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Spray Tanning
With over 14 years of experience, we’ve carried out thousands of spray tans at Shwe — so you can trust you’re in expert hands.
Every spray tan is covered by our guarantee, as long as you follow our simple pre-care advice below.
We offer two types of Spray Tan:
- Express Tan - wash off after just 3 hours, and your tan continues to develop. Perfect when you're short on time.
- Classic Tan - develops in 6 to 8 hours or can be left on overnight for deeper results.
On your first visit, your Spray Tan Technician will carry out a full consultation to help choose the best tan for your skin type and the result you want.
If you’re booking online, just select one of the ‘FirstTime’ spray tan options if it’s your first visit.
For the best results, please follow our pre-care instructions before your appointment.
About our Spray Tans
We’ve become known in Harlow for our spray tans – and it’s easy to see why.
We use Norvell, one of the leading spray tan brands in the world, to give you a natural-looking, streak-free colour every time.
Norvell’s award-winning formulas are:
✔ 100% vegan
✔ Paraben-free
✔ Gluten-free
✔ Cruelty-free
These formulas give you an even, natural-looking tan while being gentle on your skin – which is exactly what we’re all about, so you leave feeling confident and happy.
How Our Spray Tans Work
When you arrive for your appointment, your Spray Tan Technician will carry out a consultation to help choose the most natural, flawless, and healthy-looking tan for your skin type and desired result.
You’ll achieve the same beautiful finish whether you go for our Express or Classic tan – the choice just depends on your schedule.
Express Tan – Customise Your Colour
Express Tans give you control over how dark your tan develops, depending on how long you leave it on before showering:
Light Tan: Shower after 1 hour
Medium Tan: Shower after 2 hours
Dark Tan: Shower after 3 hours
After your shower, you’ll see a light colour that gradually deepens over the next few hours. The tan continues to develop even after rinsing, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Classic Tan – Effortless, Long-Lasting Colour
Our Classic Tan develops over 6 to 8 hours or can be left on overnight for a deeper result.
Just let the colour develop while you go about your day (or sleep), then rinse it off to reveal a smooth, even tan that continues to deepen over the next few hours.
We use Norvell’s award-winning solutions, available in a range of shades to suit all skin tones. Your Spray Tan Technician will help you choose the best colour for the result you want.
These tans are designed to give streak-free results while keeping your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Here’s a few friendly faces from our Spray Tan team – we’ll make sure you feel completely at ease and leave with the best tan you’ve ever had.
Spray Tans
Choose from a Classic Tan which develops in 6 – 8 hours (or leave on overnight) or an Express Tan, which you can wash off after just 3 hours. Your Therapist will help you decide the best tan for your skin type during your consultation
Your Tan Is Guaranteed
We pride ourselves on being true spray tan professionals at Shwe. If, in the unlikely event, you’re not happy with your results, just let us know within 12 hours of your appointment.
As long as you’ve followed our pre-care and aftercare advice, we’ll happily arrange a respray free of charge.*
Email: info@shwetan.co.uk or call 01279 442844
Everything You Need to Know Before Your Spray Tan
1. Why Preparation Matters
Your spray tan will last much longer if you prepare your skin before your appointment.
2. How to Get Your Skin Ready
We have everything you need to prep for your tan available to buy in the salon.
Start moisturising daily in the run-up to your appointment to help prevent dryness and give your tan a smooth base.
Use our Shwe oil-free salt Body Scrub (£14.99) with an exfoliating mitt in the shower or bath to gently remove dead skin cells and smooth the skin.
This scrub contains antioxidant Vitamin E to hydrate and nourish your skin, helping your tan last longer.
3. How to Exfoliate Properly
- Apply exfoliator to your glove and use firm, even, circular strokes
- Cover the full body – don’t skip areas!
- Focus on drier spots like knees, elbows, and anywhere with rough skin
Your skin naturally renews every 6–10 days. Exfoliating properly before your tan ensures fresh skin cells, so your tan fades evenly and lasts longer.
4. Hair Removal Advice
Shave or wax at least 24 hours before your appointment to avoid irritation or patchy areas.
5. On the Day of Your Spray Tan
To avoid anything that creates a barrier on your skin:
- Don’t wear moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, or makeup
- Bring loose, dark clothing and flip-flops to wear afterwards
- Remove any jewellery and tie your hair up if possible
- Avoid tight items like belts, trainers, socks, or leggings straight after – these can rub your tan off.
And if it’s raining, bring an umbrella!
6. After Your Spray Tan
You can wear mineral makeup, mascara, and lipstick, but avoid:
- Moisturiser
- Liquid foundation
- Washing your hands for 2–3 hours
7. When to Rinse Off
Classic Tan - Wait at least 6–8 hours before rinsing. For best results, leave it on overnight
Express Tan - Rinse off after 3 hours. Your colour will be light at first, but it will deepen over the next few hours
Wear loose pyjamas in bed to avoid your hands resting on your skin.
You’ll notice the bronzer washing off in the shower – this is completely normal and doesn’t affect your final result.
After showering, pat your skin dry – don’t rub.
8. Keeping Your Tan Looking Its Best
Hydrated skin holds a tan longer. After a few days, we recommend applying Norvell Ultra-Vivid Boost daily while your skin is damp. It helps extend your tan, keeps it looking even, and leaves your skin soft and smooth. It contains Vitamin E to condition the skin and Matrixyl Synthe 6 to target signs of ageing.
9. A Few Final Tips
- Don’t exfoliate again for at least 5 days
- Want a darker result? You can have another application after 24–48 hours
- Avoid exercise while your tan is developing
- Wait to swim until after your first rinse – chlorine and salt can fade your tan
- Remember: spray tans do not contain sunscreen, so always protect your skin as normal with SPF.
If you have any questions, just call us on 01279 442844 or email info@shwetan.co.uk – we’re always happy to help.
We’ll make sure you leave with the best tan you’ve ever had.
Spray Tan FAQ
What should I wear to my spray tan appointment?Please wear loose, dark clothing to your appointment – avoid anything tight like leggings, jeans, socks, or bras that could rub your tan off.
We provide disposable knickers, but you’re welcome to wear your own underwear if you prefer.
Male clients must wear boxers during their spray tan.
Flip-flops are best to wear after your tan, and it helps to remove jewellery and tie up your hair.
If it’s raining, don’t forget to bring an umbrella to protect your tan on the way out.
Yes, we offer 16 & under spray tans at a discounted price – you’ll save £4 off our usual adult price.
If you're under 16, a parent or guardian must be present in the room during your appointment.
Many of our prom spray tan clients choose to have a trial spray tan first to make sure they’re happy with the colour ahead of the big day.
If you’re a new client, just mention our £10 off introductory offer.
Please let your Therapist know if you’re pregnant.
We don’t recommend spray tans during the first trimester (first 13 weeks).
If you're unsure, please speak to your GP.
It’s important we know if you’re pregnant so we can update your client record.
Yes – as long as it has been at least 7 days since your treatment.
Yes, you can – but the order matters.
If you're having a lay down or Sun Angel sun bed, it must be before your spray tan.
If you're using the stand-up sun bed, you can have it before or after, but if having afterwards only have a few minutes to help your spray tan dryas sweating can cause the spray tan tan to run.
Important: Do not use tanning lotions on the day of your spray tan, as they can act as a barrier and affect your results.
Absolutely! Spray tans are perfect for people who don’t tan easily in natural sunlight or who want to avoid UV exposure.
Yes – Norvell is ideal for sensitive skin. It’s 100% vegan and free from fragrance, parabens, sulphates, oils, nuts, and cruelty.
We recommend a patch test 24 hours before your appointment as a precaution.
Spray tans have come a long way – the products we use at Shwe do not turn orange.
To get the best results, it’s important to follow our pre-care advice before your appointment. This helps your tan develop evenly and gives you a natural-looking colour.
Some clients notice a very mild scent as the tan develops – this is completely normal and fades quickly.
Spray tans have improved a lot over the years, and the formulas we use are designed to minimise any smell.
If you follow our pre-care and aftercare advice, your tan can last up to 7 days.
To help it last even longer, ask us about Norvell Ultra Vivid Boost and Body Butter next time you visit.
You can still go swimming, but chlorine and salt water will fade your spray tan more quickly, as they have a bleaching effect on the skin.
We recommend brides (and bridesmaids) book a trial tan at least 2 weeks before the wedding, and have their final tan 2 days before the big day.
This allows time for the bronzer to rinse off fully.
Please note: DHA can permanently stain silk or synthetic fabrics.
The bronzer is water-soluble and usually washes out easily.
Take care with light-coloured or synthetic fabrics (especially Lycra), as these may hold onto the colour more.
Had my first visit to this great salon today. Staff incredibly friendly & professional. Made to feel very welcome. Highly recommend.
Rochelle BowdenGreat massage and facial! Marian was a lovely attentive therapist and made me feel very relaxed. The salon atmosphere is always so welcoming and it’s spotless would definitely recommend x
Aimee TurvillFriendly, very professional, explains everything, puts you at ease, informative and excellent service. My monthly treat has made more difference to me than I thought it ever would. Thank you!
Tracy MehmetFriendly staff Always made to feel welcome and such a lovely salon Always clean and very professional I would highly recommend here for all your beauty treatments
Claire HollandI love going to Shwe the girls are very nice and helpful and it is always nice and clean.
Tina HardsMarian did an amazing job on my nails and waxing today. She is a perfectionist and takes her time. She is very professional and so easy to talk to. I'm so in love with the colour, thank you again.
Debbie AgnesFabulous visit, an exceptionally friendly, warm, relaxing experience. It is an absolute must to get away from all the stresses of life
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