Thread: Mystic tanners?

I'm actually thinking about getting a Mystic tan. Tell me everything...

It depends on the store and if they clean the machines like they are supposed to. I have had some Mystic Tans that were awesome. Some of them were streaky and bad because the machines were not cleaned as required and didn't provide an even application. I think if you exfoliate well ahead of time and go to good salon, you will love it and it should last about 1.5 weeks.

I worked at a tanning salon that offered Mystic Tanning. Its 99% aloe vera & water so its very moisturizing & pretty low-dose on the chemicals.
1. Clean, well exfoliated, dry skin is the key. Do not moisturize at all even if its hours before getting a mystic, this leads to streaking. Do make sure you exfoliate well in the shower. Do not go for a mystic right after the gym/exercise unless you shower first--your sweaty skin is too oily and will cause streaking.

2. Mystic contains a bronzer that will give you instant color. The bronzer is water soluable & will not stain most fabrics BUT I wouldn't wear white, light colors, or my favorite fabrics just in case.

3. You need to allow at least 3-4 hours for the mystic to develop on your skin before sweating, bathing, et cetera. IMO the best time is a weeknight after work or a weekend before running errands/doing laundry.

4. Mystic comes in 3 strengths, most places use a level 2 as a default. With you being so fair, you may want to start at level one. If you like the results but want a deeper color, try the level 2 the second time. On really fair skin, the higher levels can get orangey.

5. Barrier Cream! Its an art & a science. Your feet will probably look a little funny the first time. Nothing a pumice stone & sugar scrub won't even out.

Here are some general tips:
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...echniques.html

And some past threads: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/search.php?searchid=1551667

I did it before I went on a cruise and loved it. It lasted for about 1 good week and a few days, than started to fade.
I too, went in dry skinned and applied the moisterizer as the attendent told me to RIGHT before the spray started. It's fast and easy and gave me a good deep tan color (I'm white with a bit of pink color to my skin)

waste. of. money.

Self tanner is more effective and smells better.

I tried it once and didn't like the color on my skin. I have olive skin and it made me look orange. That was several years ago. The technology may have gotten better.

Originally Posted by shahla

I tried it once and didn't like the color on my skin. I have olive skin and it made me look orange. That was several years ago. The technology may have gotten better.

I'm pale, not remotely olive-y, and I came out orange~ this was about 4years ago. Nayastrance had also mentioned to me the different levels (had no idea!) and I was going to try it but this year I managed to get a tan at the beach.

Thanks All! I think I am going to try it...:) I'll report back tomorrow.

I'm super pale and I like to get a spray tan for big shows, just for fun. I get a level 2 for stage, level 1 for a social event.

a tip if you have boobies: be sure to wear a bra that day that completely separates your boobs. I have some bras that are low cut and they give me cleavage where the skin touches together. don't do that - it will make the tan in your cleavage streaky as it develops. wear a good lift-and-separator.

also, my knees REALLY take the tanner. if I go level 2, that tends to emphasize the unevenness of how my skin reacts (my shins tend to not take the tanner, so dark knees, white shins - not pretty!). but generally, I'm going for what the tanner does for my arms and torso - legs aren't as much on constant display when I dance.

I think that self-tanners that you can use at home are a better value (I have so much love for L'Oreal Sublime Bronze), but I get a Mystic Tan once or twice a year for special occasions. The look comes out essentially the same either way, but with the Mystic, it's over and done with in a few minutes and it lasts about a week before fading. With self-tanners, it takes maybe 10 minutes to apply it, and you have to apply it every day or every other day to maintain it. So for me it's a matter of convenience; when I get a Mystic, I'm paying a little extra to save myself some time and hassle.

I did notice that the last Mystic I got came out a little bit streaky on my legs, though. I'm wondering if that's because I used a different exfoliating scrub than I used to. I used to buy the pricey store-bought stuff from my the salon/spa I go to, but now I just mix up some sugar and olive oil right before I shower and use that to exfoliate. I wonder if the oil maybe made it come out streaky...

Fabulous, follow directions to the tee! Also do it at least one day out (you need to shower off). I look quite Egyptian with one of those tans!

I prefer Versasapa over Mystic Tan and self-tanners. Details here http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...n-spinoff.html

OK, so I got my mystic tan last night after work. It was pretty much what I expected and I got great customer service at Palm Beach Tan. It's funny how they have like 20 tanning beds and one mystic tanning booth. There was a line...I think they need to rethink their beds...

Anywho general points:

1) They made me watch a video and tried to sell me all this extra stuff. I had no idea what to choose so I just got regular with some scent.
2) I have no idea what level of color they gave me.
3) This booth sprays on 4 sides instead of 2. You make a quarter turn each round.
4) The girl told me to coat the barrier cream on really thick. It worked for the most part
5) It smells funky
6) I put barrier cream on my knees, elbows and ankles. It was a good call.

The result:
1) I'm very bronze and overall it looks nice. My arms and chest look particularly nice.
2) I have a line on my right wrist from where the barrier cream stopped and the tan sunk in.
3) I think it looks a little unnatural that my hands are lighter than the rest of me.
4) My thumbs and the edge of my index fingers are brown
5) The soles of my feet are BROWN. It looks like I dipped my foot in henna.
6) My feet are definately uneven.
7) My legs are a little streaky
8) My face is a little tanner than I would like.

Overall it was a decent experience. I could get about the same level of tan if I was vigilant about applying every day. But I am lazy and it takes time. I was in and out of this place in a hour, which was slightly longer than expected (there was the spiel, video and line).

It's pretty much inevitable that I will streak no matter what I do with sunless tanner. I have very dry, uneven skin and even though I exfoliate regularly. And because I am so fair, it shows on my skin more than most.

It's a splurge that I usually spend on a pedi before a big show, but I am glad I have a tan at the end of the summer!

I'm glad your final result is a good color. Did you shower yet? The bronzer sometimes looks streaky but once the tanner develops & you wash off the bronzer the color is usually much more even. The smell will go away once you bathe as well.

1. To maintain the best color and help even things out a bit moisturize! You can also use one of those products like Olay Touch of Sun that are a lotion/tanner combo to maintain the color.
2. A pumice stone & sugar scrub should help fix your feet/index finger.
3. For the wrist line you can apply some self-tanner mixed with a little lotion to add color to the backs of your hands, just avoid the palms.
4. Next time schedule an appointment to avoid the wait if its possible--plus you won't have to watch the video. It should only take 10-15 minutes (get nekkid, get sprayed, dry off, get dressed).