What Is the Best Spray Tan Solution? A Professional Guide to Flawless Results

Short answer: the “best spray tan solution” is the one that matches your client’s undertone, desired depth, and rinse timeline—while delivering consistent color, fast dry time, and an even fade.
In the professional tanning world, that “best” solution is the one you can trust on real clients—every skin tone, every season, every schedule. That’s why Sjolie is considered an award-winning spray tan solution line among beauty professionals. Our formulas are pre-blended for easy use (prep, pour, spray—no mixing required), crafted for consistent, natural-looking color, fast dry times, and comfortable wear that helps clients rebook.
Sjolie Sunless offers three professional solution families—Original, Luxe, and Rapid—so artists can choose the right undertone, depth, and development window for each client. Whether you run a salon, studio, or mobile tanning business, this guide breaks down what to look for in the best professional spray tan solution and how to choose the right formula every time.
Table of Contents
- How beauty professionals choose the best spray tan solution
- What makes a spray tan solution “the best”?
- Sjolie solution lines: Original vs Luxe vs Rapid
- Best-selling Sjolie spray tan solutions (and who they’re for)
- Ingredients we love (and why)
- Ingredients many pros avoid (and why)
- Does spray tan solution work with any machine?
- Pro tips for better results + longer wear
- FAQ
How beauty professionals choose the best spray tan solution
Professional artists don’t choose the best spray tan solution based on marketing—they choose it based on repeatable results. The “best” solution is the one that performs on back-to-back appointments, applies evenly through HVLP or airbrush systems, and fades cleanly without patchiness.
- Undertone accuracy: Olive/green vs violet bases can determine whether a tan looks golden, chocolate, or overly warm.
- Reliable development: Predictable depth at the correct wear time (8-hour or rapid rinse windows).
- Fast dry time: Reduces transfer risk and improves the client experience.
- Comfortable wear: Less tacky feel during processing means happier clients and fewer complaints.
- Even fade: Clean wear-off is a top driver of rebooking.
What makes a spray tan solution “the best”?
When someone searches “What is the best spray tan solution?” they usually want one of three things: the most natural color, the longest-lasting tan, or the fastest processing time. The best professional solution delivers all three—by combining undertone selection, a reliable development window, and skin-supporting ingredients that improve sprayability and fade.
- Naturally derived DHA: The primary sunless tanning active that develops into a UV-free tan on the outer layer of skin.
- Guide color (Sjolie Bronzer Complex): Cosmetic bronzers that help artists apply evenly and help clients see immediate color.
- Hydration support: Ingredients like aloe and glycerin help skin stay comfortable and help the tan fade more evenly.
- Undertone selection: Olive and violet foundations help pros customize results without guesswork.
- Professional spray performance: Formulas designed for HVLP and airbrush machines for smooth, even misting.
Sjolie solution lines: Original vs Luxe vs Rapid
Sjolie solutions are built as a professional system—choose your client’s undertone first, then choose the depth, then choose the development window.
Sjolie Original Line (8-hour)
The Original Line is aloe-based and built around olive undertones for a classic, natural golden result. It’s a studio staple for artists who want predictable color, comfortable wear, and a lineup that works across a wide range of client skin tones.
- Enriched with aloe vera for hydration support
- Designed for HVLP and airbrush machines
- Fragrance-free and professional-grade for consistent results
Sjolie Luxe Line (8-hour)
The Luxe Line is violet-based and alcohol-based for an extra-dry feel during processing. It’s designed to create a deeper, chocolate-brown tan—especially flattering on warm and neutral undertones that can pull orange with the wrong formula.
- Blended with fast-drying alcohol for comfort during development
- Violet undertones for deep, rich brown results
- Fragrance-free and built for professional performance
Sjolie Rapid Solutions
Rapid Solutions are made for clients who need flexibility. They allow a quick rinse window (as little as 1 to 4 hours depending on desired depth), while color continues developing over the next 24 hours.
- Rapid rinse convenience with professional-quality development
- Alcohol-based for a faster dry feel
- Available in undertone families to match client preferences
Best-selling Sjolie spray tan solutions (and who they’re for)
Below is a simple way many pros build a menu that covers the majority of clients.
- Original N°6 Light Blend: Ideal for fair/pale clients who want a subtle golden glow.
- Original N°9 Medium Blend: Our go-to “everyday” bestseller for classic golden results.
- Original N°12 Dark Blend: For clients who want deeper golden brown while staying natural.
- Original N°14 Dark Depth Blend: For deeper complexions and advanced tanners wanting maximum depth.
- Luxe N°9 Medium Blend: Violet-based option for warm/neutral clients who want richer browns.
- Luxe N°12 Dark Blend: For a deep chocolate finish with strong violet correction.
- Luxe Rapid: For clients needing a faster rinse timeline with deeper, violet-based results.
- Original Rapid: For clients needing a faster rinse timeline with a natural golden finish.
Ingredients We Love (and Why)
Aloe Vera
Aloe supports a more comfortable, hydrated feel while the tan develops—often helping the finish look smoother and fade more evenly.
Fast-drying Alcohol (in pro formulas)
Alcohol-based systems can reduce tackiness, speed up dry time, and lower transfer risk—especially helpful for mobile appointments and high-volume days.
Glycerin
Glycerin helps the skin hold moisture. With good aftercare, this can support a more even-looking fade.
Vitamin Complexes (C & E)
Antioxidant vitamins are valued in skincare-forward formulas and support a skin-friendly experience clients appreciate.
Sjolie Bronzer Complex / Guide Color
The Sjolie Bronzer Complex is our signature, pro-only guide color technology—engineered for bold, flawless results. It lays down a rich, even cosmetic bronze so you can see perfect coverage instantly, while your DHA develops underneath into a natural, long-lasting tan over the next 24 hours.
Ingredients many pros avoid (and why)
- Mineral oil: Some artists avoid heavier occlusive ingredients depending on the feel and fade they want.
- Parabens: Many pros prefer paraben-free formulas due to client expectations.
- Heavy fragrance loads: Can be irritating for sensitive clients and less ideal for salons.
- Erythrulose (preference-based): Some brands use it alongside DHA for a secondary tanning effect. Many pros prefer DHA-forward formulas and focus on undertone matching for better predictability.
Does spray tan solution work with any machine?
Most professional spray tan solutions are designed for HVLP and airbrush systems. The biggest differences in results usually come from technique, gun settings, and airflow consistency—not the solution brand alone.
For best results, choose a professional turbine and keep filtration clean, then match solutions to undertones and desired depth.
Pro Tips for Better Results + Longer Wear
- Standard usage: Many pros average around 2 oz (50 ml) per full-body tan (adjust as needed).
- One controlled coat: Clean, even passes often fade better than heavy overspraying.
- Dry down matters: A quick dry between passes helps reduce transfer and improves the finish.
- Storage: Keep bottles sealed, temperature-controlled, and away from direct sunlight.
- Track shelf life: Consistent results come from fresh solution and proper storage.
FAQ: Best Spray Tan Solutions
Most pros build their menu around a medium-depth option in the undertone family that matches their typical clientele. Many studios start with a medium blend, then add one deeper option and one rapid option for scheduling flexibility.
Undertone matching is key. Violet-based solutions help counter excess warmth for deeper brown results, while olive-based solutions support a clean golden finish. Choose undertone first, then depth.
Yes. Rapid solutions allow a quicker rinse window, but the final DHA color continues developing over the next 24 hours. The advantage is flexibility for clients who need speed.
If you want one “do-it-all” bestseller, start with a medium depth in the undertone family that matches your typical clientele—then add one deeper option and one rapid option to round out your menu.
Need help choosing the right solutions? Call 1-888-495-6064 to speak to a Sjolie Representative.