Head of beauty at the Australasian College Broadway, Jennifer Taylor explains this season’s hottest new trend, contoured tanning.
As warm weather approaches, it’s all about the tan. And this season’s latest trend sees the humble bronzing treatment undergo a sophisticated makeover.
Meet the contoured tan. It’s everything clients have come to expect and love about a professional tan with some serious extra benefits.
To break it all down and explain exactly why you need to be up to date on this approach this summer, the Australasian College Broadway’s head of beauty, Jennifer Taylor explains the art of contoured tanning…
What is contoured tanning?
“Contoured tanning is a specialised spray tanning technique designed to create lines of colour, shade and tan around the contours of the body, rather than just the traditional all over spray,” says Taylor.
Why practice contoured tanning?
“This style of tanning can be used to give specific definition to muscular areas of the body,” explains Taylor.
“For example, body builders use this to emphasise their abdominal muscles and get the washboard six-pack look. It can also be used to create the appearance of cleavage for a client who wishes to enhance their bust and is effective on both female and male clients. You can shadow the areas you want to recede and define areas you want to make stand out for a more defined, svelte appearance, minus the need to go to the gym!”
Why is it so popular right now?
“Summer clothing is all about showing skin, so when clients are wearing little tank tops, swimwear or dresses, they want to have stunning cleavage or a toned stomach to go with it. The possibilities are endless,” says Taylor.
“Skin can be contoured to create slim-lined arms and more slender looking legs using careful highlighting and shading. It’s basically the next level up from the contouring you do on the face which can highlight cheekbones and shadow the jawline.”
What other new trends and developments are happening in tanning at the moment?
“Normal spray tanning techniques have significantly improved over the last few years, as spray guns have been developed to deliver fine mist sprays, making the tan much more even. There are now many shades of tan to choose from allowing almost every skin-type to be able to choose a tan that looks natural and sun-kissed,” explains Taylor.
“I don’t recommend any sort of tanning tablets or injections that are now available, I don’t believe there has been adequate research into their long-term effects, making them potentially dangerous to your health. They can also look fake and orange when they take effect on the skin,” warns Taylor.
“The beauty of spray tanning is that it’s safe and can look great if managed well. A skilled therapist will work with their clients to help them prepare their skin for spray tanning and then advise them on how to maintain their tan and keep the skin looking beautiful.”
Have your say: Have you tried contoured tanning in your clinic? What other trends and developments do you think are affecting the tanning industry?