I have been tanning for decades now and can honestly say that Cabana Tanning & Beauty Bar is by far…read morethe best in the city.
There really is no downside to coming to this salon. As the tanning industry has gradually shifted over time to include health and beauty, Cabana is at the top of the game.
There are no gimmicks here: no machines that make promises and do nothing, and zero pressure to up sell packages, promos or lotions. The vibe of the salon is very inclusive. Owned by a husband and wife duo who look like they just stepped out of a fitness magazine, the focus here is on knowledge. It is aromatic like a massage spa for relaxation.
Here you will find beds that promise to output exactly the shade you are seeking. There are beds of every level, which outperform beds on tier lists at other salons. Some clients, like me, like to be super dark, others, with a hint of a tan, others to even out an uneven skin tone, and some looking for the pre-vacation glow/base tan.
Everyone who works here are not only experts on which bed will suit you best, but also how frequent you should tan to achieve desired results. They know their lotions inside out to help get you there, but do not push them for extra cash. The reason is two-fold, I think - have you ever been to a salon several times within a short time frame where you got great color, only for it to fade days later, unevenly? This is because your bronzer in your lotion "dyed" your skin, but the bulbs were weak and did not provide a base tan.
Those other salons will push lotions on you because the bulbs aren't being replaced on a timely basis, or, one or two bulbs will be changed, leaving the older bulbs in during a "full bulb change" (an inside owner "trick"). While it is best to use a lotion, you can either ask or be told once when you first become a client of its benefits. Staff will read out ingredients whenever you are even curious about a lotion so you know what you are putting on your skin. But there is never any pressure to purchase.
The affinity bed is one of my favorites by far. Produces instant color and the facial unit has two levels that can be adjusted. This bed is a combo uva and uvb and is perfect for priming for your next visit, should you choose to use the "browning" bed (the amazing Matrix) which produces amazing color and deepens your melanin gained over your past tanning sessions.
The stand up is comparable to both Affinity and Matrix in terms of color output.
The level one bed - the silver bullet - is not to be underestimated.
Both the silver bullet and the standup have frosted acrylics. A lot of people assume there will be less penetration of light-to-skin, which is negligibly true, however the bonus of these type of acrylics is a more evenly diffused tan. If you have trouble with getting color on your legs (a common complaint at other salons), these are the beds that can assist. Even though I am very dark - possibly one of the darkest clients, I have used both, and actually prefer the silver bullet to the standup. Because Cabana takes such care of their units and change bulbs frequently, I still got amazing color. The very negligible loss of penetration is rendered void because of this. The amount of clients who have thanked me for trusting this bed, as dark as I am, and gotten positive results are innumerable.
Can't stand the heat? Hop into the mid-level Prestige. It has top notch fans and its own built-in AC.
There are licensed hair removal (laser) procedures here, licensed lymphatic drainage by a qualified technician whom I have heard clients rave about, especially females post surgical procedures.
There are a bevvy of health and beauty treatments here. There seminars on fitness, diet, mental well being held here from time to time by professionals, and a doctor who has her own office for botox and other procedures related to beauty. I did a consult with her, and instead of spending excess money - something she pointed out - she showed me a mirror, explained the musculature of my face and showed me how the most minimally invasive procedure, when I am ready, will remedy my concerns. A lot of the most beautiful clients I see walking out of her office look like they haven't had any work done, and are simply stunning.
There is also a dedicated eyebrow technician on site whom everybody loves, and as to the tanning beds and spray tan, although Cabana can be high traffic, there will always be an alternate bed that will suit your needs. Cleaning is thorough, spotless and there is much to read. I have never seen a salon with so many successful businesses advertising - from hair, to dental, you name it, I cant even keep track of them all. This is another indication that other businesses are impressed by this location and all that it offers - so much so they trust being advertised in house.
There is ample parking and bus stops in both directions in front, and no hiking up stairs.
