Corporate Chic: Your Summer Tan; how much is too much?

Well, with all the warm weather arriving I have found myself wanting a nice summer tan. I was thinking about it today and then a question came into my mind – when it comes to ‘corporate image’ how much tan is too much? Now a days with all the tanning creams they have (not to mention spraying techniques) anyone can get a tan and you don’t have to layout waiting for the sun to demolish your skin (later receiving sunspots, sun wrinkles and the worst – possible skin cancer) .

When I think about ‘how much tan is too much’, it brings to mind an old movie actor who was soooooo tan all year round that it was really disgusting (I think he’s dead now and if anyone thinks of his name, let me know). Obviously, that would be on the far end of ‘too much tan’ spectrum. And, that brings to mind my recollection of taking an island vacation where everyone is all about the sun, relaxation and tanning. I saw older ‘folks’ still basking – so dark was their tan (and so heavy were their sun wrinkles…not to mention the wayyyy out of place thong bathing suits…ugh – not exactly Rio de Janeiro models at their age) when they stood up they looked like “tan night of the living dead” stars. And as every wrinkle in the skin moved around there were white lines providing a very striped look. Please help me if I ever do that! Someone say something so I go out with dignity intact.

Now the other end of the spectrum is the milky white color of the executive who never sees the sun and whose skin looks as if it was just doused by Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. You take one look and just know that they never leave the iridescent office light. Next promotion…head of the morgue.

So, where do you want to be when it comes to tanning? I say go with the season, in spring and summer don a light to medium tan (any darker and you risk the chance of getting a reputation about your tan vs. the quality of your work – worse, if you’re running behind on projects you may be the brunt of jokes as to why they are not getting done – spending all your time in the sun, etc.).

Light to medium tan says – I’m fresh, outdoorsy, and in touch with the season. It has a spark of energy to it that the milk-toast zero tan skin just does not generate. So, best advice is go conservative with your tan in the corporate environment and be sure to check out the sans sun methods – there are a zillion of them out there now.

I was just checking with a friend who’s in sales at a high tech company and has a nice light/medium tan and she told me she uses “Fake Bake”. I picked some up at the beauty supply – hope it works on me too (no stripes – please). I think I’ll be tan my Monday.

Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers

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