Shade Collective started from something personal. As an esthetician whose mom battled multiple skin cancers, I’ve always been hyper-aware of what UV exposure can do. I also have fair, reactive skin myself, so the conversation around “just tan in the sun” never sat right with me. I knew there had to be a better option and I also knew it didn’t have to feel cheap or overly artificial.

When I first started in the industry, I noticed spray tanning was often treated like a quick add-on service. Clients weren’t always educated on how it worked. It wasn’t talked about proudly. And it definitely wasn’t given the level of care it deserved.

I wanted to change that.

What began as a mobile business in 2020 has grown into a flagship multi room studio in La Jolla, a space I built to feel beautiful, clean, and elevated. A place where getting a spray tan doesn’t feel rushed or awkward. It feels thoughtful. It feels modern.

For me, this has always been about more than color.

It’s about helping people understand that sunless tanning is a smart, skin-conscious choice. It’s about removing the stigma and making it something people feel good about booking and talking about. It’s for every skin tone, every age, every lifestyle. It’s just good skincare with a glow.

Over the years, Shade Collective has been featured in Marie Claire, partnered with brands like Kopari, walked red carpets, and been recognized as Best Sunless Branding. I also educate other artists, because raising the standard of this industry matters to me.

At the end of the day, I care about how my clients feel when they leave our studio. I care about protecting skin. And I care about making sunless tanning something people experience differently, better.

Lindsay
Founder, Tan Artist & Educator