Sunless tanning now available in Ritzville

Just in time for summer, individuals who are looking for a flawless tan without the dangers of sun exposure do not have to travel any further than Ritzville. Kim Weishaar recently began Kim’s Indoor Sunless Tanning (KIST) to provide local residents with a safe tanning option.

Weishaar currently works as a substitute teacher in Moses Lake and thought that KIST would be a good supplement to her part-time teaching position. The business allows her to keep flexible hours to help fit her and her customer’s schedules.

The entire process only takes about 20 minutes, and gives the customer a tan that should last between five to 10 days. Tans typically last for seven days with the proper maintenance practices, which include moisturizing twice daily.

“You have to moisturize and you have to be responsible,” said Weishaar, who herself uses spray tanning to get the extra glow. “I wasn’t good at moisturizing at first, but once I got used to it, it helped keep my tan even.”

Weishaar’s and the company motto is to provide customers with a natural tan that compliments the recipients normal skin tone. Weishaar does not encourage customers to get a tan that is many shades darker than their natural color, but rather receive continuous spray tans that gradually give them the deep tan they want.

Weishaar received training and certification through Norvell University at the end of February. It took her two months to complete the training and two months of practicing how to achieve the perfect tan with all different skin tones.

“Through the training, I learned the skin guide,” explained Weishaar. “But now I can look at somebody and tell what mix to use. I don’t mix straight from one bottle.”

Weishaar admits that at first she had difficultly learning how to use the spray gun and mix the appropriate amount to give the client the tan they needed. The first few friends that she spray tanned did not receive the tan she had hoped, but she looks at those first tans as the best learning experience.

Since her initial learning experience, Weishaar has also learned the various sculpting techniques. These techniques help the client appear slimmer by applying a slightly darker tan to areas such as the waist and thighs.

The process for receiving a spray tan begins well before the client comes to Weishaar’s house or she brings the mobile spray-tanning unit to them at a party. Customers should begin moisturizing several days in advance to help hydrate the skin to help extend the duration of the tan.

Before clients can receive the spray tan, they must shower and use something to exfoliate, such as a loofah, to remove any unwanted oils. A client should not be wearing deodorant, makeup or lotion at the time of their spray tan.

Clients should also plan to avoid contact with water and activities that may cause them to perspire for 16 hours after the tan as liquid can cause the tan to become splotchy or wash off completely. Weishaar recommends that on business days, clients schedule an appointment in the late afternoon so they can tan, relax at home and shower the next morning before work. Weekends are also a popular time to receive a tan.

After clients have scheduled an appointment, they must select the appropriate clothing to wear during and after the spray tan. Dark, loose fitting clothing worn after the tan helps to prevent the tan from rubbing off or staining clothing.

During the actual tan, customers are recommended to wear an old or dark colored swimsuit they do not mind being sprayed.

Once a customer arrives at the house, Weishaar shows them to the room and gives them a barrier cream to apply to their hands, feet, knees, elbows; all which are areas that are naturally dry. Clients are then sprayed with a pH spray that creates an even foundation for the DHA chemical to react with and prevents the orange tone that is sometimes associated with spray tans.

Clients then put “sticky feet” on the bottom of their feet so they do not receive spray and turn an unnatural color. The customer then chooses an aromatherapy scent to be mixed into the spray.

The actual spraying only takes about five to seven minutes, and sometimes longer for first-time clients. The spray is cool, but the client is dried with warm air upon the completion of the spray tan.

After the sunless spray tan is applied, clients automatically see the tan from the cosmetic bronzer used in the solution, but the true color of the tan is revealed after a shower the following day.

Weishaar also offers an express solution, at a higher cost, that allows individuals the same tan but with the opportunity to shower within one to three hours of the tan based on skin tone. Clients that are interested in using this solution should advise Weishaar of this prior to the beginning of the tanning session.

Weishaar also wants potential clients to be aware of the fact that the products contain nut oils and any individual with nut allergies should not receive a spray tan from KIST.

Another service available to KIST clients is the mobile spraying unit. Weishaar brings all of the necessary materials to individuals who are hosting a sunless tanning party, with discounted rates available.

Weishaar first utilized the mobile unit for a group of high school students who wanted a sunless tan for prom. Weishaar said she had a “pretty good influx of prom girls” but was worried about the girls maintaining their tans when it started to rain just before prom.

While Weishaar does offer sunless tanning to students, parents must fill out a consent form for children under the age of 18 and be present during the tanning application. She also offers a reduced rate for students.

KIST has a base rate of $28 per session for an adult and $24 per session for a student. Weishaar encourages potential clients to frequently check the KIST website because she constantly has discounts available.

While a sunless spray tan gives off the illusion of the client having a tan, Weishaar recommends that all customers continue to wear sunscreen. The spray tan does not act as a base tan and clients are still prone to sunburn.

“The most rewarding thing is when I come into the room and I see that smile. I like making people feel good about themselves,” said Weishaar about her clients. “It’s about them hearing compliments and helping them to be more comfortable in their skin.”

To schedule an appointment with Weishaar, or to learn more about sunless tanning and KIST, visit http://www.kistsunless.com. Weishaar can also be reached at 253-380-2376 or by e-mail at [email protected].