Air-Tanning for that big day/event? We are bustin' the Myths

Looking for a healthy glow on your wedding day? Who isn’t? Whether you have ever had an Air-Tan or not, you may have some questions about how to fit Air-Tan into your wedding day....

I highly recommend coming in for a “test” Air-Tan before your big day. We all like our tans on different days. For example, I like my tan best the 2nd day I have it. Some people like it best on the 1st day. Some people like it on the 3rd day...A “test” tan will help you decide what day you like yours best on, and help you in making your appointment for your big day.

Another great reason to do a “test” tan is to help you decide what color level you like best. I get my Air-Tan every week and 99% of the time I decide on a Level 3. However, before the last wedding I was in, I did my “test” tan for the bachelorette party. When I looked back on pictures from the party, I decided a Level 2 would work better for me on for the actual wedding day.

Myth : I’ll just go to the tanning bed because I don’t want self-tanner to get on my white dress.

Truth: Don’t risk getting burnt in a tanning bed! The only thing that could stain your dress is the bronzer that you see when you get your Air-Tan. The bronzer washes off in the first shower, so as long as you shower and get it all off, there is nothing that will stain your dress.

Myth: I don’t want to look like Snooki on my wedding day. I don’t want to be orange.

Truth: Air-Tan will never make you orange and you don’t have to look like Snooki. We have five color levels so you can choose one as light (or as dark) as you would like.

Myth: I want to come in for two consecutive spray tans before my big day. I want it to be dark and layered so it looks good for the big day.

Truth: Spray tans don’t need to be applied in layers. This actually makes the tan uneven and possibly orange in areas. You always want to make sure your old spray tan is completely exfoliated off of your skin before you have a new tan applied.

Myth: I want to come in on the day before my wedding so my tan looks really dark on my big day.

Truth: Are you having a rehearsal/rehearsal dinner? After you get sprayed, you will feel sticky until your next shower and you cannot apply any liquid (makeup, lotion, etc.) to your skin at all for 8 hours. Also, the bronzer, which gives you the instant color you see when you leave Air-Tan, can rub off on clothing. You will definitely want to shower before you do anything in your Air-Tan. It will help you get the sticky feeling off of your skin, allow you to put on whatever makeup you choose (liquid OR powder), and it will wash away the bronzer so none gets on your clothing. I highly recommend coming in the day before any big events like rehearsal/rehearsal dinners so you can be tan and worry-free. :)

Myth: My husband thinks Air-Tans are for women, so he’s just going to go to the tanning bed.

Truth: We have tons of guys that come to Air-Tan too! Looking good and feeling good isn’t just for women! It also looks better in pictures, when you BOTH have some color. Bring him with you and save him time, money, and his health!

Did any of these help? If you have a specific question, comment away :)

Katelyn Fry

Assistant Manager

317.254.8267

www.air-tan.com

Wedding Season is ROUND the corner

With wedding season just around the corner. It’s no secret that I think a nice, golden tan completes any outfit, but a good glow is especially important when you are wearing all white! Your skin tone shouldn’t blend in with your dress! Take a look at pasty Kellie Pickler (wedding photo). From what I read on the gossip websites, her wedding was kind of spur-of-the-moment, but one session at Air-Tan only takes 15 minutes! Who doesn’t have time to work that into their schedule? Also take a look at the photo when she is clearly spray tanned and it gives her that extra lovely glow. You’re going to be taking pictures that you are going to keep for life, so make sure you plan a stop at Air-Tan in your beauty regime. We will make you look like the epitome of a glowing bride!

Emily Ross

General Manager

www.air-tan.com

317.254.8267

Air-Tan > Tanning Bed

Air-Tan > Tanning Bed

If you’re a tan-enthusiast like me, chances are you have used a tanning bed before. Many of us had apprehensions when we decided to get our first spray tan. The fear makes some of us never want to try a spray tan at all and just stick to the traditional tanning bed. At first glance, the tanning bed is the cheaper, faster alternative. After all, you don’t have to wait 8 hours to shower after you lie in a tanning bed and one session can cost as little $8 or $9. However, how many sessions do you REALLY need to get a base tan? Is it really saving you any time or money in the long run? And more importantly, what is happening to your body in the tanning bed?

There are different levels of tanning beds. The second most powerful tanning bed (of 4) at a local salon is $22 per session. Each session takes 10-12 minutes and offers results 3-5 times faster than their most basic bed, yet it still takes up to 7 sessions to achieve a base tan. In short, it can cost up to $154, 84 minutes, and 7 trips to the salon to get a base tan. That’s crazy talk.

Even in the strongest bed (that costs $34!!!) it still takes 2-3 sessions to achieve a base tan. With the recommended 10-12 minute sessions, it can take up to 36 minutes, three trips to the salon, and a total of $102 to achieve a base tan!

If all of that means nothing to you, did you know UVA rays are the stronger of the two types and play a huge role in premature aging, wrinkling, and the development of skin cancer. Tanning booths emit primarily UVA rays almost twelve times as strong as the sun. First exposure to a tanning bed, also makes you 75% more likely to develop melanoma. (skincancer.org).

With those odds against me, I think I will stick to my $30, 15 minute, cancer-free Air-Tan!!!

Katelyn Fry

www.air-tan.com

317.254.8267

YouTube Tuesday: Multi-step self apply tan

My next installment for the YouTube Tuesday blog is a video demonstration of another in-home spray tan system. This one is from the same people who make the Mystic Tan. Watching this video makes my head spin. There are so many steps involved, and if it were me, I would be afraid of not getting everything just right and looking blotchy and uneven.

First you have to apply a lotion onto your skin. Then you have to wait to dry. After that, you have to go into your tub or shower with the door or curtain closed, so you don’t stain anything in your home. Then, you have to “divide your body into quadrants” and spray yourself with an aerosol can of sunless tanner. While, doing this, you must keep the bottle at least six inches away from your skin, “use sparingly” in rough spots and hands and feet, be quick to blot any problem areas, AND somehow manage to spray your back completely and evenly?! So once you are done with that, it tells you to repeat the whole aerosol process AGAIN! Once you are done with that you have to wait to 4-6 hours to shower, then it tells you to “evaluate” your tan, and possibly reapply the tan once AGAIN! This is too much work for one tan!

Air-Tan is SO much quicker and easier than this whole at-home process. Our technicians always make sure that your tan will be even all over your body, and we always go light on the rough areas, hands and feet to ensure a natural-looking tan! One spray tan appointment at Air-Tan only takes 15 minutes. I would conservatively guess that it would take about 45 minutes to do the whole application process of the Mystic Tan. Also to buy all 3 products it is $66 more than double the price of one tan. We are spray tan experts, and one 15 minute session at Air-Tan will leave you looking naturally bronzed and feeling worry-free!

Emily Ross

General Manager

www.air-tan.com

317.254.8267

Fun FAQ for first timers or long time clients

There are many things to know about your Air-Tan for best results. If you have not ever been to Air-Tan before or if you have been coming for years you might have these same questions.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I go get a mani/pedi (or waxed) right after I get sprayed?

No. We always recommend that you make Air-Tan the last stop of your beauty regimen. When you get a manicure or pedicure, they often soak your hands and feet and put lotion and oils on your skin, this gets your skin wet, which will take your tan right off.

With waxing, you also want to get that done prior to being sprayed. Along with removing unwanted hair, waxing also takes off the top layers of skin, which is also the part of you that is tan. Having blotches of untanned skin, especially in the bikini area or eyebrows, can be really noticeable and not look I’d recommend!

2. Can I put makeup on after?

Yes. You can put on any makeup as long as it is a powder. This means no liquids or creams.

3. Can I go home and clean or workout after this?

We always recommend that you wait at least 8 hours before showering, sweating, or getting wet. Obviously, working out will get you sweaty, so that is a definite no. With cleaning you have to be really mindful of not getting your hands wet with any cleaners or water. Doing the dishes is definitely out of the picture. People often ask if they can clean if they put gloves on. The issue with that is that sometimes your hands get a little sweaty or clammy, so that can also take the tan off your hands.

4. Can I put on lotion?

No. Lotion will get your skin wet, thus taking off your tan. There are a lot of aloe and moisturizers in our solution, so you won’t even feel like you’ll need to moisturize until after your first tan.

Emily Ross

www.air-tan.com

317.254.8267

What are you doing for "V" Day? Here are some fun activities

With (or without) a Valentine, Indianapolis has Some Sweet Things to Do!

For the Traditional Valentine...

Indianapolis has an array of amazing restaurants to discover, no matter what your price range...Share tapas and sangria at Barcelona Tapas; discover new wines/food at Tastings (at the Conrad); or go all out at the historic, St. Elmo’s.

For the Luxurious Valentine...

Get a couples massage or spa treatment with a friend! A few of my favorite spas are WoodHouse Day Spa, Philipe’s, or The Villa Inn.

For the Adventurous Valentine...

Go ice skating at Carmel Ice Skadium, skiing at Perfect North Slopes, or indoor rock climbing at Climb Time Indy!

For the Funny Valentine...

Go see Shane Mauss at Cracker’s in Broad Ripple February 9-14. He has been featured on Conan O’Brien (3 times!), Comedy Central, Indy’s own Bob & Tom Show, and Showtime. Tickets are $10-20.

For the Sleepy Valentine...

Don’t want to go far, but still want to feel a world away? Take a “stay-cation” at the Conrad Indianapolis. Indy is one of only three Unites States cities with a Conrad luxury hotel. Treat your Valentine to this Indianapolis gem! Looking for something different? Stay at The Villa Inn downtown or take a short road-trip to French Lick Springs Hotel/West Baden Springs Hotel.

For the Keepsake Valentine...

Make your sweetie a scrapbook of your memories together. Take a trip to Hobby Lobby Or Michael’s for supplies. You will need a scrapbook, colored paper, stickers, photos, and glue. Not crafty? Visit shutterfly.com and make a digital photo book with your digital photos!

Katelyn Fry

www.air-tan.com

317.254.8267

Soon to be Air-Tan Addict

I’ve been spray tanning before, but never air-brushed, which is a spray tan applied by an actual person with skill, not just a machine (Hello, Ross Geller?!). I’d seen the results of a couple friends who had done it before weddings or vacations and whatnot. I admit, it looked very natural, but after hearing about how you have to bare it all (well, 95%), I quickly decided maybe it just wasn’t for me. Note: I’ve never been one of those girls to walk around naked in the locker room, or even topless for that matter. I know many are fine with it, but I’ve always been a bit, well, more reserved in that area.

Needless to say, after running into Angela Alney, owner of Air-Tan in Broad Ripple, I changed my mind. Angela was completely down-to-earth and she explained she knew exactly how I felt – um, totally insecure about getting in the buff in front of a stranger. She also stated they’ve pretty much seen everything. Taking that to mind, I decided, what the heck, I’ll give it a try and tackle my fear…all while getting a nice tan for NYE in the process.

I made my appointment for Monday evening so I could sleep right through the eight hours you have to wait before showering. I arrived to be greeted by Emily, the general manager who Angela assured me would be the perfect person to apply my first tan. Emily, sweet as can be, immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable. She could probably sense my nervousness as I explained how I had just been over-indulging all weekend on holiday food (Me: “Please excuse my bloatedness…I’ve been eating all weekend” Lol.).

At the front desk, I filled out some quick paper work and Emily explained how the process worked. Most people went topless and wore a thong (which I was prepared for, you must wear bottoms – thank God!). She took me back to the room so I could get undressed. I could choose from a tiny makeshift thong or I had option to wear my own. I wore my own after quickly trying on the tiny piece of cloth that was offered as a thong – which looked very similar in size to the surgical-looking face mask that was also provided for my face if I chose. Next, with the flip of a switch, she came back in the room and we began the process in the spray room. I quickly covered by chest with my arms and laughed as she walked in the spray room…it just felt like the natural to do. Ha! Emily was quick to jump in and began her job, explaining each step as she worked and air-brushed me. She was so professional and efficient. She has done this a million times I kept telling myself.

In just a few minutes, after some quick arms raises and turns, she was done. It was over. I could see results right away and literally immediately felt better about myself. I threw on my dark sweatpants and top, took a deep breathe and headed out. I had just conquered a fear and it was well…No. Big. Deal.

I slept in that same clothing that night and woke ready to shower. The tan was not orange at all, in fact, it looked as though I’d been in Florida for a week. I actually felt I’d been on the beach for a week – without the harmful sun exposure and the super uncomfortable sunburn, of coure. It’s day three and I love the color I chose (3 on a 1-5 scale). I have already received many compliments and questions about whether I’ve been on vacation. Even the skeptics (my coffee barista being one) who thought I’d come back looking like an oompa-loompa, greeted me with smiles and oohs and aahs…”Wow! It looks great! Like you just got back from vacation!”…

My new dilemma? I do not want to go back to my winter whiteness. I feel more confident and my skin has such a nice-looking, natural glow.

My name is Kelly. I am a soon-to-be Air-Tan addict.

-Kelly

Prettyindy.com