A NEW WAYTO GLOW
SPRAY STUDIO opens in Power Plant Mall for those in the search for color
By now, everyone’s seen that famous scene on Friends, when Ross, played by David Schwimmer, gets a spray tan and forgets to turn when prompted because he counted wrong (“One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…”). He ends up with an orange tan. So, when I was invited to Spray Studio, the first spray tan salon in the Philippines, I was very excited but also quite wary. What if I ended up looking like Ross, or worse, the President of an erstwhile world power with an affinity for a fake tan?
I need not have worried. The day before my appointment, I received a text from a technician at Spray telling me what to do: she recommended a full body shave and exfoliation, and to avoid wearing makeup or laser hair removal, or any facial treatments beforehand. I was also told to wear dark clothing to avoid stains.
When I arrived, one of the technicians at Spray Studio immediately set my mind at ease, giving me clear, concise instructions. I was told to take my clothes off, spray my body with a solution that would up my PH balance and lather my palms and nails with thick lotion to avoid streaking. For my tanning solution, I chose the Light option, which is recommended for first-timers and would give me a shade 2-3 times darker than my natural one, mixed with an accelerator so the color would show up faster, and a coconut-lime scent. It would be as if I had been to the beach instead of the mall.
Spray Studio uses the Mystic Tan Kyss, the latest automated spray tan booth from the leader in indoor spray tanning, Mystic Tan. The machine has a clear voice prompt that told me when to turn, and there were only two positions I had to think of. The spray nozzles were gentle and gave me complete, smooth coverage. The drying time was quick and easy, and in no time at all, I was dressed and ready to go. The technician told me to make sure I did not get wet or sweat in the next six hours so the color would stay.
I talked to co-owner Jessica Kienle Maxwell, who along with Cat Varona, Fabienne Aboitiz, and Nicole Coromina make up the team behind Spray Studio. According to Jessica, the local movement towards a more wholesome and wellness-focused approach to health and beauty was what inspired them to start thinking of a safer way to get some color in the skin. “There is a significant lack of sunless tanning establishments to cater to tanning enthusiasts,” she says. “We felt that the Philippines is ready for its first ever tanning booth salon.”
In the Philippines, the idea of tanning for cosmetic purposes is still something that many people have not bought in to. The availability of tanning products and bronzers are still considered a niche market (Soleil Tan de Chanel, for example, is not available at major department stores). However, Jessica feels tanning is the new beauty ideal. “We feel a healthy glowing tan is a new beauty ideal for the modern Filipina and Filipino. Lots of morenas are embracing their natural complexion and looking to enhance this while those on the other side of the spectrum want a glowing tan all year round.”
Jessica mentions the surprising variety of customers at Spray. “Our clients are a diverse group that characterizes the modern Filipina and Filipino. From morenas, to mestizas and chinitas, our client database is continually growing.” It seems everyone is willing to keep an open mind and try out a new look.
A few days later, my tan is still glowing well. It will last for 10-15 days and gives off something different to my current apperance. For anyone wanting to try something different, Spray is the way to go. “We find first-timers are usually a bit scared but once they try it and realize how quick and easy it is, they will be a pro in no time,” says Jessica.