How to tailor tanning treatments to clients

There is no ‘one tan fits all’ and the days of simply choosing between light, medium and dark shades have now passed. Inclusivity is key – and you may soon, if you haven’t already, start seeing clients seeking bespoke tanning services. After all, it’s unlikely you’d use the same treatment base coat for every nail client, as all needs are different, so you need to consider adapting the way you treat your tanning clients, too.

There are many ways to introduce customised bronzing to clients, such as considering skin type, skin tone and body shape – all of which can be discussed during the client consultation.

Contouring for the body is a trend that can be seen to prove popular this summer, as clients seek to transition the make-up phenomenon to their legs, stomach or arms – creating a perfect opportunity for you to tailor the treatment to a client’s desired effect. This year’s industry focuses son ‘natural beauty’ may spark a rise in the client quest for a natural-looking glow, giving the impression of healthy, dewy sun-kissed skin. However, following in the footsteps of one of the biggest make-up trends to date, ‘tantouring’ – a way of contouring the skin through spray tanning – may prove popular.

“Consumers are now using contouring techniques with different formats of products and colours, as well as finishing products, for that perfect golden glow with definition,” explains Fiona Lazenby, commercial director at St Moritz. “Strobing and highlighting will be a big trend this year to allow depth and the creation of light and shade for contouring.”

Much like contouring with make-up, using spray tan solution to create the illusion of a slimmer or more defined physique can be done by using a contrast of dark and light shades on the skin. “Contouring with tanning products is very much the same concept as contouring with make-up,” explains Linda McNamee of Bellamianta. “Spray where you want to define and contour where you want the shadow to be. This will achieve a slimming effect as you contour the areas you want to push back and make the lighter areas come forward.”

“Building the colour on certain areas of the body creates a slimmer silhouette – darker underarms, for example, are immediately noticeable and boost confidence,” adds Fake Bake’s Jame Harknett. However, he warns that, while this method of spray tanning can enhance and flatter certain areas of the body, do not give your client the impression that it can transform their body. “Spray tanning is not make-up and we can’t draw on abs or stencil muscle definition, but what it can do is define the natural contours of the individual’s body.” Nevertheless, James concludes that while spray tanning can’t work miracles, it has a positive effect on self-confidence, “Shaded limbs almost create shadows on the skin that make all of us so much happier in our bodies.”

To read more about how to brush up on your bronzing offerings, turn to page 98 of the March 2018 issue of Scratch. Missed out on the issue? Never fear – back issues are now available to purchase here!