Frequently Asked Questions

Sugaring

Sugaring is an all-natural hair removal method that uses a paste made from just three ingredients — sugar, lemon juice, and water — to remove hair from the root. It's one of the oldest hair removal techniques in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt, and has become the preferred alternative to waxing for clients who want a gentler, cleaner, longer-lasting result. If sugaring worked for Cleopatra’s skin, just think what it will do for yours.

The differences are real and they matter. Sugar paste is made from natural ingredients and applied at body temperature — no risk of burns. It's removed in the direction of hair growth, which causes significantly less breakage and irritation than wax, which goes against the grain. The formula is also water-soluble, so cleanup is easy and there's no sticky residue left behind. Waxing has been around a long time, but sugaring has been around longer ... and for good reason.

You're removing hair from the root, so there is a sensation. That said, most clients find sugaring noticeably more comfortable than waxing — the body-temperature paste is gentler on skin, and removal with the direction of growth means less resistance and less ouch. Clients who've been waxing for years often say their first sugaring appointment is the moment they wish they'd switched sooner.

At least a quarter inch or roughly the length of a grain of rice. This gives the paste something to grip and ensures a clean removal. If you've been shaving, that typically means about two to three weeks of growth. We know the waiting is the hardest part. Resist the razor. It's worth it.

Most clients see smooth results for three to four weeks. With regular sugaring appointments over time, many clients notice the hair coming back finer and sparser, which means each appointment gets a little easier. Commit to the routine and your skin will reward you for it.

We recommend coming in every two to three weeks, especially when you're just starting out. Staying on a consistent schedule lets your esthetician remove hair early in its growth cycle, which is what drives the long-term reduction in hair growth most clients see over time. Think of it less like a one-off appointment and more like a routine your skin will thank you for.

Yes, and this is one of the biggest reasons clients make the switch from waxing or shaving. Because sugaring removes hair in the natural direction of growth and gently exfoliates the skin in the process, it significantly reduces the conditions that cause ingrown hairs in the first place. Fewer ingrowns = smoother skin = less frustration.

It's one of the best options for sensitive skin, which is exactly why so many clients with easily irritated skin end up here. The formula is entirely natural — no synthetic resins, no harsh chemicals, no fragrances — and the paste is applied at body temperature. Clients who've spent years dealing with waxing-related irritation often find sugaring a genuine revelation. Skin that's been treated well tends to behave well.

Absolutely. Just stop shaving at least 10 to 14 days before your appointment so your hair has enough length for the paste to properly grip. We know two weeks of growth feels like a commitment. But it's the kind of commitment that pays off, and your esthetician will walk you through everything during your first visit.

Gently exfoliate the area 24 hours before your appointment. On the day of, skip lotions, oils, serums, and deodorant on the areas being sugared. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment and for the rest of the day after. We’ll handle the rest.

For the first 24 hours: no hot showers, no tight clothing, no heavy workouts, no sun exposure, and no bodies of water; pools, oceans, hot tubs, all of it. Your pores will be open and your skin needs a beat to settle. Starting around 48 hours post-appointment, regular gentle exfoliation two to three times a week will keep ingrown hairs at bay and your skin smooth between visits.

Pretty much anywhere hair grows that you'd rather it didn't. Legs, arms, underarms, bikini, Brazilian, back, chest, lip, chin, brows. If you're not sure what's right for you or you're a first-timer, just ask when you book. Our staff is good at walking clients through their options without making the conversation awkward.

Airbrush Spray Tanning

An airbrush spray tan is a professional, UV-free tanning service where a trained Tan Artist hand-applies a customized tanning solution to your skin using an airbrush system. No booths, no automated sprayers, no crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. A real person customizes the application to your skin tone, body contours, and the resultyou'regoing for. It makes a difference you can see.

With a spray booth (aka not us), the solution is applied automatically by machine in a fixed, one-size-fits-all pass. With an airbrush spray tan, a skilled Tan Artist applies the solution by hand to customize the shade and adjust for your natural undertones, while paying extra attention to tricky areas like knees, elbows, and hands. The result is more even, more natural-looking, and significantly less likely to make you look like you lost a bet.

Yes. The active ingredient in all professional sunless tanning solutions is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a colorless, plant-derived compound that has been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use. It does not penetrate below the outermost layer of skin and does not involve UV exposure of any kind. Airbrush tanning has been recommended as a safe alternative to UV tanning by organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Organization. For our own airbrush spray tans, we’ve partnered with NUDA specifically and exclusively to ensure healthy and nourishing ingredients in every spray.

Not when it's done by a trained professional using the right formula for your skin tone. The orange spray tan is a relic of early formulas and undertrained applicators, both of which we've moved well past. Our Tan Artists assess your skin tone and customize the solution before starting. The goal is always a result that looks like you've been somewhere warm, not like you've been somewhere questionable.

Most airbrush tans last between five and ten days with proper care. Moisturizing daily, patting your skin dry after showers, and avoiding long soaks in pools or the ocean are the biggest factors. Clients who take care of their tan consistently land at the higher end of that range. 

Shower and exfoliate thoroughly 24 to 48 hours before, focusing on knees, elbows, ankles, and anywhere else that tends to run dry. Remove any body hair at least 12 to 24 hours before your session. On the day of your appointment, arrive with clean, dry skin: no moisturizers, oils, perfume, or deodorant. Wear or bring loose, dark clothing for after. Light colors and tight waistbands are the enemies of a fresh spray tan. Show up clean, leave carefully.

First, it depends on which service you receive. For the overnight solution, wait 8-12 hours before showering for all shades: latte, moka, espresso and hot chocolate. The color that you are post-shower is the tan that will last them for the next 10 days. There’s not a dramatic difference between showering at 8 hours vs 12 hours but 12 will yield a slightly deeper result.

For rapid solutions, the approach varies per client as the artist must consider their natural skin tone as well as their desired result. This will fall within a range of 1-6 hours, but it will vary from client to client.

Moisturize every day with a fragrance-free, oil-free lotion. Pat your skin dry after showers rather than rubbing with a towel. Avoid extra-long long soaks in pools, oceans, or bathtubs. Skip harsh soaps, exfoliating scrubs, and anything with a lot of fragrance while your tan is active. A well-maintained tan fades evenly and gracefully. One that isn't maintained fades in patches (and nobody wants that).

Of course. Our Tan Artists work with all skin tones and types, including very fair and sensitive skin. We select formulas specifically developed for lighter skin tones that build into a natural golden result rather than a deep bronze. If you have any sensitivities or concerns, just let us know before your appointment. There's no shade too light to work with, and a good result on fair skin is one of our favorite things to deliver.

For the first 24 to48 hours: no pools, no ocean, no hot tubs, no heavy sweating, no tight or rough clothing, and no productscontainingalcohol, AHAs, BHAs, or retinol — all of which will strip color fast. Hold off on massages, facials, or pedicuresuntil afteryour tan has fullydeveloped,andyou'vedone your first rinse. Basically: be kind to your skin for two days andit'llreward you with a significantly better result.

Always sugar before your spray tan, never after. Sugaring exfoliates the skin, which is actually ideal prep for a tan — but doing it after will strip the color you just paid for. Schedule your sugaring appointment at least 24 to 48 hours before your spray tan session so your skin has time to settle. Get the order right and both services work together. Get it backwards and you're rebooking your tan. We'd rather see you for the good reason.