Not content with her range of Mary + Marie bags, girl scouting and showing newly located families around the city, entrepreneur Sam Cliff has now launched TaiTai Tan, a spray tan service for the good folk of Shanghai. We reached out to find out more.
How did the new venture come about?
Each time I would go back to Australia I would get my spray tan fix. I don’t want to expose my skin, especially my face, to the harmful UV rays of the sun, and a spray tan is a nice even tan that happens so fast and gives you the tone you want.
It got me thinking, why is there no Spray Tan Service in Shanghai? I realized quickly that shipping the product to China was not going to be easy or cheap, and I would have to mule the solution from Australia myself. Once I got this sorted and did research on the product I put out the idea in a WeChat group and had instant responses from woman screaming that they had been waiting for this service to be available here.
Tell us about the treatment?
It’s real simple. The actual tanning application only takes about five to seven minutes. However, we have pre and post care time so all in sessions are around 20-30 minutes. Once you arrive we do a quick initial consultation to see what shade and tone you want to achieve for your tan. You can wear your own swimwear/underwear or use the disposable ones available. We then apply barrier cream to rough skin areas and nail beds, then begin to spray the tan with an air gun that feels like a cold wind.
Afterwards, we blow-dry the skin completely before you dress in loose dark clothing and all done. The developing time for the tans differs and can range from three to eight hours for the original tan and two to five hours for the rapid tans for people that need to shower faster after the session. And the tan lasts for five to 10 days.
And it is organic?
The product we use, SunFX, is Australian made and owned and uses organic, natural and hypo-allergenic ingredients including aloe vera, green tea and coconut. So not only does it leave a natural Golden, odorless tan, it also hydrates and nourishes the skin and doesn’t leave it feeling sticky afterwards. Although no spray tan solution is completely organic, as the main active tanning ingredient DHA, although natural, is not 100% organic.
What makes the perfect tan?
A nice even natural looking tan is and will always be the perfect tan. Although it may seem strange to some locals, a good tan can make you feel happy and sometimes even thinner! SunFX provides two different base tones in three different shades to match different skin types and how dark you want to go. The original tan gives a natural Golden sun kissed tan and the Caribbean chocolate tan produces a rich dark chocolate colored tan, almost like a 10-day trip to Bali.
Any other tanning tips?
A good tan is like a good man; if you treat it well it will stick around. By moisturizing twice a day using a tan extender (SunFX Gradual Tan) or tinted moisturizer you can extend the life of your tan. Before you spray tan, for a good even end result make sure you exfoliate your skin (we recommend California Tan Body Buffer), shave or wax a day before and arrive, and wear loose dark clothing so you don’t rub off your tan. You can also purchase the above products from TaiTai Tan. For your spray tan experience WeChat SamiCliff for your next appointment and feel healthier and darker in minutes! And we are affering 10% off your first Tan if you mention Urban Family.
[Images by TaiTai Tan]
