Enjoy a summer glow with a customized spray tan.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

I have a theory: Tan fat looks better than white fat, which is why I slipped into Tahiti Tan last week, just prior to taking a short trip to Florida.

With a pleasant 80 degrees in the forecast and reservations at a beach resort, I figured a little color to the legs was in order.

In the old days, I would have just popped into a tanning bed a few times to get that golden glow we all know and love, but I’m avoiding UV rays these days (actually for the rest of my life), so spray tans are my thing.

My sister-in-law Kayla Vanden Berge owns Tahiti Tan and told me about a relatively new service she is offering – customized spray tans.

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t excited about stripping down in front of anyone (I usually get spray tans in the privacy of the automated VersaSpa booth at Tahiti), but I wanted to try a customized session.

And I am so glad I did!

It was fast and easy (with zero embarrassment) and I have enjoyed beautifully bronzed skin for the past nine days.

(Yes, it has lasted that long!)

HERE’S THE DRILL

Hannah Harbin is the Tahiti Tan employee trained in customized spray tans, and let me tell you, she is a doll.

I made an early morning appointment and Hannah gave me the rundown before we got started.

She explained the process, asked me which areas I wanted the darkest and gave me a few tips on ways to make the tan last. (It usually fades between seven to 10 days.)

For those of you wondering how the process works, this is the drill: You strip down to your comfort level in a small, and thankfully, semi-dark, room.

Hannah will start at your feet and slowly spray up your legs, making sure to cover all angles, including the inside thigh area.

She moves to the mid-section, covering the stomach and chest area, then works her way up to the face and neck.

She repeats the process on areas you want a little darker, and for me, that meant the legs.

After she is finished, you will wait about 10 minutes before getting dressed.

I definitely recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes (shorts if it’s not too cold) and flip flops.

THE COST AND OTHER STUFF

Single sessions for a customized spray tan or a spray tan in the VersaSpa automated booth is $40.

There is a package available for the VersaSpa that includes three spray tans for $90.

You can also sign up for a rewards program for $65 per month (auto-bill) that gives you an unlimited number of spray tans, discounts on products and rewards bucks.

And speaking of products, I suggest splurging on a bottle of the VersaSpa Beyond Tan body lotion.

It’s a thick, rich lotion that hydrates the skin and helps your tan last longer. It also has a small amount of self-tanner that continues building color.

The cost is $40 per bottle, but it lasts a long time so it’s worth it.

And one more thing before I go, walk-ins for customized tans are not available, so if you want one, make an appointment by calling 254-965-5777.

Believe me when I say that doing away with a pasty, white glow will do wonders for your mood.

And a great tan makes you feel skinny!