How to Even Out Tan Lines Before Your Wedding Day

Whether you love or hate them, tan lines are often unavoidable in the warmer months, especially if you live somewhere hot or spend your days relaxing at the beach or pool. And while most people consider tan lines to be a summer souvenir, for many brides, the presence of these seasonal markings can be a distracting visual to embrace, particularly for those wearing strapless gowns on their wedding day. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of ways to even out tan lines before walking down the aisle.

According to Isabel Alysa, a celebrity spray tan artist, “To get an overall even look for your wedding day, I highly suggest getting a spray tan or using a self-tanner,” she shares. “If you don’t have time, are too nervous, or have never gotten a spray tan, you can also ask your makeup artist to apply some body makeup to get rid of any tan lines on your wedding day.”

To further help brides hide the evidence of a sun-filled season, we asked Alysa for the best tips and tricks to even out tan lines before the wedding. Here are several expert-approved methods, including how long the process generally takes and a few important ways to avoid tan lines completely.

How to Even Out Tan Lines Before the Wedding

Depending on your budget and timeframe, there are several different ways to go about evening-out tan lines. From avoiding the sun in the months leading up to your nuptials to applying makeup in the hours before you walk down the aisle, here are a few methods to achieving a uniform skin tone once it's time to say "I do."

Stay Out of the Sun

If time is on your side, you can even out tan lines naturally by wearing SPF and minimizing sun exposure in the eight to 10 weeks leading up to your wedding. This is because the epidermis (the top layer of skin) is continually renewed over time—on average, it takes about 40 to 56 days for the epidermis to turn over completely—allowing for your skin to intrinsically revert to its natural hue if left undamaged by the sun.

You can also expedite this process by gently exfoliating your body one to two times per week, in order to remove dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and produce a smoother, more even skin texture. What's more, using skincare products with ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or retinol can help accelerate the skin cell turnover process.

Get a Spray Tan

For an overall bronzed and glowy look, opt for a spray tan the week before your wedding. “I have a lot of brides come to me to help even their skin tone,” says Alysa. “Sometimes, a white dress can wash out your skin tone so getting a light glow helps achieve a natural-looking tan.”

If you’ve never received a spray tan and are nervous about how it will turn out, consider booking a trial ahead of any wedding festivities. What's most important, however, is that you follow the instructions your spray tan artist provides, so that you're able to keep your tan lines at bay and allow your complexion to look even and flawless.

Apply Self-Tanner 

Thankfully, you don’t need to visit a spray tan salon to get pro-level results that completely camouflage your tan lines. There are plenty of self-tanners that are easy to apply, one's that will keep you glowing from the rehearsal dinner to the after-party and beyond. Whether you want a subtle tan or a deeper bronze color, self-tanners also come in various shades to achieve your desired level of glow. Some experts even recommend experimenting with different formulas and doing several self-tan trials to get a feel for the application process.

Cover Tan Lines With Makeup 

If you don’t notice your tan lines until your wedding day, don’t panic, you can easily cover them up with makeup. “Your makeup artist can apply body makeup the day of!” says Alysa. “Dolce Glow’s Mia Instant Body Glow is perfect for achieving this because it has little to no transfer.”

For those who'd like to take this route, it's important to note that body makeup is different from face makeup, as body makeup is usually more pigmented and smudge and transfer-resistant. Ask your makeup artist if they carry any body makeup in their kit, though some artists charge a small fee since this application involves different products and special blending and setting techniques.

If you’re doing your own wedding makeup and don't want to purchase new products, regular concealer and foundation can also cover up tan lines if you use enough. Just be sure to always set your liquid concealer and foundation with a setting powder, and finish with a light dusting of setting spray to lock it in place.

How Long It Takes to Even Out Tan Lines

Want to even out tan lines naturally? As mentioned above, it’s going to take at least two to three months for your skin cells to completely turnover. However, if you're looking for instantaneous results, your best bet is to get a spray tan. “Tan lines due to the sun can take months to remove,” says Alysa. “A spray tan can help even you out in one session.” What's more, though spray tans get rid of tan lines instantly, self-tanning products may take a few hours to fully develop and conceal your lines.

Tips for Avoiding Tan Lines Before the Wedding Day

Avoiding tan lines may seem like an impossible task, but they’re completely preventable if you’re cautious when it comes to sun exposure. “Don’t lay out in the sun!” says Alysa. “We all know how harsh the UV rays can be on our skin. If you need to even out your tan lines, visit your local spray tan artist. They’ll help you achieve an even tone without sun damage.”

Additionally, Alysa suggests wearing SPF from head to toe any time you plan to be in the sun for longer than 20 minutes. "Whether sunny or cloudy, you should always protect your skin with SPF,” she shares.