Standing pale and undressed under the harsh lights of a spray-tanning
booth can inspire almost as much insecurity as a day of bikini shopping
with Gisele. Luckily, Read, an expert bronzer who travels around the
world on behalf of luxe self-tanning brand St. Tropez, is studying for a
degree in psychotherapy after hours. With a client list that includes
Kate Moss, Lady GaGa and a slew of glossy-magazine editors, Read focuses
on quelling anxiety. “It’s all about trust, as they’re naked in front of
you,” he says. “I make them feel calm, and say, ‘Don’t worry; I’m gay.’”
Read’s skill with a sprayer, however, is what really makes him special.
The 32-year-old Brit likens himself to “an artist with a paintbrush in
hand,” and after seven years with St. Tropez, he knows that paying extra
attention to a few difficult body parts is the key to making a faux glow
look natural. “Hands, feet, knees and wrists can be a dead giveaway,”
says Read.
St. Tropez, London, 44.115.983.6363
Return to On the Verge
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