Loving Tan 2 Hour Express Review!

Like many others, I found out about this product on YouTube! (#youtubeaddict)

I've done tanning beds before, I've done natural tanning in the sun, and I've tried self tanners. 

(Disclaimer: I am not endorsing tanning beds nor am I saying they're terrible. Personally, I believe that tanning beds can be okay, when used in moderation. But longtime exposure can obviously lead to negative health effects. Not to mention all the $$ that goes into keeping up with it.) 

Now to the review! :)

I followed Jaclyn Hill (um fave!) and her tutorial on YouTube linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1o5BgCVUqE

I bought the Morphe M439 Deluxe Buffer brush (http://morphebrushes.com/products/m439-deluxe-buffer) that she recommended, purchased the applicator mitt from Loving Tan but I got the Exfoliating Mitt for free with her discount (she mentions it on the info of her video I linked above).

I wanted to be PREPARED!

Her tan came out FLAWLESSLY so I thought I might as well use what she uses. 

(I'd never even thought about using a makeup brush to blend certain areas..GENIUS!)

I shaved and exfoliated before applying the tan. I didn't use sugar, like what was recommended, and instead used the exfoliating mitt from Loving Tan. What you use for exfoliating comes down to personal preference in my opinion. So after the shower, I started applying legs up. This technique works for me personally, but you can start at the face and work your way down if that works best for you :) I lotioned my hands, ankles, feet, elbows and knees so that those dry areas wouldn't be SUPER dark but as you can tell in my before and after I apparently didn't use enough lotion on my knees; my elbows, ankles and my face (thanks to the buffer makeup brush) turned out FINE! 

Application was a little more difficult than I had imagined in my head. Jaclyn makes it look so easy, but hello she's probably done it a thousand times, me? Not so much. I had my (sweet) husband ;) assist with my back which was SUPER helpful. I highly encourage you to get someone to help with that area, if not Loving Tan does sell a back applicator. 

It's a 2 hour express tanning lotion so that means after two hours you can rinse and voila! Done! But I left it on for four hours to maybe get a little more color than if I'd have left it on two hours. There were streaks here and there after applying but after rinsing in the shower NO streaks!! Pleasantly surprised, I was :)

After rinsing, my skin was noticeably darker and really wasn't what I was originally aiming for. BUT as we all know, a self tan takes time to develop so I decided to wait until the morning to really give a verdict on the product. 

Woke up with a smile:) 

My tan looked AMAZING! :) 

The smell of the lotion isn't too bad either! I've used drugstore self-tanners and the smell has been HORRIBLE at times, but this stuff wasn't bad at all. 

I still had a faint smell of tanning lotion on my skin the next morning but nothing too strong. 

Three days later, I still have a pretty good tan going on and the "self-tanner" smell is completely gone!

Highly recommend this product!! 

Now go get your tan on! ;)

5 Things I Haven't Told My Husband Lately That He Needs to Hear

        With daily routine comes daily remarks and repetitive "love you"s. Sometimes those special words that we'd like to hear get lost in requests and favors to help around the house. Sometimes our minds are elsewhere. While hearing, "I love you" is certainly important in a marriage, words of affirmation and affection, to me, can also be equally as important. 

Here are 5 things I haven't said to my husband lately that he needs to hear.


#1:  You're My Number One

You are my other half, my best friend, my confidant and lover. There isn't a person on this earth that I put before you. When we have a family and kids are thrown into the mix, I will still choose to put you first. I value your input on all decisions that affect our lives and I value your opinion above all others. When something exciting happens, you're the first person I want to tell. When I have a bad day, yours are the only arms I want around me. You are my number one. 

#2: You're the Apple of my Eye

From the moment we met, I've only had eyes for you. In a world where there are ideals for how women "should" look I know that there is the same standard for men, often times unaddressed. I want you to know that you will always be more than enough for me. A simple glance and smirk from you can always make my heart flutter no matter where we are. Your insecurities frustrate me; I wish you could see yourself the way I see you: perfectly imperfect and perfect for me. Channing Tatum has nothing on you. You are the apple of my eye. 

#3 I Appreciate You

Though my words or actions sometimes fail to convey how much I appreciate you, I want you to know without a doubt that I do. I appreciate your handy work around the house and your willingness to protect me from every creepy crawly that makes me squeal (centipedes are not my friend). I appreciate your hugs and encouraging words after a bad day. I appreciate pizza night after grocery shopping when cooking just seems out of the question. I appreciate how hard you work to provide for the life we have made together. I appreciate your willingness to joke around with me and laugh together even when you've had little sleep and we're laying in bed. Most of all, I appreciate your love and the comfort I have in knowing that you are mine. 

#4: I'm Proud of You

I thought you were a good man when we first met, but you've grown into an even more respectable man since. I am so proud of the man you are and the man you're continually striving to be for me. I am proud of your work accomplishments and I am so proud to be your wife. I am proud of you. 

#5: I Will Try My Best

Though I am human and flawed, I will always try my best to make sure you know how much I love and adore you and how much I appreciate you. I will try my best to always love you in those moments it's hardest. I will try my best to be interested in the things you're interested in. I will try my best to speak with love. I will try my best to be my best for you. 






Photo cred: 
http://www.loveandlavender.com/2015/06/bridal-shoot-in-lavender-fields-of-provence/

6 Things You Shouldn't Do As a Military Spouse/Girlfriend

1. Wear His Uniform-Now ladies. There have been times I've cuddled up in my husband's blouse just to feel close to him when he was away. I could smell that "just got in from work" scent and immediately be transported to his arms. But I was in the comfort of my own home. No one was around to see. I didn't take a picture and post it on the internet (I have a brain). Only him and I knew. I have seen loads and loads of "boudoir" sessions of women daunting their man's uniforms....why? I have yet to understand the entire concept. Yes, your man may like it (God knows why..)  But the rest of the world does not want to see it and when you get them taken "professionally" by a "photographer" who has a page and posts the photos PUBLICLY the world sees. Furthermore, I find it highly disrespectful to wear a uniform so many have fought for, gave it all for, and paid the ultimate price for in such a tasteless and skimpy manner. Please don't wear it out in public either. People are caught all the time trying to wear the uniform in public to get discounts and recognition for something they haven't accomplished and it's called "stolen valor". How would it be any different for you? What do you need recognition for? You have not earned the uniform.

2. Throw Out HIS Rank- Whether it's to belittle, get what you want or just to be a downright bitch, it isn't your rank to throw around. It's your significant other's. Please save yourself the embarrassment. Even though it's what you're aiming for, it doesn't get you any respect, it gets you the complete opposite. (This may also be a good time to add that there is no such thing as the 'silent ranks'. You have no rank. Period).

3. Use His Service As Your Identity- Honestly, the word "Milso" doesn't bother me. It's a word to generalize a certain group of people. Military significant other-that's kind of what you are. But it's not the ONLY thing that describes you. You can be a mother, a sister, a wife, a teacher, a nurse, an artist, and entrepreneur, all honorable things. When you introduce yourself to someone you don't say "I'm married to Steve, he's in the Army." You talk about yourself. "I'm ___, I do this this and this." Your life does not revolve around what your husband/boyfriend does. Though his career choices do affect your life in many ways, you are your own person. Be proud of that.

4. Post Personal Issues to Public Social Media- I can't tell you how many times I've seen military significant others ask for advice about such personal stuff on public pages!!! I totally understand wanting advice/encouragement when a deployment comes around, but putting things out there that should be taken care of in private by a professional is not smart. Other military significant others will most likely only be able to offer you encouragement but will all point you in the same direction-see a professional-get help from someone who has knowledge/experience on the certain subject.

5, Use the Flag as Lingerie- This sort of goes in the same category as number 1, but I feel like this needs to be said. People have fought and died for that flag. People still to this day fight and die for that flag. It is not a piece of apparel and certainly not a piece of lingerie. You don't look sexy draped in the U.S. flag in the nude, you look like you have no respect for the flag whatsoever (not to mention no taste). Do us all a favor and put some clothes on or put on a nice bra and panties and send the photos to your man PRIVATELY. I have never seen a male military spouse pose in the nude draped in the U.S. flag, why should you?

6. Engage in Infidelity- This is a "duh" but some people really just don't know when to keep it in their pants or keep their legs closed. I'm sure some of you have heard of the term "jodie" or "jody" (people spell it differently) and this name refers to the person a military significant other will cheat with. Obviously, this name didn't come about by just a few women cheating on their man. There had to have been a lot. If you can't be faithful, leave. Bottom line. And if you're deleting messages from your phone or Facebook so your significant other can't see, you're already there. I don't care how long it's been since you've seen your man...it's called "don't be a slut." Respect your man and what he's doing. Wait for him in all aspects. Mind, body, heart should all be committed to him and to him only. This should be a given.