Boudoir Session Spray Tan Advice: The Good, Bad & The Oompa Loompa

Ah, the spray tan. The magical mist that promises sun-kissed glow without the sunburn, freckles, or that weird one-armed tan you get from driving. When done right, a spray tan can absolutely elevate your boudoir session — hello, even skin tone, subtle contouring, and that radiant "I vacation on a private yacht" vibe.

But when done wrong? Well... let’s just say your photos might feature more "tangerine disaster" than "sultry goddess."

This morning I spent a little time with a local PRO, Lauren Guillen who owns LG Makeup & Tans for some boudoir session spray tan advice. Let’s break it down:

The Bad Spray Tan: The Cautionary Tale

Let’s be honest — we’ve all seen her. She’s orange. She’s patchy. She has ghostly hands and a mysteriously darker face. The bad spray tan is what happens when:

• You tried the budget place that sprays you like you’re getting pressure washed.

• You went too dark for your natural skin tone.

• You forgot to exfoliate beforehand.

• You wore tight clothes right after your tan and now you’ve got tiger stripes across your chest.

Now picture that in your boudoir photos. The beautiful lingerie. The perfect lighting. And… a surprise orange halo around your elbows. Yikes.

The Good Spray Tan: Your Boudoir BFF

A good spray tan is like your most supportive friend:

• Even, natural color.

• No weird streaks or blotches.

• Smooths out minor imperfections and redness.

• Gives you that "I drink 3 liters of water and meditate daily" glow.

When you walk into your boudoir shoot with a well-done tan, your skin catches the light beautifully. You feel confident, glowing, and ready to conquer the camera. Also, I won't need to spend hours editing out patchy knees or weird ankle lines. It’s all love, all glow.

Boudoir Session Spray Tan Advice & Beauty Tips from a PRO:

1. Go pro. Find a reputable spray tan artist who knows how to customize your color, like @LGMakeuptan

2. Schedule smart. Get your spray tan 1-4 days before your shoot to let it settle.

3. Exfoliate like your photos depend on it. (Because they do.)

4. Skip heavy lotions, oils, and deodorant before your appointment.

5. Wear loose, dark clothing after your tan to avoid smudging.

6. Communicate. If you’re planning a spray tan, give us a heads-up so we can advise on timing.

7. Finishing Moves. A blowout, basic mani/pedi, hydration and eye drops to clear up red eyes will set you over the top for a killer boudoir look.

Remember: You’re Gorgeous Either Way

Spray tan or no spray tan — you are absolutely stunning. But if you’re going to invest in a boudoir session (and in my editing sanity), let’s aim for "just back from Saint-Tropez" instead of "just fell into a vat of Doritos dust."

Your future self (and your photo album) will thank you.

I highly recommend stopping by one of Lauren's 2 locations (Chicago or Wheaton) for an incredible personalized, organic and aloe based professional tan! She's been operating professionally for 17 years and has seen it all! Give her a follow @LGmakeuptans on IG or FB