Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) is an American model and the wife of pop star Justin Bieber. She is known for her glowing, sun-kissed skin and has been questioned in the past whether she uses spray tanning to achieve her bronze look. In this article, we will examine the evidence and arguments around whether Hailey Bieber uses spray tans.
What is spray tanning?
Spray tanning, also known as sunless tanning, is a process for tanning the skin that does not require exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. The active ingredient in sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a simple carbohydrate that interacts with dead skin cells on the epidermis to temporarily darken the skin. When applied by a technician at a tanning salon or when self-applied from an at-home kit, DHA is sprayed evenly onto the body, providing an even, natural-looking tan within a few hours. The color change from the DHA typically lasts around 5-10 days.
Compared to UV tanning methods, spray tanning provides a safer alternative as it does not expose the skin to harmful radiation that can increase skin cancer risk. However, there are some downsides – spray tans can produce an unnatural orange hue if applied unevenly, and the DHA coloring may fade unevenly. Proper exfoliation and maintenance is required to keep the tan looking natural. Overall, spray tanning allows people to bronze their skin without sun damage, but it requires some skill and practice to master.
Evidence that Hailey Bieber uses spray tans
There are several compelling reasons to believe that Hailey Bieber takes advantage of spray tanning to help achieve her signature glow:
She maintains a tan year-round
Bieber has a perpetually tanned complexion, whether she is photographed in the middle of winter or the height of summer. Her skin tone remains consistent regardless of the season or the climate she is in, suggesting she uses artificial methods to maintain her tan. Natural tans fade in the colder months when there is less UV exposure, but Bieber’s remains ever-present.
Dramatic tanning before events
Paparazzi often photograph Bieber looking significantly more bronzed when exiting the gym or a tanning salon prior to a major public appearance or event. The visibility of tan lines suggests it is a fresh application. For example, she appeared noticeably more tanned walking the Met Gala red carpet in 2021 versus candid photos of her taken earlier that week. This indicates she likely had a spray tan done shortly before the high-profile event to enhance her skin tone.
No visible sun damage
Despite her perpetual tan, Bieber’s skin appears smooth and largely free of wrinkles, sun spots, or other signs of UV damage from sunbathing or tanning beds. As spray tans provide color without sun exposure, this supports the theory that Bieber relies on sunless tanning rather than natural tanning methods. If her tan came purely from laying out in the sun, the UV radiation would inevitably start causing visible changes to her skin over time.
Connection to tanning salons
There are documented links between Bieber and spray tanning establishments, suggesting she is a regular client. For example, Bieber tagged the Los Angeles tanning salon Violet Grey in an Instagram story showing off her tan lines from wearing a bikini. She is also friends with celebrity spray tan artist Isabel Alysa, who has posted about giving the model a copper glow. These connections imply Bieber uses professional spray tanning regularly.
Evidence against Hailey Bieber using spray tans
Despite the compelling evidence for spray tanning, there are also some reasons to be skeptical that Bieber relies solely on sunless methods to tan:
Occasional pale sightings
While rare, there are some paparazzi photos circulating of Bieber looking relatively untanned compared to her usual bronzed appearance. In the candid shots, her skin appears closer to fair or medium in tone. This suggests that while she may use spray tanning frequently, she does not do it daily and her natural skin color peeks through occasionally.
Genealogy and ethnicity
Bieber has Portuguese, English, Irish, French, and German ancestry. Many of these ethnic backgrounds carry gene variants linked to an increased ability to tan naturally. People descended from Mediterranean or Celtic roots often develop warm, golden skin tones after UV exposure more easily than those from Northern European heritage. Bieber’s genetic makeup may allow her to tan naturally without as much UV damage.
Tanning comes with ease
In a 2021 interview, Bieber stated she tans “really easily” and did not need to spend much time in the sun to appear bronzed. While she did not explicitly deny using spray tans, her comments suggest sunless tanning may not be necessary as her skin changes color quickly with a little UV exposure. Her natural tan response could lessen the need for artificial methods.
Access to tropical locations
As a wealthy celebrity, Bieber often vacations in tropical destinations like Cabo, Hawaii, and the Caribbean where she can lay out and tan naturally year-round. Bieber also frequently visits Los Angeles where the sun shines the majority of the year. Her luxurious lifestyle provides ample opportunity for sunbathing and natural tanning if she desires.
Expert opinions on whether Hailey Bieber uses spray tan
To shed more light on this question, let’s examine the opinions of skin and tanning experts familiar with Bieber’s look:
Celebrity esthetician Candace Marino:
Marino told Page Six in 2018 she believes Bieber has professional spray tanning done several times per week to maintain her bronzed glow. However, Marino said Bieber’s application is flawless, avoiding the mishaps many others have with spray tanning. According to Marino, “Hailey’s spray tanning results look so natural because whoever is doing it is using the perfect amount of solution with the perfect technique.”
Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss:
Analyzing Bieber’s look over the years, Dr. Idriss concluded in a 2022 TikTok video that her tan is “not natural” and she most likely relies on spray tans to supplement any natural UV tanning. Idriss believes Bieber’s lack of tan lines and absence of skin damage while maintaining a deep golden hue is a telltale giveaway.
Tanning expert Versa Spa owner Christine Chambers:
Chambers told Page Six in 2021 that in her professional opinion, Bieber “definitely spray tans.” Chambers believes Bieber uses bronzers that create immediate color while also containing DHA for longer-lasting effects. Chambers said, “Hailey has perfected the art of the spray tan – her color is even and natural.”
Hailey Bieber’s statements on her tanning approach
To get to the bottom of this debate, let’s examine what Bieber herself has said over the years about her tanning regimen and whether she relies on sunless methods:
In a 2016 interview with Byrdie, Bieber made the following comments:
“I don’t do any tanning. I’ve never really gone the route of spray tans. Occasionally I’ll do one for a specific event.”
This early quote implies she avoided spray tans in her teenage years in favor of natural tanning methods.
In a 2018 tweet, Bieber stated:
“I don’t use self-tanner.”
This could be interpreted as an outright denial that she artificially bronzes her skin. However, she may have specifically meant at-home self-tanners that you apply yourself rather than professional spray tanning done in salons.
In a 2021 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, when asked directly if she gets spray tans, Bieber responded:
“I don’t actually use a lot of spray tan. I’ve used it a few times and I feel like I always break out.”
Here, Bieber implies spray tans cause acne breakouts for her skin. While she indicates she has used the method before, she presents it as an occasional and inconvenient process. However, breakouts could also be from improper spray tanning preparation or poor-quality solution.
Based on these quotes, Bieber seems to avoid definitive statements about whether she relies on sunless tanning methods. While she suggests it is not a big part of her routine, she does not categorically deny using professional spray tans for specific events or to maintain an even tone year-round. The evidence and expert opinions appear stronger than Bieber’s vague and contradictory comments on the subject over the years.
Conclusion
Evaluating all the available evidence and opinions, the preponderance of data suggests Hailey Bieber does take advantage of spray tanning regularly, either by herself or professionals, to help deepen and extend her natural tan year-round and prepare for major public appearances. However, it is also likely that Bieber is able to tan naturally quite easily due to genetic factors and frequent sun exposure during her travels.
The reality is probably a combination approach – Bieber can quickly tan golden in the sun due to her heritage, but appears to supplement this natural UV tanning with professional spray tanning to minimize sun damage while keeping her skin an even, flawless tone regardless of the season or climate. Bieber has not provided a definitive statement clearly confirming or denying the use of artificial tanning methods. Ultimately, only the model herself knows her true tanning regimen and to what degree she utilizes professional spray solutions. But the evidence strongly indicates they likely play a role in helping Bieber achieve her signature sun-kissed glow.
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