Meet Doris

Hi, I’m Doris Harris.

I love to tan, and I’m excited to talk about tanning with you.

So who am I, and why should you listen to me?

How I got interested in tanning

I’m from a small town in Michigan where the winters are long and dark.

When I was a kid, my mom bought a sunlamp so my brother and I wouldn’t lack for Vitamin D in the winter.

When I was about twelve, I figured out that I could tan myself with the lamp.

It was only big enough to do a small part of my skin each time. But I liked the way I looked. While most kids were ghostly pale in February, I was bronzed.

Some of my friends begged to know my secret. While my mom was at work, I’d bring them over to the house so they could tan.

My first tanning salon was going great until the parents started noticing and complained to my mom. Fortunately, my mom was very understanding. But as a nurse, she understood the risks of UV radiation and explained them to me.

Then she had me do extra homework to learn about skin care.

That experience was one of the reasons I came to love cosmetology and tanning.

My training and certifications

Once I graduated high school, I went to the University of Northern Michigan. I got a two-year certificate in cosmetology then went to work in a hair salon.

The cosmetology courses taught me how to clear up acne breakouts and blackheads. It became an obsession for me that benefitted my family and friends, too. It’s impressive how much self-confidence a person gets from having clear skin.

At my job, I focused on facials, custom makeup, and body treatments. I was much better at eyebrow shaping then cutting hair.

Also, I had excellent exposure to choosing makeup for different skin types and situations.

It was a lot of fun, and there was always something new to learn. I enjoyed building relationships with clients, too.

Just down the road, there was a tanning salon. It didn’t take me long to buy a monthly pass there.

For a couple of years, I just worked on paying off school debt and enjoying life.

But when the tanning salon had a part-time opening, I applied and got the job.

They arranged for me to take a course from the National Tanning Training Institute (NTTI). That’s how I became a Certified Tanning Consultant (C.T.C.). The NTTI certification is recognized in all fifty states.

I didn’t stop there. I really enjoyed working at the tanning salon, so I continued my training. Pretty soon, I also began working there fulltime.

I studied lotions and skincare, salon operations and procedures, and even sunless tanning. I also went to national conferences to learn about the latest products and newest technology.

Soon, my family and friends learned to stop asking me about my job. They knew I would keep gushing about the details.

I’m lucky that I get to do what I love almost every day of the week. Now that I’m managing the tanning salon, it’s inspired me. I hope to open my own tanning business one day.

In total, I’ve been involved with the tanning industry for almost a decade.

Why I’m sharing my knowledge with you

I love to share what I’ve learned about tanning. There’s a lot of misinformation and fear out there. I want to educate you so you can enjoy all the benefits and minimize the risks.

What this blog can do for you

I hope you plan to visit me often. My blog will guide you to the best products for tanning. I’m constantly researching and reviewing new ones.

What do I mean about products for tanning? I’ll talk about tanning accelerators, indoor tanning lotions, outdoor tanning lotions, tan extenders, sunless tanners, and more.

Here’s a tip: most tanning salons (including where I work) will happily sell you tanning lotion at a premium price. But you can find many of the same ones online for much less.

I don’t mind when my client shows up with a bottle they purchased elsewhere. Instead, I ask them what they like about it. I hope you’ll also tell me about the products you love to use when you go tanning.

I will also answer questions about how to tan safely, how to build a base tan, how to go darker, and so on.

Lastly, don’t be surprised if I share what I’ve learned about makeup and skincare. I know that the selection of personal care products is overwhelming. I hope to help you select what’s right for your needs, no matter what skin type you have.

If you have a question, leave a comment for me.

Testimonials from my clients

Doris always has a smile for me. I’ve been to other tanning salons, but no one knew as much as she does. She helped me get a gorgeous tan in record time for my wedding last April.

-Tammy Shields

I’m a redhead. Everyone always told me I’d never get tan. They were wrong. The first time I met Doris, she set me up for a spray tan. But she also talked to me about building a real base tan in a sunbed. A month later, I was sun-kissed!

-Jordan O’Connor

I was Doris’ client at the hair salon. I came back after an illness to find that she had left. But the kind folks there directed me to the tanning salon. I had no interest in tanning; I just wanted to see her. Doris took one look at my pallid face and told me I needed some sunshine. She convinced me to try a short session. I keep going back because having a little color in my skin makes me feel younger and sexier.

-Linda T.