You’ve seen the photos. One day, he’s a pale, golfing grandpa in Florida; the next, he’s stepping onto a stage with a complexion that defies the laws of human biology. It’s a shade of apricot-meets-terracotta that has launched a thousand memes and even more political think pieces. But honestly, does trump get spray tans, or is there something else happening behind the scenes of the most famous face in the world?
The short answer isn’t as simple as a quick trip to a booth. It's a weird mix of lighting, DIY makeup, and maybe a literal lightbulb from his boarding school days.
The Mystery of the White Goggle Lines
If you look closely at high-resolution photos of Trump, especially from the 2016 and 2020 campaigns, you’ll notice a very specific pattern. His face is vibrant, but the skin around his eyes is startlingly white. It looks exactly like someone wore protective goggles in a tanning bed.
Jason Kelly, a makeup artist who worked the 2016 Republican National Convention, didn't hold back when he saw the then-candidate up close. He told Harper’s Bazaar that he could see the hyper-pigmentation and the "abrupt contrast" around the eyes. According to Kelly, it wasn’t just a spray tan; it looked like the result of a tanning bed.
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But here’s where it gets messy. Other experts, like makeup artist Kriss Blevens, who has worked with every president since Jimmy Carter, think it’s more about the products he applies himself. She’s noted that his face is often much "bronzer" than the rest of his skin, suggesting he uses self-tanning agents to maintain a "Floridian" lifestyle look regardless of where he actually is.
The "Good Genes" Defense
The White House, predictably, has a different story. In 2019, a senior administration official told The New York Times that the President’s glow was simply the result of "good genes."
They also claimed he applies a bit of "translucent powder" before TV appearances. Most professional makeup artists laughed at that one. Translucent powder is, by definition, clear. It doesn't turn you orange.
The Science of the "Orange" Hue
Why does it look so orange instead of a natural brown? Dermatologists have a few theories.
Dr. Tina Alster, a Washington-based dermatologist, pointed out that this specific shade often happens when a self-tanner doesn't "vibe" with a person’s skin pH. If you use a product with DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and it doesn't react correctly with your skin's chemistry, you don't get a tan; you get a Cheeto.
- The Rosacea Factor: It’s been reported that Trump takes medication for rosacea, a condition that causes redness and visible blood vessels.
- The Concealer Theory: Some pros think he uses a heavy, peach-toned concealer (like Bronx Colors) to mask the redness of rosacea, which then looks neon under high-intensity television lights.
- The Lighting Tweak: Trump famously complained that energy-efficient light bulbs make everyone look "orange." He even had White House lighting levels reduced because he preferred natural light.
Does he do it himself?
Almost every makeup artist who has been near him says the same thing: he’s a DIY guy.
During the 2017 inauguration, Audrey Lefevre worked with the Trump family and noted that the former president mostly does his own thing. This would explain the inconsistent blending. You’ll often see a "tan line" at his hairline or around his ears where the product just... stops.
Actually, a 2020 study published in PMC (National Institutes of Health) estimated his skin color from 70 internet images. They found his forehead color was "firmly within the gamut of a sunless skin tan." Specifically, it matched the color expected 24 hours after applying an 8% DHA sunless tanning product.
The Stress-to-Bronzer Ratio
There's a fascinating theory floating around photo editors. Emily Elsie, an American photo editor, went viral for suggesting that the intensity of Trump’s tan is directly correlated to his stress levels.
She noticed that when he was up in the polls or feeling confident—like after the June 2024 debate—the bronzer almost disappeared. When he's under fire or in the heat of a campaign, the "mask" gets darker. It’s like a psychological armor made of cosmetics.
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Why the color changed in 2025 and 2026
Lately, people have noticed he looks a bit more "natural" or at least a different shade. In late 2025 and early 2026, his appearance has shifted toward a more traditional "sun-kissed" look. Experts think he might have finally traded the indoor tanning bed or the heavy creams for the actual sun at Mar-a-Lago. Or, perhaps, he finally listened to a consultant about how the orange hue was playing on 4K television screens.
Summary of the Evidence
| Theory | Evidence Pro | Evidence Con |
|---|---|---|
| Spray Tan | Inconsistent blending at the hairline and ears. | Often lacks the "crease" marks on knuckles usually seen with sprays. |
| Tanning Bed | White "goggle" rings around the eyes. | White House officials flatly deny a bed exists in the residence. |
| Heavy Makeup | He reportedly uses Bronx Colors and applies it himself. | Makeup alone rarely achieves that specific "stained" skin look. |
| Good Genes | Official White House statement. | His children and parents do not share this skin tone. |
Actionable Insights for Your Own Glow
If you’re trying to avoid the "Trump Look" while still getting some color, here’s the expert-backed way to do it:
- Exfoliate first. If you apply tanner to dry skin (like around the eyes or hairline), it clings to the dead cells and turns darker. This is why Trump’s hair often looks like it has an orange border.
- Check your pH. Use a pH-balancing primer before self-tanner to ensure the DHA reacts to turn brown, not orange.
- Blend, blend, blend. Use a damp beauty sponge to feather the product into your hairline and down your neck. The "floating head" look happens when you stop at the jawline.
- Lighting matters. Always check your makeup in natural light before heading out. What looks "healthy" in a dimly lit bathroom can look radioactive under fluorescent office lights.
Basically, whether it's a bottle of bronzer or a high-tech tanning bed, the "orange" is a choice. It's a brand. And honestly? It's a brand that has worked for him for decades.
If you want to dive deeper into the specific products used by high-profile figures, you should look into the history of "pancake makeup" used in early television, which originally required these warm tones to stop actors from looking like ghosts on screen.