Whitney Kelly is known around the SMU campus for giving some of the best spray tans in Dallas.
Now, after years of spray tanning students out of her laundry room, Kelly is moving into an official retail space in Lower Greenville. The new location, which will open in Febuary 2020, will provide several new services, including clothing and blowouts.
Kelly’s patrons say they will follow her there, but they’ll miss being greeted by the watermelon doormat to her apartment, and her German Shorthaired Pointer, Dylan.
Julia Blanks, a SMU junior from Huntington Beach, CA first heard about Gloww Tan from other students and has been a customer for over a year now. Blanks said she tans at least once a month and before any major event, whether it be a formal or a game day.
“I love Gloww Tan because of the consistency. Whitney has perfected her tanning solution and tailors each solution mix to match her customers’ needs. Since Gloww Tan does not use a machine, the spray tans are much more accurate and even,” said Blanks.
Photo courtesy of Kelly
Kelly, a 2006 SMU graduate, started Gloww Tan in 2013 after seeing the growing popularity of tanning. She saw new discoveries in natural spray tan solutions and technology, many of which were not being used in the Dallas area.
“There were a lot of new developments in the industry, besides going to Palm Beach Tan, laying in the tanning beds, or getting a Mystic Tan. It was definitely becoming a bigger industry, and I thought I should become a part of it when it first started,” said Kelly.
Photo courtesy of Kelly
Gloww Tan has become a favorite among SMU students by offering custom spray tans made from natural solutions, and not to mention the 20 percent student discount. To ensure the most natural color possible, Gloww Tan gives each customer an individualized analysis of their skin tone and under tones. Whether they’re looking to for a natural glow(w), or wanting to be dark bronzed goddess, Gloww Tan will accommodate its customers.
“If you have red or pink in your skin and you want to cover it up, then you’re going to want to use a color base that derives from a green undertone solution. That green base is going to create a brown coloring that will combat any red or pink,” said Kelly. “We do have a violet tone that is going to be more of a red-purple tone. I would use this one if you have more olive skin or want to be darker.”
Photo Courtesy of Blanks
Gloww Tan’s new retail location will be inside a refurbished house, which will allow space for more customers, services, and products.
“We will be contracting people in for hair and blowouts. We also will have pop-up make up shops, and an entire retail boutique with women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, handbags, and athleisure wear,” said Kelly.
As she prepares for this expansion, Kelly is growing her team of professional tanners. Sonya Camarillo recently became an employee. Camarillo is training to perfect her skills through free tans to SMU students.
“I started working for Whitney a month ago because I love tanning. It makes you look and feel your best,” said Camarillo. “It’s been so fun! My favorite thing has been meeting new people and giving them that perfect glow.”
To book an appointment with Gloww Tan, visit their website at https://www.glowwtan.com, or find last minute openings on their Instagram @glowwtan.
