BlushTan Salon In Summit Offers A 'Guilt-Free Glow'

SUMMIT, NJ — Growing up, Kristen DuBois' dermatologist told her that she must stay out of the sun to avoid burning her fair skin.

Because she was told that she could never tan in the sun, DuBois began trying out spray tanning studios and self tanners. Ten years ago, DuBois started working for BlushTan and fell in love with tanning product the company was using.

Just last month, DuBois opened her own BlushTan location in Summit — located at 447 Springfield Avenue, Suite 4.

Summit is BlushTan's second New Jersey location, with the first located in Hoboken. Since opening its first salon in Wellesley, Massachusetts in 2011, BlushTan has expanded to 15 states.

When DuBois moved from the Boston area to Livingston, NJ, she said it was always in the back of her mind to open her own business. She said Summit offered "all the ingredients she wanted."

"I love the downtown," DuBois said. "There are so many local small businesses in town too [and it's] great to be part of that community. From a lot of the conversations I've been having around town, it really seems like the demographic here is definitely more health conscious, which really plays nicely with this brand."

DuBois said BlushTan focuses on using products that use healthy and eco-friendly ingredients that will not harm a person's skin.

"I think it's really important to know that there's only one darkening agent that is FDA approved and that's DHA," she said.

DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, is a darkening ingredient that is primarily derived from sugar beets and sugar cane. According to Jergens, when used correctly, DHA is a non-toxic way to create a temporary browning effect on your skin.

DuBois added that all the tanning products at BlushTan use a water-based lotion, meaning they do not contain alcohol or oil. She said this will prevent people's pores from clogging or causing breakouts. Products are also all fragrance free, gluten free and vegan, and they do not contain harsh dyes or chemicals.

"We like to say our clients get a 'guilt-free glow' because not only is it better than being in the sun or going to a tanning booth, but you can also feel really good about the ingredients that are being put on your skin," DuBois said.

She also said BlishTan doesn't have a "one-size fits all option" and she has the ability to mix over 100 different custom colors for customers.

"I'll have a really in-depth consultation with each client to understand what kind of look they're going for or what their event is that they're tanning for, and then how their skin reacts in the sun," DuBois said.

Based on that consultation, DuBois is then able to mix something that is custom to the client's needs.

BlushTan offers three types of spray tans: full body, partial body and a face-only tan.

DuBois said spray tans usually last between five to seven days. She said there are ways to prep your skin before and after the spray tan, which will make the tan last longer.

You can also purchase products from BlushTan online or in the store.

You can book an appointment at the Summit location here, and you can find out about all the services BlushTan offers here.