Liquid Sun Rayz: The TOP SHELF PRODUCT in Competition Spray Tanning
After 2.5 years in the making, Developer and Owner Marilyn Spatola has finally nailed what she set out to do:
· Create a liquid sunless tanner that would get the client darker, with less coats, and NO orange tones!
· Give the clients skin a quick drying time for the rush during the shows
· Minimal rub off on suits once dry
· Hold up well on stage yet fades well post show
Marilyn, owner of Liquid Sun Rayz of Cincinnati Ohio, has been in competition spray tanning for over 7 years and marketing LSP competition bronzer for 5 years. But don’t let me be the one to tell you, we were lucky enough to grab the busy owner for all the info straight from the horse’s mouth!
RxGirl: Marilyn, Tell us a little bit about Liquid Sun Rayz (LSR) and what you envisioned for the company when you started out?
Marilyn: My mission for my company is to make sure everyone who offers services with LSR is well trained and dedicated to the competition tanning business. Today, spray tanning is becoming very saturated. Because it is not a regulated service, new companies and businesses are cropping up everywhere. Competition tanning is a niche market, within the spray tanning market, that everyone now wants a piece of. We are finding that this increases the margin for error! I believe it is very important for competitors, trainers, and show promoters, to be well informed. Ask questions before allowing someone to perform this very important service on them, or their competitors for their shows. Questions Like: How long have they been tanning competitors and how many have they sprayed? Do they offer privacy for services? We know this is NOT a modest sport, but...no one should be put in an uncomfortable situation, so we insist that privacy be respected and provided for those with that concern. How many shows have they sponsored? Do they use a product specifically formulated for competition tanning (you would be surprised!!)? Do they have liability insurance (in case of damage to hotel, conference room or venue)? We realize competitors work very hard, and their tan is a huge part of their stage presentation. We screen everyone who wishes to purchase our competition bronzer in large quantities. We now require extensive training, and licensing agreements, and we have strict guidelines. We are forming a network of qualified affiliates, so we can offer a consistent service to competitors regardless of where they compete. I am very happy with the team we have built thus far! It has been very rewarding to form such a solid group that supports the LSR mission of delivering excellent customer service with superior products!
RxGirl: What are your current prices? Marilyn: For the retail products $35 for 8oz. Bronzer and $40 for 7oz. bronzer mousse. For the services we have 3 packages: 1) Single Coat for $75; 2) Total Package 2-3 coats for $120 and 3) Unlimited for $150 (usually for 2 day shows). We include all touch ups, and when sponsoring the tanning at shows glazing and bikini bite services are also included.
RxGirl: What would be the "ideal" protocol you'd recommend to your clients on which products to use to get the BEST results? Marilyn: I have very detailed prep instructions on my website, but in a nutshell...proper exfoliation and keeping the skin well hydrated and moisturized prior to tanning is key. We have a full line of products available that work well for skin prep. Most recently we have come out with a daily moisturizer, which can be applied immediately before being sprayed. In fact, we are now recommending it, especially for those with excessive dry or mature skin. We are seeing amazing results and are very pleased with the feedback on this product.
RxGirl: How many shows do you typically do per month or per year? Marilyn: That number is growing rapidly! We have several licensed affiliates throughout the US, Canada and UK. Our corporate team, however travels to all national level shows, the Arnold, Olympia, and several Pro shows each year. We also sponsor every NPC show in the states of Kentucky, Indiana, and the majority of Ohio. We are becoming more and more requested, so the list keeps growing and we could not be happier!
RxGirl: How far in advance should clients book with you? Marilyn: Our corporate team has on line booking, so to lock in the preferred times, the sooner, the better. We do our best to accommodate everyone...and will never turn anyone away! If necessary we add more staff to meet demands.
Want to know more?! Our very own Editor-in-Chief of RxGirl Gail Auerbach (The Prodigy) has provided us with her experience of the products thus far:
1. E Rayz It - Tanning Remover
This stuff really works! It has a slimy texture, which I must say was a turn off at first. I used the exfoliating gloves and didn't find I had to scrub to hard. I used it a week after my show, when my tan started to look blochy and I looked like I had a skin disease. It also removed the tan from the hard to get places like my elbows, ankles and behind my ears. This would also be great for people with back to back shows or anyone who has to go back to work after a show and doesn't want to be questioned by every co-worker about why their tan!
2. Citrus Body Scrub
I love this stuff! I have always used scrubs from Bath and Body works in the past, but this time decided I would use the LSR Body Scrub that I had bought last year at my show. Not only did this stuff leave my skin exfoliated, but it was SO smooth I didn't even need to apply lotion after my shower! The smell is also great! I wish I could buy this in a jug!
3. Daily Moisturizer
I know what you are going to say...isn't it just lotion? Umm..NO! I am VERY picky with my lotions and I don't use anything with perfumes and don't even like the Bath and Bodyworks/Body Shoppe lotion! I usually use the Angel or Hemp lotion you get from tanning salons. I must say...this lotion was wonderful! It is not slimy or thick and goes on evenly. It helped make my tan last longer and moisturized my skin for the entire day. Not even the tanning salon lotions last an entire day on my skin! Side Note: This is also the first pump I have used that hasn't clogged or broke before the bottle was empty!
4. Enhanced Definition Competition Posing Gel/Glaze
I was nervous to bring this product to the Jan Tana peeps backstage at my show and ask them to use it. I have used Jan Tana glaze in the past and didn't like the texture or the way it looked. So I figured I would bite the bullet. The Jan Tana people were very happy to glaze me using it. In fact, the lady said it was a much thinner texture. I also like the fact that I don't feel slimy using it. On stage I can see the difference in my pictures and videos. I would recommend this product to ANYONE who competes!
5. Cream To Powder Foundation
I will be honest here. I am so used to using MAC NW 45 that I hesitated to try this! It says Hazelnut colored and even says it is SPF 18. So for my show I had them spray my face and my makeup artist used MAC NW 45. But the next day I had a photo shoot and by then I had rinsed off once. This foundation was the perfect match once I had rinsed off (I was super dark) I also used it for the next 3 days after my show as my foundation/powder because it matched so well. I would recommend testing it on your hand prior to using it on your face. The nice part is, not only is it a foundation but a powder also! So my face didn't look shiny (I have normal/oily skin). It applied nicely and evenly using the puff provided. It was so easy to use and I didn't have to use my MAC foundation and powder! I tan year round and I actually think I may be able to use this in the offseason as well! That is definitely a plus!
Next on my radar to try.....The PH balanced body wash!!!!
And if that’s not enough for you! Here are some more client testimonials!
“I have been using Liquid SunRayz for my competition tanning since 2009. I've tried many other products over the past few years including Jan Tana and Pro Tan, but I never quite got the right stage color. I would end up too light, orange colored, or splotchy- and that made for a really frustrating day! Competition day is stressful enough without having to worry about your tan and how you're going to fix it! With LSR, I got professional (fast) service and didn't have to wait in a crowded room for hours like some other companies who over-book themselves. My color looked perfect on stage and it enhanced all the hard work I've put into my physique this season. I would recommend this product to anyone and I will be using LSR exclusively from here on out!”
Trish Wood
IFBB Pro Physique
“Liquid Sun Rayz was a FIRST CLASS experience all the way! I have competed in
several shows, and this was the first one where Liquid Sun Rayz was the
tanning company recommended by the promoter. I was treated like an
"important" customer in every way. They CARED! They provided adhesive foot
protectors, they took time to cover all nails (hands and feet) with cream to
protect our mani/pedi's, they were very conscious of privacy (never had to
leave the tent - I was tanned and dried in the same tent,) they were prompt,
kind and helpful (took the time to answer questions.) It was a wonderful
experience and I will be using them again for my next show in 2 days!! I
would highly recommend them to anyone - from the beginner who has never done
a show before to a seasoned veteran! If your experience is anything like
mine - you will be treated as a VIP from beginning to end! Thank you Marilyn
and your wonderful staff at Liquid Sun Rayz!”
Melissa Clemons
“
I found your product dried very fast - so two coats did not keep me on my feet too long. I liked the powder to avoid a mess which is applied after the second coat. I slept very well in the tan, and did not feel suffocated like I have with other products. I only needed minor touch up after sleeping over night - unlike others I tried that needed to do a complete overhaul. Even when I sweat, it was only a minor thing to easily address - I will use it again, and recommend it to others. Unlike other brands, both the product and the service are top notch, and together are The Best Ever!!!”
Rick Ryan
“This was my first time using your service. All my years of competing i have used pro tan. this product was by far superior in many aspects, the time for application, number of applications reduced from 6 to 2, the touch up availability, the overall darkness, and of course the professionalism of the staff. Thank u for making my first experience a great one. C U at the north american'!!!”
Jim Nitti
“The staff is always very kind and patient with me. The color is awesome, but
I must say the customer service outshines every product!”
Tambra Ttewart-Johnson
“I have been in the bodybuilding industry for over 15 years. During that period of time I have come to realize the importance of the perfect tan to compliment the perfect physique. During the early part of my career, I was always told that I needed to be darker and that it was causing me to be dropped in the placing because the lights flushed out my cuts. So, in 2003 I decided I was going to be as dark as possible no matter what. The result was a darker one but not a good dark, my color looked muddy- a couple of my friends dubbed me the “Mudd Monster”. I saw myself drop from a 2nd place finish at nationals in 2002 to a fifteenth place finish in 2003. And after comparing the pictures, my conditioning was close to the same but my color was a nightmare.
From 2004 on I experimented with a variety of tanning products in an effort to perfect my on stage color. It improved over the next few years but it was not until 2008 when I began using Marilyn Spatola’s Liquid Sun Rayz tanning product did, I feel like I had found the perfect color to allow me to present my physique at its best on stage in any type of light. I brought Marilyn on board in 2006 to do the tanning for the athletes in my NPC National Qualifying event the Bluegrass Muscle Classic. During the show, I am running around like a chicken with his head cut off- so I generally go back and review the show video to enjoy the show for myself. Over the next two years I began to notice certain athletes had outstanding stage color. It did not take long for me to realize it was Marliyn’s clients that had the best stage color. In 2008 I had the pleasure of being sprayed by Marilyn’s team at a guest posing. That was all she wrote. In 2009 I began using Marliyn’s products as the staple in my competition attack. The result; two top five finishes, and my first pro win. And I ended the season with a 7th place finish at the 202 Olympia. I have received nothing but accolades from my fellow competitors and judges in reference to my color. Finally, I have found the perfect stage color, thx to Marilyn and the Liquid Sun Rayz team.”
Tricky Jackson IFBB Pro
“I cannot say enough to praise you for your services at Jr. Nationals! I was amazed at how willing you were to work with the schedule of a fitness competitor. Re-spraying me after the Friday routine round helped so much! You and Sue were so friendly and down to earth, it made what is normally a drawn-out process fun. And the color...BEAUTIFUL! I am so pleased with how my tan looked onstage. You can definitely expect to be working with me for a long time to come.”
Kayde Puckett, IFBB Pro Fitness Competitor
“Marilyn-
I just want to start off by thanking you - you have truly made a superior tanning product to any other brand. Liquid Sun Rayz is twice the product at half the price. In addition to doing Tricky Jackson, we also did IFBB Pro's Katina Maisterllis and Michelle Craven who placed 7th and 8th - which they both used Liquid Sun Rayz for their 1st time and they both said this was the best color they have ever had!!!”
Thank You,
Steven Salmon
Vice President
We just want to thank Marilyn again for her time in her busy life to sit down with RxGirl and provide us with the great information as well as a reputable product we can be proud to stand behind!
If you’d like more information be sure to check out their website at: http://www.liquidsunrayz.com/
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