The Art of Skin Prep: How to Create the Perfect Canvas for Your Glow

A flawless tan doesn’t start with the mousse — it starts with your skin. 

Whether you’re applying at home or prepping clients in the studio, proper skin prep is the secret to a smooth, even, and long-lasting glow. Think of it as creating the perfect canvas for color that lasts and skin that feels incredible.

When the skin is prepped correctly, the tan develops flawlessly, fades evenly, and stays soft and hydrated from start to finish. Here’s how to achieve that professional-level glow every single time.

Step 1: Exfoliate — But Do It Right

Start fresh by removing any buildup of dead skin cells, old tan, or residue from lotions and oils. This ensures your formula adheres evenly and lasts longer.

How to do it:

• Exfoliate 1–2 days in a row before tanning using a non-oil-based scrub or exfoliating mitt

• Avoid scrubs and hot showers right before tanning

Step 2: Shave or Wax in Advance

Shaving and waxing open the pores, which can trap color and cause dark spots if done too close to your tan application.

Timing matters:

• Shave 24 hours before.

• Wax at least 48 hours before.

• Laser hair removal should be done 4–5 days prior.

This gives the skin time to recover and allows color to develop evenly.

Step 3: Clean, Dry, and Bare

Before you tan, skip lotions, perfumes, and deodorants — they create barriers that cause uneven application or discoloration. Skin should be completely clean and dry.

Pro Tip: Rinse with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser before tanning to remove any lingering oils or residue.

Step 4: Moisturize the Right Way

Hydration is key — but timing is everything. Apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to dry areas only (hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet) right before applying your mousse or professional solution. This keeps those tricky spots from over-absorbing color.

After tanning:

Maintain hydration daily with non-petroleum based products to help your glow fade evenly and stay luminous longer. Skip anything that will exfoliate or strip the skin.

Step 5: Choose Your Custom Glow

Now for the fun part — selecting your glow. Every Pradas Glow formula is customizable, whether you’re tanning at home with our mousses or working with clients using our professional solutions.

For At-Home Use: The Pradas Glow Mousse Collection

Miami Vibes — A violet brown hue. This cool-based formula is ideal for golden, olive, and neutral undertones. Its color-correcting blend helps neutralize warmth, delivering a balanced, dark chocolate brown tan with natural-looking depth.

Hollywood’s Secret — A gold and chocolate brown hue. This warm-based formula is perfect for clients with blue, olive, violet, and neutral undertones. Its color-correcting blend helps neutralize cool tones, leaving skin looking radiant, golden, and naturally bronzed.

Ibiza Nights — A dark olive and dark brown hue. This neutral-based formula is ideal for pink, red, gold, violet, and neutral undertones. Its color-correcting blend helps balance warmth and coolness in the skin, creating a natural-looking, even-toned glow.

Each mousse is fully customizable by wear time — rinse after 2 hours for a lighter tan or leave on up to 5 hours for a deeper bronze.

 

For Professionals: The Pradas Glow Pro Sol Solution Spray Tan Formulas

Miami Vibes Pro — Our cool-based spray tan solution, infused with dark violet, ash, and olive hues. Ideal for golden, olive, and neutral undertones. Color-correcting to deliver a balanced, dark chocolate brown tan.

Hollywood’s Secret Pro —  Our warm-based spray tan solution, infused with gold and chocolate brown hues. Perfect for clients with blue, olive, violet, and neutral undertones. Color-correcting to neutralize cool tones, leaving skin looking radiant, golden, and naturally bronzed.

Ibiza Nights Pro — Our neutral-based spray tan formula solution, infused with dark olive and dark brown hues. ideal for pink, red, gold, violet, and neutral undertones. Color-correcting to balance warmth and coolness in the skin, creating a natural-looking, even-toned glow.

Clear Water Pro — Our fragrance-free, bronzer-free spray tan solution,  develops into a natural golden-bronzed tan. Ideal for sensitive skin and those who want to prevent freckles and sunspots from getting darker. No mess, zero transfer, won't stain fabrics. Just a glow that looks like it’s coming from within.

The Bottom Line

Beautiful, even tanning starts with skin prep — not just color. By exfoliating, hydrating, and cleansing correctly, you ensure your tan develops like silk and fades like a dream.

And when paired with Pradas Glow’s skin-loving mousses and professional solutions, you’re not just getting color — you’re giving your skin (and your clients’) the healthy, hydrated glow it deserves.

Healthy skin. Seamless glow. Custom color. That’s the Pradas Glow difference.