How organic is your spray tan? The reason I ask is because for the last couple of years one of the big marketing gimmicks in the arena of spray tanning has been companies offering “organic spray tans.” Now to me, a lot of what goes on in the world of selling beauty products is what I categorize as “the emperors new clothes” syndrome…..someone just wakes up one day and decrees that a certain thing is fabulous and the best – and everyone just goes along with it because they think they should.

When I first saw “organic” spray tans being advertised I understood that it would appeal to many clients who are always looking for the most safe and natural products to use on their skin. I totally respect that so I really did my homework, trying to find what organic products were on the market – and all the pros and cons about organic spray tan. I truly hoped I would be able to find a great product and be able to offer it to my clients.

Another big question I had was that I saw companies offering spray tans that were “70% organic”…..now pardon me but that seemed a little questionable.

This is what I discovered. It is not difficult to find DHA (the active ingredient in self tanner) that is organic grade. DHA generally comes from sugar beets. However, the thing that makes a beauty product not organic is the preservatives that are added to it in order for it to have any shelf life. Pretty much every beauty product you use from your shampoos and conditioners to your face cream and mascara has preservatives in it – otherwise bacteria and mold could grow in the products making them unsafe for you to use.

I also discovered that liquid self tanning solution is a product that really needs preservatives in order to be user friendly. Because DHA comes from sugar beets it is highly susceptible to mold or fungus if it does not have the proper preservatives to keep it stable and fresh.

I for one do not want to be spraying my beloved clients with a potentially harmful mold infested solution.

None the less I kept on researching. I sent for many samples of organic spray tan. The products were very smelly with a strong musty smell. Brazil Bronze DHA is famous for not smelling since we go through it so quickly, it has preservatives in it, and it is constantly made fresh. I knew my clients would not be able to stomach these unpleasant smelling products.

I also discovered that when someone touts a 70% organic label – it is bull**it. Basically they are saying the DHA is organic (but all DHA is pretty much organic) and it has preservatives in it. To me that is like saying Koolaid is organic – because it has a picture of a lemon or a strawberry on the container….please people – let’s get real. Have a little respect for your customers. I think this kind of marketing is misleading and deceptive. 

So what is the full scoop behind our Brazil Bronze spray tan……8 years old this year – and without question the best spray tan in the world! Our spray tan is made of organic DHA (which we don’t make a big hooplah about) however it also contains preservatives, which have been carefully chosen and considered to be comparatively safe and widely used. When I was pregnant I had to give the ingredient list of my DHA to the pathology department at Mount Sinai hospital – it is standard procedure to check for any possible hazzards in the work place – and I was told that it was fine for me to work around. So – the truth is – our product is not organic, but it is safe – and beware of abusive marketing strategies that are trying to trick you into thinking one product is more safe or better than another. Ask if the product is really “organic” and if it is – run for your life unless you want a mold infestation. Just sayin’…..

so the new Dancing With The Stars is underway…and I felt like I was watching a run up to the elections….all of the contestants were so eager to get their particular message over to their demographic. Kate Gosslin is doin’ it for all the mommies out there (though one scurrilous rag said what mom could relate to a mother who leaves her kids at home to go to a dance competition….the journalist obviously never had kids), one is doing it for “all the big girls out there” and Buzz the geriatric astronaut was doin’ it for every one is AARP…

As usual we have the obvious ringers in the competition….the Pussycat Doll…who debuted a nearly perfect viennese waltz….”oh….I’ve gyrated in 9 million music videos but I am such a virgin to the world of ballroom dance….” Oh please – this girl is gorgeous and will most likely win, but she is obviously a professional dancer. How can you compare her to poor Buzz in his depends undergarments? And also what about the Ice Skating Boyfriend….come on now – skaters are baically professional dancers also – they just prance around to music on skates – it’s not really a big stretch for him either.

Shannon Doherty was interesting to watch. She cried very convincingly when they were giving out the scores…. She has that unpredictable quality…..something interesting might happen.

Pam Anderson had either taken something or wanted us to believe she had taken something before the show. I thought her dancing was cute though.

So….I guess we have to tune in next week to find out the full 411.