I don’t have to tell you that spray tan guns are the most critical part of a tanning machine. What if it fails you? You’ll also fail to get a nice even tan. This is why I have decided to review the best spray tan gun to buy to get a fantastic tan.
The thing is that tan guns are the costliest item in a spray tanning kit. There is an investment to be made, and it shouldn’t be a wastage. There are many pitfalls while picking the one that suits you.
You should know that at home spray tan gun and the professional spray gun are of different kinds.
I have seen people mistakenly buying the wrong one. Apart from this, you have to be careful about choosing equipment which can give you an even tan.
But there is nothing to be worried about! We have you covered.
In this article, we will see all those key attributes that make a good spray tanning gun.
Table of Contents
What is a Spray Tanning Gun?
A spray tanning gun is a gun, like the name says, but sprays tanning solution instead of firing a bullet!
It does not work solely on its own but has to be connected with a spray tanning machine to operate. If you’re someone who is looking for the whole package, you can find our top spray tan machines here:
Spray tanning guns are best designed to apply tanning solutions to your body in an orderly manner to allow even spread of the solution on every part of your skin. The solution is sprayed in the form of a mist, and most of the guns come with adjustable spray patterns to allow the smooth and easy application.
5 Best Spray Tan Gun Reviews
Yeah, we have it right here.
Below are our top picks when it comes to spray tan guns. Go through the reviews and I’m sure there will be that one product which can give you an awesome tan.
1. Maxi-Mist Lite Plus BRWN – Our To Pick
If you’re already a fan of Maxi-mist, this one is going to rock your boat. Coming from the Maxi-mist family, this spray gun is a killer. We didn’t have to think twice to place this beast in in the top spot. Check all the features and the price of the Maxi-Mist Lite Plus BRWN here (Amazon).
It gives its peak performance with HVLP machine, though. The HVLP spray tan gun can be adjusted to provide with different patterns. The adjustments are alongside the trigger, so you don’t have to go the extra mile. The adjustment knob can be altered to give you a vertical or a horizontal spray pattern, whatever you want to choose.
On the other hand, it weighs lighter than a feather. Well, not exactly but the spray gun is super lightweight which makes it easy to take on trips or otherwise. Also if you’re using it in a parlor for commercial uses or as an at-home spray tan gun, the lightweight prevents your hands from getting tired and fatigued just by the weight of it.
The nozzle that accompanies the spray gun is also virtually non-stick and doesn’t allow debris or solution to build up which could later waste your time, money and energies.
Along with the kit, you will get a very good spray tan tent too.
This spray gun can fit into almost any cup holder because of its universal shape and size. Cool, noe?
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Easy adjustment
- Adaptable shape and size
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Works best with HVLP machines only
This lightweight and portable spray tanning gun wins my heart every time I have to take it with me on a trip. Durable, compact and affordable. Loved it!
2. Maxi-mist Allure Xena : Best Professional Spray Tan Gun
When I first bought this, I couldn’t take my mind off the unique design for a couple of days. It felt like having my hands on something new to the century. Yes, this spray gun isn’t just a gun but fashionably unique. It isn’t cheap, but it feels so professional. Check the current price of the Maxi-mist Allure Xena on Amazon.
Again, this spray gun accompanies a German engineered nozzle, one of the finest. The nozzle is made of anti-stick metal that doesn’t let the solution block it after drying out.
Moreover, you can adjust the nozzle just by sliding it sideways to give you your desired spray pattern. The spray gun sends out the solution in the form of an evenly spread mist that has little to no chances of overspray.
Coming to the design itself, it looks more like a fire hose than a gun. This design is not only unique for a spray gun but also assists in holding it correctly. Especially when using it to tan yourself and not someone else, it is a kickoff.
Unlike other self-tanning spray guns, you can aim it at almost any part of your body without having to fiddle with the mechanism and worry about losing contact with the trigger. On the other hand, if using it on someone else, you can hold it like you’re washing your car.
The outlook of the gun is a glossy black and gold, makes it the best spray tan gun combination ever. When you have to put it on a shelf at your parlor especially, it signifies nothing but class.
Pros:
- Unique design
- Easy to handle
- Stylish and classy outlook
- No overspray
- Stick-free nozzle
Cons:
- No significant drawbacks
This spray tanning gun would honestly win my choice to the best spray tan gun design. In a market where every product is almost similar to the other, this stands out as the classiest design.
3. Maximist Airbrush – Best at Home
If you’re a beginner and looking for something friendly, here’s your chance. A totally beginner friendly and tanning gun which you can use at home. The Maximist Airbrush is affordable and available on Amazon.
If you were paying attention to my article, you would have seen the same spot in the top spot. There is only one difference. Yeah, the color. This one is black and you will have less problem using it. This is best used for tanning at home.
The gun itself is company manufactured while accompanies a German engineered spray nozzle. From my own experience, German nozzles have always been preferred by me. The nozzle works wonders because of its smart engineering. The gun evenly sprays the solution and hasn’t ever made me overspray.
The airbrush tanning spray gun features a controllable pattern change. You can adjust the knob to allow vertical or horizontal spraying depending on what body part you are working with.
Moreover, the airbrush tanning gun is as clean as it could be. It requires little to no extra effort to keep it that way. The nozzle is non-stick, so I’ve never come across any buildup or clogging of the solution in the nozzle. All you need to do is take it off and rinse it. The wide controllable aperture also allows for you to air dry it if you’re in a hurry.
Making adjustments is as simple as triggering. Yes, the changeable spray patterns and density knobs are available alongside the trigger. This way, you don’t have to go to extra lengths to change the requirements when needed.
Pros:
- Changeable spray patterns
- Non-stick nozzle
- Easy to clean
- German engineered nozzle
- Beginner friendly
Cons:
- Starts to wear off if not used frequently
This gun is the most beginner friendly and equally professional tanning spray gun around. Coupled with the affordable price, what a killer it is!
4. Black Fascination Spray Tan Gun: Most Affordable
Black fascination spray tan gun has always been my favorite. Talking about the spray gun itself, it is one of its kinds. The sleek black finish gives it a distinguished look in accordance with the name. The gun is made of plastic with an alloy needle. Yes, it’s truly fascinating and stylish to be in a parlor or at your home.
This is should be your first choice if you’re short of budget. It is one of the cheapest spray tan guns you can ever get. Check the low price of the Black Fascination Spray Tan Gun here on Amazon.
The FX design spray gun isn’t just all fun. It has a fluid control knob to control the solution spray altogether. In times of less solution or need of the application, you can just turn the knob to limit the amount of spray. Alternatively, you can also adjust the same knob to give you limited spray bursts when you want a lighter as compared to rest of your days.
The air cap is really helpful when it comes to adjusting for different spray patterns. You can twist and turn to different combinations for different times, e.g. horizontal, vertical or round spray patterns. This is helpful when tanning different parts of the body that require a specific approach.
Moreover, it is not even a chore to connect it with the machine. It just goes.
The gun also accompanies a graduated cup that holds the tanning solution for a while. This allows for easy measurement and control of the solution itself. I think it’s beneficial when spraying the solution because it doesn’t come directly out of the container. This way, you can save the extra wastage and also accurately measure and keep an eye on the flow.
If used along with the black fascination spray tanning machine, it also fits like a charm. It fits in the cupholder like a charm.
Pros:
- Black sleek finish
- Cheap price
- Ergonomic design
- Graduated solution holder
- Low maintenance
- Customizable spray patterns
Cons:
- Made of plastic
- Requires practice
Overall, this is a great go-to when looking for something to add to your style and finish along with a moderately professional spray tan gun.
Buying Professional & at Home Spray Tan Gun
The market, online and physical is full of promising spray tanning guns. These guns are available separately or as a part of the spray tanning kit with the machine. When looking for a kit, it is equally important to inspect and judge the spray tanning gun because after all, the gun is the last barrier between the tanning solution and your skin.
The quality of the gun will determine the quality of your tan within a few hours. Here’s everything you need to look for in a spray tan gun for sale.
1. The engineering:
Spray tanning guns are commonly engineered to give you the maximum amount of output with the minimum amount of input (the tanning solution). How the gun is engineered is very important to decide the outcome even before trying it.
If you don’t already have knowledge of the gun engineering and don’t want to ponder on the irrelevant details, always look for German engineered tanning guns. These guns are usually the king of their crowd and durable which we will talk about next.
2. Durability:
If not in a home, spray tanning guns are also used commercially all day long. Due to this fact, there is always a competition between the products for durability and frequency of usage.
A durable gun will not only save you from spending further money on maintenance or replacement but also give you the liberty to use it without having to worry about its condition.
The durability of the gun can be judged by the material it is made of and how it is engineered. Typically, guns made good quality plastics and lined with alloys (wherever necessary) are more durable than the rest.
3. Design:
Since there are more than thousands of competitors and brands flaunting their designs, there is an array of designs to choose from.
These designs can be selected based on your liking, place of use, theme appearance and plain looks. Normally, if you are looking for a spray gun for a parlor, you should take the design into view.
When clients walk into your parlor, the kind of equipment they see is your first impression and definitely the last.
Around the market, guns with unique designs and classy outlooks are widely available and popular. You can look for an alloy finish with a color of your liking. This has to be decided solely on the basis of your choice.
4. Nozzle design and size:
Spray guns narrow down into one right nozzle to allow the tanning solution to flow through on to your skin. The type, size, and quality of the nozzle are critical to being taken into consideration.
Nozzles with their needles made of stick free material should be your best option because they prevent clogging.
Over the time of usage, the tanning solution starts to build up in the nozzle and clog the opening which not only results in uneven sprays but also total blockage sometimes. These needles are generally made of stick free material, but you should responsibly check before buying.
5. Additional options:
Last but not the least; you would want to invest your money in something that can adapt to your need, no? Spray guns come with additional options and adjustments that can be altered to suit your or the client’s needs.
For example, a gun which provides an opportunity to change spray patterns is better than a gun which doesn’t.
Likewise, the spray tanning gun you buy should give you the option to alter the spray density too. This is necessary to suit different tan requirements around the year depending on your skin color and previous tan.
How to Use a Spray Tanning Gun
What kind of spray tanning gun you buy is equally important as how you use it. Purchasing the best suitable spray tanning gun is of no use until you use it appropriately to maximize the output. Here is a little guide on how to make the best use of your available spray tanning gun.
1. Adjust the Spray Density and Patterns:
Most of the guns will normally give you the option to do this. If they don’t, you’re purely out of luck and a good tanning gun.
Before starting onto spraying the solution, adjust the nozzle to give you’re your desired density of the solution mist.
This entirely depends on the amount of solution you require on your skin (looking at the previous tone and desired change). After that, adjust the desired pattern (horizontal or vertical) which can normally be altered with a knob beside the trigger.
The type of pattern should be chosen in accordance with the part of the body you are going to spray. For example, arms and limbs need a vertical spray pattern whereas the torso requires horizontal. This will come from experience and learning.
2. Hold the Tanning Gun steadily:
The last thing you want while spray gun tanning is shaky or unstable handling. This will only result in uneven spray patterns and later streaking of the skin.
While you hold the gun, make sure you are comfortably seated or properly standing (whichever you prefer the most).
3. Sway it Evenly
Once you have it triggered and started spraying, everything will be a result of how consistently you apply the solution. While you spray different parts of the body, it is necessary that you mentally calculate and comprehend the amount of time and density of solution you have used in each area.
To help this, the first thing you can do is to keep the swaying speed of your hand persistent. A steady motion of your hand coupled with a little bit of attention and calculation on the application will result in the best tan ever!
4. Be Wary of Sudden Bursts and Spills:
When using the spray tanning gun, it is common for the gun to stagger and choke a little suddenly. This typically happens because of the buildup of the solution in the nozzle or a disturbance in the air flow. To prevent this, test your gun before use and keep the nozzle clean and maintained at all times.
However, if you still experience the bursts, quickly direct it away from the skin to save an uneven application and worrying about the calculation later.
Ready to Spray Tan with a Nice Tanning Gun?
Spray tanning guns are an excellent innovation in the world of fashion and beauty. They allow you to spread a liquid on your skin in even amounts which will then decide the tone of your skin the very same day.
Choosing the best spray tanning gun around, buying it and knowing how to use it are equally important if you want the desired results.
I did my best to educate you all about what I’ve known all these years. May you learn and make the best choice after you’ve understood all this provided information and the spray tan gun reviews.
Happy tanning!
