tanning

The Tanning Butlers of the South Beach Ritz-Carlton

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach has created an unusual profession: The Tanning Butler.

Affectionately known as the "world's greatest job," tanning butler duties include strolling around the luxury hotel pool and rubbing attractive people (and presumably unattractive people, but let's not think about that) with complimentary Hampton Sun products from 12pm to 4pm.

The tanning butlers wear signature "Tanning Butler" t-shirts -- so don't believe that guy in a Speedo who's pretending to be a hotel employee -- and are armed with various SPFs, Evian spritzers and sunglasses cleaner in a custom-made holster.

"Good afternoon, I'm the Tanning Butler," they've been instructed to say. "Can I offer you some complimentary sunscreen? If you like, I can apply it to your back and shoulders that might burn easily, as well."

In my fantasy, that line is delivered with a very sexy accent. I hope the Ritz-Carlton's HR department is reading this.

"This modern twist on the English butler is beyond guests' expectations," says Michelle Payer, creator of The Tanning Butler. "It's a light-hearted service we created to cater to our guests as they sunbathe by providing an unexpected, luxury service they won't see anywhere else in the world."

An added perk of the profession? Celebrity rubbing. Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Johnny Knoxville and Vivica A. Fox are just a few names the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach claims to have tanned.

If you're interested in staying at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Miami's newest oceanfront hotel -- "a complete restoration of an original 1953 Morris Lapidus-designed landmark hotel in the city's historic Art Deco district" -- visit the website to book.

Alternatively, click here for job openings.

Tags: butler, miami, ritz-carlton, south beach, tanning, tanning butler

The Quest for Porcelain White Skin

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Cosmetics and Fragrance, Crimes and Misdemeanors

photo of a woman with a parasol in shanghai

I was just in Newport, Rhode Island, although I didn't see that much of it, because on the night of my arrival, I ate what turned out to be a very bad lobster indeed. (Public service announcement: if you're eating lobster, nay, any shellfish, and you detect even the slightest hint of ammonia, put down the fork, leave the table, and immediately procure saltines and electrolyte-enhanced fluids.)

Anyway, maybe it was because I was tinged green, but for the moments when I crawled out of my very comfortable hotel (the Hotel Viking, book a room in the newly renovated wing), I couldn't help but noticed how very white everyone was. Well, rich-people-in-summer-white, which is to say, bronze.

When I was in Shanghai last month, I was reminded that the Western obsession with toasting is not shared worldwide.

In China, which certainly has its own ethnic tensions, but not (as I'm aware of) those relating to the amount of melanin in the skin, the obsession is looking as white as possible, as you can see in the colorful parade of parasols everywhere, what I can only describe as "forearm cozies" – handmade fabric coverings protecting the skin from the elbow to the wrist -- and for bicycle riders, what looks like a welding mask. (Although I think this is also to ward off projectiles.)

Tags: china, cosmetics, newport, shanghai, tanning, whitener

Continue reading “The Quest for Porcelain White Skin ”

$24K Gold Tan Line from Mariah

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

You know you're serious about tanning when you hire a personal tanning assistant, and anyone who has seen Mariah Carey's dark tan over the past few years can easily tell that she loves to do it. This has led to more than a few instances of bright orange skin in the past, but Mariah has decided that gold is more her color now. She is working with her tanning assistant, who is from the Portofino Sun Center and Spa in Beverly Hills, developing a new fake tan line that is made with 24-karat gold dust. It sounds like it might be a little over-the-top for anyone who isn't spending a lot of time on stage, but it will probably be a hit with those who really like to look bronzed. Or gilded.

Source

Tags: bronze, gold, maria carey, mariah carey, MariahCarey, sun tan, suntan, tan, tanning

Cush'n Shade

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Necessary sun and fun accessory or lame idea? Irish company Cush'n Shade has created a cushion/sunshade for sunbathing accessory. The Cush'n Shade has a +50 ultraviolet protection factor and can be used alone or attached to a sun lounger. It sells for $29.95 and comes in coral, blue and citrus green.

[via The Moodie Report]

Source

Tags: beach, sun, sunbathing, tanning, ultraviolet

The UV Bikini

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

It's a bit on the techy side but if you absolutely positively have to know how much sun you are getting this is a decent option not to mention, quite the conversation starter. The UV Smart Bikini features a handy-dandy UV meter with an LED display on the bikini bottom. The meter is waterproof, washable and pool-safe. The $190 bikini is flattering enough (if a bit Star Trek meets Beach Blanket Bingo) on the model shown but I don't think this would work on many body types.

[via Core 77]

Source

Tags: tanning, ultraviolet light, uv bikini, UvBikini

Idrolux Tanning Showers

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Idrolux makes a variety of innovative tanning lights that are designed to work while you shower. According to the company, the presence of water can increase the tanning effects of UVA rays by up to 30%. While there are panels that can be attached to existing showers, Idrolux Symphony, their premium model is the original Idrolux, which is a shower with the patented light panels built into it. The panels come four different colors and custom colors are available, so you can bathe yourself (while you bathe) in the light of your choice. In addition to the tanning features, the showers have a multi-function shower head and an optional massage jet. They all come with a remote control to control the lighting.

All the risks that are normally associated with sun exposure are not mitigated by use of an Idrolux, so the company recommends that exposure be limited to 10 minutes per day.

Source

Tags: gadget, idrolux, shower, summer, sun, tan, tanning, UVA