Basking In The Glow

By Nancy K. Crevier

At Golden Glow Tanning & Salon on Route 25, customers can choose a variety of ways to keep that summer glow going year round, and it won’t take as long as a day at the beach, either.

“We have one high-pressure tanning bed with air conditioning, aromatherapy, and a higher efficiency light that allows the maximum tan time in fewer minutes,” said owner Nicole Golden.

Golden Glow Tanning & Salon, which opened for business in Ricky’s Plaza on September 7, also maintains three low-pressure tanning beds for starter tanning and maintenance tanning, a stand-up booth that allows an all-over, even tan with no “hidden white spots,” and for those who eschew the UV rays, a Mystic Spray Tan booth that provides a sunless tan in just 36 seconds.

A hydrojet massage table in which pulses of water heated to 140 degrees move up and down the entire length of the body has also been installed, said Ms Golden.

“The use of the hydrojet massage table before tanning actually helps create a deeper tan, because it increases circulation,” Ms Golden explained. “In order to tan, your pores need to be open and you need to be moisturized.” Clients can regulate the water pressure and speed of the hydromassage for a relaxing start to the tanning session.

Deciding which method to use to achieve a golden glow is easy with the aid of Ms Golden, who is Smart Tan certified from Future Industries in Milford. “It’s a complete course that teaches what it means to run a tan salon, how to operate tanning salon equipment, and who should and should not use the facilities,” said Ms Golden. Learning about medications that might react adversely under UV rays is also an important part of the training, she said. All new clients are treated to a tour of the tanning facility, and detailed skin typing and tanning goals are recorded in order to provide them with suggestions on achieving the best and safest tan for their skin type.

Ms Golden, who lives in Southbury with her four children and husband, has been a massage therapist for 11 years, but had been looking to make a change in career.

“For two years I had been wanting to open a tanning salon,” she said. “Then I heard through a friend that this space, formerly Safari Sunrise, was available. The time and place were right. I knew I wanted to do something spalike, and this had all of the right ingredients.”

The 1,400-square-foot shop has been repainted, decorative molding has been added, and an amenities bar for before and after tanning products has been installed. An outside façade facelift is underway for the entire Ricky’s Shopping Plaza, and when that is completed, Ms Golden believes that the inviting feeling she envisions for the shop will be enhanced.

Along with tanning, Golden Glow will soon offer other salon services, including hair styling, manicures, and pedicures, said Ms Golden. Monthly drawings will reward clients with half-off of any tanning package, and new customers can take advantage of a three-for-$10 special that allows newcomers to try the high-pressure tanning bed, the low-pressure tanning bed, and the stand-up tanning booth before selecting a package. Join with a friend to take advantage of a 2 for 1 special or come in between the hours of 9 and 11 am and earn two bonus bucks toward a lotion package for each single tanning session purchased.

While most of her clientele are regular customers willing to put in the every-other-day, four weeks of visits that it takes to achieve the optimum tan, Ms Golden expects the sunless tanner to be very popular around prom time. Clients who need a quick, healthy glow can buy a “tanning cocktail,” which entails a four-minute tanning session in the high pressure bed followed by a session in the sunless tanning booth.

“The initial time in the tanning booth opens the pores and provides a better surface for the sunless tanner, so you achieve a really nice look very quickly,” Ms Golden explained.

Ms Golden is also a lia sophia jewelry advisor and will provide a venue for customers to order the high quality fashion jewelry, and as a Market America representative, said that customers will be able to purchase isotonic vitamin supplements at Golden Glow, as well.

“I’m a very person-oriented type. My goal is that if I can make you feel better, I feel better,” she said.

Golden Glow Tanning & Salon, located at 71 South Main Street #9, in the Ricky’s Shopping Plaza, is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm; and Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm. To schedule an appointment call 270-TAN1 (8261).