April 25, 2023

Get Your Glow On: How to Achieve the Perfect Spray Tan at Home

Spray Tan at Home — The Ultimate Guide for a Flawless Tan — Mother of Tan

May 2023

Spray Tan at Home — The Ultimate Guide for a Flawless Tan

Spray tan at home guide — Mother of Tan Australia

Looking for a sun-kissed glow without the sun? Spray tanning at home gives you a salon-quality result in the comfort of your own space — no appointment, no UV exposure, no waiting. In this guide we walk you through everything you need to know to achieve a flawless, long-lasting spray tan at home.

What is spray tan?

Spray tanning is a cosmetic procedure that applies a solution to the skin to create a temporary, natural-looking tan. The solution contains DHA (dihydroxyacetone) — a colourless compound that reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin to produce a golden-brown colour. The tan typically lasts 7–10 days depending on the quality of the solution and how well you care for your skin afterwards.

Why spray tan at home?

Reason 01

Convenient and cost-effective

No appointment, no travel, no waiting. Apply your tan on your schedule, whenever it suits you.

Reason 02

Fully customisable

Choose your shade, control your develop time, and build to your preferred depth of colour. No surprises.

Reason 03

Safer for your skin

No UV exposure. No risk of sunburn, sun damage, or increased skin cancer risk. All the glow, none of the harm.

Start with the right solution. Our Professional Spray Tan Solution is formulated specifically for at-home use — easy to apply and professional results every time.

Shop Spray Tan Solution →

How to prepare your skin for spray tan at home

Preparation is everything when it comes to a long-lasting, even result. Skip this step and even the best solution will not perform as well as it should.

Step 01 — 24 hours before

Exfoliate thoroughly

Use our Natural Exfoliating Glove to remove dead skin cells across your entire body. Pay extra attention to dry areas — elbows, knees, ankles, and the backs of your heels. This creates an even canvas that holds colour longer and fades more naturally.

Step 02 — 24 hours before

Shave or wax

Do this at least 24 hours before tanning to allow your skin to heal and pores to close. Shaving immediately before applying tan can cause the solution to settle into open pores and create dark dots.

Step 03 — On the day

Moisturise dry areas only

Apply a light, oil-free moisturiser to your elbows, knees, ankles, and feet — areas that tend to be drier and can absorb too much solution. Do not moisturise your whole body as this creates a barrier that prevents even coverage.

Step 04 — On the day

Remove makeup and deodorant

Go completely bare-faced and product-free before applying. Makeup, deodorant, and any other skincare products create a barrier that prevents the tanning solution from penetrating evenly.

How to apply spray tan at home — step by step

Step 01

Choose your Mother of Tan Spray Tan Solution

Our Professional Spray Tan Solution is formulated with natural ingredients for a streak-free, natural-looking result. Read the instructions carefully before starting.

Step 02

Start from the bottom and work up

Begin at your feet and legs and work upward toward your torso, arms, and finally your neck. This prevents you from leaning over freshly applied areas and causing streaks. Use circular motions to apply evenly and avoid missing any sections.

Step 03

Blend with your tanning mitt and brush

Use your velvet tanning glove to blend the solution into your skin in smooth, even motions. For harder-to-reach areas like your feet, hands, and face, use our Sunless Tanning Face and Hand Brush for precision application.

Step 04

Choose your develop time and rinse

Leave the solution on for your desired develop time — see the guide below. Once your time is up, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. Do not exfoliate or use soap during this rinse.

How long should you leave your spray tan on?

The longer you leave the solution on, the deeper and darker your result. Here is our guide to develop times:

1 hr Light and subtle

A barely-there glow — perfect for first-timers or fair skin tones building gradually.

2 hrs Golden glow

The most popular result — a warm, natural-looking bronze that reads as genuine sun.

3 hrs+ Bronzed queen

Deep, rich colour for those who want maximum impact. Best for darker skin tones.

Spray tan results — Mother of Tan Professional Spray Tan Solution

Tips for a longer-lasting spray tan

Moisturise every day. Hydrated skin holds a tan significantly longer than dry skin. Apply a generous, oil-free moisturiser morning and evening after your tan has developed.
Avoid long hot showers. Hot water and extended time in the shower accelerates fading. Keep showers shorter and cooler while your tan is active.
Top up with Invisible Self Tanning Mousse. Our Invisible Self Tanning Mousse is a perfect complement to a spray tan — apply a light layer between appointments to extend your colour and ensure it fades naturally rather than patchily.
Wear loose, dark clothing for the first few hours after applying to allow the tan to develop properly and prevent it from rubbing off before it has set.
Always use quality solution. High-quality natural DHA formulas develop more evenly and fade more naturally than cheaper alternatives.