With skin cancer risks growing, and severely pale skin in my genes, I decided to give the much-talked about airbrush tanning a try. I went to salon after salon, and although the tans gave me color, it didn't look natural, it was uneven, and the smell was terrible! I assumed this is as good as airbrush tans get, and adjusted my beauty regimen to include "repairs" after the tan. After my favorite tanning technician got married and moved away, I purchased my own equipment, my husband learned the technique, and we began purchasing different tanning solutions with the hope of finding the perfect color for me. Some were too orange, some were too green, and some were too red! Some looked close, but the smell was nauseating. Others looked decent, the smell could be masked, but the tan was blotchy and only lasted a couple of days. I was so frustrated, I kept asking "Doesn't anyone make a tanning solution that looks natural, doesn't stink, and lasts longer than a few days?" That's when Kenny and I got to work mixing and adding ingredients, using my brave sister-in-law, Tracy, as our guinea pig. After a year, WE FOUND IT. The perfect mix.
I was able to maintain my secret faux tan for about a month before our friends caught on that it was fake, and began asking to be tanned as well. Soon, friends and co-workers of these friends were requesting the tans, and I would just tan them out of my house. Word spread, and before we knew it, we needed to open a shop to keep up and accommodate more clients! We began getting calls from models, photographers and even celebrity agents! Clients started traveling from San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, even from Santa Barbara, and all asked about the "miracle tans" they heard so much about. Kona Tanning Company was born, and we decided to name the company after experiencing the magic and enchantment of the Hawaiian Islands, where we got married. We really wanted to bring some of that "Hawaiiana" fantasy feel into our everyday lives, and into the lives of our clients.Through word of mouth, we have been able to maintain many beautiful people's deepest, darkest secret while also keeping the "friend of a friend", small town feel.
When you arrive at Kona Tanning Company, be ready to relax and have fun. And you might make a friend or two while you're at it!
We at Kona Tanning Company encourage all to practice safe tanning. Please be safe and wear a Kona Tan.
