We Put Five Boston Spray Tans (and One from Wellesley) to the Test

Illustration by Libby Vanderploeg

Note: This post was updated on 4/29/2019

G2O Spa + Salon

At this Back Bay spa, tans are applied in an automated ­Versa­Spa booth, with primer and bronzing applications as well as multiple dry cycles. Similar to a car wash, we thought. Not so. Once inside, we were confused by the prompts, and almost missed the moisturizer application. The color was even everywhere except our right hand, which got an overdose of spray—and lots of laughs back at the office.

$48, 33 Exeter St., Boston, g2opasalon.com. 

Perfect Tan

At this salon on the edge of BU’s campus, owner Fran Hauck asked about our dress before recommending a shade (light, medium, and dark hues are available, with multiple-coat options). Things were going just fine until a customer barged into our room, looking for a friend—and left the door ajar while we stood completely exposed in our skivvies. Even the great result couldn’t make up for the coed vibe.

$53, 1030 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, perfectan.com.

Natural Glow

This North End salon has four tanning “rooms,” each separated by curtains for privacy. Here a technician airbrushed on the solution by hand, taking the time to clean up our nails, hands, and feet afterward. The result? Natural color that remained pristine for close to a week. As it faded, however, scars, pores, and hair follicles looked darker than usual.

$50, 142 Commercial St., Boston, naturalglowboston.com.

Blush Tan

Upon arrival, we immediately received a skin and color consultation—the technicians here can whip up more than 100 shades. And then the awkwardness commenced, as a woman cheerfully spritzed every nook and cranny with the solution (let’s hear it for the disposable thong!). Thanks in part to the HVLP spray-tan machine’s handy built-in dryer, we were perfectly bronzed and out the door in less than 20 minutes.

$50, 562 Washington St., Wellesley, blushtan.com.

WINNER

Pure Glow

Owner Lauren Rampello arrived right on time, setting up her pop-up concierge tanning station in the living room with nary a judgmental look at our dirty laundry (brides can also visit her recently opened studio). Applied with painstaking attention to detail, the spray smelled like vanilla and coconut and imparted a subtle honey hue that lasted five full days.

$75, 176 Newbury St., Boston, pureglowtanning.com.

TIPS

Pure Glow’s Lauren Rampello shares the secrets to spray-tan success.

— Before —

Cover Up
Avoid hard-to-correct tan lines by staying out of the sun for at least a month.

Exfoliate
Shower with a loofa or an exfoliating mitt—hemp or sisal ones are best—to remove residue on the skin.

— After —

Go Baggy
Leave the salon in loose-fitting clothing to prevent sweating, which could cause splotches.

Wait It Out
Allow five to seven hours for color development before working out or hopping in the shower.

Stay Hydrated
Apply moisturizer from head to toe twice a day, making sure to cover easy-to-miss spots like the tops of your feet and ankles.

Be Gentle
Avoid excessive scrubbing or soaping, which will shorten the life of your tan.

—Andrea Timpano

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