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SUGARED + BRONZED Celebrates 50th Store Opening, Marking a Major Milestone in Transforming Professional Beauty

From a Santa Monica apartment startup to the nation's largest sugaring and sunless tanning brand, SUGARED + BRONZED reaches a major milestone with 50 locations across 10 markets.

Stacey Soble
Stacey SobleDirector of Brand Content Strategy
Read Stacey's Posts
September 1, 2026
Outside shot of Sugared + Bronzed in Hoboken

SUGARED + BRONZED latest store opening in Hoboken, New Jersey, marks the brand's 50th location.

Credit:

SURGARED + BRONZED

3 min to read


  • SUGARED + BRONZED has expanded to 50 store locations.
  • The brand operates across 10 different markets.
  • The company started as a small apartment-based business in Santa Monica.

*Summarized by AI

SUGARED + BRONZED, the nation's largest sugaring and sunless tanning brand, recently announced the opening of its 50th location, marking a major milestone in the company's journey from a $1,000 startup founded in a Santa Monica apartment to a nationally recognized beauty services brand.

 Founded by Courtney Claghorn, SUGARED + BRONZED began in 2010 when Claghorn set out to solve a problem she experienced firsthand: finding affordable, high-quality spray tanning services. What started as Courtney airbrushing clients in her apartment during lunch breaks and after work evolved into a thriving business that has helped bring both sugaring and sunless tanning into the mainstream beauty conversation.

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 Founder and President Claghorn shares, “When I started spray tanning clients in my apartment, I never imagined we'd one day be celebrating our 50th store! This is a testament to our incredible team and loyal clients and we're excited for the opportunities ahead as we continue expanding into new markets, introducing more people to our services.”

The front desk and retail area of SUGARED + BRONZED

Central to the brand's growth is its singular focus on two services: sugaring hair removal and custom airbrush tanning

Credit:

SUGARED + BRONZED


The company's first storefront opened on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica in 2012. Through disciplined reinvestment, profitability, and a commitment to affordable luxury, Courtney grew the business to 10 locations before taking on outside investment in 2019. Today, SUGARED + BRONZED operates 50 locations across 10 markets nationwide and plans to enter at least one new market annually.

The 50-store milestone reflects more than geographic growth. Since its founding, SUGARED + BRONZED has created employment opportunities for more than 600 women and continues to expand its team as demand for specialized services grows nationwide.

 “While our 50th store is an exciting milestone, what I'm most proud of is the community we've built along the way. We've created opportunities for hundreds of women across the country and fostered a culture centered on growth, education, and exceptional client care. Our people have always been the foundation of our success, and this achievement belongs to every member of our team,” says Claghorn.

The company's growth story includes overcoming significant challenges. After reaching 10 stores and securing a growth partner in 2019, SUGARED + BRONZED faced the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic just months later. With locations shuttered for extended periods, the company quickly launched its e-commerce business, helping sustain operations until stores could reopen. As restrictions eased, the brand resumed expansion and has since experienced consecutive record-breaking years of growth, revenue, and new store openings.

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Sugaring Room at Hoboken location

Inside a sugaring treatment room at the Hoboken location. Sugaring, an ancient Egyptian beauty secret, is a hair removal method. Made with just sugar, lemon, and water, this gentle method exfoliates while preventing pesky ingrowns—making it the ideal choice for smooth skin.

Credit:

SUGARED + BRONZED


Central to that growth has been a singular focus on two services: sugaring hair removal and custom airbrush tanning. Unlike traditional salons and spas that offer dozens of treatments, SUGARED + BRONZED was built around specialization, with all estheticians and technicians trained in-house to deliver a consistent experience at every location.

As the company looks ahead, SUGARED + BRONZED remains focused on expanding access to its services while continuing to invest in its people, clients, and communities. What began as a side hustle has become the leading brand in its category, and the next chapter is just getting started.

To celebrate the opening of its 50th store, SUGARED + BRONZED is launching a nationwide giveaway. Fifty winners will each receive a $50 SUGARED + BRONZED gift card. Additional details can be found athttps://sugaredandbronzed.com/  


Quick Answers

SUGARED + BRONZED is the nation's largest sugaring and sunless tanning brand, known for transforming professional beauty services.

*Summarized by AI

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