Orlando has no shortage of spray tan options. Salons, med spas, mobile services, automated booths inside gyms — it can feel like everyone offers one. But the results vary wildly, and most people don't know what to look for until they've already had a bad experience.
Here's what actually matters when you're choosing where to get a spray tan in Central Florida.
Booth vs. Custom Airbrush — The Biggest Difference
This is the first fork in the road, and it makes the biggest impact on your results.
Automated spray tan booths are the cheapest option ($25–$35). You walk in, stand in a machine, and it sprays the same formula at the same angles on every body. It's fast — usually under five minutes — but there's no customization. The machine can't adjust for your skin tone, body shape, or the areas where color tends to pool (inner elbows, between fingers, behind the knees). If you've ever had a spray tan that looked orange or streaky, a booth is probably why.
Custom airbrush spray tans ($45–$75+) are applied by a real person with a handheld gun. The technician can adjust the distance, overlap passes on lighter areas, and feather the solution around your hands, feet, and face. The result looks more natural because it is more natural — someone is actually paying attention to your body instead of a sensor doing its best guess.
If you're looking for a spray tan that looks like you just got back from vacation, custom airbrush is the way to go. I break down the full pricing in How Much Does a Spray Tan Cost in Orlando?
And if you're trying to plan around a trip or an event, this guide helps: How Long Does a Spray Tan Last? (And How to Extend It)
What to Look for When Booking
Not all custom spray tans are equal either. Here's what separates a solid experience from a forgettable one:
1. Shade Consultation
A good technician will ask about your skin tone, what look you're going for, and whether you've had spray tans before. This conversation matters — the difference between "sun-kissed" and "just came back from Cancún" is real, and it should be a deliberate choice, not a surprise.
2. Solution Quality
Cheap solutions tend to oxidize orange as they develop. Professional-grade rapid formulas give you control over the depth — a shorter rinse time for lighter, longer for deeper — and they fade more naturally. Ask what brand they're using. If they can't tell you, that's a flag.
3. Private Space
Getting spray-tanned in a curtained-off section of a busy salon is a different experience than walking into a private room. It's not just about comfort — privacy means less rushing, less distraction for the technician, and better results.
4. Prep and Aftercare Guidance
If the person spraying you doesn't mention prep or aftercare, they're skipping the most important part. What you do in the 24 hours before and after your appointment determines how long the tan lasts and how evenly it fades. A good technician will send you instructions before you even walk in the door.
I put together a full guide here: How to Prep for Your Spray Tan (and Make It Last)
5. First-Time Pricing
This one's specific to my studio, but I think it reflects a healthy approach: your first spray tan at 33 Esthetics is $40 (regular price is $65). The reason isn't a promotional gimmick — it's because your first session is partly a calibration. We figure out your shade, see how your skin takes the solution, and adjust from there. Most people end up wanting something slightly different than what they initially asked for, and that's completely normal.
Where to Get a Spray Tan Near Orlando
If you're in the Orlando metro area, here's a general guide to your options:
- Chain salons and gyms — Usually booth-only. Cheapest option, least customization.
- Beauty salons — Some offer airbrush spray tans as an add-on service. Quality depends on the individual technician's experience.
- Med spas — Often offer spray tans alongside other services. Can be good, but spray tans sometimes aren't their focus.
- Private studios — Dedicated space, usually one-on-one with the esthetician. Best for customization and a relaxed experience.
At 33 Esthetics in Longwood, spray tans are one of my three core services — not a side offering. I'm in a private studio about 20 minutes north of downtown Orlando, easy to reach from Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Lake Mary, and Sanford.
How to Book
You can book directly here or message me on Instagram if you want to ask questions first. If it's your first time, your spray tan is $40 — and I'll send you the full prep guide as soon as you confirm.
What is the difference between a booth spray tan and a custom airbrush spray tan?
A booth spray tan ($25–$35) uses an automated machine that applies the same formula at the same angles on every body with no customization. A custom airbrush spray tan ($45–$75+) is applied by a trained technician with a handheld gun who can adjust distance, overlap passes on lighter areas, and feather the solution around hands, feet, and face. The result looks more natural because the technician pays attention to your body instead of a sensor making a best guess.
What should I look for when booking a spray tan in Orlando?
Five things matter most: a shade consultation where the technician asks about your skin tone and goals, quality solution (professional-grade formulas develop naturally and fade evenly — ask what brand they use), a private space so the technician isn't rushed, prep and aftercare guidance (what you do before and after determines how long the tan lasts), and transparency from the technician about their products and process.
Why do some spray tans turn orange?
Orange results come from low-quality DHA formulas that are poorly pH-balanced and lack color correction. Cheap solutions tend to oxidize orange as they develop. Professional-grade rapid formulas give you control over color depth — shorter rinse time for lighter, longer for deeper — and they fade more naturally. If a technician can't tell you what brand they're using, that's a red flag.
How much does a custom airbrush spray tan cost in Orlando?
Custom airbrush spray tans in the Orlando area typically range from $45–$75+. Automated booth tans are cheaper at $25–$35 but offer no customization. At 33 Esthetics in Longwood, FL, the standard price is $65 — and your first spray tan is $40, used to calibrate your shade and see how your skin takes the solution.
Where can I get a spray tan near Orlando?
Options include chain salons and gyms (booth-only, cheapest, least customization), beauty salons (some offer airbrush as an add-on), med spas (spray tans sometimes aren't their focus), and private studios (dedicated space, one-on-one, best for customization). 33 Esthetics in Longwood is a private studio about 20 minutes north of downtown Orlando, easy to reach from Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Lake Mary, and Sanford.
New to the studio? You might also want to check out my scalp rituals and back facials — same private studio, same unhurried approach.
