Glow Getter: Fabiola, Celebrity Spray Tan Artist & Founder of Sobe Tan
It’s no secret that the lively streets of Miami Beach, Florida see some of the world’s biggest celebrities. And regardless how beautiful and sunny its beaches are, Miami’s residents and celebrities like Kim Kardashian, JLo, and Matt Damon alike turn to Fabiola, celebrity spray tan artist and owner of Sobe Tan, to get a beautiful sunkissed glow. Fabiola has been in the spray tanning business for more than 20 years, and with that has seen so many changes, new innovations, and growth. So who better to trust with your tan and gain insight from in this rapidly growing industry?
Whether you’re new to spray tanning, or simply in need of some fresh motivation from an industry legend, Fabiola’s words below will likely resonate with you. And if that’s the case, you can also train with her (both virtually and in-person), because years of tanning A-list celebrities for major events aside, her wealth of sunless knowledge is priceless. And in addition to gaining firsthand knowledge from her experience, be on the lookout for her new professional sunless line due out this year, that —you guessed it — has been perfected based on her years of experience and trying every trick in the proverbial spray tanning book.
Fabiola, Sobe Tan
Years in the industry?: I have been spray tanning since 2000 and [have also been] a facialist and massage therapist since.
How did you get your start in the industry?: In 1999 I was at my dermatologist office for a skin check-up (I have lots of freckles and sunspots and need to do my yearly skin check), and I saw in [Harper’s] Bazaar magazine a woman describe how she had an airbrush tan done. Back in those days it was done with an airbrush on the whole body — the ones they paint cars with. Now we use spray guns — what a difference! Anyway, going back to the story…I was in shock when I read that. How brilliant was that? A liquid self tanner through an air gun to deliver a flawless tan. I was immediately hooked. In the article they mentioned Fantasy Tan, I called them (they are somewhere in Florida), they came, sprayed me, left me the airbrush compressor product to spray and said “good luck.” I had no clue how everything was, I learned from trial and error, I sprayed everyone until I got it right.
What were your initial steps in starting your business?: I opened a little studio with the help of my family in South Beach and made a big advertisement in a big magazine here in Sobe called Ocean Drive, it is still big, that was what opened the doors for me. I made friends with all the directors, writers, everyone there, and offered a free airbrush tan to them. (Now it is called spray tan, not done with an airbrush anymore.) They began posting me every time they had a beauty issue, that really helped my biz grow back then.
What has been the most challenging part of being an entrepreneur? The most rewarding/exciting part?: The most challenging part was that I was on my own here in Miami with my 2 year old recently came from Ecuador, I had no family to help me and everyone works in here, you know how it is, so I had to juggle between to make my ends meet, take care of my Gabriel and work at the same time, it wasn’t easy but I wasn’t going to fail. The most rewarding part I may say is when you begin to notice that people know about you for what you do, when hotel concierges will call for my services because they knew I will deliver, being there on time, I was nice to them (friendly) and their guests loved my services, until I got a call from Kim Kardashian herself, I almost fainted, I tried to sound cool, and I said to her you took too long to call and we both laugh.
Moment you're most proud of?: When my son graduated from University in Tampa, Florida. I acknowledged it was a big effort from the two of us for him to reach that milestone and that we were still in one piece. He has been my rock and the one that I do everything in life for [in order] to be better.
Best piece advice you’ve ever received (in business or in life)?: I guess to be patient. I am not patient at all and my son taught me to be, I still have to work on it all the time, but being patient makes you not give up easily in all aspects of your life. And another one that I believe is crucial is being positive and feeling gratitude for what you have in life. Both of those things apply very well to personal and business life.
Your absolute favorite product or service you offer?:Of course spray tans and everything around it, nothing as magical as five minutes of spraying and you have the most happy client there is.
What are your go-to tips for aftercare and maintaining a tan?: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. My skin is very dry so I use oils, especially in the cooler months. There are not that many cooler months in Miami, but my go to is avocado oil that I buy at my local grocery store, I make sure it is organic. That has never made my tan go away like a lot of people assume using oils for moisturizing spray tans do. If you use a brand that relies on a lot on bronzers for the tan, then you may have a problem because the oil will remove the bronzers faster from the skin.
One instance when you should definitely see a spray tan artist vs. using a self-tanner?: I would say whenever I am told last minute that I have something next day and can’t get sprayed for whatever reason, the self tanner comes in very handy.
How do you get tans to translate well into photographs? Photographs are very tricky, they use a lot of lighting and don’t even get me started on the filters photographers use — they make them look orange sometimes and I dread that. But let me tell you, I don’t do anything different when [my clients] are going for a photoshoot. I always aim for natural-looking tans that range from medium to dark. What I really say is, if it is a very important one, to do [the spray tan] at least two days before the shoot so we have time to fix or enhance any area. Same goes for brides.
What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs in the industry? Be Patient. And join one or two spray tan technicians groups. There are so many, but my favorite ones are the “Spray Tan Artist Forum” and “#Unfiltered Spray Tans Solutions”, both on Facebook. The majority of people in there are so helpful with any question you have, not all companies you buy from or get training with are very responsive when you need something specific.
The most important lesson you learned this year as a business owner through the challenges faced during Covid? And in this one again comes the patience. There is nothing we can do about it, it is not in your hands to fix it, just try to do the best out of it. With all that time on my hands I launched my online training that I have had in the back of my mind for years. I have had the in-person training for seven years now, but these times call for all online. I love the way [virtual training] tackles every little aspect of spray tan training, making spray tan technicians feel secure with their technique, videos, ebook, diploma, Zoom. They [also] have the option of having me for anything they need to make their business successful.
What do you know now that you wish you would’ve known when starting out in the industry?: Through the years, I wish I would have known this was going to be as successful as it is. I just took it as a passion for me, but not like the kind of business this can be. For example, I wish I would have done my sunless line before, but like they say “it’s never too late.” My new Fabiola’s Sunless Line will be for professionals and will be free of alcohols, parabens, artificial dyes, chemical preservatives, fragrances, erythrulose, and silicones; it's vegan and of course; cruelty-free.
My product will be out this year and I can’t wait. We even chose a green packaging container that is recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, and renewable. We do not need more single use plastic in our world, we have to take care of the one we have.
Finally, any tips for a spray tan artist who wants to work with celebrities?: And here we go again: Patience. They will contact you last minute and you have to run to them, they will make you wait, they will change their appointments 100 times, they will make you go at midnight (this is the one I hate). When you get there, they want something very specific and you have to do whatever they want. And when you finally have them in front of you, you have to put on your best face and smile. They are totally worth it, but [the scheduling] can be a headache.