The answer is no, spray tans don't smell bad. The ingredients that are used in a spray tan are completely different from what is used when you go into the sun or lay in a tanning bed. When you go into the sun and lay in a tanning bed, you're using an oil-based solution that has been mixed with other chemicals like DHA, which is what causes that awful smell. In contrast, when you get sprayed with a spray tan, it's an alcohol-based solution with some added moisturizer and essential oils to give it some fragrance and make it feel more spa-like. The smell of the spray tan is not as strong and it fades quickly, which is why they're really popular.