Move over spray tans cuz body contouring is making major ~Arabian Sea-esque~ waves. We are literally rejoicing because we can now make up for our lack of gym days (we have more of a Netflix routine tbh) thanks to this hot new craze that legit saves our beachside pics. We chatted with Dubai’s Kate Newcombe, Founder and Managing Director of the UAE’s only body contouring service, Glo Tan, to find out all the deets on this latest beauty trend.
via Instagram @glotandxb
Body contouring 101
So what *exactly* is the difference between spray tans and body contouring? Turns out that body contouring “combines the art of spray tanning with intricate airbrush contouring, to enhance your body’s natural tone and muscle structure.” Think of it as an upgraded spray tan with “highlights and shading in the right areas of your physique to give a contoured effect.” Sounds pretty good to us (and an even better reason to ~not~ skip dessert).
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Fake it til you make it
If your abs need a lil help or your chin is multiplying, body contouring can be your SOS before your next pool day. Face contouring is “similar to what someone might use when contouring with makeup, but it lasts longer with tanning solution. Think of it as giving your complexion a lovely defined ‘no-makeup’ look and ongoing glow.”
For the midsection, “body contouring can fake the look of abs through clever highlighting and defining, similar to what can be done with makeup.” To look your best, “opt for defining the shape of your abs resulting in a natural look, rather than trying to change the look of your body composition.”
We all know cellulite is natural and absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, however, if you do want to minimise the appearance of a dimpled derrière, you’re in luck. Spray tans “even out skin tone and disguises cellulite” while adding a healthy light-reflecting and blur-inducing glow.
The process
Curious about the before, during, and after? We were too. Thanks to a few *cough cough* streaky situations in the past, we needed to know were curious to know the best practice is to ensure even coverage and a long-lasting tan. Read on for all the tips, tricks, and everything in between.
Body prep
“The best way to maximise body contouring is to exfoliate your skin the day before. Directly ahead of the session, make sure that your skin is completely clean, including no makeup, deodorant, or moisturiser.”
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Getting contoured
“The process involves meticulously spraying our vegan and cruelty-free tanning solution in an artist-like form to accentuate muscle definition or create the look of defined muscles on various body parts. This is done by manoeuvring the tanning nozzle to fashion highlights and lowlights to emphasise the body’s natural muscle form. The entire process takes 20 minutes.”
Aftercare
“The longevity of body contouring varies by person, following the same lifecycle as a spray tan. We typically see tans lasting on clients for around 10 days with the correct preparation and aftercare, but everyone’s skin has a unique exfoliation cycle, so some people’s tans last up to two-weeks.”
Go for the Glo(w) Tan
Glo Tan is the UAE’s only body contouring service. Its lead tanning artist was trained by Victoria’s Secret’s own tanning technician, and the team has undergone months of myology training, which looks at the muscular anatomy of the body, to ensure that tanning artists are able to achieve a natural look for clients. Its zero-transfer tanning formula is vegan, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and odour-free.
Starting at Dhs490, book your at-home bespoke Body Contouring session @GloTanDXB, on WhatsApp at +971 (0) 58 540 5667, or via the website www.glotandxb.com. Looking for a regular spray tan? They have that too, starting at Dhs240 and express at Dhs280.