We all want a fantastic tan this summer. It makes our skin look healthy, our body slimmer and gives the illusion that we’ve been vacationing in Bermuda instead of hibernating in our office all winter. Since we know better than to sit outside and bake in the sun, opting for a faux tan is our best option, but with spray tans or tanning lotions, there are some application mistakes we need to be wary of.
One part of the body that tends to get neglected is the eyebrows, says brow guru and founder of Billion Dollar Brows, Natalie Plain. She explains there are common eyebrow challenges when it comes to tanning that many women don’t think about, but should.
The Spray Shape Dilemma
If women are going on vacation or planning for an upcoming event, they tend to plan a “day of beauty” where they try to get all their beauty treatments done in one day. But a spray tan and a brow shaping session, in the same day, is not a good idea, says Plain. She advises they be scheduled at least a day apart. “Spray tans can take up to 24 hours to develop. If you get your brows waxed while your spray tan is setting on your face, it will exfoliate the skin and, in turn, remove the color you applied with your spray tan. I learned this lesson many moons ago the hard way when I tanned for a family wedding and had my brows shaped right afterward. I looked really silly, I don’t put those wedding pictures on the mantle!”
The Zebra Syndrome
If you do get a spray tan and then get your eyebrows shaped, you may end up with two different colors on your face. If you have made this mistake, Plain recommends using bronzer to fill in the gaps. “Exfoliate the portion of your skin that is not tan, and apply moisturizer. Use bronzer or sunless tanner to blend your skin tone in short, measured amounts. Allow for a little time for your skin to balance out.”
The Red Eyebrow Dilemma
Many women report that spray tanning gives their eyebrows a reddish tint. “The chemicals in spray tan sometimes stick to hair, which is why most women use coverings to protect the hair on their head. Try to avoid color issues altogether by applying Vaseline beforehand, or when spray tan particles stick, simply exfoliate or apply lemon juice to remove,” says Plain.