I get asked this question quite often and so I wanted to break it down for you very simple so you know how the whole process works. (smile!)
I have even had some people think that its dying their skin which is not true at all.

Sunless tanning products emerged in 1960. The first one, QT or Quick Tanning Lotion, produced a quite non realistic orange color. Since then sunless tanning products (also called self tanners) has evolved tremendously, mainly thanks to the introduction of spray and airbrush tanning. All of the ingredients are dermatologically tested and approved since 1960. The substances are proven harmless. Sunless tanning is not dangerous in any way.

The Ingredients~ The most effective sunless tanning ingredient is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). DHA is a colorless sugar that interacts with dead cells located in the upper layer of the skin (epidermis). As the sugar binds with the dead skin cells, a color change occurs. Erythrulose, also a sugar, is another important substance in the sunless tanning solution. When used in combination with DHA it provides a longer lasting and more natural looking tan than DHA alone. The tan usually lasts five to seven days depending on your skin.

Does The Tan Fade? Just like an ordinary tan achieved thru sunbathing, the sunless tan will fade. The reason is simple: Every day, millions of dead skin cells are sloughed off or worn away from the surface of your skin. In fact, every 35 to 45 days, you have an entirely new outer skin layer (epidermis). This is why the tan will gradually fade. As the dead cells are worn away, so is the tan. Fading of this kind applies to all tans, both sunless and real. To maintain your tan, simply get sprayed 2-3 times a month.

Hopefully winter is winding down now but your skin has put up with a lot of different conditions over the last few months. Being covered up we sometimes forget to do some of the regular beauty routines that we do in warmer months.

When looking to getting your skin in shape for the coming spring and summer now is a great time to start with a regimen. Below are some great tips to get that skin glowing again and get rid of that dull flaky skin!

1. Dry brushing~If you have never tried it go easy the first few times you try it, you want to go for natural bristles. There are some great articles online on how to do this exfoliating correctly to ensure beautiful skin. Check out this article to get started...
http://epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm

2. Anti-Cellulite~ There are all kinds of wraps and such to get done at spa's that will help diminish the bumpy problem. Diet and exercise will help as well as using a wooden cellulite brush in the shower. Doing a healthy cleanse to remove toxins from the body can help with the problem as well. When you do a combination of things you will have greater results.

3. H2O~ Really can not say enough about getting adequate water thru out your day, it amazing what it does for our organs and skin it the biggest one we have! So drink as much as you can there is NO such thing as to much water. My clients that drink plenty of water have longer lasting color because they are hydrated from the inside out.

4. Hydration~ Always use the highest quality of lotions you can afford, stay away from chemical, preservative ridden products. All products have preservatives in them otherwise they would have a very short shelf life and our fridges would be packed full of stuff and NO room for food...LoL!
You can check out the top ten here or do your own search...
http://www.fitsugar.com/10-Toxic-Cosmetic-Ingredients-Avoid-204330
It will open your eyes next time you hit the beauty counter or body care section.

I hope this helps with your glowing skin when spring comes and when you schedule your next sunless session. Your results will be so gorgeous when you practice these simple steps!

Cheers Lovelies!

Wow hard to believe its January 2012...time flies I mean really! I've been so busy and have not been able to keep up with my normal routine, so I'm getting back on track!

With winter in full swing here in the PNW  its really a wonderful time to treat yourself to a little color. This time of year is hard on our skin and what we see in the mirror...ruddy complexions, dark circles under our eyes not to mention helping us look a little trimmer from all the comfort food we have indulged in so far!

Its actually my favorite time of year to have a little color...perks me up and makes me not look so tired. Don't ya hate when people ask if your sick or did you not get any sleep last night...NOT!

When getting a winter sunless tan you want to make sure you keep it to a glow or a medium light if  you have a little darker skin tone. You never want to look to tan in Seattle...your color should be appropriate for the time of year always. My motto is "Less is more" it has not led me wrong in my 10yrs of being in this industry.

Remember to keep up with your exfoliation and hydrating your skin with nourishing high quality lotions and drink your H2o its good for you and your sunless tan.

Cheers Lovelies!

When it comes to beauty Hollywood has its secrets and has for years. One that has and still continues to be a starlet secret is airbrush tanning or spray tanning. When awards season rolls around you can bet that many of those actress's and musicians are sporting a sunless tan. The key is keeping it subtle and not the obvious "spray tan" look. Keeping your color no more than two shades darker than your natural skin tone is a must for a natural beautiful look.

Airbrush tanning has been done in the TV, Movie industry for many years as well as full body makeup or airbrushed makeup.  Its what makes actress's and musicians look flawless on camera.

I recently had the very fun and lovely opportunity to meet and tan Ms. Paula Abdul when she was in town for the X-Factor at the end of June. It was so great to meet her she is such a sweet and down to earth person.

During our consultation I found out that she loves a pretty golden brown color so I wanted to make sure we had the right tone for her skin. I choose a really lush solution that is full of all kinds of Organic ingredients as well as amazing hydration properties, Eco-Cert DHA and Organic essential oils.  Paula loves natural and Organic products and I knew the color would be perfect for her.

Needless to say Paula loved it...she said it was the most thorough tan she had ever had and loved the tone. She let me know as well as the concierge know at the hotel she was staying how much she loved it. She booked another tan with me before she left and wanted a stack of my cards to give all her Seattle Girlfriends...Told you she was a Sweetie!

So the next time you schedule your sunless session keep it glowing and gorgeous and NOT Barbie orange.
Cheers lovelies!

I have many curious clients ask me whats in my solutions and how it benefits their skin, so I thought I would divulge a few of my wonderful ingredients so you can see what sets apart my solutions from my other sunless business's!

First off all of my solutions use Eco-Certified DHA which the European form for Organic DHA. Its more gentle and free of  impurities and produces a more realistic color as well. It may not last as long as regular DHA but I think its important to be aware and knowledgeable about what we put on our skin.

Some of the key ingredients found in my solutions that hold wonderful properties for your skin are; Organic Aloe vera, Organic Coffee bean extract (to tighten skin!) Oregon Grape extract, Hyaluronic acid, Organic Green tea, Organic Red Roobios tea, Organic Bergamot oil, Organic Chinese Jojoba see oil, Evening primrose oil and Squaline oil to name a few.

When looking for the most healthy sunless tan remember what goes into the bottle makes as much difference as the person applying it and their experience. I recently found out about an ingredient that is used in quite a few sunless solutions and many booth solutions that is a form of Formaldehyde! (not one of mine contain this ingredient!)   So ask questions and be in the know about your sunless sessions.

Cheers!

With the travel season happening right now I get this question alot especially those who are going to a warm destination.

When it comes to products to care for and make your tan last longer its best to read ingredients first. When using a body wash make sure its SLS's free, most body washes that are highly commercialized will have SLS's in them. Its a cheap detergent and it can strip or make a sunless tan appear streaky NOT good. Use the best quality you can afford, I usually recommend either one that I carry or a more natural one from the health food section in your grocery store or drug store.

When it comes to lotions same thing applies...go for the best you can afford and stay away from Petrochemicals; mineral oil and petroleum which can break down a sunless tan faster. Also remember your skin absorbes at least 60% of what you put on it!! Take care of you skin and choose "Green" products you biggest organ will thank you! (smile!)

I always have specific lotions and body washes and tan extenders to care for your tan when I arrive for your appointment so feel free to ask. Remember to get best and longest lasting results...EXFOLIATE well before your apptointment and keep your skin well HYDRATED with lotion at least once a day.

Cheers Lovelies!