Not only are sunbathing and solariums uncomfortable, they pose health-risks. Never ones to promote anything that could be damaging to the skin, TOAD ventured out to find fake tans to suit.
A golden-brown complexion is often a coveted thing to have, but the fairer among us tend to struggle with traditional methods – with a day in the sun resulting in a bright red complexion being more the norm. To counter this without risking our health in the sun, we visited some salons that offer spray and fake tans.
SunFX – BodyWorx Clinic
SunFx launched in Australia, understandable given skin cancer is the number one killer down under. The treatment has now become a popular choice worldwide.
BodyWorx has a specially-fitted booth for spray tanning and has got the execution down to a fine art. We love the booth and are extremely happy with the results and the treatment. The SunFX experience offers a full-body exfoliation before the tan which is a plus, to ensure complete exfoliation. It lasts about six days before there is any sign of flaking or fading.
This treatment is odourless, but all tans inevitably smell a little bit. It dries quickly and the best part of the treatment is also the most important part: the colour. The golden brown has everyone fooled with many asking. ‘Did you go to the beach this weekend?’ which is always the sign of a good tan.
Cost from Dhs200. BodyWorx Clinic between Najda and Al Salaam Street, www.bodyworx.ae (02 641 9961).
Vita Liberata – Beauty Spot Salon
This all-organic treatment is a safe and sound way to bronze yourself. The treatment, at The Beauty Spot in Eastern Mangroves, is a UK-based product. The therapist is well-experienced; we love the perfect finish, even on our hands and feet!
The best part is that the all-organic products give no irritation to our sensitive skin and the treatment is over in a flash – though it takes a little while to fully dry. The colour is a rich bronze and we can’t find a single part of our body to give away that it is a fake-tan. It lasts about a week until it begins to fade and get a little patchy. It evens out our skin tone and the tan on our face tricks people into thinking we are wearing make-up. This is a subtle tan with a natural colour and appearance.
Cost Dhs250. Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Eastern Ring Road (02 656 1000).
St Tropez – Sisters Beauty Lounge 
The masters of the fake tan are available at ultra-glam salon-in-a-villa Sisters. We went for the original application which involves being smeared in the product while lounging on a comfy bed.
This method of application takes a bit longer than the spray (a total of two hours including one of the most thorough exfoliations we’ve ever had) but our therapist tells us that what we lose in time we gain in a reduced risk of patchiness. Immediately following the application you do look a little like you’ve been rolling in the mud, but by the time you’ve washed it off the next morning it has transformed into a golden, streak-free tan that we are told looks lovely and natural.
Cost Dhs350 for original application. Sisters Beauty Lounge, Khalifa Bin Shakbout Street, Al Bateen (02 222 2502).
Tips for faking it
• Exfoliate and moisturise before your treatment if the salon doesn’t offer the service – you want to have no flakiness.
• Wear dark, loose fitting clothing to the appointment to avoid smudging your tan off. After your treatment, your skin may have a bronzer on it which will transfer to clothing (mildly).
• Avoid any sweaty activities after your treatment; it will prevent the tan from setting properly.
• For best results, get your tan the day before you want it looking its best.
• Avoid saunas, hot spas, long baths and exfoliation to lengthen the life of your spray tan.
• Don’t plan to shower for around five-eight hours after the treatment, so don’t make any plans for right after your tan.
• Go during the evening so you can sleep while the tan sets, it’s annoying being sticky and leaving a trail of bronze during the day.
