How To Be A Bronze Baby On a Budget

0 CommentsSaturday • June 25, 2011 • by Imei

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Don’t gasp, but I do go tanning on occasion. It pains me to say it, but my Chinese heritage and proclivity to gravitate to warm things like sunshine, fireplaces, and heat registers makes it a necessity rather than a luxury since I live in the Northwest. While I hear of all the reports from hotspots in our nation, such as Las Vegas, NV sporting a nice 104 F weather report, I get a little pouty when I look at my unnaturally pale skin. It is June, for crying out loud. Here’s how you can be a bronze baby on a budget, even if you live in the sunless region of Seattle.

1. Research reputable tanning salons with an eye to buy a package during summer months, and look for low-level UVB tanning beds with a regular bulb-changing schedule. You can get good deals on tanning packages if you buy several tanning sessions at once, and you buy during the months most people are outside. You may also be able to arrange your purchase during a special offer time, but use it at another time (check the expiration date).

Thanks to a HT from my dance pal Rebecca, we both use Desert Sun. They have consistently offered me deals with and without a coupon, change their bulbs frequently, and provide Super sessions (up to 12 minutes) with beds that you’re less likely to get a burn. They encourage users to start with a few minutes, and emphasize safety.

2. Get a spray tan. Spray tans activate over a period of approximately 8 hours, and they look great without being orange in tone. Be careful with over-the-counter preparations, which can discolor your hands and clothing. These are often $40 or more, but if you purchase a package of tans, you may receive an offer for a spray tan for about half that. [Jorden at Desert Sun in West Seattle offered me this deal, and I am going to take him up on it. He said to go ahead and share this deal, but you get five tans for $89, with an option to add a spray tan accelerator for $20 more].

3. Use a tan accelerator or maintainer. On a trip to Hawaii, I discovered one called, “Maui Babe Browning Lotion“. I found the oils in the more liquid-than-cream formula soothing after getting sun, and it helped maintain my tan as well. There are accelerators that do the same. I find that oil keeps the skin from drying out. The trick is to not hop into clothes or bed until the lotion has dried, and I personally would wear some older clothing if you’re worried about staining.

4. Get a little sun if you can. Some of you have been working indoors for five months in a row without seeing the sun. While activating Vitamin D, get some sunshine without sunblock for the recommended amount of time for your skin type [I'm supposed to get 20 minutes of sun exposure a day. Whadabout 'chu?].

Why on earth would you even need a tan? Well, some of us performance artists know what happens in photographs when we look white like our china plates. Flash go the cameras, and while our photos come back with toothy grins and beautiful costuming, we still look like death warmed over. When investing in quality photography for our websites, we know how gigs are won and lost over the presentation of the artist, not just his or her skills and technique. I can attest that the photos taken by Sarah of Picture Groove dramatically improved the hits to my site that led to conversions to paying gigs and other branding opportunities. Portraying a picture of health and vitality are part of that presentation.

Additionally, I’ll be going to sunny place next month, and I can’t afford to expose my sun-virgined skin without gently coaxing a base. My skin would freak, and I’d be even more likely to receive an unwanted burn. After having a bad exposure in south of France a few years ago, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’ve learned my lesson, and I am very careful in the sun. I even bought a wide-brimmed sun hat from PCC in preparation for summer (haven’t used it much yet!) and the upcoming Mediterranean Fantasy Festival July 15-17, 2011 in West Seattle. With one stage outdoors, you’re likely to get some sun during Seattle’s biggest outdoor bellydance festival of the year.

While I am not promoting or endorsing the use regular use of tanning beds and sunbathing, by knowing your risks and advantages, there are safe options for everyone if you don’t want to be whiter than white after winter, or your performance career relies heavily on your appearance. Of course, I know there are some of you who don’t care for these practices, but you might know someone who does. I hope you’ll take a moment to forward my blog post to your friends and help them have a safe (and inexpensive!) bronze baby experience.

Posted in: belly dance, dance

Tagged with: art business, artist, beauty, business, dance, Seattle, tan, tanning beds