LNE & Spa the magazine for skin care and spa professionals June 2018 $7.50
Summer Glow Getter 58 June2018 LNEonline.com
Subtle tanning treatments for sun lovers by Carrie Borzillo Trends may come and go, but glowing skin never goes out of fashion. That said, there is a slight shift toward showing off a more subtle artificial tan than the bolder faux looks of yesteryear. Clients still want the glow with some color to look good for bikini season, but they are going for a less-is-more approach this year. To suit their needs, spas are getting creative with body treatments featuring bronzers and shimmers over traditional tanning solutions, while others are opting for a customized, hand-painted look over the one-size-fits-all spray tanning booth options. LNEonline.com June2018 59
Summer Craze Guide Here are five new ways to help give your client a modern summer glow: Buff & Bronze Package Spa Gregorie's Day Spas & Salons Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita, California Everyone knows that a good faux tan must start with a great body exfoliation. That's why Angela Cortright, principal of Spa Gregorie's Day Spas & Salons, isn't joking when she says her Buff & Bronze Package (60-minutes, $109) features a full body exfoliation of "every square inch of the body even in places hard to get to on your own!" The exfoliation is performed in a wet room using a water-based exfoliant containing fruit extracts and pumice. "The key to the success of your spray tan is that all the dead skin that exists on the surface of our bodies is completely removed so that the tanning solution can react directly with the skin to provide a healthy glow. It's important that the exfoliant does not contain any oils, and that no lotions or powders are used on the skin as this will create a barrier between the skin and the tanning solution, yielding less than optimal results," says Cortright. Next comes the custom spray tan using an organic solution. "It's paraben-free, suitable for all skin types, and provides a completely natural, glowing color. We use only the finest all-natural ingredients available including certified organic DHA, Shea butter, citrus, ginseng, and cucumber," she adds. The spa prefers custom, hand spraying as opposed to the spray tan machines for a variety of reasons. "Everyone's body is different," explains Cortright. "For a perfect tan application, the spray nozzle needs to be about 8-10 inches from the body. Since our bodies are not perfect cubes, the location of the spray nozzle needs to adjust to each individual's body shape, as well as different locations on the body think inside arms and legs can't get to those very well in a machine." Hand-spraying also offers a more even, less streaky tan and dries quicker, she adds. Hydrating Sunless Tan Elizabeth Adam Salon and Day Spa Chicago, Illinois The secret ingredient to Elizabeth Adam Day Spa's Hydrating Sunless Tan treatment (30-minutes, $125) is vitamininfused steam and infrared technology, which helps to prep the ideal canvas for a sunless tan application. After a full-body exfoliation with an oil-free scrub and rinse in the shower, the skin is sprayed by hand with a special solution. "The steam is fortified with hydrating and anti-aging active ingredients, such as Vitamins A, C, E, plant collagen and elastin, as well as aloe vera, 60 June2018 LNEonline.com
Summer Craze Guide hyaluronic acid, CoQ10, green tea extract, and algae extract. This gives the skin enough moisture without oils that could form barrier for color to take," explains owner Elizabeth Adam. Another key to the spa's tanning success is to understand that not all tanning applications are best for all skin types. "We recommend airbrush tan for young, supple skin because younger skin is smooth and the spray tan goes on it evenly. But, for older skin that has wrinkles, folds, or sags is better with a hand-applied self-tanning cream so that it can get into all the creases for a more even tan," adds Adam. Bronzing Treatment Bella Santé Spas Boston, Wellesley, and Lexington, Massachusetts tan to give a more gradual, natural look. "It's a light, hydrating formula that dries very quickly without any unpleasant odor that some self-tanners can have. This product is also available for our clients to purchase for home use so they can maintain and extend their tan. It gives just the right amount of color for a healthy glow, or you can apply it more frequently for a darker tan," says corporate director of esthetics Cara Brackman. The Bronzing Treatment starts out with a cream-based exfoliant with tiny sand-like grains. "A cream base is important because it washes away leaving the skin clean without any residue. Oil based exfoliants can leave product on the skin, making it difficult for any tanning product to actually absorb into the skin. It goes on just like a body moisturizer would be applied, but just Not all tanning applications are best for all skin types. take some extra time to make sure it's applied evenly," she adds. For optimum results, it's recommended that clients book two bronzing sessions within three days of each other. And, it's safe and effective for the face as well, which not all spray tanning solutions can say. Bella Santé Spas' Bronzing Treatment (50-minutes, $90) uses a cream-based self-tanning solution in lieu of a spray LNEonline.com June2018 61
Summer Craze Guide Cranberry-Orange Body Glow Joya Spa Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia Scottsdale, Arizona Joya Spa's Cranberry-Orange Body Glow (50-minutes, $169 MondayThursday/$199 Friday-Sunday) uses the magic of mica to give their clients that special summer glow. "Mica is a mineral that is used specially for a shimmer/glow effect. It naturally reflects light providing the subtle glow that guests are looking for when wanting color but avoiding tanning. The glow provided for this treatment is ideal for a special occasion or a night on the town as this glow will only last until it is showered and scrubbed off," says spa director Stevie White. The treatment begins with a body exfoliation using cranberry orange sugar scrub combined with iron-rich Kaolin clay. "It transforms into a smooth masque for superb hydration and mineralization of the skin. This exfoliation is followed with an application of vanilla shimmer body lotion containing rich avocado oil, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, vanilla extract, mica, and essential oils," says White. The finishing touch of the treatment is a serum of hyaluronic acid, golden mica, and a vanilla and muhuhu, which has a smoky and sweet sandalwoodlike scent, essential oil blend. Golden Veil Body Ritual Margot European Day Spa Birmingham, Michigan For clients seeking a subtle glow instead of a tan, Margot European Day Spa offers the Golden Veil Body Ritual (90-minutes, $170) as an option. The treatment includes a body scrub, body wrap, and a full body massage that 62 June2018 LNEonline.com leaves the client with a golden hue. "We use a mineral iridescent powder, much like a bronzer. It's mixed with the mask and the mask is applied with a brush. Then the powder is applied in the finishing part of the treatment too. A small amount is massaged into the skin," says spa director Ursula Froehlich. The body wrap includes Artemisia flower (detoxification, increased circulation) and passionflower oil (moisturizing, softening, and restoring skin elasticity), as well as minerals and trace elements (re-mineralizing, reinforcing cellular cohesion and improving cell respiration). The iridescent mineral powder is made of cactus desert flower (softening, soothing, protecting the skin), soft focus pigments (to illuminate the skin and provide the radiant glow), along with more passionflower oil and minerals and trace elements. "The subtle glow will last a few days. It will also depend on how often the client showers and exercises," adds Froehlich. Carrie Borzillo is an award-winning lifestyle and entertainment journalist covering spas, health and wellness, sex and relationships. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Men's Health, SELF, People, Entertainment Weekly and more. She is the author of three pop culture books. Borzillo can be reached at carrie.borzillo@gmail.com.