Mist-On Tan

Mist-On #1
9-28-4

The Chicago Tribune sent out staff members to evaluate different brands of sunless spray booths in the Chicago area. The staffers each tanned in a different booth and described their experience and their satisfaction level with their tan.
What booths were tried:	Mist-On Tan, Mystic Tan, Sunless Express and Summer Image (by Hollywood Tan)
Which one rated the best:	Mist-On Tan
What was said about Mist-On Tan: “emerged with a natural-looking albeit damp glow” “I felt dry and comfortable stepping back into my clothes” “which deepened overnight and lasted for about six days” “has earned me more compliment than dropping 30 pounds has”
Almost every sunless spray booth claims to be the highest quality on the market, but only we can back it up. In side by side comparisons, the Mist-On Tan constantly rates as the best booth on the market. And we at Mist-On know why. Our automated HVLP process provides the most uniform coating possible, and our heavy-duty ventilation system minimizes the risk of inhalation and ingestion. The Chicago Tribune staffer's comments reflect this quality engineering. It is easy to see why Mist-On Tan is the booth of choice for salons wanting glowing reviews - from critics and customers.
Here is the article “Mist Opportunities” that appeared in the Chicago Tribune.

Mist opportunities

We try sunless tanning treatments
so you don’t have to

Metromix.com

September 28, 2004

Summer faded about as fast as your tan, and by now your legs are almost blindingly white. Spray-on tans sound enticing, but you're afraid of ending up orange. Fear not-metromix editors bravely sampled five different kinds of non-UV tanning treatments so you don't have to. Read on for the good, the bad and the ugly.

Leigh Behrens, metromix editor
Where: Soleil
System: Mist-On Spray Tan
Price: $27
Atmosphere: Located in the residentially mushrooming West Loop, Soleil at first appears to have the same chic, loft-like feel that's pervasive in this 'hood. Gleaming, backlit products glow behind a brushed-metal counter and bright couches look promisingly comfy. Past the reception area, though, the gloss is gone and only an urban-spa-wannabe vibe remains. Clients must stroll past piles of building materials to reach tanning areas--all beds; there's only a single spray-on room. This cramped space is separated from the hall by an unfinished sliding plywood door; most of the chamber is claimed by the mega-Mist-On booth.
Service: On my first visit, a female employee went through the routine with me, reviewing the proper poses (a combination of ballerina moves and stances reminiscent of the "Charlie's Angels" poster) that would ensure I'd get an even "tan." (Note: I'd tried this misting system before at an Arizona spa, and was already generally familiar with the gyrations and moisturizer-barrier cream application drill.) However, I appreciated my pleasant guide's valuable tips here. Spreading my fingers--rather than the "Angels" gunlike position, for example--to get better coverage on my hands.
Experience: Though it took several tries to get the start button to work, finally the machine kicked into action and 60 chilly, loud seconds later it was all over. (On a second visit, the start button was completely broken, and management had rigged a start "system" consisting of shouting a "yes" reply indicating I was positioned in the stall when the owner knocked on the door. The machine--which doesn't have a door; the mist somehow doesn't stray outside the booth--rumbled into operation after a switch was thrown manually from somewhere.
Results: I--a very fair-skinned redhead who only gets lobster--like blotches at the beach, even when using tons of sunscreen--emerged with a natural-looking albeit damp glow. Though the lighting was dim and I had to stand on my toes to see my face in the too-tiny mirror (and smooth out a brown glob on my nose), after dabbing with a towel, I felt dry and comfortable stepping back into my clothes. (Tip: Schedule tanning on non-work days or the end of the day, so you can bring or wear dark, loose clothes and flip-flops to let the tan "set" without fear of streaking your best duds.)
Would I do it again? You betcha. Despite the no-frills-bordering-on-tacky environs, and a semi-strong upsell pitch to buy a package of appointments, my "tan"--which deepened overnight and lasted for about six days--has earned me more compliments than dropping 30 pounds has. Plus, it's much cheaper than an Arizona vacation.

Leigh before and after (Mist-On Tan)

Jessica Volpe, special contributor
Where: Spiced Tan
System: Summer Image spray tan (by Hollywood Tans)
Price: $32 includes moisturizer for your cuticles and dry spots, a brown shower and lots of post-tan "you look terrifics!"
Atmosphere: Clean-lined and spa-like. They'd do well to turn down the throbbing house music--it's not exactly soothing when you're butt naked and drenched with brown gunk.
Service: Patient enough to explain and re-explain the many steps.
Upsell: Thankfully, nada, but I did receive an explanation of how the "summer image" tan works: The skin changes color the way a cut apple turns brown when left on the counter too long. Is there such a thing as a down-sell?
Experience: Embarrassment aside, the hard part is getting the tan even. The spray only lasts for 3 seconds--in order to cover every crack of your body, you're supposed to quickly turn to the right, lifting your left leg and both arms (fingers splayed) in the air. Hold. Now left. (Note: This is the "Thriller" dance.) If you're not fast enough to complete both movements, you'll be faced with a covered upper body and white legs and feet. Rub south!
Results: Immediately bronzed, tropical within two hours. Not too streaky, considering my failure to dance the 3-second "Thriller."
Would I do it again? Not even if someone paid me.

Jessica before and after (Summer Image)

Laura Baginski, events producer
Where: Urbanshe
System: Sunless Express
Price: $30
Atmosphere: Very spa-like. The reception area is decorated with mod couches, fresh flowers and beaded metal curtains.
Service: The receptionist led me to a large, private room outfitted with a tanning booth that looks like a standing shower stall, candles, a full-length mirror and a chair. She slowly walked me through the all the steps, emphasizing the importance of moisturizing my entire body with the lotion provided to get an even tan. Even after I bombarded her with question after question, she never lost her cool or her smile.
Experience: Fully moisturized, with barrier cream on all the spots I didn't want tan (fingernails, toenails, palms, bottoms of the feet), I stepped into the booth and closed the door behind me. Within one minute, I was covered with brown goo. The key, the receptionist told me, was to use the terrycloth buff to spread the stuff evenly all over my body after I step out of the stall. I did that, nearly obsessively, but I found that the room's dim lighting made it difficult to see what I was doing.
Results: For some reason, the goo wouldn't dry, so, pressed for time, I got dressed while still moist, getting the stuff all over my silk camisole (it came out after dry cleaning). But I was happy with the tan; my husband commented that it looked natural, like I just got home from a tropical vacation. The only drawback: I didn't spread the brown stuff very evenly over my toes, so they ended up looking like breakfast sausage links. The tan lasted about four days.
Would I do it again? Possibly--it seems like a lot of fuss and expense for something that lasts for just a few days.

Laura before and after (Sunless Express)

Chris LaMorte, dining producer
Where: Ultimate Express
Price: $30
System: InstaBronze™, by Mystic Tan
Atmosphere: Clinical, in a Scandinavian sperm bank sort of way. Tiny hallways, lined with tiny doors, leading to tiny rooms with tanning beds bearing brand names that sound like Cinemax flicks: Monster Bed, Silver Bullet, etc.
Service: The brown-as-a-nut kid behind the counter was a walking, talking tan advertisement, and very thorough. Maybe too thorough. My head spun from his rote, rapid-fire instructions: how to stand, where to stand, where to put blocking cream, where not to put blocking cream. Then he started with the upsell: tanning packages, frequent tanning points, creams, moisturizers. He made it clear: If I didn't pop for a packet of special moisturizer, he wouldn't be held responsible for any streaks. OK, fine. I broke down and bought the stupid lotion. Add $3.26.
Experience: Despite tan boy's plethora of pointers--he even showed a video!--I screwed up. Left alone in the cramped room next to the tan booth, eager to get it over with, I stripped and stepped inside. But a half-second before the nozzles sprayed, I remembered: My glasses! I whipped them off in the nick of time, but was now panicked. Was I supposed to hold my breath or breath normally? I gasped, drooled, whimpered amidst a brown fog. Then I turned. Again: gasp, whimper, drool. Done. I wiped myself down as instructed.
Results: Though I feared looking like an Oompa Loompa, my face and arms were only subtly darkened; my thick tuft of oh-so-manly hair blocked most from my chest, legs, and, uh, other parts, but three days later, two dark-brown knees were the only evidence left of my visit.
Would I do it again? Next time, I'll opt for the sperm bank.

No Photo

Jen Robbins, print edition producer
Where: L.A. Tan
Price: $30
System: Mystic Tan
Atmosphere: Tacky--a hot-pink painted hallway leads to a tiny reception area with a cheesy bamboo fountain, and the actual tanning room is empty save for the Mystic booth, a full-length mirror, one stool and a towel.
Service: The receptionist showed me the booth, explained how I had to stand (arms apart, fingers curled slightly) and when to turn, and instructed me how to wear the shower cap (not too low, or else I'd get a line across my forehead). After spraying, I was to "wipe down like you just took a shower"--she was full of dire warnings about how I'd end up with splotchy skin if I only patted. She also reminded me not to take a bath or shower for at least four hours, otherwise I'd end up streaked.
Experience: You can choose Level 1, 2 or 3. Since Level 1 was broken and I didn't want to go too dark, I chose Level 2. After disrobing, I stepped into the tiny, claustrophobia-inducing Mystic Tan booth, pressed the green button to self-activate the four nozzles, took a deep breath and got sprayed. The machine makes an almost deafening, wheezing sound that's just downright alarming. After getting out, I made sure to wipe myself down evenly, got dressed and left. The whole shebang took 15 minutes.
Results: I could see I was a little tanner right away, and my skin darkened slightly as the day progressed. I felt sticky, but luckily, the bronzer didn't stain my white shirt at all. My coworkers reported that I smelled "like a bad perm." The next morning, I woke up to find that although the skin on my face, neck and arms had bronzed to a beige hue, the skin on my legs was striped and blotchy. Not pretty. And so much for that sun-kissed look-an acquaintance I ran into on the street said, "My god! What happened to your legs?" When I called L.A. Tan to complain, they told me that obviously I should've exfoliated and moisturized first (um, would've been nice if they had mentioned that before I stepped into the booth) and repeatedly told me the manager "wasn't in" when I wanted my 30 bucks back.
How long it lasted: Only four days, which was a blessing considering the results.
Would I do it again? $30 for striped legs? No thanks.

Jen before and after (Mystic Tan)

Laura Baginski, Leigh Behrens, Chris LaMorte, Jen Robbins and Jessica Volpe contributed to this story.

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