Spray Tanning in Harlow

It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous if it’s your first spray tan.

Our spray tan technicians carry out these treatments every day and will talk you through everything step by step so you know exactly what to do.

You’ll have your spray tan in a private spray tan room, and the application itself only takes around 10 minutes.

Most importantly, this is a completely judgement-free environment. Our team only care about making sure you feel comfortable, relaxed and confident throughout your appointment.

Many first-time clients tell us afterwards that it was much easier and quicker than they expected.

Our goal is simple — to make sure you leave feeling confident and happy with your tan.

Your spray tan is carried out by one of our trained Spray Tan Technicians in our private spray tan room.

You will need to wear our disposable knickers during your spray tan, or you can wear your own. You will also wear 'sticky feet', which stick to the bottom of your feet to stop any tan from going on the bottom of your feet.

You’ll stand inside our professional spray tan booth while your technician applies the tan using a handheld spray gun. This is not an automated machine.

Being sprayed by a technician allows us to apply the tan evenly, choose the best colour for your skin tone, and make sure your result looks natural and flattering.

Our spray tan booth also has extraction built in, which removes excess spray from the air during the treatment.

The spray tan itself takes around 10 minutes, and your technician will guide you through each step so you know exactly how to stand and what to do.

Please wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment and avoid anything tight like leggings, jeans, bras or socks that could rub against the skin afterwards.

We provide disposable knickers, although you’re welcome to wear your own underwear if you prefer.

Male clients must wear boxers or swimwear during their spray tan.

Flip-flops or open footwear are best to wear afterwards, and it helps to remove jewellery and tie your hair up before your appointment.

If it’s raining, bringing an umbrella is a good idea so your tan stays protected when leaving the salon.

For most events, we recommend having your spray tan 1–2 days before.

Many clients find their tan looks its best on day 2, once the bronzer has rinsed away and the colour has fully developed.

We usually wouldn’t recommend having your spray tan more than 3 days before an event, as the colour may start to fade.

If you’re unsure, just let us know the date of your event when booking and we’ll help you choose the best day for your spray tan.

For weddings, we recommend a trial spray tan 2–3 weeks before the big day, with your final tan 2 days before the wedding.

Most spray tans last around 5–7 days.

If you follow the pre-care and aftercare advice, many clients find their tan lasts even longer.

Keeping the skin hydrated can help extend the life of your tan. Products like Norvell Body Butter or Vivid Boost can help maintain your colour for longer.

No. Modern spray tan formulas are designed to develop into natural-looking tones rather than orange ones.

At Shwe we use Norvell professional spray tan solutions, which are known for producing natural colour on the skin.

Your Spray Tan Technician will also help choose the right shade for your skin tone during your consultation. This is important, as choosing a colour that is too dark for your skin tone can sometimes create an unnatural result.

Following the pre-care instructions before your appointment also helps your tan develop evenly and gives the best possible finish.

Yes. The Norvell spray tan solutions we use are 100% vegan and free from parabens, oils, sulphates and nuts.

They are suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

If you are concerned, we can arrange a complimentary patch test 24 hours before your appointment.

Yes, absolutely.

Spray tans are ideal for people who don’t tan easily in natural sunlight or who want colour without UV exposure.

Your spray tan technician will help choose the right shade for your skin tone, so you still get a natural result.

Yes, but the order is important.

If you are using a lay down or Sun Angel sun bed, it must be before your spray tan.

If you are using the stand-up sun bed, you can have it before or after. If you choose to use it afterwards, only have a few minutes to help dry the tan, as sweating can cause the spray tan to run.

Important: Do not apply tanning lotions or moisturisers on the day of your spray tan, as they can create a barrier and affect your results.

Yes, as long as it has been at least 7 days since your treatment.

This allows time for the skin to settle properly before having a spray tan.

Please let your therapist know if you are pregnant.

We usually advise avoiding spray tans during the first trimester (first 13 weeks). After this stage most clients are able to have spray tans, but if you are unsure we recommend speaking with your GP first.

Letting us know allows us to update your consultation record and make sure your treatment is suitable for you.

Yes, we offer 16 & under spray tans at a reduced price.

If you are under 16, a parent or guardian must remain in the spray tan room throughout the treatment.

Many prom clients choose to have a trial spray tan first, so they can see the colour and feel confident before the big night. A trial is completely optional, but some clients like the reassurance of seeing the result beforehand.

Swimming can make your spray tan fade more quickly.

Chlorine in swimming pools and salt water from the sea can both break down the colour on the skin, which may cause your tan to fade faster than normal.

That said, many clients choose to have a spray tan before going on holiday, as it gives them an instant, even colour from the first day.

If you’d like to keep your tan looking fresh while you’re away, many clients choose to take Norvell Vivid Boost with them. This is a gradual tan extender that contains the same tanning ingredient used in your spray tan, so it’s a natural way to gently top up your colour while keeping the skin hydrated.

Some clients notice a very mild scent while the tan develops. This is completely normal and fades quickly after your first shower.

Spray tan formulas have improved significantly over the years and the products we use are designed to minimise this scent as much as possible.

Many brides choose a spray tan to give their skin a beautiful, even colour that photographs well.

We recommend booking a trial spray tan at least 2–3 weeks before your wedding so you can see how the colour develops and choose the shade you like best.

Most brides prefer how their spray tan looks on day 2 or day 3, so we usually recommend having your final tan two days before the wedding rather than the day before.

This allows time for the bronzer to rinse away fully and for the colour to settle.

Further information on wedding treatments can be found on our wedding page.

The bronzer used in spray tans is water-soluble and usually washes out of clothing easily.

However, care should be taken with light-coloured fabrics or delicate materials, as these may hold onto the colour more.

At Shwe we offer a Spray Tan Guarantee.

If you’re not happy with your tan, please contact us within 12 hours of your appointment. As long as the pre-care instructions were followed, we’ll happily arrange a free respray.

Once your spray tan has been applied, your Spray Tan Technician will tidy up a few areas before you get dressed.

They will gently wipe over your palms and fingernails to make sure no excess colour develops in these areas.

Sometimes a small buffing mitt is used around the wrists to softly blend the tan from the inside of the arm down to the wrist for a more natural finish.

Your technician will then remove the sticky feet, and you’ll stand briefly in front of a drying fan.

You only need to dry your skin lightly for a short time, as the spray tan dries very quickly.

As long as you have loose clothing to put on afterwards, your tan will not rub off.

Your technician will also remind you of the rinsing time for your tan and answer any questions before you leave.