Spray Tan at L.A. Tan by Jesse.

I’m originally from California and I’ve been in Chicago for over 15 years but nothing illuminates the fact that I originated from the Golden State more than my eternal need for a year round tan.  The vibe, the people and the city of Chicago is where I want to be but the long winters keep me indoors and eclipse the required UVA’s that keep my melanin on the surface of my skin.

Am I going to advocate suntan beds?  Yeah, right.  I’ll publicly tell you to use a tanning machine as much as I’ll recommend that you become independently rich and fly, one week out of every winter month, to Mexico for Tan maintenance.

What I’m going to tell you is to go to L.A. Tan at 64 E. Walton St. and get a personal spray tan by Jesse.   I was out last weekend and, per usual, our May cold and gloomy clouds disappeared when I was out riding my bike and I got the worst farmer tan on my arms.  I mean, the meat on my arms was seared red for a week and I knew that it would take months in the sun (with sunscreen!) to even out the color from shoulders to hands.  I have volleyball season coming up and I’m vain enough to NOT want to look like I work in an office—I want beach-bum, healthy looking and half Mexican (which I am).  I also like a tan because it takes away the fact that my body is, (gasp) getting older and gravity is ripping me to shreds.

Anyhoo, I went to L.A. Tan for their Monday and Thursday Mystic Tan special.  I originally wanted to even out the shoulders in the sun while I slathered my arms in SPF 50 but there wasn’t any sun this week so I thought spray tan was going to get me over the hump.  I’m used to spray tans.  I use Quick Tan Tanning Mist every day on my face to even out the skin tones and cover the sun spots (how did I get THOSE?!) and I’ve always recommended this product to my clients.  A light mist of Quick Tan over your make-up on your face will set up the make-up and act as the most natural bronzer.  It makes your foundation moist and glowy without making you look like you spray tanned.  The spray goes on even too on your body if you want a little color.  But step into the shower stall to apply it.  You don’t want the colored mist to float around and land on bathroom towels and fixtures.

SO: I went to use the Mystic Tanning machine and Jesse was at the front desk & convinced me to let her do a personal spray tan on me.  I thought personal spray tans were at least $50 buck or more—and most are.  But she was charging $35 and, thank god, I was wearing the right dark colored shorts so I gave it a shot.

I’ve seen many streaky orange personal spray tans on people.  (I’m from California—remember?) but I knew the Mystic fluids didn’t make me orange.  I was pleasantly surprised with Jesse’s application process and the spray gun and ventilated room.  The new equipment insured that the tan was instantly dry and even and I inhaled non of the spray because of a full wall ventilator in front of me.  I’m recommending Jesse at L.A. Tan for those of you who want even color.  It’s been a few days and my tan is awesome for Memorial Day weekend.  Remember with Spray tans: don’t shower for 8 hours and don’t workout afterwards or sweat, and don’t wear light colors for 24 hours!  If you do smear on your clothes it comes right out, but you look like you’re rusting when you break a sweat running to catch your CTA bus in your white Lady GaGa shirt. 

Appointment are preferred so call 312-640-0007 L.A. Tan, 64 East Walton in Chicago.  Ask to have Jesse give you a spray tan and tell her Mafia Hairdresser sent you.  I forgot to tip her and this blog is the least I could do for this awesome even tan.  I’ll be back.