Talk Podcast To Me
Welcome to "Talk Podcast to Me," the show where makeup artist and Glow Commando CEO, Courtney "Talk Curly To Me" Gilroy, infuses beauty tips and life lessons on the fly. Join Courtney on this unscripted journey where she delves into the essence of true beauty, exploring the harmony between inner self-discovery and external radiance.
Talk Podcast To Me
Talk Glow To Me
Ever wondered what it takes to get that picture-perfect tan without baking under the harsh sun? Buckle up, as we expose the secrets behind the sunless tanning industry, affectionately known as 'glow jobs'. I take you through my own tanning saga, how a brush with melanoma ditched UV beds for good, and led me to be a spray tan aficionado. We're talking about the nitty-gritty of dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the wizard behind the tan, and how to dodge the feared orange disaster by nailing the right DHA percentage. If you're twitchy about what brews in your tanning potions, fret not! My personal line is not just organic but designed with safety and transparency at the forefront – because we're all about that guilt-free radiance.
Strap in for a crash course on making your airbrush tan stick around, because we're laying out the blueprint for tan longevity that can keep you glowing from five to ten days, and the cardinal rules of skincare that come with it. Ever ponder over what skin tone matches which solution, or the kind of after-party your skin needs post-spray? I've got your back with tailored solutions and hydration hacks. Plus, we unmask the truth about DHA inhalation during application, and whether it's a friend or foe. From the effect of your monthly cycle on your tan's lifespan to the best wardrobe choices after a spritz, we've got practical advice and personal tales to shepherd you through the golden land of sunless tanning.
Hey guys and welcome back to another episode of Talk Podcasts to me. I'm your host, courtney, and today I'm going to be talking about my infamous glow jobs, and, if you heard that wrong, I said glow jobs. So what is a glow job? What is a spray tan? My slogan for glow commando is I need a glow job. So what it is is a spray tan. And what exactly is a spray tan? That a lot of people don't know?
Speaker 1:It is formulated from a colorless chemical called DHA, which is dihydroxyacetone. So what that is is it's derived from glycerin. So when that mixes onto your skin, the dead skin cells turn tan from the mixture of the amino acids. So basically, the higher of a percentage DHA that you have is the darker that you get for tanning. So it's huge and it's super important. If you're listening to this and you do spray tanning and you want to learn something from this, the higher percentage you go on someone who is pale or like let's just say like in the wintertime, I'm not going, I'm not doing a 12% DHA on them, I'm doing more of like a 6% mixed with an 8%, and I think it's super important to know how much percentage you're using on people. In the summertime I'll usually use a higher one because we could be tanner. But it's super important because if you do that wrong and you don't know what you're mixing onto your client, then that's usually when somebody gets an orange spray tan and you don't want an orange spray tan because they're not coming back to you. So I always have a bunch of questions that people ask me, so I figured that I would just take the time and make a podcast out of it. So if you have questions and you're new in the industry for doing spray tanning, or if you just want to know more about spray tanning and you don't want to lay in the sun or tanning beds, this is for you. Also, too, I wanted to share.
Speaker 1:I started spray tanning before I even started glow commando, because tanning beds are so bad for you. I cannot stress this enough. I had a melanoma scare. This was years ago, like almost 10 years ago. I was going tanning and tanning beds so much and I had a scare and I was like you know what I'm done with this and I started spray tanning and before I started glow, I was trying out so many different solutions just to see which ones I liked and which ones I didn't like and I used a lot of my friends's test dummies until I found the one that I like and just know who you're using Even if you're not using me and you're using someone make sure you know the ingredients that are going on your skin.
Speaker 1:If I have clients that have allergies, I always ask them like. None of my spray tan solution has peanuts in it and peanuts are a huge allergen. All that my solution is organic. So really make sure that you know what's going on your client's skin. So first question I have this on my website too. So if you don't get a chance to listen to the full thing or if you just want to like read it and you're a visual learner, then it's on my website. It's under know before you glow. So first question I am pregnant and nursing.
Speaker 1:How can I? Can I still get a spray tan? You can? I always still recommend to talking to your OBGYN because some people don't recommend it. Some people think it's fine. My sister got sprayed for both of her pregnancies, so to her sister-in-law I've sprayed a ton of pregnant people. It's fine. You're literally just coating the top layer of your skin. It doesn't get into your pores, none of that. So it's completely fine.
Speaker 1:How long does an airbrush tan appointment take, give or take? I talk a lot so I'm usually sitting and talking to my clients, probably at most a half hour. I can be in and out in 10 minutes If you know that you have somewhere to go and you need me in and out. Whatever 10 minutes Pretty much the solution, not the solution. The process is I come, I set up a tent, put a towel down, I set up my machine, I spray you, dry you off and then you're good to go. Literally, I've timed myself before. It's taken me 10 minutes, 15 minutes, but again, I talk.
Speaker 1:How long will my airbrush tan last? So I've had people last over a week and a half. I personally like to get it every week. I like it fresh. Mine will last me a week. I still have mine on from a week and a half ago. It lasts five to 10 days, depending. Sorry guys, you see, depending on how well you take care of your skin.
Speaker 1:Hydrate a lot of skin care, moisturizer, no dove soap, no dove soap, no dove lotion, none of that. And, honestly, drinking a lot of water. Water helps hydrate your skin, hydrate your body and it will make your solution last, and make sure you're exfoliating beforehand. If you exfoliate and you do the proper skin care regimen, then you're good to go. Are there different solutions to use on different skin tones? Yes, as I said before, the higher percentage you go, the stronger it is. The lowest percentage you could do is 8%. I think I said six, I meant to say eight, so it's eight, 10, and 12. My rapid tan is actually 12% and that one is a higher percentage because you're leaving it on short amount of time. So they do a higher percentage because you are rinsing it faster. So with the rapid tan versus the regular custom tan, I feel like a lot of people always get that confused too. So I also wanna go into that.
Speaker 1:A rapid tan doesn't mean it's lasting a less amount of time as the customized one the customized tan you leave it on 10 to 12 hours. So if I'm coming at eight o'clock at night and you don't feel like staying up, that's when I recommend the customized tan because you could sleep in that and then rinse it off the next day. The rapid tan I usually do because I don't like to sleep in it, just in case I roll around or anything. I don't sleep in a sweatshirt. I don't wanna sweat at night. I don't sleep in sweatpants, I sleep in shorts. So the rapid tan I usually do on myself, like six o'clock, four o'clock, you leave it on max six hours, minimum of three hours that one I like for all my brides. I love the color of it, it has a nice purple base to it when you're marinating and I love that one. So the difference between the two is not how long it lasts on you, it's how long you process in the solution. So they both last the same amount of time. They're both priced the same amount. They're both amazing. It just depends on how long you wanna leave it on for. So that's a huge thing. Everybody always asks me they're literally the same Do I need to wear sunscreen after I get a spray tan?
Speaker 1:Just because you have a spray tan does not mean you won't get burnt. Some people think that you can't get tan with it on. You totally can. Some people think, oh, I have a spray tan on, I'm not gonna get burnt. No, you still can. It's just coating the top layer of your skin. I always recommend wearing sunscreen. Also another thing with sunscreen you don't wanna use a spray can because the oils in that will break up your spray tan solution. You wanna use a lotion and you wanna make sure that you're using a high SPF because if you don't, you're gonna still get burnt. I always say like 30 to 50.
Speaker 1:Is it safe to breathe in the overhead spray in a tanning session? So DHA is non-hazardous. It's totally fine to breathe that in Again. It takes not even 10 minutes. You're barely breathing it in. Yeah, that's totally fine. It's approved by the FDA and it's honestly. It doesn't affect you at all, even if you're pregnant, nursing any of that and you're breathing that in again. It's completely fine.
Speaker 1:Sometimes two people will say why didn't I get as tan this time as I did last time? Nine out of ten times I asked them how long did you leave it on for? Did you exfoliate? What solution and what so did you use? Also to a huge thing if you're just starting, you want to ask your clients if they are on their period, because your body's pH is off balance and is completely different when you're getting your period and when you're on your period. So sometimes you actually have to do a little darker for them. Or, if they're doing the rapid, leave it on longer, like for me when I know I'm getting it. I Leave it on a little bit longer because I know that I just need to marinate Nate in it a little bit more. So those are like the common questions that I get.
Speaker 1:I also get asked can I spray tan myself? So I can, I could spray to my front. I cannot get my back. I usually have one of my friends tan my back because it's really difficult to get it. So, honestly, alyssa, who answers my emails, normally during the week we're hanging out with each other anyway, so I'll just I'll hop in the tent, spray my front and then just have her get my back. Or, honestly, whatever friend I'm spraying that week, I just hop right in the tent like, hi, get my back real quick. That's another question I get. Another question I usually get is what am I wearing afterwards which I'm actually gonna go into the pre care instructions and the post care instructions After during your spray tan, whatever you're comfortable in.
Speaker 1:I have disposable underwear. If you're a guy, you need to wear boxers. That's what I ask for women. I usually go topless and I wear underwear. It's whatever you're comfortable in. This is a no judgment zone. I just want everybody tan because everyone feels better tan Afterwards. Loose fitting clothes, loose fitting clothes always. I usually I have a designated Alphette. Every time I spray tan I have an oversized t-shirt that says this is my marinating t-shirt, sweatpants, and that's what I'm wearing. Usually. I always wear like dark clothing just because if it gets on this the clothing, I don't want to have it stand or anything. I have worn gray sweats before and it's gotten on it and they come out, but I don't want to say it's gonna come out and it not come out, and then that's a whole other issue.
Speaker 1:So pre airbrush care you want to exfoliate three to four days prior to your tan because, because you don't want your pores open right when you're getting a tan, because sometimes it'll hot, like your skin will be so dry that the solution won't run. And if you're new and you're need advice on spray tanning and you have somebody that you've sprayed and the solutions like run down their likes, chances Are they just shaved or exfoliated so their skins really dry. You want to exfoliate thoroughly the night before the day of. I don't recommend exfoliating, just shower. Make sure you're freshly shaved, not shaving the same day again because you don't want it to run, so just shave the day prior Again. Shaving 24 hours in advance, waxing services 24 hours in advance and you're exfoliating after that. No waxing services the same day of your tan. I've had people do it the. If you do your legs, it looks crazy like it will stick to certain spots because that wax is still on. You don't realize it's still on.
Speaker 1:So I always say if you're getting waxed the day before to exfoliating showers, all manicures and pedicures must be done 24 hours prior to your tan. If you get a Manicure after your tan and you rinse it off, fine, make sure that they're not soaking your hands. If you do a pedicure, polish change only. If you soak your feet in Warm water, it's coming off. When you soak your feet in warm water, you're opening your pores and the solution is going to come out again. It's just coating the top layer of your skin and chances are they're going to scrub it off. Don't exercise the day of your appointment after your tanning service, because you're gonna be marinating and you don't want to sweat. It's gonna come off again.
Speaker 1:I've had people Literally work out with the spray tan solution on without rinsing it off and they were fine. I don't recommend it at all. I don't even recommend putting tight clothes on afterwards. No deodorant or moisturizer after you got the shower, before your spray tan. If you have deodorant on, I can tell If I'm spraying you, the way that the solution mixes with your deodorant. Your armpits will turn green the way that the solution Mixes with it. I don't know what, what's in the deodorant, the aluminum, whatever? I could tell and it just it. Sometimes it comes out, sometimes it does it again. I've tried everything possible To mess up a spray tan on myself before I even started. It usually comes out fine. But everyone's different. Again, we're loose, dark clothing to your appointment. Post care. No tight clothing. Um, refrain from wearing tight socks and high boots. It's gonna create lines.
Speaker 1:Avoid contact with water while you're marinating. I cannot tell you enough how many times that I've gotten. People completely forget Wash their hands and they're like my hands are paler. I'm like did you wash them? I'm like, yeah, fine, if you want alcohol wipes, I always say alcohol wipes for your hands. That's also another reason why I like to do the rapid, because I'm like Okay, I want to rinse it off before I go the shower or whatever. Also to a nighttime. You don't want to get your, you don't want to get your hands ruined from not written, I'm sorry, from water. I've had somebody actually pour water for their dog and and it fell all over their like arm and they called me and I'm like, oh god, I usually just like pat it and then if anything, I'll come back and just like touch it up as much as I can. But that's even hard to do For rinsing After you.
Speaker 1:No matter what solution that you pick when you rinse your tan off, you're gonna rinse till the water runs clear. When it's clear, keep rinsing. You think that it's all off. Sometimes it'll surprise you and sometimes it's still on. So keep rinsing. I always do like a five minute rinse. When I see the water clear, keep going, wash all the areas you got to wash and then when I get out of the shower, pat yourself dry. You don't want to put any Like roughness to your body because you're gonna scrub that tan off.
Speaker 1:Um, quick facts avoid soaps that have exfoliating elements. You'd be surprised. I have many people. My mom actually, the first time ever sprayed my mom. I have in the shower Hemp's exfoliator so I spray tan her. She rinses it off. She texted me the next day. She's like why are my legs pale? I use that Hemp's that you have in the shower that you use and I was like that's an exfoliator. It exfoliated your tan off. That's great. Um, so yeah, watch that.
Speaker 1:Cut back on makeup wipes. Honestly, I wear makeup so much because of my job. I don't really tan my face because the makeup wipes take it off anyway. So if I'm doing my makeup even twice and using a makeup wipe, it's coming off. So I try not to use a makeup wipe so much or I don't tan my face. Apply moisturizer as much as you can. Again, no dove soap. Don't know what's in it.
Speaker 1:Every single person that does spray tanning will always say the same thing If you have oily skin I have oily skin your tan actually should go on a little bit longer. So make sure you're spray-techno or, if you're using me, make sure I know that you have oily skin. Or even if, like you sweat a lot, it's totally fine, tell us we need to know because you are having more sweating or the oils of your skin. It's gonna kind of come off a little bit faster. So I usually recommend doing a little bit darker because it will be settled in and look really nice.
Speaker 1:For my brides, I always recommend doing your spray tan two days prior to any event your bridal shower, engagement shoot, wedding, bachelor party, whatever. Two days prior you're wearing white. You want to make sure that it's two showers before you even put anything white on. Big tip, I put baby powder. Or I told my brides to put baby powder on before they put their dress on. That helps any like friction or any of that so it doesn't transfer onto your dress. Knock on wood, knock on wood. I have wood right here. I've had in the six years that I've been doing tanning. Everything has been good with all my brides. But again, you never know.
Speaker 1:And again, with the hormones, you want to make sure that you let your spray tan, your spray-techno, that you're on your period or anything, just so they know about the solution. And that is pretty much all the questions that I always get asked. But again, if you are watching this and you have any other questions, feel free to DM me. Glow Commando is my spray tanning business. Talk Curly To Me is my other page and then you got Talk Podcasts to me. I would message me. You can message me on any of those, the Glow Commando one. I have three people that are on that Instagram, so one of us will get back to you. This one and my Talk Curly To Me is all me, so sometimes I do take a little bit of time to get back to anyone.
Speaker 1:But if you've never gotten a spray tan before, I hope that this clears up some questions that you might have. If you're skeptical of getting them, it's amazing. I always say but like any of my friends that like feel like they're having a crazy week or whatever I'm like. You want to spray tan, let's spray tan you, and they feel a lot better. Tell me it's therapy. But also, too, when this comes out fingers crossed I'm filming this right now, before the gala, but fingers crossed that we got it for a second year. But I also just want to say thank you to all my clients and even people that haven't used me that voted for me for best spray tanning in Bergen County. I really appreciate it and I'm super excited to see the results. So by the next time I film I will know what the results are. So again, thank you guys so much, and if you want to book a spray tan wwwglocomandoco I'll write a little link here and I hope to see you guys soon. Have a great week, and I hope you guys are enjoying the podcast.
