Ball season is officially here, and we know you’ve spent months dreaming about the perfect outfit. But let’s be real - the ultimate accessory to any dress or suit isn’t the jewellery; it’s a flawless, sun-kissed confidence.
At summerbrons., we believe a tan should look like you’ve just stepped off a plane from a tropical getaway, not like you’ve been caught in an orange-tinted rainstorm. To help you shine on your big night, we’ve put together the definitive guide to event tanning.
From the prep-work to the final "set," here is how to achieve the perfect summerbrons. glow.
The Timeline: When to Start
Timing is everything. For a ball, you want your tan to be "settled" which means the guide colour is washed off, the scent gone, and the glow is at its peak.
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2 Days Before the Event: This is the Golden Rule. If your event is on a Saturday, tan on Thursday night. This gives the tan 24–48 hours to fully develop and settle into your skin, ensuring no transfer onto your beautiful dress or white shirt.
Step 1: The Clean Canvas (Prep)
A tan is only as good as the skin underneath it.
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48 Hours Before Tanning: Complete all hair removal (shaving or waxing). This allows your pores to close, preventing those tiny "dark dots" from forming.
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24 Hours Before Tanning: Exfoliate like you mean it. Use our summerbrons. Tan Eraser to gently lift old tan and smooth out any rough patches. Focus on the "bendy" parts—knees, elbows, and ankles. Moisturise your skin after exfoliation to ensure your skin is at its smoothest and softest in preparation for tanning
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Day of Tanning: Keep it clean. Avoid heavy moisturisers, perfumes or deodorants as these can act as a barrier and cause patchiness.
Step 2: Choose Your Glow
Not all tans are created equal. Our formulas are packed with skin-loving ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut Water, so you’re getting a skincare treatment while you glow.
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Ultra Glow (10% DHA): Perfect for a subtle, "I drink enough water and get 8 hours of sleep" radiance. Great for fair skin tones.
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Ultra Tan (12% DHA): Our classic, sun-kissed bronze. The go-to for most event-goers.
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Ultra Dark (14% DHA): For those who want a deep, rich "just spent a week in the islands" look.
Step 3: Application Like a Pro
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The Mitt is Non-Negotiable: Use the Summerbrons Velvety Tanning Mitt to apply your chosen mousse in long, circular motions. Start at your ankles and work your way up to avoid creasing the tan when you bend over.
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The Face: If you’re an experienced tanner then you’ll be confident to use tanning mousse on your face. If you’re not, you can reach for the summerbrons. Glow Drops instead. Our hyaluronic self-tan drops combine with your daily moisturiser to develop into an even, radiant glow.
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The Secret Weapon: Use our Summerset Drying Powder along with our Tan Perfecting Body Brush immediately after applying your tan. Brush it into the "sticky zones" (inside elbows, behind knees and under the arms). This sets the tan instantly so you can get dressed and get on with your night without feeling tacky.
Step 4: The Rinse
Depending on your desired depth, shower in 4 hours for a natural look, or leave it on longer (8+ hours) for a deeper bronze.
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Pro Tip: Your first rinse should be lukewarm water ONLY. No soaps or scrubs. Pat your skin dry gently with a towel - don't rub.
Step 5: Maintenance
The night of the event, your tan will be at its absolute prime. Keep it looking fresh by moisturizing daily with an oil-free lotion. On the morning of the ball give your face and decolletage a good spritzing of the summerbrons Glow mist.
Top tip. If you’re not a seasoned tanner and you’re new to tanning, we recommend self tanning with your tanning products at least one to two weeks before the ball to practice.
Ready to glow? Shop the Event Glow set or Ultimate Tanning Bundle and get everything you need to be the belle (or beau) of the ball.
Stay golden, babes! ✨