When you have a big event right around the corner and you need to get that flawless spray tan right away, an airbrush can get the job done.
There’s nothing worse than investing your hard-earned money into a home system or a professional salon only to have it turn out streaky or uneven.
However, you can avoid all of this disappointment by using an airbrush system.
An airbrush gives you control over your spray tan so you can strive for the flawless tan that you desire everytime.
In this article, we go over how airbrush can outperform other spray tan methods such as the HVLP spray tanning machines that are so prevalent in the market today.
ARTICLE: How to Use an Airbrush for a Flawless Spray Tan
With the right equipment and a little practice, you can achieve a superior spray tan at home by yourself – maximizing convenience and saving a ton of time and money.
This article is all about the right airbrush equipment for spray tanning. Read on for a rundown on what you should be looking for and our top 5 picks for airbrush spray tanning.
NOTE: For an airbrush spray tanning kit with everything included, get the Belloccio Sunless Tanning Airbrush Kit. This airbrush system is easy to use, high value for its price, and it has everything you need to get up and running the fastest.
What Makes a Good Airbrush For Spray Tan:
A good airbrush for spray tanning should deliver tanning solution from the airbrush to the skin as smoothly and evenly as possible.
Here are the things you typically look for in a good airbrush for spray tanning:
- precision
- volume
- spray consistency
- Cup Size
- Durability
Precision
Your airbrush should be able to spray wide enough to cover a good swath of skin, but also spray narrow enough to put it right where you want it.
Too wide of a spray pattern can result in excess overspray which wastes tanning solution and makes a mess.
This is one of the advantages of airbrushes over most spray tanning machines, they generally have narrower spray patterns and double-action triggers – giving the user control over exactly where the solution is applied.
Medium to large-sized airbrush nozzles (0.35mm – 0.5mm) are great for spray tanning applications.
Volume
The trade-off with increased precision is the volume of spray that can be applied. Narrow spray patterns can put the spray tan solution exactly where you want it, but it also risks making streaks and can also take a long time to apply.
Airbrushes have more variability with spray volume than spray tanning machines. You can turn up the air pressure to get more volume and pull back on the trigger with a double-action airbrush to increase spray (and widen the spray pattern).
Therefore, double-action airbrushes with relatively large nozzles (closer to 0.5mm) and large air compressors will give you the best volume capability for spray tanning.
Spray Consistency
The last thing you want for spray tanning is an airbrush that sputters and splatters your tanning solution in patchy patterns.
You’ll typically find that cheaper brands will clog more easily and produce uneven spray patterns.
ARTICLE: What Causes Airbrush Splatter and What to Do About It
Instead, you want to get an airbrush with silky smooth trigger action and a reliable spray stream. A flawless spray tan is not possible without flawless solution delivery.
Cup Size
Your cup size determines how much product you can put into the airbrush at once. The more you have to refill the cup, the longer the spray tanning process will take.
ARTICLE: How to Use an Airbrush for a Flawless Spray Tan
A small cup will not make or break your spray tan. After all, airbrush does not use as much tanning solution as regular spray tanning machines.
However, a larger cup can be beneficial if you spray tan a lot and want to get your tan on in a hurry.
Durability
The durability of your airbrush determines how reliable it is and how long it will last. Not all airbrushes are created equal.
From my years of experience trying different airbrushes, I have consistently found that the cheaper brands will fail quicker, cost you more money in replacement parts, and make your life more difficult.
The durability factor is mainly influenced by construction material and design. If you intend to spray tan more than twice, it’s important to get an airbrush that is built to last.
Best Airbrushes for Spray Tanning
Here are our best airbrush recommendations for spray tanning.
1. Best Quality Airbrush – Iwata Eclipse HP-CS
The Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is our premium quality airbrush pick for spray tanning. Because of it’s superior design and construction, the Eclipse outperforms other airbrushes on the durability and spray consistency front ten-fold.
I have personally used an Iwata Eclipse for years in all sorts of applications and in all kinds of conditions – this airbrush comes through with flying colors every time.
The spray stream is extremely precise which allows you to avoid elbows and ankles with confidence. You will also save a ton of tanning solution from less overspray.
The cup size is large enough at 1/3 oz, and the 0.35mm nozzle is capable of decent volume, especially at higher PSIs.
The Iwata Eclipse produces the smoothest and most even spray tan you can hope to get. For a high-quality, high-value airbrush tool, get the Iwata Eclipse. But be aware, that once you experience an Iwata Airbrush, you can never go back.
| Iwata Eclipse HP-CS | |
|---|---|
| Precision (Nozzle Size) | Medium 0.35mm |
| Volume | Medium |
| Spray Consistency | High |
| Cup Size | Medium 1/3 oz |
| Durability | High |
2. Best Beginner Airbrush – Master Airbrush Model G79 Trigger Action Airbrush
The Master Airbrush Model G79 Trigger Action Airbrush allows you to spray tan quickly and easily. It comes with 3 different nozzle sizes, 0.8mm being the largest, which is more than enough to lay down a thick spray stream.
The trigger action style airbrush makes it easy to point and shoot, perfect for all skill levels.
The largest cup in the pack comes in at 1/2 oz, which is not the largest, but it still gives you some solution to work with.
Our experience with Master Airbrush is that they are not the highest end product, but have built a solid footing in the “aspiring premium” category. Their airbrushes are now being produced with better design and durability. If nothing else, the trigger design means a more robust action and less chance of malfunction.
For a solid and easy-to-use airbrush that can really lay down a high volume of tanning solution, get the Master Airbrush Model G79.
| Master Airbrush Model G79 | |
|---|---|
| Precision (Nozzle Size) | Small/Medium/Large 0.3, 0.5 & 0.8mm |
| Volume | High |
| Spray Consistency | High |
| Cup Size | Medium 1/16, 1/6 & 1/2 oz |
| Durability | Medium |
3. Most Convenient Airbrush – Fehrominger Cordless Airbrush Kit
The Fehrominger Cordless Airbrush is a great portable airbrush option for spray tanning. It has a large 1.3 oz cup and a small/medium sized nozzle (0.3mm) that will produce medium spray volume with high precision.
The main feature of this airbrush system is its built-in battery-powered air compressor. The attached compressor unit is small enough to carry around and spray wherever it is needed – no air hose getting in the way.
The compressor produces up to 30 PSI which is adequate for spray tanning but not overpowering.
We rated durability lower as the small portable compressor, as convenient as it is, can only handle so much usage. A larger, more robust air compressor with a holding tank will always last longer without overheating or wearing out.
Volume is also rated as a medium because of the air pressure maxing out at 30 PSI – adequate for spray tanning, but not optimal.
For a convenient spray tanning tool at a good price, the Fehrominger Cordless Airbrush is the way to go.
| Fehrominger Cordless Airbrush | |
|---|---|
| Precision (Nozzle Size) | Small/Medium 0.3mm |
| Volume | Medium |
| Spray Consistency | Medium |
| Cup Size | Large 0.6 oz and 1.3 oz |
| Durability | Low |
4. Best Airbrush Spray Tan Kit – Belloccio Brand Complete Professional Sunless Tanning Airbrush System
The Belloccio Sunless Tanning Airbrush is a great spray-tan optimized package. It has a 0.4mm nozzle, expanded 3/4 oz and 1.5 oz fluid cups.
With the slightly larger than average-sized nozzle (average being 0.35mm) this airbrush is capable of pumping out some decent volume while still maintaining a precise spray pattern.
The expanded cups will minimize refill time and really speed up your spray tanning process.
The one drawback of this model is its relatively cheap construction. It is not a robustly designed airbrush as compared to other premium airbrush brands such as Iwata or Badger. Several reviews on Amazon also indicate that the trigger broke fairly easily – something to keep in mind.
All-in-all, the Belloccio Sunless Tanning Airbrush System is a great option for its price. You can get started spray tanning right away. The extended cup size and medium-large nozzles are perfect features for spray tanning, as long as you don’t expect it to survive as long as more durable options, you can’t go wrong with this airbrush.
| Belloccio Sunless Tanning Airbrush | |
|---|---|
| Precision (Nozzle Size) | Medium/Large 0.4mm |
| Volume | Medium/High |
| Spray Consistency | Medium |
| Cup Size | Large 2/3 oz and 1.5 oz |
| Durability | Low |
Other Things You Need for Airbrush Spray Tanning
Here are some other items you’ll need to pick up to start spray tanning right away:
Airbrush Equipment
Some airbrushes come with a full kit while others do not. If you get an airbrush that is not part of a kit, you will also need an air compressor and a hose to hook it up.
ARTICLE: 5 Best Airbrush Compressors: An Artist’s Honest Review
Spray Tanning Solution
Spray tanning solution is what gives your skin color. The magic ingredient in a spray tanning solution is DHA, which reacts with amino acids in your skin.
Solutions come with different concentrations of DHA for different effects. They are usually classified as either light, medium, or dark color tones.
SJOLIE makes a great medium-tone spray tanning solution that you can get here:
Spray Tan Booth
A spray tan booth is an essential part of the spray tanning process. It encloses the spray tanning area and prevents overspray from settling on the surrounding environment.
If you’re looking to spray tan at home, a pop-up tanning tent spray tan booth will work best. Simply set it up in whatever room you’re spray tanning, and pack it back up when you’re done.
This spray tan booth is a good size and it’s easy to set up and take down:
Barrier Cream
Barrier cream for spray tanning is used to block out the areas of skin that you do not want to react with the tanning solution.
Dry areas and areas with thicker skin tend to soak up more tanning solution and “over-darken”, making a splotchy and uneven tan.
Barrier cream is applied to the elbows, knees, hands, and feet before spray tanning to help with keeping the spray tan even.
Here is a good barrier cream that blends well into problem areas:
Blending Mitt
The blending mitt is used in spray tanning to smooth out any splotchy areas. Uneven coverage can happen, and that’s where a blending mitt is needed to run excess tanning solution into the skin for a flawless look.
The “i dont want tan on my hands” is a fantastically crafted blending mitt that can be thrown into the wash and used over and over – get it here:
Feet Protectors
Feet protectors make sure that you don’t get any tanning solution on the bottom of your feet. When you’re standing in the tanning booth, overspray inevitably falls onto the floor of the booth.
As you reposition your body and continue spraying, you risk stepping on the overspray and getting tanning solution on the soles of your feet. This is a big no-no as it can create uneven and splotchy coloring on the soles of your feet.
A simple pair of feet protectors can protect your soles from the overspray without worrying about it.
Here’s a great option for feet protectors:
Airbrushing is a fantastic way to get a smooth-looking spray tan. Hopefully, this article helped with choosing the right airbrush for your specific spray tanning operation.
Whether you’re looking to spray tan one time for an event, spray tan at home consistently, or start a spray tanning business, the right tool for the job is essential.
Get an airbrush with good precision, volume, spray consistency, cup size, and durability, and you’ll be sure to get the flawless spray tan that you’re looking for.
