It’s been feeling a lot like summer lately. Warm, sunny days. Balmy nights.
Bare arms and legs. Awesome. Before, the word “awesome” would have been “s–t.”
My skin is so white. When I try to get a tan, I burn and turn red. When it heals, I’m white again. A not-so-glamorous, vicious circle. That was until a friend introduced me to a cute little place off of Pico and Ocean that has the best spray tan in Southern California.
The organic, golden tan made from natural plant and fruit extracts lasts about a week, at a very reasonable cost. Here’s how it worked. I checked in at the reception area. It’s within a darling little bungalow. The receptionist led me to the back of the house, into a spacious, but sparse room. There’s a three-way mirror in the corner, a towel on the floor in front of it. Across the way, there’s a place to hang your clothes and store your jewelry. On the other side of the room, is the spray tan station.
The owner was there the day I got my tan. She came into the room and told me to take off my clothes and use a damp towel to wipe by body down for the best tanning results. Oh, and put this white disposable hair net over my hair. Then she said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes, when you’re ready.”
Okay. Will do. I felt a little self-conscious. I’m now completely naked with three different views of my body with a weird hairnet on my head. And I swear that mirror was the kind that makes you look much fatter. Nice. She’d better hurry up so I can get this over with.
She entered the room after what felt like hours of me standing in front of that horrible mirror butt-naked. Let’s get that spray tan started! She mixed up a custom color to achieve my requested hue. The “Just Came Back From Vacation In Hawaii” glow.
She began to aim the spray gun at my legs, arms, stomach and chest. Then she turned me around and got my back, back of the legs, arms and butt (yes even my ‘hiney!). After she was done, she used a blow dryer to dry my body. She repeated it a second time, this time spraying my face. Then out came the blow dryer for a second time, then proceeded to “detail” me, wiping excess spray from my hands, fingernails, toes, and feet.
Minutes later I walked out of the room with an instant golden glow. To get the best tan, you need to wait for 12 hours to shower or get your body wet. When I woke up the next morning, I had the sexiest tan all over my body. I loved it.
I look younger, thinner, my spider veins on my legs don’t show, and I feel great in summer clothes. If you have a fear of being naked in front of someone for a while, get over it. It’s the best tan I’ve ever had, and it’s so worth it!
Barbara Bishop is President of Santa Monica-based BBPR, Inc. For comments or suggestions, email barbara.bishop@bbprinc.com.
