Sometimes It's Best to Leave Well Enough Alone

I took today off to get ready for our road trip to Owensboro, KY to the annual "Johnson Reunion."
Not to be confused with the 80-person plus "Ballantine Reunion," (which the Johnsons all attend, by the way), the Johnson Reunion is a smaller gathering of my mom's kids and their kids, and her two sisters' kids and their kids.

On my long list of things to do to get ready for the trip was a visit to Aria Skin and Laser Spa for a full-body airbrush tanning session. I've only ever done this one time before and that was about three weeks ago right before my little jaunt to Boone and Wilmington. I had a gift certificate for the Spa that I've been holding on to since my birthday, and I thought, what the heck, let's see what this airbrush tanning is all about. It was a little weird, I must say. I was ushered back into a spacious bathroom and was told to strip down and wear nothing but these disposable panties they give you. Ok. Now, I'm not very modest in medical situations as I've given birth twice and have breastfed two children, but it was a bit awkward to stand there almost fully naked in front of this woman, mirrors, and fans, while she sprayed me. The actual spraying took about 10 minutes as she got all sides and angles. Then the lights were dimmed, the fans turned up and I was told to stand there and slowly rotate for a full 30 minutes while the tanning solution dried. That part was probably weirder than standing naked in front of a strange woman, the standing naked in front yourself in the mirror for a full 30 minutes. Finally, the minutes passed and I was free to go. I LOVED the results, and better yet, so did David! I had this instant boost of confidence all because my body was two shades darker.

I'm fully aware of the dangers of the sun and I'm good about putting sunscreen on my kids and me. But there's no denying it: people look better with a little tan. They just do. So I enjoyed my 5-7 day tan and decided that I would do it again before this upcoming Family Reunion. Today was the same experience as the first time, but it seemed like it took longer for the solution to dry. And when I got home and checked everything out, it barely looked like I had gotten sprayed at all. I honestly don't know if my coloring is the same as last time or what, but my insatiable vanity kicked in and I took out my Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray to spray on top of the $38 job I'd just gotten done professionally. The first time I used the Neutrogena home product, I did a terrible job and left my legs streaky and orange. Why did I think this time would be any better?

Four years ago not too long after Johnny was born, I got a home hair highlighting kit and totally did a number on my naturally golden locks. My hair ended up looking orange. I went to a professional to fix my damage and I was told (and agreed) to never try to give myself highlights at home again. No longer trying to get my hair lighter on my own at home, now I'm trying to get my skin darker. The professionals weren't good enough this time and I was compelled to challenge them and Mother Nature. We'll see in about 2 hours whether my skin turns blotchy and orange. If it does, I deserve it.