Golden girls: At-home tanning parties leave many customers all aglow
By Jill Radsken
From The Boston Herald
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Kelly Conway's business follows one golden rule:
Have spray gun. Will travel.
The perky entrepreneur offers women at-home tanning parties with her Envy Mobile Tan.
"I did a couple of parties, and it just spread by word of mouth," said Conway, who sprays parties -- sometimes two a night and on weekends -- throughout Greater Boston.
Conway's business is a growing part of the tanning industry, most of which is still stinging from the recent federal "tanning tax" that is part of the health care bill. Sherry Delosh, owner of Tanning2U (tanning2u.com), has also taken to the road to tan customers at home.
Last week, Conway visited Cordy Elkins and Maggie Williamson, who hosted about 10 of their girlfriends at their South End apartment. As Conway set up her pop-up tent in Elkins' bedroom, the pair put out cheese and crackers and mixed sangria. Elkins, who attended another tanning party by Conway in May, said Conway's tanning quality is much more reliable than a booth.
"She has a little bronzer in (the formula), but it comes off in the shower, and leaves a bronze glow" she said. "Last time it lasted almost 10 days."
Conway charges $30 for single at-home appointments, but the bulk of her business is groups, and her clientele is as varied as the party locations. Last week, a group of women at a health care company in Harvard Square invited Conway to spray them in the office conference room, and a bridal party that included the 84-year-old mother-of-the-bride invited her back for a second tanning party.
"It takes about 10 minutes per girl," said Conway, who charges $25 per person (the hostess is free).
At Elkins' home, newbie Leah Marcus worried that the tan would look unnatural on her fair skin.
"I've never been tan in my entire life," said the 25-year-old Back Bay resident.
"That is so true," agreed pal Lindsay Northrop.
Northrop, who also frequents tanning beds to keep her beach glow, said the more intimate party environment allows her to tan more evenly.
"I've come out (of booths) looking speckled, like a robin's egg," she said.
The 23-year-old North End resident ticked off a list of likes about the come-to-you tanning service. It's convenient. She feels less self-conscious. And it's male-free.
"It's a really good excuse to not invite boys to do anything with us," she said.
Preparing to take her turn in the tent, Marcus worried about results.
"What if I'm shaking?" she asked.
"I do spray-tan virgins all the time," Conway replied.
Ten minutes later, Marcus was aglow.
"I looked down and didn't recognize my legs," she said.
Elkins, giving her the once over, smiled knowingly. "You're not orange at all."
email the author of this article: jradsken@bostonherald.com
By Jill RadskenFrom The Boston Herald
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Kelly Conway's business follows one golden rule:
Have spray gun. Will travel.
The perky entrepreneur offers women at-home tanning parties with her Envy Mobile Tan.
"I did a couple of parties, and it just spread by word of mouth," said Conway, who sprays parties -- sometimes two a night and on weekends -- throughout Greater Boston.
Conway's business is a growing part of the tanning industry, most of which is still stinging from the recent federal "tanning tax" that is part of the health care bill. Sherry Delosh, owner of Tanning2U (tanning2u.com), has also taken to the road to tan customers at home.
Last week, Conway visited Cordy Elkins and Maggie Williamson, who hosted about 10 of their girlfriends at their South End apartment. As Conway set up her pop-up tent in Elkins' bedroom, the pair put out cheese and crackers and mixed sangria. Elkins, who attended another tanning party by Conway in May, said Conway's tanning quality is much more reliable than a booth.
"She has a little bronzer in (the formula), but it comes off in the shower, and leaves a bronze glow" she said. "Last time it lasted almost 10 days."
Conway charges $30 for single at-home appointments, but the bulk of her business is groups, and her clientele is as varied as the party locations. Last week, a group of women at a health care company in Harvard Square invited Conway to spray them in the office conference room, and a bridal party that included the 84-year-old mother-of-the-bride invited her back for a second tanning party.
"It takes about 10 minutes per girl," said Conway, who charges $25 per person (the hostess is free).
At Elkins' home, newbie Leah Marcus worried that the tan would look unnatural on her fair skin.
"I've never been tan in my entire life," said the 25-year-old Back Bay resident.
"That is so true," agreed pal Lindsay Northrop.
Northrop, who also frequents tanning beds to keep her beach glow, said the more intimate party environment allows her to tan more evenly.
"I've come out (of booths) looking speckled, like a robin's egg," she said.
The 23-year-old North End resident ticked off a list of likes about the come-to-you tanning service. It's convenient. She feels less self-conscious. And it's male-free.
"It's a really good excuse to not invite boys to do anything with us," she said.
Preparing to take her turn in the tent, Marcus worried about results.
"What if I'm shaking?" she asked.
"I do spray-tan virgins all the time," Conway replied.
Ten minutes later, Marcus was aglow.
"I looked down and didn't recognize my legs," she said.
Elkins, giving her the once over, smiled knowingly. "You're not orange at all."
email the author of this article: jradsken@bostonherald.com
