How to Apply Isle of Paradise Spray

Preparing Your Skin

Purchase the light Isle of Paradise spray if you're new to self tanning. If you have light skin or have never self tanned before, opt for the light self-tanning spray. This spray comes in a pink bottle and will give you a soft, gradual tan the more you apply it.

Choose the medium self-tanning spray for a great tan on any skin tone. Isle of Paradise's medium tanning spray is great for balancing out any red tones in your skin. It'll give you a deeper tan than the light spray will, and it tends to look good on almost any skin tone. The medium self-tanning spray comes in a green bottle.

Select the dark self-tanning spray for a very deep tan. If you already have a darker skin tone, it's best to start with the dark self-tanning spray. This spray will give you a deep tan with only one application and comes in a purple Isle of Paradise bottle.

Exfoliate your skin at least 1 day before using the spray. Use an exfoliating mitt when you take a shower the day before you use the spray. Gently scrub your legs, arms, stomach, and any other area that you plan on tanning. This will get rid of any dead skin and make your skin smooth so you don't have any tanning streaks. If you’re going to shave or wax before using the spray, do this at least 1 day before using it too.

Apply lotion to skin spots that are normally dry. Rub your regular hydrating skin lotion onto areas like your elbows, knees, and ankles. These spots tend to be the most dry and will soak up the spray the most, making it important to moisturize them beforehand so you get an even tan. Rub the lotion into your skin several hours before applying the spray so that it soaks in thoroughly.

Spraying the Tanner on Your Body

Stand in front of a full-length mirror so you can see yourself. This is helpful if you’re applying the spray to your entire body. Position yourself in front of a full-body mirror and lay a towel down on the floor, especially if you’re standing on your carpet. If you're tanning your entire body, decide whether you're okay with tan lines or not. If you don't mind tan lines, you might wear a bathing suit or something similar when you apply the spray. Otherwise, you'll want to skip wearing clothes. The mirror will help you apply the spray to your back or the back of your legs. Isle of Paradise spray doesn’t stain most things since it's water-based, but it’s still a good idea to put down a towel for extra protection.

Use the Isle of Paradise prep spray to prepare your skin for tanning. While it’s not required, using the Isle of Paradise Prep It Self-Tan Priming Spray will help the tanning spray stick to your skin better. Spray a layer of the primer onto your skin wherever you’re going to self tan and rub it in thoroughly using your hands or a tanning mitt. The Isle of Paradise prep spray helps balance your skin’s PH level and gives you a more flawless coverage. Let the prep spray dry to the touch before you apply the self-tanning spray. Tanning mitts can be found at a beauty store or online if you don't already have one.

Spritz the spray all over the area of your body you’d like to tan. Hold the spray about 7–10 in (18–25 cm) from your body and apply a layer of it so that all of your skin is covered in a mist. Spray areas like your stomach and legs generously and other areas like your feet and wrists a bit more carefully since these spots tend to have more crease lines. Avoid spraying the Isle of Paradise spray on your face since it's more sensitive.

Rub the spray into your skin thoroughly using a mitt or your hands. While it’s totally okay to rub the spray in with your hands, using a tanning mitt will give you a more even application. Be incredibly thorough as you rub it in, going over spots that crease like your elbows and knees several times to be sure there isn’t any extra spray. Look in the mirror as you’re rubbing to make sure you get every area. If you’re having trouble reaching your back, turn the tanning mitt around so it’s on the back of your hand to help you. If you're rubbing the spray in and there still seems to be a lot on your skin that isn't being absorbed, this might mean you've sprayed too much. Use a paper towel to gently dab your skin and soak up the excess.

Removing Excess Spray and Letting It Dry

Wash your hands after you’re finishing using the spray. Even though this tanner is in a water form, it’s important to wash your hands using soap and water to remove the excess right after you finish rubbing it in. Pay special attention to the spaces between your fingers and your palms as you wash so your hands aren’t stained. It’s a good idea to wash your hands even if you used a mitt to apply the spray.

Let the spray dry for at least 4 hours before showering. It’s okay to shower or get in water 4 hours after you applied the spray, but if you want your tan to last longer, wait about 12 hours. Avoid getting wet or sweaty right after applying the spray so you don’t create streaks. Wear breathable, loose clothing when you’re waiting for the spray to dry.

Use the self-tanning eraser spray to fix any necessary spots. Isle of Paradise sells a tanning corrector spray, called Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self-Tan Eraser, that removes the self tanner if needed. Spray the erasing spray all over the area of tanner you’d like to remove, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then wash it off in the shower. This is useful if you’re done with the tan and want to remove all of it, or if there are areas (like your armpits or feet) where there’s too much tanner and you’d like to remove a layer or two. The directions on the tanning eraser spray say to wait 3 days after you applied the tanning spray before removing it.