Taking care of you starts now.. part 1: Spray tan

If you are anything like me, you struggle to find the time to do the things you NEED to do or should be doing. And well, let's not forget about the things I just plain old WANT to do but keep putting off.

Whether you're a new mom and showering or even doing the dishes isn't on your priority list or you are working 6 days a week and can barely find time to cut the grass and get your roots touched up. We all need to make time for ourselves.

This year I have decided among so many other things, that I am going to take care of myself. I'm going to make a conscious effort to put ME first when I need too.

Not only does that start by being healthier but also by treating myself to some luxuries.

Yes ladies, we do deserve those luxuries.

I've been going to the chiropractor for over a year now, I've changed my diet to help with the allergies I've recently developed in the last few years. I've also started going for massages on a semi regular basis.

I've made an effort to do little things for myself like, get my nails done, or go tanning, or by getting myself my favorite treat even if I have to hide to eat it. Hahaha.

I have always gone to a tanning salon and with wanting to make healthier choices I thought I would look for a better alternative.

I've always avoided spray tans because they have always seemed fake and orangey looking.

And it wasn't until a friend of mine had posted about a new product she had tried and loved that I decided to do some more research on my own. Which brought me to Mabel at ICandy Beauty Studios.

ICandy Beauty Studios provides a vegan friendly product that not only took minutes to spray on but over hours continued to darken to a natural shade.

Mabel knew immediately what level of product she would use on me. So that made things easier for me. The product she uses is Sjolie. It uses an Organic DHA(dihydroxyacetone),

Is 100% Vegan (Approved by the Peta foundation),

Made from only naturally derived ingredients,

Paraben free and Erythrulose free and fragrance free.

And I actually like the smell. My biggest dislike for self tanners is the smell.

After my spray tan I followed Mabel's directions and went home to relax for a few hours.

After I processed for the few hours I rinsed off in the shower and applied lotion like she had recommended. Then I admired my glow. I was shocked at how natural the tan looked. The tan lines I had previously were gone. Everything had blended so well. My skin had a matte soft look to it. And it actually looked like I had been working out.

I've had clients who have had a spray tan before their photoshoot but I didn't know what their bodies looked like before. I sure know what mine looks like and I was shocked at how different it looked with the spray tan. Which made me realize that this could be a secret weapon for some of my clients. For the ones who are ready for their boudoir photoshoot and are excited about the experience but could still use that pre-shoot confidence boost. A spray tan would be perfect.

So I came up with a list of 5 reasons why you should get a spray tan before your boudoir photography shoot.

1. Hides blemishes. And in some cases can even hide stretch marks. The natural consistent color can even hide cellulite.

2. Makes your skin not only look soft and smooth but makes it feel soft and smooth.

3. Can hide unwanted tan lines.

4. Can actually make you look thinner. The darkened features create shadows which can look like muscle definition and make you look toned.

5. Confidence... all of these basically add up to feeling more confident in your own skin.

When you look good, you feel good.

So long story short, get the spray tan, eat the brownie, get your nails done, take that time out, and come strut your stuff in front of my camera!

Let's bring out that Bodacious Babe in you!

ICandy Beauty Studio is located in The Wellness Clinic at 1037 2nd Ave East. Check out Mabel's Facebook page or her Instagram page #icandy.beauty.studio