Sunbeds are old news! Before you even think about using a sunbed to turn your skin tone from pasty to peppy, make for a salon instead. Not sure where to start? We’ve ranked the five best spray tans in Joburg so you can glisten all year long.
Glow Couture Fourways
Price: R380 for ladies or R410 for gents (plus R120 for optional setting powder)
Discreet luxury is the watchword at this soothing little spray tan studio. Firstly, the salon uses local brand Glow Couture for its sprays, which contains natural, organic and vegan-friendly ingredients. As for the experience, owner Jen will happily discuss shade over a cup of tea before commencing the three-step process, kicking off with a barrier cream to prep the skin. Then comes colour and a setting powder to ensure longevity. Every tan I’ve had here has lasted over a week and no one has made any tangerine comments, despite me being a darker tone than I’ve ever achieved under the actual sun. Winner!
Shop P1/J3, Broadacres Shopping Centre, corner of Cedar & Valley Roads, Broadacres
073 335 0983
Facebook: @glowcouturefourways
Instagram: @glowcouturefourways
Meraki Aesthetic & Beauty Studio
Price: R500
Owners Ash and Jess have been in the beauty game for more than 15 years, and rest assured, they’re good at what they do. Their hands-on tanning sessions last for around 30 minutes and start with a chat: Discussing your skin type, how dark you want to go and how to care for your tan once it’s done. If, like me, you have fair skin and are terrified of turning out orange, opt for the medium shade of Fake Bake – it’ll make you look like you’ve spent a week in Spain rather than a month in Morocco! On completion, my tan looked natural and streak-free and lasted longer than a week.
129 Ballyclare Drive, Morningside
079 898 0505 or 082 801 9755
Facebook: @merakistudiojhb
Instagram: @meraki_studio_jhb
Skin Sense Day Spa
Price: R400
Everyone remembers their first Caribbean Tan fake tan – sprawled, topless, on a table, scrubbed everywhere (we mean everywhere), before a brown mousse was slathered on and you were sent out into the world, a trail of biscuity scent in your wake. The results were always good, but the experience not so much. The ladies here make the experience much sweeter, spritzing on the formula while you’re standing up. Better yet, you can make a day of it by taking advantage of the spa’s other treatments on offer, from facials and massages to manis and pedis.
Corner of Wessel Road & 8th Avenue, Rivonia
011 807 6281
Facebook: @skinsensedayspa
Twitter: @skinsensedayspa
Instagram: @skinsensedayspa
Flutter
Price: R350
Whether you’re a local or just passing through the mall, Flutter is a great option if you’re looking to go golden as you can just hop in your car for an air-conditioned and streak-free ride home afterwards. A serene, pretty spot in the office towers, this speedy service is calm and friendly – and thanks to knowledgeable tanner Nqoba, there’s zero awkwardness. Don’t expect an in-depth consultation and bespoke body-contouring, but a swift guided experience that ends up as an even, natural-looking tan using Norvell spray tan solution.
Third floor, South Wing Offices, Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre, corner of Jan Smuts Avenue & William Nicol Drive, Hyde Park
083 368 0668
Facebook: @flutterlashandbrow
Instagram: @flutterlashbrowtan
Suntori Tanning, Slimming & Beauty Studio
Price: R400
As soon as you arrive at this tropical-inspired salon, you’re greeted by friendly and professional staff who lead you to a therapy room to get changed. The spraying process using Fake Bake is quick, and beautician Tarynne will make sure to give you colour without too much of a dramatic change in appearance. My natural glow lasted for almost a week and came off gradually rather than in patches behind my knees or at my elbows. Overall, for an experience that didn’t feel that glamorous in the process, I certainly felt pepped up and polished post-tan.
3 Cross Place, corner of Main Road & William Nicol Drive, Bryanston
010 213 0053 or 082 712 5456
Facebook: @suntorisa
Instagram: @suntorisa
