Inner Confidence Issue 3

EDITION 3 // OCTOBER 2014 // MARCH 2015

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Meet Jane Cay, Founder of online retail store, Birdsnest

BRAVE– HEART

Anna Bligh talks candidly about life in and out of the spotlight

5 reasons to wear

MINERAL MAKEUP ON MAKING IT EASIER FOR OTHER WOMEN TO SUCCEED

WHO INSPIRES YOU TO BE CONFIDENT? Tell us for your chance to WIN great prizes!

Finally, one moisturiser that has it all.

We’ve made choosing a moisturiser simple, by providing everything you need for beautiful healthy skin in one advanced formula.

With Vitamins A, B, C, E and Cermides to restore the protective barrier function of your skin and provide a platform for enhancing the delivery and exchange of skin lipids, for just $69, mooi is the only moisturiser you will ever need.

Exclusively available at Clear Complexions Clinics — mooiskincare.com.au Visit clearcomplexions.com.au/shop and use the Voucher code ‘CCCM’ to receive 10% off on this product.

12

06 In this // ISSUE 3

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

20 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Darren Palmer says gratitude is the key to his success.

4

GETTING UNDER YOUR SKIN

6

PAVING THE WAY

We go beneath the surface of your skin, to find out what’s really happening.

Layne Beachley helps make the road to success easier for others.

10 DEFYING GRAVITY

We profile two treatments that can help tighten your skin and restore lost volume.

12 BRAVEHEART

Anna Bligh shares her story of surviving floods, cancer and a career in politics.

16 MINERAL MAKEUP

5 reasons to switch over now!

18 BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Inside the fabulous world of birdnest—one of Australia’s most successful online fashion stores.

18 32

22 OVERCOMING YOUR FEARS

We publish the winning response and some of our best entries.

26 PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

Some great last minute treatments that involve minimal downtime.

28 FROM THE GROUND UP

Nikki Bonus brings the healing power of yoga and meditation to schoolchildren in Australia.

30 NATURE’S ‘THIEVES OF TIME’

Richard Parker identifies sun and sugar as our number one enemies for ageing.

32 WHO INSPIRES YOU TO BE CONFIDENT?

Tell us for your chance to win a birdnest voucher, Clear Complexions voucher and Darren Palmer’s new book!

30 20 28

Editor & Publisher Suzie Hoitink

Assistant Photographer Paul Mcmahon

Associate Editor Kate Edwards

Makeup / Hair Styling Danielle Butcher

Designer Sonny Looms

Project Manager Angie Raj

Original Photography Graham Jepson

Publishing Manager Chris Robey

Created By Coordinate Group for Clear Complexions.

www.coordinate.com.au

www.clearcomplexions.com.au

Advertising, Editorial and Subscription Inquiries Email innerconfidence@clearcomplexions.com.au Post Inner Confidence HQ 1/82 Thynne Street, Bruce ACT 2617

Editor’s LETTER

There are many people, famous or otherwise, who inspire me with their words and actions; from the stirring speeches of great leaders, to the daily acts of kindness and bravery that occur around me in my work and personal life.

I want Inner Confidence to be very much a publication that encourages people to bare their soul and give an honest account of their stories—ups and downs. Because when others share their vulnerability and humanness with us, we instantly feel more connected and encouraged.

In this issue, several high profile people have honoured us by going a little bit deeper with their stories so that in their own personal efforts to achieve their dreams, we can find a message of hope and inspiration. That takes a lot of inner confidence, and to all of those who participated in this issue, I am truly grateful.

Suzie Hoitink Editor-in-chief

BEHIND THE SCENES

For a behind-the-scenes glimpse, visit: clearcomplexions.com.au INNER CONFIDENCE // 3

S

o you’ve read a few articles on skin conditions, you’ve Googled the latest in skincare technology and you’ve talked to a few friends. Now you’re ready to book in for the treatment that’s going to transform your skin. Right?

Wrong, says Suzie Hoitink, Founder of Clear Complexions.

“When it comes to improving the health of your skin, there is no silver bullet approach,” she insists. “It’s about understanding what damage has occurred and having the knowledge, skills and expertise to put together the right combination of skincare and treatments accordingly.”

And that’s where Clear Complexions is different to so many other clinics or laser chains in the industry.

When it comes to improving the health of your skin, there is no silver bullet approach.

“We’ll never perform a treatment on a client until we’ve conducted an extensive skin consultation with one of our trained nurses*,” explains Suzie. “Because what works for one person could be completely inappropriate for another.”

An initial skin consultation usually takes at least an hour, during which a nurse will use state-of -the-art imaging software to generate images of the blood supply, melanin (pigmentation) and sun damage to your face up to 2mm below the surface of your skin.

“While this is never good for your self-esteem, it gives us key information about why your skin appears the way it does and guides us in our decision making on what is the best treatment path for you,” says Suzie. “We can also look at how to prevent future problems from occurring.”

4 // INNER CONFIDENCE

After determining your main concerns, the nurse will formulate a treatment plan designed to work with your lifestyle. Test patches are also performed if necessary.

“Safety is paramount,” insists Suzie. “We spend a great deal of time with our clients discussing their lifestyles, health concerns and relevant medical conditions, all of which could affect the treatment results.”

And if you’re confused by all the lotions and potions out there, this is also the time to get your skincare routine established once and for all. The clinics have access to an extensive range of medical grade skincare and the nurses can offer advice on tailoring the right products for your specific skin needs.

“Cosmeceuticals containing powerful and effective antioxidants can also help repair damage and promote the health of your skin,” says Suzie. “That’s why it’s important to understand what’s happening with your skin so that we can customise a skincare routine accordingly.”

At the conclusion of your consultation, you’ll receive a folder of information about your skin, photos of the damage that lies beneath and your potential treatment options. There is absolutely no obligation to commence treatment, but if you do go ahead, you can rest assured that you’re armed with the right information if you were to proceed.

What works for one person could be completely inappropriate for another.

Best of all, once you’ve commenced treatment, Clear Complexions will conduct ongoing consultations to monitor the progress of your skin over time and demonstrate how your treatment plan is working. n

All our nurses an IPL Laser Safety Officer's Certificate from Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science (AACDS)

*

A comprehensive skin analysis is your first step to a clear complexion.

For just $50, our highly experienced nurses* will conduct a one hour skin analysis, utilising state-of-the-art imaging software. We will then tailor an individualised treatment plan specific to your skins needs.

So take the first step towards improving your skin and book in for a skin analysis today.

Suzie Hoitink, Registered Nurse Founder of Clear Complexions Associate Member of the ACCS & ACSM

clearcomplexions.com.au

Canberra Bruce Cnr of Thynne & Watkin St. T 02 6251 8889

Sydney Erindale 1/43 Comrie St. T 02 6231 0003

Gungahlin Suite 13, The Marketplace T 02 6241 7660

Balmain 2A Rowntree St. T 9555 7287

*All our nurses an IPL Laser Safety Offi cer’s Certifi cate from Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science (AACDS)

Norwest Business Park U125, Level 1, 14-16 Lexington Dr. Bella Vista T 8960 7480

Feature //

6 // INNER CONFIDENCE

It’s been no easy road for Layne Beachley who’s had to battle discrimination, chronic illness and personal setbacks on her journey to being the most successful woman surfer in the world.

Today her mission is to ensure that young women, on the brink of fulfilling their dreams, can do so without having to endure the hardships that she once did.

I

magine you’re eight years old. You’ve been motherless for the last two years, having lost your Mum to a post-operative brain haemorrhage. Your father loves you, but in a tough love kind of way. A way that tells you to “get a bloody wheelchair” when you cry about banging your knee so hard it blows up to twice it’s size.

Imagine then, your father, who’s never been a man of many words, sitting you down and telling you that you aren’t actually his. Nor were you your mother’s. You were adopted. Or, as Layne Beachley heard it, unwanted.

“That moment had a profound impact on my life,” recalls Layne. “In that instant, I decided I was going to be a world champion surfer. So that I could prove that I was worthwhile—to the world, to my Dad, to myself...”

And so a steely determination was born. One that would be the driving force for most of Layne’s career. It was what kept her in the water from such a young age, despite harassment and intimidation by men that felt there was no place for a woman in the world of surfing.

“Early on I took it personally,” says Layne. “But later I saw it for what it was—just the male ego being threatened. I learnt that you’re always going to cop intimidation but for every bloke that’s being abusive, there’s another one who’s being encouraging and positive. So I just surrounded myself with the people who supported me.”

But the discrimination didn’t just the beach. The surfing industry, one bastions of Australian sport to accept egitimate competitors, still upheld a draconian attitude".

happen at of the last women as l "sexist and

“It was a never ending battle trying to go on tour,” acknowledges Layne. “Because the industry didn’t really believe in women surfers, there was so little support, events, prize money and opportunities.

Even when I was ranked number 2 or 3 in the world, I never earned more than $15k a year.”

Where other people might have thrown in the towel, Layne worked more than 60 hours a week in four different jobs to supplement her income, fitting in her training whenever she could, sometimes only surfing one hour a week.

“I worked nine to five in a surf shop during the week,’ recounts Layne, “And made pizzas, waited on tables, taught rollerblading and worked in a bar at night till 4am on weekends. Despite all that I was earning just $8 an hour. I remember thinking, ‘I still can’t afford to go on tour.’ But the owner of the pub that I worked at gave me $3000, which at the time was a round the world ticket, and said ‘I believe in you.’ It was life changing!”

Once the opportunities became available it didn’t take long for the world to stand up and notice the absolute dynamo that was starting to dominate the international surfing scene. It was in this competitive element, that the extreme measures Layne took to prove her worth, really kicked in.

INNER CONFIDENCE // 7

The intensity of my training regime was ridiculous. But I had the mental tenacity and willingness to do what my competition weren’t willing to.

“The intensity of my training regime was ridiculous,” acknowledges Layne. “But I had the mental tenacity and willingness to do what my competition weren’t willing to.”

Layne’s regime included sprinting along one end of Palm Beach to the other on the soft sand, running up sand hills 40 times whilst carrying a log and somehow incorporating 500 push-ups and 1000 sit-ups into the session. And that was just on Sunday mornings!

Unfortunately one of the side effects of being constantly motivated by a feeling of unworthiness—to push yourself to the extreme and never feel that your efforts are quite good enough—is that it can’t be sustained without a breakdown of some sort. And that’s exactly what happened to Layne.

“It was just after I won my first world championship tour event and three weeks before my 21st birthday when I just hit the wall,” recalls Layne. “I remember eating a piece of toast and feeling unusually bloated afterwards.”

The symptoms of chronic fatigue, a debilitating illness that is particularly common amongst extreme athletes—began to manifest for Layne as an overwhelming tiredness and sudden food intolerances. However, having just had a taste of world victory, Layne was not going to allow her body to hold her back. Ignoring her symptoms and overriding them with an even more intense regime, Layne astonishingly performed consistently enough to be ranked in the top 10 surfers in the world over the next three years.

But in 1996, her body simply couldn’t take any more. And not even Layne’s self-punishing resolve could override what it was telling her. Enough!

“It was one of my ‘Mack truck moments’,” smiles Layne. “I collapsed into a heap and had no choice but to listen to others. A friend of mine advised me to go and see a naturopath who put me on a pretty strict diet of chicken, fish, rice, vegetables and salad. I was taking an enormous amount of supplements, having vitamin C injections and I was sleeping 14 hours a day.”

8 // INNER CONFIDENCE

In having to surrender to her body’s healing process, Layne also hit an emotional rock bottom.

boards and fins. I was even asked to help design a fin for FCS which is the worlds most widely used removable fin system.”

“I found myself in a state of depression, and ended up feeling pretty suicidal,” admits Layne.

“It ended up being a turning point in my life because I had to get OK with the fact that I wasn’t OK.”

With her newfound state of self-acceptance and her competitive edge, Layne went on to claim her 6th world title in 2003. But her emotional journey was about to take another turn.

For someone who had continually measured her self-worth through her achievements, pushing herself through all barriers in her life, the process of letting go of control was particularly painful. But with the help of friends, family and practitioners, the journey allowed Layne to reach a point of self-forgiveness and self-love.

In that instant, I decided I was going to be a world champion surfer. So that I could prove that I was worthwhile—to the world, to my Dad, to myself...

“From then on I lightened up and I learned to listen to myself, to my body… and to my mentors,” reflects Layne. “With that state of mind, I went into a healthier state of being.”

From this vantage point, Layne was able to try a different tack in her competitive strategies. In acknowledging that so much in life is completely out of our control, a mentor helped her focus on the ‘one percenters’—the things that we can control—to increase the likelihood of achieving what we want. For Layne, that one percent was the difference between her and her competitors.

And that’s when she applied all her energies towards one crucial element: her boards.

“I spent a lot of time in the shaping bay working on my equipment, customising my boards, especially my fins, for the specific conditions of each competition,” explains Layne. “And it was working—to the point where competitors were coming up and asking me for advice on their

“A girlfriend suggested that maybe being adopted had something to do with my ambition,” says Layne. “So I went and did a re-birthing session and found myself in hysterical tears. Years of grief just rose to the surface. ” The cathartic experience allowed Layne to finally identify the source of her need to prove herself to the world and represented a huge shift in the way she pursued her goals.

“I went on to win my 7th world title and it was a completely different experience to my previous ones,” she says. “I was doing it from a state of unconditional love rather than looking for validation outside myself.”

Of course, as with everyone, Layne’s process of self-awareness and emotional healing is a continuous one. Whilst her father remains, in her words, ‘the greatest rock in my life—my hero,’ Layne has embarked on a ‘developing’ relationship with her birth mother. The biggest lesson she has learnt through her journey is in believing that she is enough—as she is. She not only reassures herself of that daily, but has surrounded herself with supportive people who also remind her.

“I wasn’t born a world champion,” she explains.

“Being aware of my self-sabotaging thoughts and overcoming them and staying true to who I am, allowed me to manifest what I have now.

Which right at this moment is a beautiful home overlooking the ocean that I share with a rock star!” n

Scan to watch inspirational stories behind our features. Visit this link to view Layne Beachley’s feature video. vimeo.com/102809028

Aim for the Stars AMABASSADORS Having experienced huge financial and emotional pressures in pursuing her dreams, Layne wanted to prevent others from going through the same adversity. Her foundation, Aim for the Stars, provides financial and moral support to girls and young women who are passionate and committed to achieving their dreams in sport, business, the arts, science or otherwise.

“Over the last 11 years, we’ve provided a total of $600,000 in funding to individuals and groups and have had some amazing success stories,” enthuses Layne.

Here she introduces us to two previous recipients and current Ambassadors for her foundation.

Caroline Buchanan // BMX World Champion

Jessica Smith // Join the Revolution

A five times world champion BMX rider, Caroline Buchanan (nicknamed Cannonball) is one of Australia’s gutsiest sportswomen. Selected to represent Australia at the London 2012 Olympics, Caroline lost the gold medal race after a disastrous start to the event, despite being a favourite to win.

Jessica was born missing her left forearm, and then as a toddler, suffered horrific third degree burns to 14% of her body. Despite growing up battling bulimia, anorexia and depression, she excelled in her swimming career and was selected to represent Australia at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.

Learning from the experience, Caroline, who was born in Australia’s cycling capital – Canberra – is training at the Australian Institute of Sport, where fixing her race starts is a priority, along with working with a sports psychologist to sharpen her mental edge.

Today her mission is to promote positive body image and raise awareness about the seriousness of eating disorders and mental illness through her campaign, Join the Revolution, and is considered one of the most influential role models of this generation.

To find out more about Layne’s inspirational foundation, please visit aimforthestars.com.au

INNER CONFIDENCE // 9

GRAVITY

by Kate Edwards

Picture this. A woman stands in front of the mirror, looks at herself for a few seconds, and then, using both hands, pulls back the skin on either side of her face to make it look taut and… well, more youthful.

S

ound familiar? Well you’re not alone. As all of us face the inevitable process of ageing, it’s only natural that we start thinking about ways to address the laxity in our skin.

“Over time, we start to lose volume in certain areas of our face and the collagen and elastin in the skin,” explains Suzie Hoitink, Founder of Clear Complexions. “This leads to a domino effect of gradual sagging and less definition.”

Where once surgery was the only option to remove excess skin, there are now some remarkable treatments available to stimulate deep collagen, tighten the skin and restore lost volume.

Here we look at two options: Thermage® This popular non-surgical treatment has many celebrity fans, including Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow, who after a session proclaimed, “I feel like it took five years off my face.”

Thermage® is a clinically proven radiofrequency treatment that can improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin1. Its popularity is due to the fact that it yields results in just one treatment with little to no downtime.

The results typically manifest between six to twelve months after treatment and although the

10 // INNER CONFIDENCE

effects of Thermage® aren't permanent, they last for two to four years—sometimes even longer.

So how does Thermage® work?

The Thermage CPT ™ system heats the skin at a depth of around 3mm, in the deeper levels of the skin to kick-start the body’s own natural renewal processes2. This is where the structural collagen, or ‘scaffolding’, is produced. When we are young, we have plenty of this type of collagen to provide support and strength for our skin. With age, and an unhealthy dose of UV

By gently heating your skin, Thermage® tightens and contracts your existing collagen and stimulates the production of new collagen.

exposure over the years, we lose this collagen and our skin becomes more lax and crepey, resulting in jowls, deep lines and thinner skin.

By gently heating your skin, Thermage® tightens and contracts your existing collagen and stimulates the production of new collagen, resulting in more gradual tightening over a period of time. This is why you tend to see the best results a few months after your session.

Thermage® is often used to treat the whole face and jaw line to tighten the skin on the cheeks, reduce the nasolabial folds (between the nose and the mouth), and to tighten and lift skin along the jaw line, define the lip and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It can also address other areas of the body.

Eyelid Thermage® uses a different tip to lift the eyebrows and reduce hooding to make the eyes appear more open. Thermage® can also be used to reduce the “turkey neck” sagging skin on the neck and chest, the back of hands and to help contour loose skin and smooth bulges on the body, in particular, the arms and stomach.

In terms of what’s involved, recipients usually feel a brief sensation of heat each time the Thermage is pulsed. But the Thermage device monitors the surface temperature of your skin and applies a cooling cryogen spray, which is delivered before, during, and after the application of heat.

Makeup can be applied immediately after your treatment session and you can return to your normal activities straight away.

This treatment works well for clients who are aged between 35-60 years and in general good health. But as with all medical procedures, a thorough consultation is advised beforehand to assess your suitability.

Fillers Twenty years ago, if you wanted to get rid of sagging skin, there was basically one way to do it—going under the knife for a face-lift. But today’s advanced dermal fillers have dramatically changed the game. Skilfully injected by a practitioner who understands both the scientific and aesthetic principles of your face’s natural framework, fillers can provide a mild lifting and contouring of your facial features to provide a subtle rejuvenated effect. 3 The key is finding a practitioner who can give you a natural, youthful looking result, so that you don’t look overdone and obviously “worked on”.

So how do dermal fillers work?

As we age, we lose fat and bone in many areas of our face. When the cheeks lose volume, the skin can sag, leading to the formation of nasolabial folds (the folds from the corners of the nose to the mouth), oral commissures (the folds just beneath the corners of the mouth), and jowls (the skin beneath the jawline). The result is a flatter and square appearance to the face. When volume is lost in the brows, it can expose the upper orbital rim, giving the face a more skeletal appearance. And loss of volume in and around the lips leads to thinner lips with less definition of the ‘cupids bow’.

Depending on your area of concern, you can treat on specific area such as nasolabial folds, cheek depressions, receding lips and even sagging hands or treat multiple areas at a time.

If placed by a skilled practitioner, a small amount of filler can produce a youthful look.

If placed by a skilled practitioner, even a small amount of filler can be incredibly effective.

With thinning lips for example, a very soft filler is used to enhance the body and borders of the lips resulting in a slight increase to volume, decrease in the lines around the lips (no more lipstick bleed), a more youthful and upturned angle to the corners of the mouth and a defined cupid’s bow.

Nasolabial folds that appear as deep lines from the nose to the corners of our mouth, are usually the result of flattened cheeks. So rather than inject the fold, which would create an unnatural, plumped out look, restoring volume to the

cheeks can achieve a natural lifting effect, resulting in diminished lines and a smoother contour of the face.4 Of course every person’s facial structure is completely different, so an in-depth consultation is essential to ensure that you are suited to the treatment and to talk you through the most effective approach.

In terms of down time, it is minimal but very much depends on the individual. The procedure takes between 15-30 minutes, and in some instances, a numbing cream or topical analgesia will be used to help numb the area. There may be some minor swelling and mild bruising after the procedure, but movement and sensation are unaffected and the results are instant and last for between 12–18 months.

So if you are spending a lot more time in front of the mirror, talk to an experienced practitioner about your options. Thermage® or dermal filler might be an option for you. n

Not exactly comforting. The aim with dermal fillers is to re-volumise the key areas where the skin’s natural collagen, fat and bone has been lost to create the structure, tone and firmness of a more youthful appearance.

1. Dierickx, C. (2006). The Role of Deep Heating for Noninvasive Skin Rejuvenation. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 38: 799–807.

2. S ukal, S. et al. (2008). Thermage: the nonablative radiofrequency for rejuvenation. Clinics in Dermatology, 26: 602–607.

3. C arruthers, J. et al. (2008). Advances in facial rejuvenation: Botulinum toxin Type A, Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers and combination therapies-Consensus recommendations. Advances in Facial Rejuvenation, 121:(5S-30S).

4. Pinsky, M. et al. (2008). Juvéderm Injectable Gel: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized Study of Safety and Effectiveness. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 28: 17–23

INNER CONFIDENCE // 11

Feature //

W

ho can forget the heart-wrenching scene on our TVs of Anna Bligh, weeping for the loss of lives and people’s homes as she described the trail of flood destruction and heartbreak during the extreme Queensland floods of 2011?

To many, that moment captured the very essence of what it means to be a great leader: someone with both the capacity for strength and compassion.

Here Anna talks to Kate Edwards about what it takes to bring about real change in the world.

What challenges did you face as a woman in politics?

Can you tell me about some of the really tough times in your career?

At 35, I was one of the youngest members of Parliament and one of the only women. Then within two years of being elected, I was suddenly thrust into the public limelight as a minister in a new government. In a male dominated environment, I was an unknown quantity. I had to learn how to exercise authority in a position of power that was uniquely my own and not acting like a bloke. Along with conquering

One of the hardest times for me was when I became Minister for Family and Community Services and had to deal with very confronting issues of child abuse and neglect. As a mother of young children, I had to summon real strength to separate myself from my personal emotions in order to deal with these issues objectively.

When did you know you wanted to be a politician?

I grew up during the political upheaval and corruption of Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s Queensland premiership wanting to make a difference and got involved in politics at university. I continued to work in policy forums for the Labour Party but in 1995, a seat in Parliament became vacant and I was asked to stand for it. Because I had very young children and had been happy working in the background, I hesitated. But in politics you have to jump when the opportunity comes. I realised that politics was my passion and the opportunity proved irresistible.

12 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Other issues I had to face very publicly—such as the terrible floods and cyclones of North Queensland. On one hand I was meeting with people who’d had everything in their lives stripped away from them—including loved ones—and on the other I was having to stay focused and attend to the big decisions in order to save other lives.

What support did you have?

nerves, I developed specific strategies for things like how much I could raise my voice at question time and how strident or aggressive I should be when taking on other Members about issues that I really cared about. I also really did my homework before promoting or championing a cause so that I could fully defend it with the facts if I was attacked.

I owe my political life to my husband (Greg Withers). Without his encouragement to stand for parliament and his assurance that we could manage our young family together, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take it on in the first place. As parents that both worked full time, it wasn’t always easy—but Greg was an active supporter throughout my career.

I also couldn’t have gotten by without my Mum. She took on a formal role in raising my boys and was always there when things came up. Having the support of a family member who genuinely loved my sons made a huge difference in my career.

What were some of the sacrifices you had to make?

Quentin Bryce famously said that women ‘can have it all but not all at once’. When I became more and more senior in politics I made a conscious decision to spend all my spare time with my family. So my friendships had to go into hibernation except for the odd occasion when we’d maybe see each other at Christmas or birthdays. The best of them understood that and I’m lucky to have the sorts of friendships that can be picked up where they left off. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to make up for that lost time now.

INNER CONFIDENCE // 13

Anna at the YWCA’s 2013 Mother of All Balls with actors Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown and Gerard Butler

You’ve recently recovered from Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Can you tell me what that was like and how that experience has changed you?

When I was faced with the prospect that my life might be for a very short period of time, I became focused on what matters. I’ve always known my family and friends were important but I decided that should I recover, which thankfully I have, I wanted to take the skills and the opportunities that I’ve been lucky to have in public life, and apply those to the not for profit sector.

Tell me about your current role as CEO of the YWCA in NSW.

I was driven into politics because I wanted to make a difference and as CEO of the YWCA, I have the opportunity to do the same, but in a different way. For over a century the YWCA has been actively making a difference to the lives of women and children in some of the State’s most disadvantaged communities through a range of targeted programs and services. After focusing on recovering from cancer, helping to grow this terrific organisation feels like an incredibly life-affirming decision.

14 // INNER CONFIDENCE

What legacy do you think you’ve left as a politician?

Anna does the QLD campaign trail with Peter Beattie

Before I became Minister for Education, Queensland had one less year of schooling than the rest of the country. I introduced a new prep year to every primary school in the State. That’s a large-scale reform that will reap dividends for generations long after I’m gone.

There are many other achievements that I’m proud of but another legacy I hope to leave is for young women to know that a career in politics is not only possible but also a very rewarding way to live your life. n

With Oprah Winfrey at Hamilton Island during her Ultimate Australian Adventure in 2010

Anna’s go-to strategies for feeling confident: When you’re in a very senior leadership position—political or otherwise—there are going to be some really terrible days.

So I had some strategies that helped. ∙ I feel mentally and emotionally stronger when I’m physically stronger and have always had challenges, such as half marathons, to aim for. ∙M y home was a real oasis in a turbulent sea of crisis and conflict and my husband and I worked hard to do things like eat together as a family when I was home, and spend as much time together as possible.

∙B rightly coloured clothes always make me feel confident—in particular red! ∙Y ou can’t make a good decision if you’re sleep deprived. I’d do everything I could to get enough sleep and would often have a nanny nap in the afternoon on weekends! ∙ I t’s really important to remember to celebrate your achievements—because it gives you the confidence to tackle the next problem. If I could do it again, I’d have done more of that.

SKIN // Tips

REASONS TO USE MINERAL MAKE UP Is there a difference between conventional makeup and mineral makeup? Absolutely.

There is no point in trying to improve the health of your skin if you are going to undo all that good work with harmful makeup. But not all mineral makeups are the same.

If in doubt ask your Clear Complexions team on what brands are best. .

Here are five reasons why you should consider the transition:

Healthy

Versatility

Long Lasting

It’s what’s not in mineral makeup that generally makes it healthier for the skin—ingredients such as talcum powder, alcohol, dyes, binders, mineral oils, perfumes, waxes, preservatives and chemicals that can cause irritation, unnecessary breakouts, clogged pores and allergies.

The pure pigments found in mineral makeup means that they can blend with almost any complexion. Mineral foundations can be mixed with water, moisturisers and creams to make a liquid foundation or concealer, while loose powder pigments can be transformed into blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss—even nail polish.

Pure mineral makeup binds to the natural oils in your skin, unlike conventional makeup, which tends to bind to water. This gives your makeup a natural water resistance and a beautiful, even coverage all day.

Mineral makeup usually has a combination of mica, zinc oxide, iron oxides and titanium dioxide—all of which have anti-inflammatory and, in some cases, antibacterial properties making it great for those with problematic skin such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or those sensitive to sunlight following invasive procedures like chemical peels.

16 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Shelf Life Mineral makeup is simple and inert; it does not harbor bacteria because there is no organic material in it for the bacteria to grow. So unlike conventional makeup, there isn’t the same risk of contamination.

Quality The base ingredient in mineral makeup is mica. Unlike its conventional nemesis—talcum powder—mica has incredible skin adhering properties and is less cakey then talc. In other words, a little can go a long way.

When science meets colour…

More t

ha n

t jus makeup

The secret to a flawless complexion.

Our 1st true cosmeceutical grade makeup and skincare hybrid range, with scientifically proven ingredients to prevent premature skin ageing, protect and perfect, while providing a flawless mineral coverage for Complete Correction.

Ultra CC Cream - Mineral Tint SPF 30 combines Ultraceuticals unique B² Hydrating Technology (Vitamin B5 & B3, Hyaluronic Acid) with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sun protection to plump the skin and prevent future environmental damage.

Ultra CC Powder - Pure Mineral Foundation features Ultraceuticals unique anti-ageing triple-complex (Microelastin®, Artocarpus Extract & Vitamin B3) with conditioning ingredients (Vitamin C & E, Bisabolol) to visibly brighten, smooth and even out the complexion, while giving the skin a healthy glow. A unique airtight compact technology guarantees freshness and mess-free use.

To find your perfect colour visit any Clear Complexions Clinic today for your customised colour match.

For more information visit www.ultraceuticals.com

Feature //

Scan to watch inspirational stories behind our features. Visit this link to view Jane Cay’s feature video. vimeo.com/102809404 18 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Bird s of a

F E A T H E R The expression, “birds of a feather f lock together” couldn’t be truer for Jane Cay, Founder of the hugely successful birdsnest online retail store. Her ability to attract thousands of customers to her site each day and keep 100 plus staff blissfully happy stems from her absolute belief that business is personal.

“I’ve cried three times today and it’s only three o’clock,” laughs Jane, as we discuss the nurturing environment of her workplace. “When a colleague and friend told me about a family tragedy; later when I saw our summer catalogue and just felt so proud; and at our 10 year anniversary lunch while giving a speech to thank my team!”

Being emotional is part of Jane Cay’s modus operandi. And is what makes birdsnest so endearingly unique. But recently Jane questioned whether it was the right quality to have as a leader.

“Half way through last year I felt overwhelmed by how big we’d grown,” she explains. “Because of my tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve, I was concerned whether I was still the right person to be leading.”

A great believer in being surrounded with people smarter than herself, Jane sought the services of a business coach who profiled Jane and her entire team to assess the birdsnest culture and team personality.

“He told me that unlike the typical profile of many business leaders, I'm not motivated

by ambition or achievements. I’m actually motivated by affiliation, the need to belong or feel connected to others,” says Jane.

The process allowed Jane to see that being emotional has actually helped underpin the success of her business. After all, shopping for clothes is a highly charged emotional experience for women. Jane’s empathy has allowed her to identify her customers’ key motivators and tailor a website highly effective in making women feel good about themselves.

Together with her need to belong and be accepted, she has also manifested a supportive work environment where her staff genuinely care about each other. Not to mention a rapidly growing online customer base of over 100,000 and more than twice the population of Cooma flocking to the website each day, with 80% of revenue coming from return customers.

Still, Jane’s goal is to be calmer and more focused in her roles both as a leader, and a mother. Having just completed a Mindfulness Leadership program she’s excited about the potential of meditation in the workplace and, in her typically inclusive style, has booked in the whole team!

INNER CONFIDENCE // 19

We’ve been talking in the birdsnest boardroom, overlooking the main street of Cooma.

As befitting someone owning a company that helps women feel fabulous through clothes, Jane looks effortlessly stylish. She’s wearing a long Kimono from her own label – Boho Bird – adorned with a bird print, a white shirt, jeans, tan boots and an infectious smile.

In fact, as we take a tour through the massive birdsnest premises behind the scenes of her street-front boutique, every member of staff seems to be smiling; from the packers to the models and everyone in between. And really, what’s not to be happy about? With a culture that mandates “getting on the dancefloor”, the vibe is energetic and fun; the décor bright and colourful. Team members are offered weekly yoga and ‘hot bods’ classes, opportunities to grow their careers and flexible hours. They regularly celebrate their successes together and handle the most stunning range of clothes and

Birdsnest is about dressing for your body shape as it is—not what society says it should be.

accessories everyday. Best of all, they’re all in the business of making women feel good about themselves!

“Our vision is to inspire confidence in women,” explains Jane. “When I first saw the transformation that we could make in people’s lives, I knew I’d found my ‘higher purpose’.”

20 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Having grown up with a father who mentored many successful businesses through his accounting practice, Jane knew from a very young age that she wanted to be ‘in charge of her own destiny’. She just never expected it would be in Cooma.

“I grew up in Cooma, a townie, with no desire to live on a farm,” admits Jane. “All that hard work and mess! But as fate would have it, I fell in love with a farmer and left my IT career in Sydney to move back. Starting my own business was a pretty good way of getting out of farm work!”

Jane bought an existing boutique on the town’s main street – one that in true country style sold an odd mix of fashion and horse gear. Despite knowing nothing about the fashion retail world, Jane quickly tapped into the emotional journeys that women took when they came into her store, and responded accordingly.

“A woman came in, having just had her second child, wanting to buy something for a date night with her husband. She wasn’t feeling very good about herself but we got her into some shape wear and a beautiful dress and she walked out feeling amazing. I wanted to give every woman who walked through our doors the same feeling.”

After four years and a million-dollar turnover, Jane realised she’d reached capacity in Cooma, and launched birdsnest.com.au. The business doubled in size for three years and continues to grow year on year.

In the absence of a physical stylist, birdsnest uses the power of technology to solve women’s

wardrobe dilemmas online. Customers can shop by body shape, occasion, colour and even personality from more than 250 brands and create their own personalised style guide for each season.

We see the birdsnest shopping experience as a love story between a girl and her perfect outfit.

“We talk about the birdsnest shopping experience as a love story between a girl and her perfect outfit,” enthuses Jane. “And we’re constantly looking for ways to enhance that experience. Right now we’re redefining our range to cover off a greater spectrum of personalities, so that our customers can find a ‘love match’ that guarantees a happy ending.”

But the love story doesn’t end there. As a champion of positive body image, birdnest recently contributed to Tarryn Brumfitt’s Body Image Movement documentary – Embrace – aimed at redefining society’s ideal of beauty.

“Birdsnest is about dressing for your body shape as it is – not what society says it should be,” says Jane. “Everyday we see how empowering it is for women to dress in a way that not only enhances their shape, but their self-esteem as well.”

With plans to co-host events encouraging women to love and accept themselves, the birdsnest community is set to become even greater, proving that the need to belong is not unique to Jane Cay, but shared by women everywhere. n

Beautiful, natural results In an industry first, Park Clinic Plastic Surgery has teamed up with Clear Complexions to provide Sydney’s first aesthetic collaboration. parkclinicsydney.com

NEW Eastern Suburbs Clinic opening in November.

Dr Pouria Moradi

Dr Alex Phoon

MBBS BSc (Med), MRCS (Eng), FRACS (Plast.)

MBBS, BSc (Med) MS, FRACS (Plast.)

Our mission is to restore or enhance your beauty through customised surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

Park Clinic Plastic Surgery Suite 4, Lvl 6, 75 Crown St Woolloomooloo NSW

T 1300 669 488 E office@parkclinicsydney.com W parkclinicsydney.com

®

Feature //

In the Spotlight

With his book just out, a television profile as a judge on The Block and exciting plans in the pipeline, Darren Palmer has never been busier— or as he tells Kate Edwards—more grateful.

D

arren Palmer arrives at the Inner Confidence shoot with a wide smile and a book clutched in his hands. Hot off the press, Easy Luxury is his first publication and beautifully captures his best work to date, along with some fantastic design tips and DIY projects.

As he proudly flicks through the stunning images, life, he tells me, couldn’t be better.

But it hasn’t always been this way.

“Once every six weeks I’d have to raid my piggy bank so I could eat—and that was only about five years ago,” he says. “I’d just completed work as a designer contestant on HomeMADE and was finding it really hard to put the focus back onto my interior design business. With three mortgages to pay and a lack of income, I didn’t know what was wrong with me.”

What was wrong was something called professional burnout—a very real phenomenon that tends to affect highly driven people.

Characterised by exhaustion and a lack of enthusiasm and motivation for work, Darren didn’t even know it existed until a chance encounter in a supermarket with a friend, who is also a psychologist, shed some light.

“I told her that everything in my life was great except around my work,” he explains. “She suggested that I had professional burnout and that I go and see someone about it. So I did.”

For someone who is a perfectionist and a selfconfessed ‘control freak’ getting professional help, says Darren, was the best thing he could have done for his career. By re-framing his experiences so that they could become more enjoyable, Darren learnt how to let go of control and allow opportunities to come to him.

“I know it sounds like a cat poster,” laughs Darren, “But gratitude is the key to happiness and once I practiced being grateful, everything changed for me.”

She suggested that I had professional burnout and that I go and see someone about it. So I did.

In 2011, Darren began making guest appearances on the popular Channel 9 renovation show, The Block and, since 2013, he has been a full-time judge. That exposure has led him to other exciting projects, such as collaborating with supermodel Jennifer Hawkins and husband Jake Wall on the decoration of their house and, of course, publishing his first book!

For someone who grew up in rural Queensland desperately wanting to create beautiful homes, but thinking that architecture was the only avenue, the whole experience has been, in his words, “surreal.”

“Because I stuffed around a bit at school, I just thought ‘Oh well I don’t have the grades to do what I really want’, so my career took off in another direction,” he says.

Darren channelled his artistic talents into graphic design instead and moved to Sydney where he eventually started his own graphic design firm. But one day, his dream of being able to create beautiful homes was reignited.

“A friend of mine is a really talented dancer and while I was watching her it occurred to me that when she wasn't dancing she was practicing it or thinking about it or talking about it. She was living in her passion and I wanted to do the same.”

But with two mortgages, a decent income and clients to attend to, Darren wasn’t in a position to drop everything and go back to school. Instead he channelled his creative energies into designing his own apartment.

“Every weekend, over a year, I worked on it – often with my own two hands. When I finished, a friend of mine who was an interior designer, told me he thought it was great. So I asked him

if I could work with him for a couple of weeks.

At the same time, another friend passed on some photos of my place to Neale Whitaker who featured it in Belle Magazine. So at the end of it all I had a mentor and exposure!”

Gratitude is the key to happiness and once I practiced being grateful, everything changed for me.

The opportunity meant that Darren was able to gradually transition into the career that he’d always wanted (had he known that architecture wasn’t the only way in) to the point where the world is now his absolute oyster. The biggest challenge he has to face these days, is learning how to prioritise the amazing opportunities that present themselves, so that he can make time for what really matters – spending time with husband Olivier and four year old son, Hugo.

“I’m realising that I have to schedule my work around my family,” explains Darren. “After all, when it comes to being grateful, they’re at the top of my list.” n

Scan to watch inspirational stories behind our features. Visit this link to view Darren Parlmer’s feature video. vimeo.com/102809027

INNER CONFIDENCE // 23

Thank you to everyone who submitted entries for our Overcoming Your Fears competition.

As much as we loved all your answers, we picked this one because it captures the joy of overcoming fear and reaching ‘new heights’, literally! Congratulations to Claire, you’ll be receiving $1000 Clear Complexions Voucher and a $250 Voucher from Shoes of Prey.

WINNER I was absolutely petrified of heights! To overcome my fear, I participated in an adrenalin-inducing abseiling adventure last year. It involved raising money for charity and abseiling off the 27 storey AMP Circular Quay Building—over 118 metres!! A few months later, I travelled to New York, went up the Empire State Building and was not even slightly scared!!

Claire De Gabriele, Newtown

I passed my driving test in my teens but was involved in a really bad accident and have not driven since. This year, at age 44, I started taking lessons for confidence and I don't feel terrified anymore.

Carolyn Old, Belconnen — My biggest fear was re-joining the workforce after 7 years of child rearing and going back into a rapidly changing industry. My experience has taught me that I can meet any challenge head on and be as successful as I allow myself to be.

Jennifer Messina, Googong — Getting right out of my comfort zone by committing to trekking in Nepal, in Winter! Training has begun and gear purchased! Am terrified but so excited too!

Annette Cronin, Belconnen — My lifetime fear has been wearing swimmers in public. On a recent trip to Fiji with my girlfriends I came to the life-changing realisation that the only way to overcome this fear was to take on board my friends compliments and just accept myself. Step 1: Self acceptance.

Step 2: Continue to maintain a great skincare regime, diet and an active lifestyle. Outcome: A wonderful sense of wellbeing.

Karen Whitelock, Monash — I wanted to take a SCUBA holiday but when I took lessons, I was so scared, my instructor thought I’d never dive again. I’m now a Master SCUBA diver and make short films from video footage I take on dives to depths of 60 metres inside shipwrecks!

Jenny Geldart, Murrumbateman

Give the gift of a Clear Complexion

Surprise your family or friends with a voucher from Clear Complexions and we will do the rest to delight them.

Call or visit one of our Clear Complexions clinics to purchase a gift voucher today.

For more information on our clinics please visit clearcomplexions.com.au

Canberra

Sydney

Bruce Gungahlin Erindale

Balmain Norwest Business Park

I

t’s that time of year when our social calendars overflow—and we want to be looking our absolute best. In a perfect world, we would all have been prepping for the party season at least 6 weeks beforehand.

But life gets in the way and before we know it, we’re faced with a big event only a few days off, and tired skin that is showing signs of stress, overwork and under-sleep.

If you’re the ‘go big or go home’ type of person, this is not the time to do anything drastic. The last thing you want to do is wind up at your office party looking like you’ve got serious sunburn!

Luckily there are some fantastic last-minute treatments that will help your skin appear radiant and healthy, without having to go into social hibernation for a few days.

Let the partying begin...

26 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Put your best face forward If you’ve left your pre-party preparations till the last minute, here’s a rundown of some great treatment options.

by Kate Edwards

A week before Clear + Brilliant™ This is the “little sister” to Fraxel™. Manufactured by the same company, it also utilises fractionated laser technology but doesn’t penetrate the skin as deeply and is less intense. So unlike the 4-5 days of redness and skin peeling you can experience from Fraxel™, your skin will only appear red on the day you have the procedure, with a few days of slight roughness. Clinically proven to stimulate collagen, Clear + Brilliant™ helps improve tone and texture and gives skin a radiant, youthful appearance1.

A few days before Superficial peel This is not the time to be booking in for heavy peels that can cause redness, irritation or last minute break-outs. Instead look for superficial procedure peels based on organic compounds such as lactic, salicylic, pyruvic and ascorbic acids. These agents work with your skin’s natural physiology to improve skin health and

can be customised to work with your skin’s specific requirements. The treatment takes approximately 15-20 minutes with little to no shedding of skin 2, and you can return to normal activities afterwards. Mineral make-up can be applied directly after the treatment, although it’s usually recommended to wait for a few hours.

Genesis Laser™ This non-invasive laser treatment uses highpower microsecond pulses at high repetition rates to gently heat the mid dermis, stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid.

It’s expected that directly after treatment the area will feel warm and you may appear pink.

In most cases there is absolutely no downtime at all. A course of 3-5 treatments is usually recommended to increase collagen stimulation and production, but a one-off treatment can leave your skin appearing softer and hydrated.

D-Day Omnilux Medical™ Omnilux Medical™ light therapy works with your body’s own natural processes to stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid.

A 20-minute Infrared or Red light treatment will leave your skin feeling and looking firmer and plumper3. There is no need for recovery time, and makeup can be re-applied immediately after treatment.

Microdermabrasion and Mask Microdermabrasion uses crystals to gently remove the outer layer of dead skin cells that clog up your pores and give your skin a dull appearance. Combined with a sucking action, microdermabrasion can improve your skin’s texture and circulation and help reduce breakouts.

When combined with a Vitamin C, B3 or Hyaluronic Acid mask, the result is a hydrated, smoother feel to your skin. There is absolutely no downtime with this treatment and you can go back to your normal routine immediately. n

1. S aedi, N. et al. (2013). Evaluating facial pores and skin texture after low-energy nonablative fractional 1440-nm laser treatments. Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. 68 (1): 113-8 Medical Imaging Business Week. (2012). Solta Medical's Clear + Brilliant Resurfacing Device Demonstrates Significant Reduction of Pore Count and Pore Size. Medical Imaging Business Week, 443.

2. L andau, M. (2008). Chemical peels. Clinics in Dermatology, 26: 200-208.

3. B hat, J. e. (2005). A single-blinded randomised controlled study to determine the efficacy of Omnilux Revive facial treatment in skin rejuvenation. Lasers in Medical Science, 20: 6–10.

INNER CONFIDENCE // 27

Feature //

FROM THE GROUND UP

Scan to watch inspirational stories behind our features. Visit this link to view Nikki Bonus’ feature video. vimeo.com/102809318 28 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Yoga literally saved Nikki Bonus’s life. And for years, she helped others realise the physical, emotional and social benefits of yoga through her schools, retreats and corporate training. But after having so many people in her community come to her after long struggles with health and emotional problems, culminating in the shock suicide of her brother, Nikki realised that in order to help people better manage their lives, the crucial life skills of meditation, mindfulness and yoga, needed to be taught from the ground up: starting with children.

S

he was 16 years of age and in a car on her way to get electric shock therapy treatment for her suicidal thoughts, depression and agoraphobia. Despite the fact that these problems were due to Nikki’s traumatic upbringing, her parents had decided that this was the only way to make her ‘snap out of it’. Thankfully a phone call saved her from going down that treacherous route.

“My friend’s mum called and said ‘Nikki you’re too young to be doing this. Come and do yoga with me instead’,” she recalls. “I asked my parents to turn the car around and the next day I walked into my first ever yoga class. The experience left me feeling the best I’d ever felt and I haven’t looked back since.”

A few years later Nikki moved to Byron Bay and dedicated herself to the daily practice of yoga under the guidance of Lousia Sears from Yoga Arts.

I believe that every child has a right to feel good about him or herself.

“The yoga community there held a space for me to recover from a very traumatic childhood and create a more stable emotional foundation for myself,” she says. “I gave birth to my son there and returned to Sydney with the skills of yoga, mindfulness therapy and meditation under my belt and a determination to take responsibility for my life.”

After the birth of her second child however, daughter Lucia, Nikki plunged into severe postnatal depression. “Having a daughter brought up the issues I had with my own mother,” she explains. “I rang Lousia in Byron

and she told me she was about to run a two month teacher training program in Bali. It just felt like the perfect opportunity. So my family and I dropped everything and went.”

When my staff and I walk out of a classroom with children, we can see that we are really making a difference to their lives.

The process not only allowed Nikki to work through her issues of postnatal depression, it was also the impetus for bringing the benefits of yoga to others. After returning to Australia, she made the decision to start a yoga studio. Before she knew it, Nikki had two yoga studios, was organising overseas yoga retreats and running corporate programs.

Apart from the daily struggles of running several businesses whilst managing a household, being a mother and a wife, she also found herself deeply entrenched within her community. People from all walks of life came through her studio doors looking for answers to their physical and emotional problems. And Nikki found it hard not to take these issues on.

“I had one young student who I supported through her pregnancy and then had a stillborn.

Another student had an abnormal pap smear and within a short time had died. People were suffering from depression and anxiety and all sorts of personal struggles. I kept thinking, if we’d learnt these skills as children, we would be so much better equipped to deal with what life threw at us. And so I started to explore the idea of running programs in schools.”

Life was about to throw Nikki her own series of personal tragedies however. The suicide of one of her key staff members, followed nine months later by the suicide of Nikki’s only brother, whilst completely devastating, only galvanised her determination to teach children the personal skills they needed before they got out of hand.

“My brother and I endured the same upbringing but I had yoga and meditation to help me through the emotional aftermath,” says Nikki.

“It breaks my heart that Phillip didn’t have those resources.”

Today, Nikki’s LifeSkills Group operates programs throughout primary and secondary schools in NSW, Victoria and the ACT – with plans to launch nationally. And the results have been widely applauded. Schools are seeing marked differences in their students’ confidence levels, productivity and conflict resolution, teachers feel empowered with skills to create calm in their environments and parents are seeing the benefits of self-awareness at home.

As for the children: “There are so many issues that children face today: body image, bullying, performance anxiety. I believe that every child has a right to feel good about him or herself,” says Nikki.

“By teaching children, from all socioeconomic backgrounds, the ability to decrease stress and anxiety, improve concentration and energy, relate to others and feel comfortable in their own skin, we are equipping them with skills to lead a more balanced life. When my staff and I walk out of a classroom, we can see that we are really making a difference.”

To find out about booking a LifeSkills Group program for your child’s school, visit lifeskillsgroup.com.au n INNER CONFIDENCE // 29

Nature’s ‘Thieves of Time’ Richard Parker, Rationale Founder & Director of R+D, explains why sun and sugar are our number one enemies when it comes to premature ageing and what we can do about it.

One of the most visible signs of premature ageing occurs when once firm, healthy skin gives way to wrinkling, dryness and sagging. It’s caused by a mixture of extrinsic (external) and intrinsic (internal) factors, which can be controlled to slow visible skin ageing.

—

Sun Damage is Enemy Number One External factors such as sun exposure can accelerate skin ageing through oxidation. It is estimated that up to 99% of skin ageing is a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. We refer to this skin damage as “photo ageing”.

Acute and chronic sun exposure places the skin under a state of oxidative stress, which generates free radicals. These unstable molecules cause damage to cell membranes, resulting in lines, wrinkles and an uneven skin texture and possibly skin cancer.

The effects of sugar-induced ageing begin in our mid 30s and increases with each decade of life.

Sugar is Enemy Number Two

When UV Damage and Glycation Collide

Another culprit of premature skin ageing: glucose-driven intrinsic ageing. Glucose is a vital cellular fuel but the effects of sugar metabolism has long been known to accelerate ageing through a process called Glycation.

Significantly more AGEs occur in sun-exposed skin than in protected skin. AGEs also deactivate your body’s natural antioxidants, leaving skin more vulnerable to UV damage – the primary cause of premature skin ageing!

What is Glycation?

But science is revealing new ways of dealing with these “Thieves of Time”. Many antioxidants (such as Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid and the enzyme Glutathione) also act as antiglycation agents.

The effects of sugar-induced ageing begins in our mid 30s and increases with each decade of life.

It’s a natural chemical process in which the sugar in our bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). As AGEs accumulate they trigger an inflammatory response, causing a cascade of damage to adjacent proteins.

30 // INNER CONFIDENCE

Most vulnerable to damage are collagen and elastin, the protein fibres that keep skin firm and elastic. Once damaged, springy and resilient collagen and elastin become dry and brittle and prone to breakage, leading to wrinkles, sagging and lost radiance.

Antioxidants Target Free Radicals AND Glycation Topical Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) defends against free radical damage while simultaneously

Advertising feature

rejuvenating UV-induced photo damage. Vitamin C is more potent when combined with a botanically derived antioxidant called Ferulic Acid.

Powerful “Superfood” antioxidants can also help address skin glycation. Blueberries contain potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients called Anthocyanins, which stimulate the collagen matrix to help keep skin looking youthful.

Equally powerful support is found in raw Cocoa, which promotes healthy synthesis of connective tissue resulting in firmer, more youthful skin.

The Sugar Trap Cocoa and Blueberry also contain natural methylxanthines in the form of Caffeine, Theobromine and Theophylline. These methylxanthines help prevent the formation of glycation end-products by serving as so-called “Sugar Traps” that bind to the complex carbohydrates that form AGEs and neutralise their damaging effects on the skin.

Both of these Superfoods are also rich in antioxidant proteins, which act as potent free radical scavengers and signaling proteins for the Sugar Trap activation.

Cocoa and Blueberry also contain high loadings of nutrient minerals, Magnesium, Copper and Selenium. These nutrients have the capacity to bind metals and carbohydrates, and combine to form an important part of the Sugar Trap mechanism.

Blueberry and Cocoa are also significant sources of Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid. When combined, these antioxidant compounds neutralise free radicals that form a pro-glycation environment.

So antioxidants are a critical part in prevention of AGEs in human skin.

Universal Protection Combines Antioxidant AND Anti Glycation Defence Rationale’s new RADICAL MEASURE SERUM covers both of these bases, providing complete protection against glycation and initiating an antioxidant rejuvenating effect on the skin. RADICAL MEASURE contains 20% Organic Cocoa and Blueberry Extracts combined with an extremely high potency 20% concentration of Vitamin C plus 1%

and rejuvenating the skin through its isotropic combination of botanical agents, peptides, vitamins and minerals. It’s a world-first in skincare. Given our current knowledge of how glycation and oxidation combine to prematurely age the skin, all antioxidant serums should now be fortified with antiglycation actives… and with this potent combination, the future is certainly looking bright. n —

Antiglycataion agents are the key to dealing with these ‘ Thieves of Time.’

Ferulic Acid. In addition, this powerful new serum elicits both skin rejuvenating and photoprotective effects due to its high levels of L-Ascorbic Acid, Ferulic Acid and Botanical Antioxidants.

RATIONALE RADICAL MEASURE stands alone as a unique approach to the prevention of AGEs

INNER CONFIDENCE // 31

// $1000 SKINCARE GIFT VOUCHER FOR ANY CLEAR COMPLEXIONS CLINIC * // $250 BIRDNEST GIFT VOUCHER PLUS $150 PERSONAL STYLING SESSION (VIA SKYPE OR IN-STORE) // FREE COPY OF DARREN PALMER’S NEW PUBLICATION, EASY LUXURY

TO ENTER Visit win.clearcomplexions.com.au/confidence and tell us in 40 words or less:

WHO INSPIRES YOU TO BE MORE CONFIDENT? All short-listed entry submissions will be published in the next edition of Inner Confidence and the winner will be notified by phone.

Entries close February 28th 2015.

For Terms & Conditions, please visit win.clearcomplexions.com.au/confidence

*The voucher can be utilised for a specific treatment based on a consultation from Clear Complexions. ®

clearcomplexions.com.au

Canberra

Sydney

Bruce Gungahlin Erindale

Balmain Norwest Business Park