Can You Mix Spray Tan Formulas?
Short answer: yes, you absolutely can! You can mix up to two of our formulas in one tan and get the benefits of both.
This question came through our website chat the other day, and it's such a good one I thought it deserved a proper answer rather than a quick text back. Here it is:
"Can I do slimming and water resistant? What would I miss in getting one not the other?"
I love this question because it tells me someone is actually thinking about what they want from their tan, rather than just booking whatever's on the menu. So let's break it down.
Yes, you can combine them!
You can mix any two of our formulas — classic, rapid, water resistant and slimming. Want a water resistant slimming tan? No worries at all. Want the speed of our rapid formula with the sculpting of the slimming? Also yes.
The limit is two. And that's not us being difficult — it's chemistry. Each of our Naked Tan solutions is formulated to do a specific job, and every time you blend another one in, you dilute the others. Mix three or four together and you end up with a tan that does a little bit of everything and none of it particularly well. Two is the sweet spot where you genuinely get the benefit of both.
Think of it like a good cappacino. Add the right amount of milk and it's perfect. Keep adding things and you've just got a warm mess.
And don’t worry, they've all got the same good stuff underneath: aloe vera, jojoba oil and argan oil, and none of the nasties — no nanoparticles, parabens, SLS sulfates or alcohol. So whichever way you go, your skin is being looked after.
What each formula actually does
Here's what you're choosing between, and what each one brings to the party.
Classic
Our original, and still a favourite for good reason. A rich, natural, sun-kissed colour that you shower off after 2 to 4 hours. It's the deepest, most traditional finish we offer with a big range of depth options — and unlike a lot of classic tans out there, you don't have to sleep in it.
Rapid
Our market-leading rapid formula rinses off in as little as 20 minutes, and up to 90. It's for the person who's flat out — you can have your tan applied and be showered before you'd normally still be sitting around waiting. Same beautiful colour, a fraction of the wait.
Water resistant
This one life-proofs your glow while it is developing. Normally, if you get wet before you rinse — caught in the rain, a sweaty school run, a toddler with a wet hand, a dog who's decided your leg needs a lick — you'll wear those little water droplet marks. The water resistant solution stops that from happening. It's a total game-changer for humid Texas days and anyone who can't guarantee they'll stay dry for a few hours.
Slimming
Our slimming solution helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and accentuates your natural curves, so you leave looking smoother and more sculpted, not just bronzed. It's got a lovely, refreshing peppermint scent, and it's beautiful on fair skin — especially if you're a redhead or a blonde and worried about going too dark.
The comparison, side by side
ClassicRapidWater resistantSlimmingWhat it gives youDeep, traditional, rich colourYour tan back in your day, fastProtection from water and sweat marks while it developsSmoother, more sculpted look — softens cellulite, enhances curvesRinse off in2–4 hours20–90 minutes2–4 hoursFrom about 2 hoursFully develops12–24 hours12–24 hours12–24 hours12–24 hoursLasts7–10 days7–10 days7–10 days7–10 daysBest forEvents, holidays, or just becauseBusy schedules, last-minute plans, tanning on a lunch breakHumid days, workouts, rain, kids, pets, sweaty commutesWeddings, photos, swimwear, red carpet moments, fair skinScentStandardStandardStandardLight peppermintWhat you'd miss without itThe deepest, most classic finishWaiting around for hours before you can showerPeace of mind if anything gets wet before you rinseThe sculpting and smoothing effect
So what do you actually miss out on?
This is the real question, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on what matters most to you on that particular day.
Skip the water resistant and you'll need to stay properly dry until you rinse. No workout, no rain dash to the car, no bath time with the kids. If you can manage that, you're not missing much at all. If you can't, you'll notice.
Skip the slimming and you'll still get a gorgeous, even colour — you just won't get that extra smoothing and sculpting effect. Lots of clients don't need it. But if you've got a fitted dress or swimwear on the agenda, it's the one that makes you go oh when you look in the mirror.
Skip the rapid and you're committing to a few hours in loose clothing before you can shower. Perfectly fine on a quiet Sunday. Less fine when you've got somewhere to be at four.
Skip the classic and honestly, you're not sacrificing much — every one of our formulas gives you that beautiful, natural, never-orange colour. Classic is simply the traditional route.
At the end of the day, you need to work out what's most important to you. Is it your time? Is it not stressing about the weather? Is it feeling absolutely knockout in a dress on Saturday night? There's no wrong answer, and it'll change from booking to booking. My own answer is different in July than it is in December.
Not sure? Let's sort it out on the day
Here's the bit I really want you to know: you don't have to have this all figured out before you book.
When you book, just pop a note in — something like "keen to try water resistant and slimming" or even just "not sure, want to chat about options." Your spray tan artist will bring every formula with them, and we'll have a proper chat when we arrive. We'll talk through what you've got on over the next few days, how much time you've got before you need to shower, what you're wearing and what you want to feel like — and then we'll customise your tan on the spot.
That's the whole point of a mobile, custom airbrush tan. You're not picking from a fixed menu at a booth. You're getting a tan built for you, in your own home, on the day.
So yes — mix and match away. Two formulas, all the benefits, one glow.
Ready to build your perfect tan? Book now and leave us a note about what you'd like to try. We'll bring the rest.
Questions? Contact us — we'd love to help you work it out.
