Richmond Wedding Vendor Spotlight: Island Glow, LLC

Meet Michelle, owner of Island Glow, LLC!  Island Glow provides custom spray tans as well as makeup services for brides!

Tell us a little about your company!

Island Glow, LLC has been operating since 2012. We are fully mobile and have a studio in Powhatan, VA for those that prefer to come to us. Our prices start from just $29.

We use only the best organic solutions available which cater to different skin types and tones.  All dry instantly, smell great, and, most importantly, are NEVER ORANGE and never streak!

Michelle, owner of Island Glow, has been spray tanning Richmond and the East Coast for over 6 years and providing makeup lessons and application services for over 15 years (in the US) and 2 years (globally).  Michelle says, “I was trained by the top mobile spray tanner in the RVA by Robert Jones, Lori Hogg, and Bobbi Brown (makeup. I worked with one of the top cosmetics company in world for 11 years and have sprayed many well known profesional teams/public fiugres for photo shoots, TV award shows, pageants, NFL football games, superbowls, college sports, etc.”

Need a confidence boost? If you can’t tone it, tan it. A spray tan makes everyone look and feel better in only 10 minutes!

How did you get started in this business?

Six years ago, I met the owner of Richmond’s first ever mobile spray tan business at a networking event, and we began to work together providing glamour services to wedding parties. As her new business grew, she needed to expand her spray tan techs, so my daughter and I learned how to spray tan and began working with her. Due to her busy family/career schedule, she could no longer run her business and invited me to purchase it and build it as big as I wanted. Now, six years later, I own Island Glow and we are known in all 50 states. We offer a private proprietary spray tan formula as well as self tanning lotions/body mousse. We just launched our Organic Body Care Collection that compliments our sunless tans so our clients can get the most out of their self tanning system.

Why do you like working with weddings?

My favorite part is providing the bride with FOREVER MEMORIES that she and her family/friends will look back on forever. As a professional, you must listen with both ears and ask enough questions so that you are understanding her vision of how she wants to see herself on her wedding day. It is very important that she gets exactly what she wants. I also love the moment that she sees herself, as well as her mom and the bridal party on the day of her wedding when her makeup is on, her hair is done, and she has that special look that she has waited so long to have.

What is the most difficult situation you have faced with a bride and how did you resolve it?

I once arrived on a wedding day ready to do my job of makeup artist, and the bride’s best friend was telling me what products (purple and light blue glitter) to add to the makeup. Yikes! Finally, I asked for a side conversation with the bride. I reminded her this is not the look we agreed on during her makeup trial, and I told her I had a strong feeling she would regret it 5 years down the road. She stuck with our original plan and looked beautiful!

From a vendor’s perspective, what is the one best piece of advice you can offer to engaged couples?

Do your research! Get referrals of each vendor, then be sure to schedule a consultation or trial run for hair and makeup!

How far in advance should couples book your services?

I suggest 4-6 months in advance for makeup.  For spray tans, we recommend 2-3 weeks in advance.  Most brides want to get their spray tan on Thursday if they’re getting married on a Saturday, so plan ahead!

What inspired you the most / where do you find inspiration?  

I get up each morning with a grateful heart for what God has blessed me with and that I know that he has a plan and purpose for me every day. I pull strength and inspiration from 5 amazing influential people that mentor me (men and women!).

What do you like to do when you are away from work? 

I travel with my family and we love to snow ski, and I play tennis and golf.

What would we be surprised to learn about you?

I am a very shy person. I HATE to walk into a room that I am not familiar with and feel uncomfortable. Though I have never let that stop me, it takes some “pull your big girl panties up” self talk to get over the fear and walk in! Once I am in, I am all good and I know it was all worth “stepping outside the comfort zone!”

Thank you, Michelle, for chatting with us!  If you would like to learn more about Michelle and Island Glow, LLC, please visit www.islandglowva.com.

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