Why Spray Tan Artists Should Retail, Even If Sales Isn’t Your Thing
Retail Without Selling: Why Spray Tan Artists Should Offer Tan-Safe Products (Especially During the Holidays)
Editor’s Note: Updated for the 2025 Holiday Season:
A Fresh Take for the Holiday Glow Season
The holiday season isn’t just about festive tans; it’s about helping your clients feel confident, glowing, and camera-ready. Between events, travel, and endless photo moments, your clients want their glow to last. This is the perfect time to offer simple, purposeful retail that supports their skin health and keeps their tan even and hydrated through the celebrations.
You didn’t become a spray tan artist because you love selling. You chose this profession because you love creating confidence, making skin look and feel its best.
But here’s the truth: if you care about your clients’ results and your business longevity, retail is part of your service, not a separate sales pitch.
At AYU Sunless, we’ve seen firsthand how offering the right retail products can transform a spray tan artist’s business without changing who you are.
Common Hesitations
“I don’t want to be pushy.”
“I’m not a natural salesperson.”
“What if my clients think I’m upselling just to make more money?”
“I’m too busy to keep up with retail.”
These are all valid concerns. But the solution isn’t avoiding retail, it’s reframing how you approach it.
And we get it.
At AYU, we’re not salespeople either. Our passion has always been formulating products that truly support skin health and enhance every tan result. We wouldn’t be following our purpose if we didn’t share these products with the right professionals and their clients. Retailing the right skincare-infused products isn’t about selling; it’s about ensuring your clients experience the best outcome your artistry can deliver.
When done correctly, retail becomes a form of client education, skin support, and brand alignment.
What Happens When You Retail Smartly
- Your tans last longer.
- Clients who use the proper sunless-safe body wash and moisturizer see better results. That reflects your expertise, not just the product.
- Your clients trust you more.
- When you recommend something that truly works, they associate it with your professionalism and care.
- You generate passive income.
- Imagine earning an extra $15–$30 per client visit simply by suggesting what they already need to maintain their tan.
- You set yourself apart.
- Offering curated post-care products elevates your brand and demonstrates that you’re committed to results, not just application.
How to Sell Without Selling
The best kind of sale doesn’t feel like one—it feels like helping your client take their tan home.
- Educate, don’t pitch. Teach clients why tan-safe products matter. When they understand that harsh body washes or lotions can strip color, your advice feels like care, not a sales pitch.
- Talk during service. Mention retail naturally: “After your first rinse, I recommend using this body wash to protect your glow.”
- Show, don’t tell. Keep your retail visible, use it in service, and let clients experience the texture and scent.
- Bundle with purpose. Create seasonal mini-kits, such as Glow & Go (Vino Bronzing Mist+ Finishing Powder) or Winter Skin Survival (Body Wash + Moisturizer).
- Shift your language. Replace “Do you want to buy?” with “Here’s what I recommend.” One shows pressure; the other shows professionalism.
AYU’s Retail System Makes It Effortless
Every AYU retail product is:
- Skin care–infused for easy, results-based recommendations
- Purposeful for tan prep, post-care, or maintenance
- Designed to solve real problems like dryness, patchiness, or odor, all while supporting healthy skin barrier function
Mini Retail Checklist: A Simple System to Follow
Before the Tan (Prep)
- AYU Sugar Scrub
- Smooth Glow Hydrating Body Wash
“Clean, balanced skin gives you the smoothest, most even tan.”
After the Tan (Finish & Seal)
- AYU Finishing Powder
- AYU Moisture Seal
“This powder keeps you dry and comfortable, while the seal locks in hydration and extends color.”
Daily Maintenance (Extend)
- AYU Sunless-Safe Body Wash
- AYU Daily Moisturizer or Body Butter
- AYU Self-Tanner (as a glow booster between visits)
“Want to keep this glow going? Use our tan-safe body care or add a light self-tan at home.”
The Holiday Retail Refresh
This season, clients aren’t just buying products; they’re buying confidence, comfort, and care.
When you retail with intention, you’re offering peace of mind: skin-safe formulas, better results, and professional guidance they can trust.
Yes, offer retail, but offer retail that was actually formulated to protect a DHA-based tan, not just a good-smelling lotion.
Stock up early on your essentials, such as body washes, moisturizers, and finishing powders. These are your everyday best-sellers that move naturally through client education, not pressure.
Remember: you don’t need more shelves, you need more purpose. A small, well-curated retail corner with the right AYU products says professionalism and expertise louder than any script.
Real Talk: You’re Already Selling
If you’ve ever said:
“Use a sulfate-free body wash.”
“Don’t exfoliate with a harsh scrub.”
“Moisturize daily to make your tan last.”
You’ve already sold, through education.
Retail simply lets you back up your advice with solutions that deliver results.
You don’t have to be a salesperson.
You just have to care about your clients, their results, and your reputation.
And we know you do. 💛
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