Bikini Bodies

SO, I know you may feel that this subject has been done to death, but over the past few weeks I have felt strongly that I would like to have a say.

The initial poster on the London Underground offended quite a few people.  I understand this, it is pretty demoralising as a person to be told that you are not good enough as you are.

I really dislike any type of "diet" that encourages meal replacments.  Believe me, I have in the past used them and regretted it, it is a system that does not encourage you to enjoy good food in a wholesome manner.

The model in question is slim and well toned - Good on her!! BUT .......

Not everyone is a model. Not everyone has the time to spend on making their bodies fit the current stereotype that marketeers want in their adverts. 

Some of us have long commutes to busy jobs, as well as a family to love and care for.  I know my children would rather have a wobbly mummy to cuddle them than a fit and toned mummy that spends the evenings at the gym to look "perfect" (whatever that is supposed to be!) and not see them.

The scary moment comes for me when I hear a 13year say she wants to become anorexic so that she looks better - WHAT!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!! 

These are a just 2 news items that I read this morning on my News feed

BBC news - Eating disorder hospital admissions double http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articles/32975654

Sky news - YSL Ad banned over 'Unhealthily Thin' Model

 

This pictures sums up for me the insidious way marketing is encouraging our young girls to aspire to an unnaturally thin ideal.

I understand that there are a LOT of different body shapes and some people are naturally very slim, but some of us are not.  

What we should be aspiring to surely is a healthy look for us as an individual.  My father-in-law thought that it was funny to say how much weight I had put on over the last few years.  I was LIVID! This was in front of my 2 young impressionable girls.  How DARE he? I stayed calm but it upset me that people think they can judge us by how we look or how much they think we weigh.

We are all beautiful.  We should avoid junk food not because we will be slimmer (although we probably will!) but because it is bad for us.  We should eat our fruit and vegetables because they are full of goodness that helps us stay healthy for as long as possible.  We should all accept that beauty comes from within - the prettiest girl can look ugly when she thinks and speaks mean and spiteful thoughts.

We are all different, we can all be beautiful as beauty comes from the inside.  Love, kindness and generosity will shine through a persons eyes.  

So eat well - good food that you enjoy.  Smile lots, 

Laugh more, 

Love and love some more, 

but please let us not beat ourselves up anymore over the fact that we will never look like the girl in the poster - she probably doesn't either Photoshop has a lot to answer for!

That is my personal rant for the day over.  

Peace, light and love to you all

Anna 

By the way, yes I offer a body wrap for people in my business, but I make no promises and my favourite part of the whole treatment is the way your skin will feel the next day and the relaxation it gives my lovely clients. 

My Travel makeup

I have been lucky enough to go on a long weekend break with my friends to Rome - cue obligatory selfie in Colosseum.

This time we could take luggage in the hold - so hubby says "Will most of your case be taken up by makeup?" (Cheeky!!)

But I had a little box of goodies to take with - the Absolu Au Naturel from Lancome.  I had to get it from Duty Free but the colours work great with my skin tones.  Being a freckle face with pink cheeks does not go well with the usual bronze and golds put into a lot of "natural" palettes.

So this little treasure box has 8 eye shadows, 2 concealers, a highlighter, lip gloss, lip colour, mini mascara, powder, brown eyeliner, lightening pencil, lip brush, shadow brush and highlighter brush, in a really tidy black case.

I did have to also take my Smashbox tinted moisturiser, my Dior Addict gloss, and my Benefit blusher box - but that was it!  So I had colours and makeup for daytime roaming and evening socialising.

Even if I had only had a carry on bag I would have been fine with these products.

The eye shadows, go on beautifully, and the colours all looked great.  I used the black shadow as an eyeliner with the small brush and it looked great, although if you prefer a real smoky eye or strong eyeliner look then a black pencil will also be needed.

So for short trips away, this lovely kit is now the first thing I pack.

I haven't quite mastered the art of the "selfie" but I love this photo of me with my beautiful girls off to visit family, and I've used my Absolu au Naturel kit.  Please forgive the eyebrows I know they needed doing but I ran out of time.

So, there is my first makeup kit review.  I'm not your usual beauty blogger but I do love to try out new beauty products and makeup.

Peace and kindness to all

Anna :-)

Lash Extensions - the good, the bad and the dangerous!

So lash extensions - love them or hate them there are a lot of beauty therapists out there doing lash extensions and they are becoming extremely popular. 

The Good

They are fantastic for those people that love the glamorous look of long, full lashes without the hassle of mascara that runs down your face.  For those ladies with hardly any lashes they really feel like a god send as they feel almost made up as soon as they get out of bed.

The lashes open up your eyes and open the window to your soul!  

I always use lovely gel pads that are gentle around the eyes, a high quality, fast drying glue to avoid lashes clumping together, and always ensure that the lashes are NOT too heavy or long for the client's natural lashes.  I like to use 0.15, 0.10 and 0.05 lashes to give a more natural look that is also better for the lashes.

Having the lashes applied means that you have to lie down for up to 2 hours and RELAX!  When the client opens their eyes and smile with delight - I am a very happy Lasher.

The Bad

Sometimes, sadly people can become allergic to be allergic to the glue that is used.  This  is why I always insist on a patch test at least 48 hours prior to the first set of extensions.  

Occasionally, I have come across lashes that are meant for temporary party lashes (cluster lashes) glued on with lash extension glue.  This worries me.  This will put too much stress on your natural lash with a possibility of them being pulled out - most definitely NOT what any of us want to see.

Cluster lashes with so much glue on the lashes it doesn't allow them to be cleaned or shed properly. 

The Dangerous

Poorly applied lashes can damage your own natural lashes, this may also cause other problems such as styes.

Application without a patch test is a NO NO!  An allergic reaction is not pretty and may be permanently damaging.

I have worked hard to ensure that whenever I do a set of lashes, there is correct lash isolation, the extensions is not too heavy or long, and that my equipment is sterilised after every client (no cross contamination on my lash table!).

I also LISTEN to what my clients want.  If they want a more natural set, then that is what I do for them. If they want fluffier lashes I use the very fine lashes (then I can put 2/3 on).

The best part of my Lash business - my lovely regular clients that come back after 2-3 weeks for their infills telling me that they can't live without their lashes!

I'll post more pictures up on my Facebook page as I start to take more photos.  

Take care all and hope to see you soon

Anna xx

Shrinking Violet Body Wrap - What you want to know!

So as you may know I have been doing Shrinking Violet Body Wraps for over 2 years now - WOW where has that time gone.

Lots of people want to know more about it so here goes with a run down of what it is, what the treatment entails and other information.

 Shrinking Violet inch loss body wraps are made by Tibby Olivier - a UK company.  They are a clinically proven, specially formulated wrap system. Independent clinical trials have proven one treatment can reduce fat by up to 2.5% with results showing after just 60minutes.

 The main ingredient is an active phospholipid solution that is pre-blended with essential oils (which smells amazing) carrying a cellulite blend. This active ingredient has previously been used in fat jabs- an injection used to reduce fat by injecting directly into the fatty tissue. But don’t worry, this method is non invasive and totally pain free.  In fact it is a fabulous treatment to relax into.

During the treatment you will be wrapped up in a film called Wrapture. Your arms and legs are wrapped separately to ensure you are comfortable and you then leave the wrap on for 60 minutes. You are covered up and nice and warm with our heated blanket, cosy and relaxing.  There is also an option to have a mini facial or head massage whilst you are wrapped.

There is no need to shower after your wrap- the shrinking violet solution is left on the skin for 12hours after your treatment as the solution remains active.

You may notice is a slight increase in urination for up to 2 days after the wrap.  Many of my clients also report that they sleep really well afterwards and their skin feels fantastic too.



You can jump start a new and slimmer you with a combination of Shrinking Violet Inch Loss wraps, exercise and healthy eating for optimum results. The inches you lose after your wrap will only come back if you continue to eat excess calories and do not follow the pre and aftercare advice.

Now you may want to know how many wraps you need!
The amount of wraps you have depends on the results you want to see. Some clients just have had one or two before a night out, holiday or special occasion. Where as some have a course of 6, 8 or 10 to achieve the a cumulative result.

All you have to do is follow this simple pre and after care advice to ensure you achieve the best results…
Pre care:
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks for 24 hours before your wrap
Avoid eating a heavy meal before coming in for your wrap

After care:
Leave the solution on your skin for 12hours after the wrap
Drink at least a litre of water a day
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks for 72 hours after your wrap
Regular exercise and a good diet to maintain your results.


If you would like any more information regarding wraps, please contact me via Facebook or check out my website.

www.facebook.com/CallaBeautyTreatments
www.calla-beauty.co.uk

Also there have been a lot of write ups in the press about the wraps too.


Here's to a beautiful New Year

Anna x

With many thanks to Kayleigh Marley for sharing with the Tibby Olivier therapists

New Year New You?

So along with the rest of the world I am setting myself a few goals this New Year.

I am going to try to keep them as achievable as possible as I want them to work!!

1.    Continue to eat as many vegetables and fruits as possible each day, and reduce sugar from my diet as much as possible.  According to a lot of research at the moment sugar causes your skin to age very quickly.

2.    Walk at least 30 minutes everyday - definitely possible as I have Cookie to walk! And we will be walking fast (when she's not in the mud!!)

3.    Set myself at least 1 appointment a week to get my eyebrows tinted and waxed, and eyelashes tinted at least! With the new Duchess wax I use my eyebrows won't even be that red - YAY
 My previous before and after picture

4.    Spend some real time with my munchkins.  Screen time for ALL of us needs to be limited and with 2 of them teenagers (well almost 2!) it won't be long before childhood is totally over and I want to make sure that I am there for them when they need me.

My children are the pivot of my life I am so proud of them all and I love the 3 of them to the moon and back.


So I am hoping that by the time I get to Easter I will have reached at least all of these very achievable aims.  They are not huge but I believe they will make a difference to how I feel inside and outside.

Oh and in January, my body is a WINE FREE ZONE - eeeekkk!!
Alcohol dehydrates our bodies and therefore our skin quicker than anything so to help my skin and the rest of me I will be DRY this January.

 
Here's wishing you all a peaceful, gorgeous and wonderful 2015

Anna x