans aren’t for everyone.
