Now that spring has sprung, high school students all across the country are starting to look forward to seasonal events. Arguably, one of the most important occasions for any high schooler is the end-of-the-year dance. Prom, ball, formal — whatever your school calls it, it’s bound to be a memorable way to celebrate the finale of school.
Of course, the highlight of this event for many young women is getting the chance to get all dolled up. The hair, the nails, the shoes, the dress, and the makeup get a lot of the glory. But if you really want to impress everyone at prom, your skin has got to have a healthy glow. And there’s no better way to do that than to make a trip to the tanning beds or try out some spray tanning. If you plan on becoming a bronzed goddess in time for prom, here are a few tips you’ll want to be sure to follow.
Start Early
If you want your skin to have a sun-kissed look, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. That’s usually a recipe for an orange-tinged disaster. Instead, make a timeline and start early so you can build up to your desired shade without having to rush. If you’re planning on using tanning beds to achieve your glow, you should start at least two to three weeks before prom (though you may want to start earlier than that). You will probably start to see a noticeable difference within a few sessions, so going twice a week during that time frame will probably allow you achieve the results you want. Keep in mind that if you’re heading to one of the local tanning salons to get a spray tan, you should aim for a day or two prior to prom, as these results fade more rapidly.
Properly Prepare
Whether you plan on using tanning beds or spray tanning booths, you’ll need to prep your skin the right way. Exfoliating prior to using a tanning bed will allow your tan to last longer. However, you should not wear makeup, lotion, perfume, or other products when you go tanning, as these will create a barrier that can keep your tan from looking its best. If you’re opting for sunless tanning, however, you may want to put a special cream on your nails to protect them from the tanning product. For indoor tanning beds, you’ll want to use tanning lotion to further improve the final results. When you head to the salon, wear loose-fitting clothing that will not interfere with your sunless tan or feel uncomfortable to put on after your session.
Keep It Subtle
If you love the idea of making tanning part of your personal upkeep or your special event prep, you certainly aren’t alone. Approximately 2.31 million Americans went tanning four or more times during a given six-month period in 2018. But if you’re relatively new to tanning, you’ll want to err on the side of subtlety. It might sound tempting to go for a deep tan to show off the color of your dress, but in many cases, less is more. On prom night, you’ll want to look like the best version of yourself — not like a completely different person. A gradual tan is much more desirable (and much more realistic) than an extreme transformation. So remember to keep your expectations in check. If you give yourself enough time and you feel you want a deeper tone, you can always schedule another session. But if you go too dark and wait too long, you won’t feel your very best when it’s time to get in the limo.
Getting some extra sun can make you feel more beautiful and confident for any occasion.