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Where are you located?The studio is located at 1710 W Belmont Avenue. If you are traveling by train we are .3 miles from the Paulina station (brown line). Cross street- N Paulina Landmarks- neighbors with Pizza Serio! We will be the white storefront with a bright blue door. If you have any issues, contact me at 631-213-7755
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What is the best way to contact you?You'll get the quickest response through text 631- 213-7755. Typically I am with clients and I can get back to you the fastest this way. Otherwise you can e-mail me at info@artandsolchicago.com Online booking is available and you can manage your appointment online up to 24 hours prior. e-mails and texts will be responded to within 48 hours.
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Is parking available?Street parking is great by us! Right outside the studio there are metered (and a few free) spots that are generally always open. However- we live in Chicago, so give yourself some extra time if you know there is an event going on.
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What is spray tanning?Spray tanning is a technique involving a certified spray tan technician who uses a machine to spray a thin mist onto the desired areas of skin, and the skin turns a natural-looking shade of tan. The process works because of a chemical called Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This chemical is actually colorless, but it interacts with the amino acids that naturally occur in skin cells. When they come into contact, the skin cells become several shades darker. It is a clear, sugar derived extract that reacts with the amino acids of your skin to darken the color of your skin cells. DHA is totally safe. It has no known health risks, and it's been used for cosmetic reasons for decades.
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How does it work?Your session will take place in a pop up tent. You will be guided through some quick easy poses during the spray tan process. I tend to do a more natural look to enhance your skin tone for the initial visit. If you prefer a more tanned look, we can discuss & customize the perfect color for you. Most solutions feel very light & you will not feel sticky, however I do offer drying powder if there are any areas that feel wet. Please do not rub your skin or touch the tan during the spray tan process. I will wipe your finger nails/toe nails to remove any overspray. Overall the session will take about 15-20 minutes. This includes undressing, spray tan, drying & dressing.
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How often can I tan?I would say roughly every 7 days! Some people can extend their tan up to 10 days. With proper exfoliation you can typically do a tan once a week. Typically after 10 weekly tans in a row I recommend taking a 2 week break to fully exfoliate.
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How long does a spray tan last?Your spray tan will last about 5 to 10 days and fades gradually throughout this time period. Everyone's skin naturally exfoliates itself at different rates, so it's hard to determine exactly when yours will fade completely. The longevity of your tan depends on how fast your body's exfoliation process is, as well as how well you maintain your tan. I highly recommend moisturizing frequently (2x a day) to help extend the life of your tan, and keep your skin hydrated. Extended hot showers, shaving, and waxing speeds up your skins natural exfoliation process, and will shorten the length of your tan. To prevent fading it is important to exfoliate your body well prior to your spray tan. We offer an add on service called Hydraseal ($5 upgrade) and it will increase the longevity of your tan. Hydraseal is applied with our spray fun immediately after your tan application. It boosts moisture, increases the longevity of your tan, seals tan during and after development for optimal fading, prevents and eliminates any DHA odor and makes skin silky smooth.
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How do I prepare for my appointment?Preparation is crucial to achieving the best result with your tan. Tanning is a two way street with the artist + client, and proper preparation + aftercare can make the difference between an “okay” tan and an amazing tan. 12-24 Hours prior to your appointment: - Shave and exfoliate your skin. If you use shaving cream, ensure that you exfoliate sufficiently after shaving to remove residue as it will create a barrier. - Manicures and pedicures should be done at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. - Waxing should ideally be done 48 hours prior to your appointment. On the day of your appointment: - Shower 4 or more hours before your appointment, with a cold rinse at the end of your shower to close your pores. - Avoid Dove and Olay products, as they have been shown to interfere with tan results. Be cautious of any hair products (shampoo, conditioner) leaving residue on your skin. Do a good rinse! - Do not wear any lotions, oils, or deodorants. These will all interefere with the tan. - Come in with clean skin, a blank canvas! I will have wipes and cleanser at the studio if necessary.
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How do I exfoliate?You can simply use a washcloth and warm water. Please don’t scrub so hard you break skin. There are great exfoliating mitts out there that are gentle enough on the skin but effectively get the job done. I highly suggest investing in one. You’ll want it to slough off any residual tan once fading time approaches. Use a non-oil based product. Exfoliating will remove the dead skin and promote an even laying tan. Make sure to give extra attention to legs, knuckles, feet, and elbows.
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Will you spray me if I have some leftover patches or didn't totally exfoliate?YES! I will never turn you away, I know life happens. We are humans who live in a world of non-stop chaos so in short, no I will never. Of course - this comes with the understanding of it may not turn out perfect. It’s like painting over chipped nail polish. Can you do it? Yes. It is ideal? No. Basically- you've been warned, but I will never shame you, just don't blame your spray tan artist! 😉
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What do I wear?During your session, you can disrobe to your comfort level. This is a zero judgment zone. The majority of my clients will fully undress. I will have disposable panties available for you or if you choose to wear your own, just make sure it’s something dark that you do not mind getting spray tan on. If your tan is for the beach, be sure to line up whatever you choose to wear with the bathing suit you’ll be wearing. Once tan is applied you can not simply fill in the lines. I do however require men to wear bottoms such as boxers or briefs. No exception. After your tan you will need to wear dark, loose, and comfy clothing. Yoga pants, jeans and anything with elastic around the ankles are not recommended. Tight clothes, spaghetti straps & bras will create friction causing your tan to make marks. Loose sandals or slippers are best to wear after. Closed toe shoes can cause tan to develop improperly on feet. In the summer, a dark maxi dress and slides are perfect! In the winter, just go baggy. Please note that the bronzer may transfer to your items which is why we recommend dark clothing, but should wash out.
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How do I take care of my tan and make it last longer?Immediately Post Tan: - DO. NOT. GET. WET. Skip the dishes, avoid the rain, avoid any water splashes including hand washing & working out or anything that would cause you to sweat. You can not get your tan wet prior to the designated rinse time. This will deactivate the DHA & cause an uneven tan. We will discuss your rinse time (shower). Do a warm water rinse using only your hands (no loofahs, exfoliating mitts or washcloths). You will see the color guide rinse off- this is not your tan. Your tan will continue to develop for up to 24 hours post initial rinse. Make sure you completely rinse the color guide (bronzer) off. - Do not touch your body while the initial bronzer layer is still on, this can cause the tan to transfer to the palms resulting in the dreaded “orange palms”. - After your first shower I encourage you to moisturize & hydrate to extend the longevity of your tan. After 24 Hours: - Moisturize, hydrate, limit the amount of showering, soaking & sweating. Take warm showers rather than scorching hot showers. - Do not exfoliate, as this will cause the tan to fade prematurely. - Use high quality skincare products. I've spent a lot of time researching the best pre/post care products to compliment a spray tan & I have them available for purchase at the studio! Add on Hydraseal! Boosts moisture and increases longevity of your tan.
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When can I shower?This depends on the solution we use! I am not a one size fits all when it comes to solutions. I have a variety I use & customize. Some solutions are rapid/express & you can shower them off in 2-4 hours. Others have a DHA that will continue to develop for as long as they’re on, up to 24 hours. Then others that stop developing after a certain amount of time. We will discuss this in your consultation.
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What products do you suggest?I am certainly not here to push products on anyone. Can you get a tan and use your regular body wash? Yes! You absolutely can. It just may affect the longevity, fade, and color of the tan. I want you to always have the best results, which is why I recommend certain products. My spray tan secret to longevity has ALWAYS been oil and good hydration. Let me be clear: NOT MINERAL OIL. I have used this technique for ages. It will keep your skin hydrated, and your tan glowing & fresh. I do have products available to purchase, including one of my holy grail prducts, that I am so excited to be able to offer to you. When I tell you I can't live without this... I mean it. I use it regularly, tan or no tan. It keeps my skin so soft, supple, hydrated & the GLOW, oh my god the GLOW. Too good. I discovered this product from Kristin Pradas, celeb spray tan artist. She has absolutely nailed it when it comes to products & I can't wait to share these with you! INVEST IN THIS.
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What does "spray tan safe" mean?"Sulfate free soap/shampoo, mainly natural ingredients, no mineral oil, petroleum in your make up or moisturizers, no dove, olay, jergens- doesn’t mix well with your tan. Avoid artificial fragrances & colors, the alcohol dries up your skin.
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Can I continue my regular skincare products?I would recommend stopping anything that’s going to make you peel. Retinols, AHA’s etc. A spray tan on a peeling face is not ideal, and anything that acts as an exfoliant will cause your tan to fade faster.
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Can I shave, or go swimming?While your spray tan is new, you'll want to avoid chlorinated water, as this can make the color fade faster. If you do get into a pool, rinse off with water to get the chlorine off of your skin. Excessive swimming, in pools or even the ocean can exfoliate off your tan & cause patchiness. Please be mindful of this if you plan to go on vacation. I suggest purchasing some touch up products to help! In addition, cut the amount of shaving you do down to a minimum, as this works as an exfoliant.
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How long is a session?The total session time will be 15-20 minutes, which includes time for dressing and undressing. If you are a new client, there may be an additional 5-10 minutes for a consultation, a quick discussion on pre/post care & your desired result and I will make recommendations for which solution would be best.
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When should I book my appointment for my wedding or a big event?Ideally you should do a trial run at least 3 weeks prior then 2 days before your event.
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I have a sunburn, can I tan?Your spray tan will NOT protect you from the sun. Considering my background as an esthetician, I am passionate about protecting your skin. Aside from the insane confidence boost a spray tan can give a person, more importantly my hope is that you no longer have the need to fry your skin in the sun. I love that it is possible to still get that amazing sun kissed glow without jeopardizing your health. Important- if you HAVE been in the sun & gotten a sunburn it could take days to begin peeling. I have seen this happen to people who spend a full day at the beach, get a spray tan that night or the next morning then PEEL. It is not pretty. Take care of your skin.
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Can I tan while breastfeeding?Again, sticking with my same "discuss with your OB" answer. If you choose to tan, I have some tricks up my sleeve where we can avoid the breasts with a sticky bra so your little bundle of love doesn't also get a spray tan . Keep in mind that you will not have a tan where the sticky bra was on.
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Additional TipsBe mindful of adhesive marks! If you have had bandaids on make sure you do a really good exfoliation of that area. This can stay on the skin much longer than you think!
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I'm pregnant, can I get a spray tan?We are not OBGYN's and we will always recommend checking with your doctor. We are happy to send over solution ingredients for their review. With that said, we tan many pregnant woman who have gotten approval for spray tans from their doctors.
Frequently asked questions
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