How Do We Determine Your Undertone for a Spray Tan?

Natasha
15 hours ago
3 min read

If you have ever had a spray tan pull too red, too orange, or uneven, the issue is rarely the tan itself. In most cases, it comes down to undertone selection.

Understanding undertone is one of the most important parts of creating a natural looking spray tan. At 360 Tans in Austin, undertone assessment is a key step in every session and is never rushed or guessed.

What Is Skin Undertone?

Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin that does not change with sun exposure. While your surface color can lighten or darken, your undertone remains consistent and directly affects how a spray tan develops.

Common undertones include:

Warm
Cool
Neutral
Olive

Most people are a combination rather than fitting neatly into one category, which is why experience and technique matter.

Why Undertone Matters in Spray Tanning

Spray tanning solution interacts with your undertone as it develops. If undertone is ignored, the tan can pull tones that feel unnatural or overpower certain areas of the body.

A professional spray tan should enhance your natural coloring while creating balance across the skin. This is why undertone selection is far more important than simply choosing a darker or lighter option.

How We Determine Your Undertone at 360 Tans

At 360 Tans, undertone determination is part of our standard process and is approached intentionally.

We Look at Multiple Areas of the Body

We never determine undertone by looking at just one area. Different parts of the body can show undertone differently due to circulation, sun exposure, and skin thickness.

By assessing the skin in multiple areas, we get a clearer picture of how your skin will react to the spray tan solution and how the color will develop over time.

We Complement and Balance Undertones Strategically

Our goal is to complement your undertone while also balancing areas where a tone may be too dominant.

For example, if a client naturally pulls red, we choose a solution that helps cancel out excess warmth, allowing the tan to appear deeper and more neutral once developed. This does not change your natural undertone, but it helps create a smoother, more flattering result.

This balance is what creates a tan that looks natural rather than obvious.

Why Experience Makes a Difference

Undertone assessment is not something that can be determined by a chart or a single question. It requires hands on experience and an understanding of how solution, skin, and development time work together.

360 Tans is deeply involved in the spray tanning industry and provides professional products used by other salons worldwide. That experience translates directly into the way we approach every client session.

You can learn more about our custom spray tanning approach on our website at austin360tans.com, where we outline what to expect before, during, and after your session.

Who Undertone Customization Is Best For

Custom undertone selection is ideal for clients who:

Want a natural looking, even tan
Have experienced uneven or overly warm results in the past
Want a professional approach rather than a one size fits all service

Proper undertone selection plays a major role in how a tan fades and how confident you feel wearing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can undertone change over time?

Your undertone stays consistent, though surface color can change with sun exposure or skincare routines.

Why does my spray tan sometimes pull red or orange?

This is often due to undertone mismatch rather than the solution itself.

Does undertone affect how dark my tan gets?

Undertone affects tone and balance more than depth. Proper selection helps the tan look richer and more even.

Do you customize undertone for every client?

Yes. Undertone assessment is part of every spray tanning session at 360 Tans.

Serving Austin and Surrounding Areas

360 Tans proudly serves clients throughout Austin and nearby areas including North Austin, South Austin, Westlake Hills, Cedar Park, and Dripping Springs. Whether you are searching for a custom spray tan in Austin or a trusted studio near you, undertone focused application helps ensure consistent, natural looking results.