Is beauty really skin deep?

What do you believe?

Society is so hot on looks at the moment that it makes it hard to believe this term. I know the media are trying to release the pressures put on us by publishing photos of models that aren’t flawless and I am happy about this.

I suppose the real reason behind me writing this post is I received a comment from a friend saying “omg you look so different without mascara?!” I wasn’t sure whether to take it as a compliment or insult but it made me think… Do I hide behind my mascara wand through society pressures or for my own pleasure. I decided to strip back the mascara for a photo and be bare to the world

Okay, so it’s quite obvious I look rougher on the right side, possibly even unwell. However is this because my natural look isn’t seen as beauty? Or am I a completely insecure and not at ease with myself? 🙂

I feel as a female the pressures of beauty are too much and society shouldn’t be allowed to make me feel this way. It is not right! It is depressing and makes me feel glum. I began to hate the mirror and photos unless I had retaken them a good few times.

Coming to grips with my fiery feelings I realised that it is not just society getting to me… it is also everyday people, who make unnecessary comments and have wide eyed reactions to me at times. Why do this? I was always taught to be polite and make others feel good about themselves, yet I face this.

This has made me analyse my ‘mascara wand’ behaviour and I guess I do wear it to avoid comments about my appearance.. wow you look so tired and pale.. blah blah blah. It gives me the extra confidence and a feel good factor, so thank you Eugene Rimmel for that invention. I suppose in a nutshell it feels like it is my protection mask. I’m hiding from the world.

Many males and females are battling depression and anxiety due to confidence issues all over the world and constant pressures from outside influences are not helping. Whether, you feel insecure as an individual or just judge others based on their looks, you need to take the time to think is this worth the pain its causes me? and others?

It alarms me that children as young as primary school age are suffering and worrying about their looks. Childhood is a time for fun and no cares in the world. I really do hope for change in this as it is going far deeper than ever before, with a rise in cyber bullying, resulting in more suicides and mental health issues.

We need to find a way to become stronger as a unit and defend the fact that everyone is different. That is what makes us all so beautiful and unique. There is no correct way of looking or being! Please remember that! Blossom and be confident in who you are and wear your own skin with pride.

Remember:

– Most people who comment on other peoples appearances are insecure and will pull someone else down to make themselves feel better. Try to brush the comments off and reflect on all the positive things you have. If you are struggling affirmations are a great help.

http://www.affirmating.com/affirmations/self-esteem-affirmations.html

http://businessheroinemagazine.com/27-daily-affirmations-to-boost-self-esteem-and-develop-self-confidence/

– You are unique and beautiful in your own way!! A world full of similar people would be boring. Stand out from the crowd.

Great photo!

Express Yourself with Creativity
Kelly-Rose x

Stay stress free whilst commuting.

Living in London and commuting during the rush hour is an absolute nightmare for most. I loathe the fact I have conformed to be this robotic state that rugby tackles its way through the crowds, in an attempt to get there first. ‘There’ being the platform, the train, the tube, the bus and ridiculously even the road race. There seems to be a culture forming in which we are becoming obsessed with saving time and in a bid to get where we need, we rush, creating tension and aggression.

How do we tackle this ever growing problem?

Now first things first, this is not good for our health. Working ourselves up into a frenzy over commuting is not worth the negative effects it may cause our bodies. Such pressures can create ‘stress’, this could cause a domino effect, that may affect our mental and physical state. When the ‘stress’ hormone is released in to the body its main aim is to protect us from pressures or threats (this is commonly known as the ‘flight or fight’ response). Imagine this became a daily occurrence, wear and tear on the body would be inevitable.

I quickly noticed the start of stress in myself. Life in general was beginning to feel as though I was on an ever spinning carousel that I could not stop. I constantly felt exhausted, down in the dumps and generally run down. I realised my morning rush was having a negative effect on me as a whole and I needed to change it. I have not managed to resolve it entirely yet but now I am more aware to the cause I can work with it.

I began by paying more attention to the triggers that set me off and how I could avoid them. Here we go:

• There never seems to be enough time in the morning. I awake at 6:10am, wash, dress and breakfast myself, yet when it approaches 7:15am I can feel my adrenaline pumping. I know I want (not need) to leave in 5 minutes  no later! So my dashing begins right here, my temperature begins to rise and a headache builds.
• I finally make it out of the house and find myself obsessively clock watching, counting down how long until I reach the rail station, this makes me feel anxious. I practically fly down the street, breathless and hot but despite all these symptoms I still do not stop.
• Once I reach the rail station I rush through the ticket barriers, still with 4 minutes to spare and take the staircase up, leaping two at a time. The platform is buzzing with fellow commuters and I still obsess about making it to my favourite platform position.
• Finally the train arrives and we all dart forwards to ensure we get on sooner rather than later, and once on we stay squashed near the door, so we exit quicker at the tube station…

I could continue on, but I am sure you catch my gist. There is no part of this behaviour that is good for the health. I actually felt nauseous writing about it

So my first question to myself is 

Q: Is my behaviour affecting my health?

A: Yes

The bottom line is I need to change my lifestyle and behaviour patterns. I am currently reading information on the following websites which help me think and operate in a more relaxed and calm manner.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-stress.aspx

http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Stress

http://hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/mental_emotional/understandingu/tools/stress_reduction.html

I will post a follow up blog on my progress. I am going to begin with earlier nights and relaxing music en route to work. Any tips are welcomed!! 

All stay well and enjoy life

Kelly-Rose x

The art of shaving legs

Hey Guys and Dolls,

What a beautiful sunny day!

So I woke up early today and did the usual chores. Then decided I would have a nice relaxing soak in the tub to freshen up before venturing out. The bath was full of bubbles and smelling gorgeous so I got in smiling knowing I would be fresh as a daisy. Instantly I could feel my muscles unwinding, and the water circulating around my body made me lay back and close my eyes.

After a while I could feel my skin was beginning to crinkle (which I hate) so I quickly began to wash myself when all of a sudden I could feel ‘those prickly legs’ Oh darn, I think, hair again!!’ This bath was no longer to be remembered as a relaxing one; it had now become that tiresome task of a ‘shave those legs bath!’

The thing is I understand keeping the body hair to a minimum takes effort but I feel as though I am forever shaving and to make matters worse within a few hours I can feel those wretched hairs sprouting through again. How is this possible??! Is there a shaving legs bible I haven’t been told about?!

On average it can take me about 15 minutes to shave my entire legs which can be an aching task for my arms and not forgetting the leg stuck in the air. So to do this daily is a complete literal pain.

A few days ago I decided to look into ways of getting a closer shave with a standard lady shaver and here is what I discovered.

According to information on the internet for a closer shave you should first shave in the direction of the hair growth and then go against it. I thought great, this is exactly what I am looking for and it will solve my problem. So off I went smiling with a bounce in my step thinking I had learned something new.

The next bath experience I was ready and prepared for the two way shave. I did exactly as I read. After the bath I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. My legs felt really smooth, and not a prick in sight. I came to the decision that the issue of shaving was finally resolved.

Unfortunately the next morning yet again I could feel some of those unfriendly spikes coming through.

Urghhhh!

For those that do not personally know me, I am not one to give up, so today I decided to try a new approach. I like call it ‘the four directional shave’. I began by coating my leg (which is very long, so bear in mind longer legs take longer to shave, another annoying fact) in shaving gel and using a fresh razor I went down, then up and diagonal in both directions. I did this on the whole of both legs. The outcome is they do feel smooth and with the help of baby oil- soft.

I am convinced this method will work, assuming the direction of the hair growth is different on various parts of the leg. Otherwise it will be back to the thought board for more bizarre ways. Fingers crossed!

Crazy thoughts

On another note wouldn’t it be great if they invented long armed razors or leg rests for when you want to lay in the bath and shave your legs. It could stop all those aching pains, which I am sure most of you get whilst lifting your leg up high in the air.

Anyway the bottom line is shaving legs can be a nightmare so maybe opting for a full leg wax is the easier option and something I should consider doing. I suppose at least if all these different ways aren’t solving the problem, they are making me more agile. Hey you never know maybe I could apply for the next swan lake, although it’s more likely to be ‘swan flake’ if I continue to try all these ridiculous methods.

‘Flaky legs don’t turn heads!’

Til next time

Kelly-Rose x