How to Apply Norvell Venetian Plus for a Natural Tan
By Spray & Sun | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to applying Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz solution for a natural-looking spray tan, including prep, technique, and shelf-life checks.
Quick answer
Apply Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz solution in thin, overlapping passes with your gun 4–6 inches from the skin, starting at the legs and finishing with the face. Because the formula is darker and more violet-brown than the original Venetian, you can use less product per pass and still get a Riviera-style natural look. Always check the 120-day shelf life before you spray.
Prep the skin and the room
A natural-looking spray tan starts before the gun is filled. Ask your client to shower, exfoliate, and skip lotion or deodorant on the day of the appointment. Set your room temperature around 72–75°F and keep air movement low so the solution settles evenly instead of drying mid-air. Lay down towels or a tent floor, and have barrier cream ready for palms, soles, nails, and any dry patches.
Mix and load the Norvell Venetian Plus solution
Shake the Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz bottle well before pouring. This formula combines deeper violet and brown tone bronzers with a darker DHA result than the original Venetian, so you do not need to over-apply to see color. Fill your gun cup with the amount you expect to use for one full body, then test the spray pattern on a paper towel. A fine, even mist with no spitting is the checkpoint.
Spray in the right order with the right distance
Start at the feet and work upward in sections: legs, back, stomach, arms, chest, then face. Hold the gun 4–6 inches from the skin and use smooth, overlapping passes. For the face, drop to a lighter pass and keep the gun moving. The most common mistake is holding the gun too close or pausing on one spot, which creates a dark patch that looks artificial rather than natural.
Check the shelf-life window before every session
Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz solution is sold with a 120-day shelf life. Write the open date on the bottle and use it within that window for predictable DHA results. If the solution has been stored in heat or sunlight, or if the color looks off, do not spray it on a client. A fresh bottle is cheaper than a correction appointment.
Your step-by-step application routine
- 1. Prep the skin: Have the client shower and exfoliate with a gentle product like Norvell Prime Renewing Sunless Exfoliator, then apply barrier cream to palms, soles, and nails. Checkpoint: skin should be clean, dry, and free of lotion or deodorant.
- 2. Load and test the gun: Shake the Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz bottle, pour a measured amount into the cup, and spray a test pattern on a paper towel. Checkpoint: a fine, even mist with no spitting or dripping.
- 3. Spray in sections: Start at the legs and work up to the face, holding the gun 4–6 inches away and using smooth, overlapping passes. Checkpoint: no single area should look wet or heavily saturated.
- 4. Blend and dry: Use a light pass over hands, feet, and face to blend, then let the client dry in front of a fan for 5–10 minutes before dressing. Checkpoint: no dark patches at the wrists, ankles, or hairline.
- 5. Check the shelf life: Before each session, confirm the bottle is within its 120-day shelf life and has been stored away from heat and sunlight. Checkpoint: if the solution is expired or discolored, replace it before spraying.
Products used in this guide
- Norvell Venetian Plus' 8 oz Solution (120 Day Shelf Life): Norvell Venetian Plus 8 oz Solution is an exotic sunless formula with deeper violet and brown tone bronzers plus a darker DHA result than the original Venetian spray; it has a 120-day shelf life. The darker DHA and violet-brown tones mean you can spray thinner passes for a natural Riviera look, and the 120-day shelf life tells you how long the bottle stays reliable after opening.
- Norvell Prime Renewing Sunless Exfoliator 2.5 oz: Norvell Prime Renewing Sunless Exfoliator 2.5 oz uses gentle micro exfoliants with Norvell's Natural Actives Sunless Complex and time-release micro capsules that bind moisture for 24-hour hydration. Prepping with this exfoliator at home helps remove dead skin so the Venetian Plus solution develops evenly and lasts longer.
