Spring is already here. Can summer be far behind?

I was just asked by a client on her way to the Barbados, “Is it okay to have a dark suntan in my headshot?” In my opinion, I answered with a resounding, “No!”

Here’s why I’d steer away from wearing a tan in a headshot. Not only does it drastically alter your appearance, but what it does to your skin’s health is beyond any comprehensible measure. Sun exposure damages your skin more than drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse, combined. The most regrettable thing about it is that it’s also the most PREVENTABLE form of skin cancer and premature aging. Just stay out of the sun. That goes for tanning beds and salons, too.

If you have to be in the direct sun for any length of time, always wear a total sun block. If you have to go the beach or be in the direct sun for long periods of time, get under the protection of an umbrella or large hat. Not only will you being paying enormous dividends in maintaining your youthful appearance but avoiding potentially fatal skin melanomas in the future, both very good reasons not to ever sun bathe.

If you’re a professional bodybuilder or swimsuit model, you’ll probably want a deep, rich tan. But that can easily be accomplished nowadays with any quality self-tanner or bronzer, available anywhere.

Disagree with my advice? Ask yourself this: What top stars have dark tans. Nicole Kidman? Jennifer Gardner? Reese Witherspoon? Cate Blanchett? You’d do well to follow in their footsteps.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com

I shoot a lot of swimsuit models and have done quite a bit of experimenting with various sunless tan products.

Self tanners used to occupy a very small area of the skin care market, but with skin cancers increasing daily, almost every major brand now carries a version -- of all the ones I've tested I've found Neutrogena's "Micro Mist" a very good product. Instead of having to apply it like a lotion, it sprays on in seconds, similar to a much more expensive spray tan salon. The creme version is just as effective, however. In any event, always experiment with anything new first. Everyone's skin chemistry is different and reacts differently to any skin coloring product.

If you use it prior to a headshot, I recommend that you only tone the body, avoiding the face.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

Robert,

As the wife of a skin cancer researcher I totally agree with what you've said!

And on the theatre side - what good are "really tan" headshots if you don't look like that when you actually come in for an audition? Could be construed as a bit of false advertising, unless you're going to tan year round. Just MHO...

~Tanya

EXACTLY, Tanya.

In another post, I discussed the importance of having your hairstyle look the same as your headshot. Same thing...

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com