‘Sent hubby to get mine today’: Women are going crazy for the ‘Harbor Freight spray tan hack.’ Does it work?
Spray tans aren’t cheap. Depending on where you live and which type you choose, it can run anywhere from $25 to $80 per session, something you’re expected to repeat every week or so if you want to keep the color consistent. Over time, that adds up fast.
And considering American women already spend more than $600 a year on hair, makeup, and skincare, any trick that promises to cut costs tends to get attention. That’s why the latest TikTok beauty workaround is spreading so quickly: a Harbor Freight paint sprayer, a bottle of spray tan solution, and, ideally, a helpful husband.
What’s The Hack?
TikTok creator Palmkai (@palmkai) showed how the hack works in a recent video that pulled in more than 366,000 views. In it, she films the entrance of a Harbor Freight store while text on the screen reads, “POV: your husband saw the Harbor Freight spray tan hack.”
The clip follows her husband inside the store as he heads straight for the tools aisle and grabs a paint sprayer. She shows the box on camera, revealing that they went with the Central Pneumatic 4 oz. Adjustable Detail Spray Gun, which currently lists for $14.99 on Harbor Freight’s website.
“A man that takes action,” she wrote on the video’s caption.
In a follow-up video, she shows how her husband fills the sprayer with tanning solution, how he applies it evenly, and promises to show the final results once the color develops.
The reason the husband, or at least a second person, keeps showing up in these videos is practical. Spraying yourself evenly, especially across your back and legs, raises the risk of streaks and patchiness. Having someone else handle the sprayer cuts down on awkward angles and missed spots.
Other TikTokers Swear By It
Palmkai isn’t alone. A quick search on TikTok turns up dozens of videos from women trying the same hack, often with the same tools and methods. Many say the finish looks closer to a professional spray tan than they expected, especially given the low cost of the equipment.
That said, the trend also comes with caveats. Paint sprayers aren’t designed for cosmetic use, and spray tanning products are approved for external application only. Professional estheticians receive training to avoid sensitive areas like the face, nose, and mouth. At home, especially with an inexperienced helper, user error becomes more likely.
There’s also the issue of overspray and ventilation. A paint sprayer can disperse product more aggressively than a standard tanning mist, which means more airborne particles and more wasted solution. Some creators recommend wearing masks or setting up outside or in a garage to avoid breathing anything in.
Still, for many people watching, the potential savings outweigh the risks—especially when the alternative is paying for salon visits every ten days.
Commenters Are Curious, Too
In the comments, viewers didn’t just watch—they compared notes, swapped tips, and debated whether the hack was worth trying.
“Someone bring me back for update. My man has a compressor,” one person wrote.
“My husband did too! And his first spray tan for me was SO GOOD,” another shared.
Not everyone had a flawless outcome, though. “We got the same one— I looked like a cheetah,” one commenter admitted.
Others suggested skipping the sprayer entirely. “Pro tip: You can just buy the felt hand mitts for 10 on Amazon and wipe it on every four days after a shower,” one person wrote. “This saves a ton of product and keeps it even as it fades. Makes the bottle last six months or so.”
@palmkai a man that takes action ? spray tan life hack harbor freight #spraytan #lifehack #spraytanhack #husband ♬ original sound – naddy?
The Mary Sue has reached out to Palmkai via TikTok messages and to Harbor Freight via email for comment.
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