The ultimate holiday glow guide

Your luxe glow guide for looking radiant at every holiday event, festive party, and winter vacation.

Arizona Tanning Inc.
Last updated:
November 18, 2025
X min read

Introduction

Let’s be honest. The holidays are better when you look and feel your best. Between Christmas parties, family gatherings, winter getaways, and festive photos, this season is filled with moments where you naturally want to look radiant and confident. But with Alberta’s cold weather, dry air, and lack of sunlight, most of us enter December feeling pale, dull, and dehydrated, no matter how much skincare we use.

A holiday glow changes everything. Whether you are heading to a warm destination or staying home for the Christmas season, building your glow early makes winter feel brighter, warmer, and more effortless. With the right preparation, you can step into the holidays with skin that looks even, refreshed, and naturally luminous.

Why a holiday glow matters

It is not about looking tanned. It is about feeling healthy, warm, and vibrant during the darkest time of the year, when your skin often feels the opposite. A steady glow can bring life back into your complexion and help you feel more energized and confident during the busiest social season.

A well built glow can:

  1. Brighten dull winter skin by adding warmth and dimension that counteracts December dryness.
  2. Create a soft, even colour that looks beautiful in seasonal photos, evening lighting, and holiday outfits.
  3. Boost confidence for parties and gatherings where you want to feel polished, comfortable, and camera ready.
  4. Prep your skin for a tropical getaway by allowing your skin to adjust to gentle UV exposure before stepping into stronger sun.
  5. Help prevent burning if you are travelling south, giving your skin a head start before you are exposed to higher UV levels.

A glow adds depth and warmth to your skin tone, complementing everything from cozy sweaters to festive makeup looks. It enhances your overall appearance in a subtle way that feels fresh, not overdone.

Start earlier than you think

Winter skin takes longer to tan. It is naturally drier, paler, and more sensitive, which means you need more time to build colour safely and evenly. Giving yourself enough time ensures your results look smooth, natural, and beautifully layered rather than rushed or irritated.

For Christmas parties and events

Start 2 to 3 weeks before your first event so your glow has time to develop gradually and consistently.

For a holiday vacation

Start 3 to 4 weeks before you fly to allow your skin to adjust at a steady pace, reducing the risk of burning when you arrive somewhere sunny.

Trying to rush your glow last minute often leads to irritated skin, uneven patches, or colour that fades too quickly. Slow and steady always looks better and lasts longer.

No time to build a base glow

If time is not on your side, a spray tan is the perfect last minute solution. It offers an instant, perfected glow without needing weeks of UV buildup. Book 24 to 48 hours before your holiday party, photos, or event for a warm, seamless, photo ready glow with zero downtime.

Choosing the right bed for winter skin

At Arizona Tanning, every UV tier offers unique benefits for winter skin. Choosing the right equipment ensures your glow develops smoothly and safely, even when your skin is at its driest.

Bronze Tier

Perfect for beginners or fair skin needing gentle winter colour.

Corona T40

Builds natural, even colour at a comfortable intensity, making it ideal for clients wanting a subtle winter base.

Gold Tier

Ideal for clients wanting brighter colour and improved skin tone.

Corona Blush

UV paired with red light therapy for a fresh, radiant finish that adds brightness to winter skin.

KBL Pure Energy

Provides even, all over winter colour with no pressure points. Smooth, fast, and consistent for clients who want efficient sessions.

Platinum Tier

Great for experienced tanners or clients prepping for a warm-weather trip. This tier provides the deepest, longest lasting results.

KBL 6800

Luxurious, high intensity colour with advanced comfort features, perfect for building depth during cold months.

Saturn

Powerful, long lasting colour when you need fast results before your holiday escape, ideal for clients who want bold glow with fewer visits.

Pro tips for your best holiday glow

Hydrate constantly

Winter air is extremely dry, which means your skin loses moisture quickly. Well hydrated skin tans deeper, more evenly, and keeps its colour longer.

Use a professional tanning lotion

A quality indoor tanning lotion boosts your results by increasing your skin’s responsiveness to UV, preventing dryness, and enhancing colour depth.

Stay consistent

Two to three sessions per week deliver the most even, natural looking holiday glow. Consistency helps your skin maintain colour and supports healthy development.

Exfoliate and moisturize

Smooth skin develops better colour and holds onto it throughout the season. Gentle exfoliation ensures even application while daily moisture protects your skin barrier.

Finish with a spray tan for events

Even if you have a UV base, a spray tan adds that perfected, airbrushed finish for parties, photos, and special moments. It enhances your glow and elevates your overall look.

TLDR — Glow early. Glow gently. Glow smart.

Winter skin needs time, hydration, and consistency. Start early, build gradually, and choose the right equipment for your goals. Whether you are travelling, celebrating, or simply want to feel confident this Christmas season, we are here to help you create your warmest, brightest holiday glow. Glow now. Thank yourself all season.