Contest color opinions wanted...

[CleanDean]

After a 9 year layoff from competitive bodybuilding, I have competed twice in the last 18 months (INBF), and have been somewhat positive about my progress to date. In the late 1990's I was in my late 20's and had not a care in the world regarding hitting the tanning booth for 6 weeks prior to a competition. Now I am 39, married with 2 kids, and concerns about skin cancer has me relying solely on competitive tanning products for color leading up to a show. Needless to say, my color on stage has not been good, and I am looking for some advice from other competitors who have the same obstacles regarding this crucial part of stage presentation. I am very fair skinned and at my last show I had applied 3 coats of Pro Tan in the week prior to the show, and did a final light coat of California Dream Tan one hour prior to going on stage. I had a few friends who are very experienced bodybuilders at the last show and they all concurred that my color was still way to light.

My question would be:

Do I go with more applications of Pro Tan in the week prior?

Any other products out there that are better suited for us pasty white guys who will not hit the tanning booth?

I did experiment with Jan Tana products back in the 90's, but I found that they ran way to much when sweating on stage. Any changes in their formulas?

Any input would be greatly appreciated !!!

[FATHER FLEX]

Dream Tan is great with some help, and if you take the time to apply it correctly.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=106749341&highlight=dream+tan

Many shows these days are setting up spray booths, and they look pretty good, but nothing IMO compares to DT#2 when used correctly.

[rich55]

Spray tans including Jan Tana look great, but yes if you're going to be worked on stage for a while Dream Tan has it's benefits as it doesn't run. Like both with Dream Tan having the edge for long stage battles.

[FATHER FLEX]

Spray tans including Jan Tana look great, but yes if you're going to be worked on stage for a while Dream Tan has it's benefits as it doesn't run. Like both with Dream Tan having the edge for long stage battles.

Yup! Doesn't matter how much you sweat, its not going to make DT run.

[AustrianOakJr]

I have the same problem and I am VERY fair skinned. I found that by doing 2-3 coats of protan and not showering the last coat of pro-tan; then going as heavy as 3 coats of dream tan #2 gets me ALMOST as dark as the rest of the guys up there.

[elitebronzing]

After a 9 year layoff from competitive bodybuilding, I have competed twice in the last 18 months (INBF), and have been somewhat positive about my progress to date. In the late 1990's I was in my late 20's and had not a care in the world regarding hitting the tanning booth for 6 weeks prior to a competition. Now I am 39, married with 2 kids, and concerns about skin cancer has me relying solely on competitive tanning products for color leading up to a show. Needless to say, my color on stage has not been good, and I am looking for some advice from other competitors who have the same obstacles regarding this crucial part of stage presentation. I am very fair skinned and at my last show I had applied 3 coats of Pro Tan in the week prior to the show, and did a final light coat of California Dream Tan one hour prior to going on stage. I had a few friends who are very experienced bodybuilders at the last show and they all concurred that my color was still way to light.

My question would be:

Do I go with more applications of Pro Tan in the week prior?

Any other products out there that are better suited for us pasty white guys who will not hit the tanning booth?

I did experiment with Jan Tana products back in the 90's, but I found that they ran way to much when sweating on stage. Any changes in their formulas?

Any input would be greatly appreciated !!!

Hi Clean Dan
My name is Mary Beth Schlichte, the owner of a spray tanning company called EliteBronzing.com. Please review my website especially for "competitors". As a former competitor myself, I am well aware of the color concerns. With the newer generation competiton color products available, there is NO need to get any type of a base color prior to being spray tanned. This includes tanning beds, ProTan etc. I have numerous testimonials from Pros, Amateurs, Judges and Promoters complimenting me on my color job. I'm not sure what competition you are getting ready for, but if the Promoter offers spray tanning, by all means take advantage. My site lists which shows I will be the official spray tanner. Please email if you require any additional info.
You are quite right that it's a shame to be judged down for poor color after all the hard work that went into your prep.
MB

[CleanDean]

Thanks to all of you for the input !!! I went the spray tanning route in April w/ 3 coats of Pro Tan and a top coat of Dream Tan. Still too light !!! I guess my best bet is to start prepping a week out from the show with multiple coats and leave nothing to chance.

elitebronzing,

I will be competing in the INBF/WNBF show in November, and if you are there I will defenitely check out your work. Sounds like a phenomenal service, but I have to admit I know I will be a little concerned about not being prepped until the day of the show.

[elitebronzing]

Thanks to all of you for the input !!! I went the spray tanning route in April w/ 3 coats of Pro Tan and a top coat of Dream Tan. Still too light !!! I guess my best bet is to start prepping a week out from the show with multiple coats and leave nothing to chance.

elitebronzing,

I will be competing in the INBF/WNBF show in November, and if you are there I will defenitely check out your work. Sounds like a phenomenal service, but I have to admit I know I will be a little concerned about not being prepped until the day of the show.

Feel free to talk to the Promoter, Nancy Andrews. She wouldn't have me as the official spray tanner if I didn't do a superb job. I'll also be at Worlds on November 13 spraying. I encourage you to contact the Promoters or other WNBF Pros that have used my services. :))
BTW, there is NO reason to do any coats of ProTan/Dream Tan if you were professionally sprayed.

[LuckyDog]

Thanks to all of you for the input !!! I went the spray tanning route in April w/ 3 coats of Pro Tan and a top coat of Dream Tan. Still too light !!! I guess my best bet is to start prepping a week out from the show with multiple coats and leave nothing to chance.

elitebronzing,

I will be competing in the INBF/WNBF show in November, and if you are there I will defenitely check out your work. Sounds like a phenomenal service, but I have to admit I know I will be a little concerned about not being prepped until the day of the show.


Elite rocks and if they are spraying Liquid Sun Rayz it kicks Pro Tan butt for depth of color. I haven't used Marybeth myself but have heard nothing but rave reviews from really picky people. This is a really good call if you are doing World's or the Monster Mash.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[elitebronzing]

Elite rocks and if they are spraying Liquid Sun Rayz it kicks Pro Tan butt for depth of color. I haven't used Marybeth myself but have heard nothing but rave reviews from really picky people. This is a really good call if you are doing World's or the Monster Mash.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Thank you LuckyDog for your compliment and recommendation. I always strive for perfection. The fact that I am a dental hygienist by day, I am by nature a very detailed person. And it is true that I have won over the most "picky" competitors - in a very nice way. :))

[Quadzilla88]

Thank you LuckyDog for your compliment and recommendation. I always strive for perfection. The fact that I am a dental hygienist by day, I am by nature a very detailed person. And it is true that I have won over the most "picky" competitors - in a very nice way. :))

Hi Mary Beth,

Is LSR the product you primarily use? I think it's great stuff.

Raphael

[elitebronzing]

Hi Mary Beth,

Is LSR the product you primarily use? I think it's great stuff.

Raphael

LSR is definitely my personal favorite for a number of reasons. When I have a competitor who insists on being sprayed with JanTana sees a fellow competitor getting sprayed with LSR, the JanTana person wants their next coat with LSR. LSR is that much darker. It's a really nice brown brown color whereas JanTana is more of a red brown. Plus, the developer and founder of LSR (Marilyn Spatola) is awesome lady! Her customer service rocks!!

[Animal76]

Agreed, Dream Tan #2, when applied correctly looks the best!


Dream Tan is great with some help, and if you take the time to apply it correctly.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=106749341&highlight=dream+tan

Many shows these days are setting up spray booths, and they look pretty good, but nothing IMO compares to DT#2 when used correctly.

[elitebronzing]

Agreed, Dream Tan #2, when applied correctly looks the best!

I LOVE the look of Dream Tan but like you said, very few people know how to apply it correctly. Also, many venues are beginning to ban the use of Dream Tan which is why there has been so much discussion about spray tanning. Dream Tan would cover up application flaws too.

[FATHER FLEX]

Agreed, Dream Tan #2, when applied correctly looks the best!

On top of that I personally sweat plenty when on stage, with dream tan there is no way its going to run. I have seen too many on site sprays, and stainers run.

[Koragasu]

Your skin color matters? I am new to this so...

[WNBFProWOneGoal]

Your skin color matters? I am new to this so...

Has anyone ever tried the Pro Tan Posing Gel?

They have offer two "Quick Bronzers" which look similiar to Dream Tan. A Dark Brown Posing Gel and a Reddish Brown Posing Gel.

[LuckyDog]

Has anyone ever tried the Pro Tan Posing Gel?

They have offer two "Quick Bronzers" which look similiar to Dream Tan. A Dark Brown Posing Gel and a Reddish Brown Posing Gel.

I wanted to like Quick Bronze but it doesn't darken enough and the other one Stage finish or something like that - its more Dream Tan-esque I feel it is too muddy and actually harder to use then Dream Tan. I am sure this is a skin tone issue but that's my personal opinion

[WNBFProWOneGoal]

I wanted to like Quick Bronze but it doesn't darken enough and the other one Stage finish or something like that - its more Dream Tan-esque I feel it is too muddy and actually harder to use then Dream Tan. I am sure this is a skin tone issue but that's my personal opinion

I am doing a "dry run" with the Quick Bronze (both colors) this Friday. I am using Pro Tan Competition Color for my base (not sure how many coats I will go with next week for the Pro Worlds). I used the Dream Tan in a test run last weekend and it ran a little once I got hot and started to sweat (I turned up the heat in my posing room to 80 degrees and surrounded myself with 4-500W shop lights, similar to the floor stage lighting at shows). It was not too bad but once I touched it or tried to "pat it dry/off" it left fingers prints and started to look messy. I am just curious how the PT Bronzers will look and work.

Of course if I do not sweat I have no issues either way. I am just looking for something that will not run or look messy if I do.

I swear once I find something that really works for me I am going to write a blog about it in hopes that it can help others. I have done numerous "dry tanning runs" the past few months with different products in search of something or a combination that provides good color, ease of use and can handle hot lights and sweat and still hold up and look great.

[RichKnapp]

I am very interested in your tests. I have been out of compatition for 5-6 years now and just getting back in. I used to use Jan Tan loved the color but messy. I used Dream Tan but covers to many of the fine cuts and sarations, even cruched in and thin.

[WNBFProWOneGoal]

I am very interested in your tests. I have been out of compatition for 5-6 years now and just getting back in. I used to use Jan Tan loved the color but messy. I used Dream Tan but covers to many of the fine cuts and sarations, even cruched in and thin.

I just wanted to post a quick update on my "dry run" results. Within the next few weeks I will try and document everything in better detail in a blog/article explaining what I discovered trying multiple products, combining them and how they performed under different conditions.

But in summary - I exfoliated for four days leading up to my dry run with Pro Tan Get Buffed. I then applied two base coats of Pro Tan Competition Color the night before and allowed both to dry nicely and even blow dried them. The following morning I applied THREE different finishng coats/tanners to different body parts to get a good comparison of them against each other.

The results:

1) Pro Tan Quick Bronzer Dark Brown Posing Gel - Color was way too light (the lightest of the three finishers I tried here) and it had a shine that looked like I had oil on - much too shiny and oily looking. Also felt thin and watery going on.

2) Pro Tan Hot Quick Reddish Brown Posing Gel - Color was definitley a reddish color. I could feel the "hot quick" but in terms of bringing out vascularity as it claims I was no more vascular where this was applied than any other body part with one of the other tanners. THe color was darker than the Dark Brown Posing Gel but too red. Taking into consideration I would be on stage with guys who were actually "dark" or "brown" I feel this color would make someone stand out - but not in a desirable way. This one too had an oily look to it and was too shiny I felt.

3) Dream Tan - Simply put I think nothing can beat it in my opinion now. This was the winner hands down. The color was a nice brown and looked more natural than the Pro Tan Bronzers. Definitely the darkest and it had a nice sheen to it. It went on easier and was thicker whereas the Pro Tan Bonzers felt oily, thin and wetter going on.

So in order of preference of these 3 - Dream Tan, Pro Tan Hot Quick, Pro Tan Dark Brown.

I hope this can help any competitors trying to decide which products to use and save them from going through what I have with so many test runs - or worse yet bad results on stage with color and/or products.

There are pros and cons to all tanning products. No one product in particular is ideal and different skin types and pH will give different results from one individual to the next. But these are my results.

I have tested several other products I will post about these in the future. If anyone has specific questions in the meantime feel free to send me a private message and I will try and answer your questions.

Best of luck to everyone wrapping up this competitve season and in all future competitions as well.

-Steve

[LuckyDog]

The results:

1) Pro Tan Quick Bronzer Dark Brown Posing Gel - Color was way too light (the lightest of the three finishers I tried here) and it had a shine that looked like I had oil on - much too shiny and oily looking. Also felt thin and watery going on.

Just so people aren't confused this is suppose to be a finishing coat over top of full coverage of Pro Tan

[WNBFProWOneGoal]

Just so people aren't confused this is suppose to be a finishing coat over top of full coverage of Pro Tan

Yes, sorry if I may have been a little unclear on that.

All three products I applied went over two coats of Pro Tan. Of the 3 (2 different Pro Tan Quick Bronzers and the Dream Tan) the Dream Tan was by far the darkest and most natural looking. The PT Bronzers would obviously require a darker base and more coats of PT to equal the color I achieved with the DT.

[graphlex]

I'll just add that if you are not the first class to go out then take a look at the stage lighting and try to adjust your color accordingly. Had a bit of a mishap myself a couple weeks ago in a venue with dimmer lighting and as we were the first class to go up I had no way of observing this so I was too dark. On the opposite end you can be too light and last year, on a friend's recommendation, I did not reapply my color at the night show and was completely washed out. So definitely try to get the right color but also be ready to try to make adjustments backstage if needed.

[elitebronzing]

I'll just add that if you are not the first class to go out then take a look at the stage lighting and try to adjust your color accordingly. Had a bit of a mishap myself a couple weeks ago in a venue with dimmer lighting and as we were the first class to go up I had no way of observing this so I was too dark. On the opposite end you can be too light and last year, on a friend's recommendation, I did not reapply my color at the night show and was completely washed out. So definitely try to get the right color but also be ready to try to make adjustments backstage if needed.

Too dark?? The only time this applies is in bikini, which you obviously don't qualify. LOL
There are increasing shades of darkness for bikini, figure. fitbody then BB.
Are you forgetting about your fellow Black Americans on stage? At the end of every show where I am the sponsored spray tanner, I always ask for feedback from the Promoters and head judges. I have had this very discussion with the Promoters and head judges because I see this topic on many boards.
Bottom line is you can never be too dark with the exception I previously noted above.
The Promoters and head judges concern is where competitors apply Dream Tan improperly, will make you look smooth and muddy.

[LuckyDog]

Too dark?? The only time this applies is in bikini, which you obviously don't qualify. LOL
There are increasing shades of darkness for bikini, figure. fitbody then BB.
Are you forgetting about your fellow Black Americans on stage? At the end of every show where I am the sponsored spray tanner, I always ask for feedback from the Promoters and head judges. I have had this very discussion with the Promoters and head judges because I see this topic on many boards.
Bottom line is you can never be too dark with the exception I previously noted above.
The Promoters and head judges concern is where competitors apply Dream Tan improperly, will make you look smooth and muddy.

For those of you guys who haven't explored it yet Liquid Sun Rayz is awesome color - and what elitebronzing sprays (although I believe they will spray other colors if necessary)

I have huge issues with getting dark enough for body building. I look dark back stage but under the lights its like I don't have that deep depth of color. I've played with EVERYTHING to try and figure this out.

I no a lot of people who have used LSR and had awesome results.

Jan Tana - I like the color, I like that it conditions a bit instead of drying you out IF I was using it for a self tanner or photo shoot. I feel this is a disadvantage for the stage. HOWEVER JT alone doesn't get me dark enough - and I've used plenty of coats

Pro Tan - Color gets a bit green/black once it gets enough coats to be dark enough (for me) and on stage still don't show the depth of color. I like that it dries the skin. I HATE that it takes so many coats to get close to dark enough.

Liquid Sun Rayz - Color get dark MUCH faster then Pro Tan. Color is a nice combo of Pro Tan and Jan Tana - very dark but also very mahogany (again on my skin). It also dries more like Pro Tan.

I have to top any and all with a skim coat of Dream Tan to be dark enough. So for me which base will give me the most bang for my buck and its LSR by far.

Not to mention - the customer service from Marilyn @ LSR and all of the people who spray who color (and I've been in touch with quite a few across the country) are just top notch for sure!!!

KUDOS MB!!

[Quadzilla88]

For those of you guys who haven't explored it yet Liquid Sun Rayz is awesome color - and what elitebronzing sprays (although I believe they will spray other colors if necessary)

I have huge issues with getting dark enough for body building. I look dark back stage but under the lights its like I don't have that deep depth of color. I've played with EVERYTHING to try and figure this out.

I no a lot of people who have used LSR and had awesome results.

Jan Tana - I like the color, I like that it conditions a bit instead of drying you out IF I was using it for a self tanner or photo shoot. I feel this is a disadvantage for the stage. HOWEVER JT alone doesn't get me dark enough - and I've used plenty of coats

Pro Tan - Color gets a bit green/black once it gets enough coats to be dark enough (for me) and on stage still don't show the depth of color. I like that it dries the skin. I HATE that it takes so many coats to get close to dark enough.

Liquid Sun Rayz - Color get dark MUCH faster then Pro Tan. Color is a nice combo of Pro Tan and Jan Tana - very dark but also very mahogany (again on my skin). It also dries more like Pro Tan.

I have to top any and all with a skim coat of Dream Tan to be dark enough. So for me which base will give me the most bang for my buck and its LSR by far.

Not to mention - the customer service from Marilyn @ LSR and all of the people who spray who color (and I've been in touch with quite a few across the country) are just top notch for sure!!!

KUDOS MB!!

Yo Dog!

Well you know how much I love LSR. Great stuff! But we did learn in Sacramento how different skin colors react differently to it as far as number of coats needed - which of course makes sense.

Raphael

[LuckyDog]

Yo Dog!

Well you knowq how much I love LSR. Great stuff! But we did learn in Sacramento how different skin colors react differently to it as far as number of coats needed - which of course makes sense.

Raphael

So funny, I was going to go in and edit my post that I have had friends look great with out DT w/LSR and less coats then I used with DT - very timely my friend!!

[Quadzilla88]

So funny, I was going to go in and edit my post that I have had friends look great with out DT w/LSR and less coats then I used with DT - very timely my friend!!

Being a Cubano helps!

[LuckyDog]

being a cubano helps!

show off!!!

[graphlex]

Too dark?? The only time this applies is in bikini, which you obviously don't qualify. LOL
There are increasing shades of darkness for bikini, figure. fitbody then BB.
Are you forgetting about your fellow Black Americans on stage? At the end of every show where I am the sponsored spray tanner, I always ask for feedback from the Promoters and head judges. I have had this very discussion with the Promoters and head judges because I see this topic on many boards.
Bottom line is you can never be too dark with the exception I previously noted above.
The Promoters and head judges concern is where competitors apply Dream Tan improperly, will make you look smooth and muddy.
Nope, not forgetting the Black Americans or in bikini, LOL. This was from the judges feedback. Dimmer overhead lighting can hamper a very dark skinned person so perhaps it was a matter of the fact that my color was more under my control than one's natural pigment and could have been adjusted to better serve the lighting. Thanks for the input though.