Skin Deep

GOODNESS GLOW

A creamy, ultra-hydrating mask treatment that instantly quenches and soothes extremely dry, parched or dehydrated skin with an intense surge of soothing 24-hour hydration. Made with Hyaluronic acid and a blend of coconut, ginger and honey.

RRP $96. mecca.com.au

Skin Deep

THE TIME IS RIGHT TO FOCUS ON YOUR BODY’S LARGEST ORGAN (YOUR SKIN), REINFORCE AND REPAIR IT WITH CUTTING-EDGE PRODUCTS PROVEN TO ACHIEVE RESULTS.

New from Nu Skin is the Epoch Yin and Yang Mask, a soothing ritual that detoxifies and nourishes skin for a lit-from-within glow. Infused with nourishing porcelain flower grown through controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and microencapsulated charcoal that activates with a gentle massage to visibly transform the mask, revealing fresh and healthier-looking skin. Naturally fragranced with ethnobotanical jasmine sambac, traditionally used in China to soothe skin while promoting a sense of inner harmony and a beautiful glow.

For every Epoch product sale, Nu Skin donates 0.25 cents to the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation which aims to improve children’s health, education, and economic circumstances, offering hope for a brighter future.

APPLE OF YOUR EYE

Stem cell extraction may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but according to Australian biotechnology skincare brand, Enbacci, it is the future of cosmeceuticals. Capable of stimulating new stem cell activity in prematurely aged skin and reversing the effects of UV-induced cellular damage, stem cells harvested from a rare variety of swiss orchid apples, the Uttwiler Spätlauber, is purported to have the strongest anti-ageing evidence when used topically.

Rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E, including a nourishing cocktail of Amino Acids, Peptides, Antioxidants and essential fatty acids, the stem cell infused eye cream improves skin cell communication and regeneration, boosts collagen production, and protects skin from future free radical assault.

As one of the few Australian brands pioneering the use of apple stem cells, the Age Revitalising Eye Defence cream is lightweight and fragrance-free, and performs exceptionally well when paired with other actives, including retinol, ascorbic acid, and AHAs.

RRP $88 (15ml). Available online via enbacci.com

RRP $52. nuskin.com.au

NATURE, NURTURE

Dermalume is an award-winning, environmentally-friendly, mostly vegan rang that is 100 percent Australian-made. With a balance of French heritage, and the work of a master perfumer responsible for creating the scents of some of beauty’s biggest brands, and local influence, a Sydney-based scientist responsible for the creation of their award-winning Hand Therapy creams, Dermalume has a message of Universal Beauty.

The Dermalume range includes five Hand Therapy creams; four Sheet Masks; two Fizzing Masks and new products, the Aqua Surge Overnight Mask and Antioxy Advanced Green Tea Clay Mask.

ALIGN TANK IN WHITE, RRP $69.00 AND WUNDER UNDER HIGH RISE PANT WITH SCALLOP EDGE, RRP $119.00

GET ACTIVE, FEEL AND LOOK FABULOUS IN THESE HIGH-TECH PIECES FROM THE MOST

COVETABLE BRANDS. Flex

ENERGY BRA LONG LINE, RRP $79 AND WUNDER UNDER HIGH RISE PANT 28”, RRP $119.

CITY ADVENTURER BACKPACK MINI, RRP $99. WUNDER UNDER HIGH RISE PANT, RRP $119 AND ENLITE BRA IN BLACK, RRP $119. ALIGN HIGH RISE SHORT 6”, RRP $69 AND RUN ON TANK, RRP $69.

The all-new women’s range from Malo Republic, features summery florals and bright mix ‘n’ match pieces.

MALO ON THE RUN 7/8 TIGHTS IN CLASSIC GINGHAM RRP $99.

MALO ECOSUEDE RACERGIRL BRA - GOLDENROD IS THE ENDURANCE STAPLE FOR COMFORT AND STYLE. THIS LIGHTWEIGHT BRA OFFERS LIGHT TO MODERATE SUPPORT AND FULL COVERAGE WITH A SPORTY RACER BACK. RRP $69.

MALO ON THE RUN 7/8 TIGHTS - FLOWER CHILD BLUE POPPY. SLICK RACING STRIPES UNEXPECTEDLY COLLIDE WITH VIBRANT RETRO FLORALS IN THE NEWEST ‘FLOWER CHILD’ COLOURWAY. RRP $99. MALOREPUBLIC.COM.AU

CECILIE COPENHAGEN, MANILA RAINBOW, PASTEL GREEN, RRP $299.

ORDER OF STYLEMOTHER DENIM THE LOAFER CROP FRAY PULLOVER-DELUSIONAL, RRP $269.

CECILIE COPENHAGEN, RAMONE RAINBOW, PASTEL GREEN, RRP $319. ORDER OF STYLE-C&M CAMILLA AND MARC LARA PANT-SLATE, RRP $200. ORDEROFSTYLE.COM

Confronting the future

GRAHAM LOWE LOVES HIS FOOD, IS A PROUD DAD AND HUSBAND WHO HAS DISCOVERED A NEW PASSION FOR LIFE FOLLOWING HIS WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY. HE LOST OVER 50KGS AND GAINED A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

Name: Graham Lowe

Age: I am 45 and amazingly, I now weigh what I did back in high school. Occupation: For years I worked in restaurants cooking and eating my creations as I have always loved food. 17 years ago, I changed career to a corporate world mostly working at a desk and have seen the sedentary lifestyle adding to my weight issues. Since losing the weight, I am now selfemployed and have made changes to work in a more active environment and away from the desk! Family: My wife and I met back in High School and have been together since I was 16. Together we have both allowed those bad habits with health and food impact our lives which has now become more pressing for me as we have two beautiful girls (aged 12 and 10) who are affected by our weight. Height: 180 cm Current weight: 85kg Heaviest weight: 135kg Day of surgery weight: I was 125.5kg and was meant to be on a two-week diet prior to surgery. However, 2020 saw the pandemic impact so many of us and my surgery was cancelled in April. Luckily for me, I was then able to get in for the operation a few weeks later and only had five days to diet so prior to surgery I weighed in at 123.2kg.

How many kilos did you lose?

Travelling to USA last year I did manage to get down to 120kg with the help of injections, but it started coming back this year. So, from heaviest weight I have now lost 50kg, since surgery 40kg.

What was your relationship with

food? I still have memories from being young that involved food. Family gatherings, special occasions or even just helping mum make a cake, however I never started putting on a lot of weight until my 20s. The real relationship I had with food changed from eating for taste into volume where I could easily eat 20 plates of food at a buffet and then eat some more when I got home. Strangely enough, I stopped eating breakfast and ate very little during the day but from the moment I arrived home, the eating began where I would continue until I went to bed each night. Further to this, I would often choose poor food when drinking alcohol, would eat to excess when stressed and found comfort in over-eating. It was all just an excuse though as the outcome for being happy or sad was the same, eat too much.

What motivated you to go on your

weight-loss journey? There are a lot of things that led to this journey. When I was 16, I was in hospital for a week with pneumonia and put on 10kgs with the medications I was administered. Being

young this didn’t really get worse until later when my real poor choices began. As I got older, the weight kept going up. I tried all the diets, pretended exercise, attended weight-loss centres and even tried medications but each attempt was only short lived. I bought big clothes to hide my shame and wore shoes without laces as I couldn’t bend over to put them on. Then in 2018 I attended a gathering to celebrate a good friend who had passed away 10 years earlier. I saw a photo of me from that night and could not believe just how far I had let my weight get away from me. It was all those photos since then (and lack of due to not wanting pictures taken). And then the health issues really began. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and soon was on the highest medication. I also was tested for sleep apnoea and my snoring meant I was stopping breathing up to 70 times per hour which made sense why my children closed their doors at night and why my wife didn’t sleep in the same room anymore. It was time to take action.

How long had you battled with weight

issues? When I was 15, I was young, fit and healthy. When admitted to hospital with pneumonia, I was given steroid medication and over the two weeks in hospital, put on about 15kgs. It was really from this point that things started to change. Over the years, I was able to maintain my weight however it slowly creeped up. I was able to lose weight for a short period however as I got older, it became harder to lose. When I began working in an office in 2003, the sedentary lifestyle, poor food choices and habits all attributed to weight gain. By 2010, I had grown to the heaviest I had ever been which was 120kg and a friend at work offered to help by training me, helping with food and other habits. This was going well. I ate more food than ever before on a Paleo style diet and lost 15kg quite quickly however I injured my knee with a torn meniscus and that put an end to that. From there I stopped exercise due to pain and fell into a silent depression as my weight increased to 135kgs.

What health problems did you face

as a result? Sore knee and arm joints, breathing difficulties, pain and recurring injuries, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, headaches, high insulin, poor skin quality with recurring psoriasis, heartburn and reflux, repeated flu and colds. Then of course the mental health issues of depression, ridicule, inability or desire to participate in sports or activities. It also impacted marriage with anger and moods, loss of sex drive and many similar issues.

What made you decide on weight-loss surgery and which procedure was the

right one for you? I had tried them all before: diets, fads, fasting, paleo, juicing and even medications from the doctor. I had met a few people (all women) who have had a form of weight-loss surgery and had excellent results so I started looking into it further. I saw my GP in early 2019 and said I was going to the USA later that same year and really wanted to lose weight and they suggested Saxenda injections before going down the path of surgery. It worked well, however the side effects were not great and during the trip to the USA, I stopped. When I got back, that is when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and not sure if it was related, but my eyesight was also diminishing so I thought it was time and I spoke to my GP and sought a referral.

Post surgery, what have been some of

the challenges? I was always worried if I was making the right choice and heard a few horror stories. In the end, the surgery is meant to go well and whilst there are risks, generally it’s all smooth sailing except for a few hiccups. (Pun intended.) For me personally, I had to admit a lot of things to myself. I kept telling myself I have time to lose weight but the years go by and that thought remained. I admitted to myself that I was avoiding doing anything. I told myself I wasn’t that much overweight. I see other people and thought I was ok. But I had to admit to myself that simple task like putting on shoes and socks is not meant to be that hard. I told myself the prior injuries I had, stopped me from exercising and doing something. I had to admit to myself that many of my pains could have been avoided if I did something about my weight and health. I had to admit that I was reducing the time on earth with my children. I had to admit that I was missing out on so much of life because of my thought patterns. I had to admit that only I could make the decision. And I did. I recommend seeing a psychologist prior. All your comments represent how you think at the moment that got you to this point. Having weight-loss surgery is just a mechanism to help you but all the mental work is up to you and is extremely hard. We all have ‘bad’ thoughts that keep us unhealthy and overweight but we all deserve better and it is time to recognise just how deep the mental roots go. My goal was to be healthy - mentally and physically - and never return to bad choices.

Any regrets? No way. But again I did not have complications. Not only do I weigh what I did almost 30 years ago in high school, I am off my BP medication, don’t have sleep apnoea anymore and no longer have joint pains. I get a sore back occasionally and some minor reflux but for all the benefits, the bad times are nothing.

If you are thinking about doing this I recommend seeing someone to work through your emotional and mental side of why and how you got to this point. For some it is an underlying health reason, others an accident but for many it was honestly a lack of confidence and belief in themselves to do what is right for our health. I make no excuses and own my previous life.

BEFORE 2 MTHS AFTER 6 MTHS AFTER

SHE’S THE FORMER MISS ISRAEL WHO RADIATES STRENGTH, GOODNESS AND KICK-ARSE “CHUTZPAH”!

Super Hero Power

Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman, alias Diana Prince, a worthy heiress to the formidable character Linda Carter made famous on our small screens in the 80s, rocking the bustier and bloomers, with bullet-deflecting cuffs and a shield, sword and lasso like a true Amazonian Princess.

In real life, 35-year-old Gadot is married to Yaron Versano and together they have two daughters, Maya, 3, and Alma, 8. Family, she says, is everything. “The more successful I get, the more I want to plant my roots and make sure everything is balanced and still focused on the important things in life, which, for me, is family,” she told Vogue magazine after the Wonder Woman movie launched in 2017, grossing a massive US$822.3 million globally. Following a long line of “super-hero films”, including which she appeared in, Wonder Woman captured our collective imaginations, particularly among women and young girls who felt empowered by Diana Prince’s determination, humour and compassion. “It completely changed my life,” said Gadot of the film. “Somehow it came out at a point in time where people were really craving it. It made an impact. “It was my first solo super-hero movie,

different from anything I’ve ever done before. It’s huge in its scope and scale and everything is epic and mega!” “Wonder Woman 1984” was delayed by COVID, but eventually premiered in December 2020 to equal enthusiasm. Actress, singer, martial artist and model, Gadot was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and raised in its neighbouring city of Rosh HaAyin. She served in the Israel Defence Forces for two years and won the Miss Israel title in 2004.

In the late 2000s, Gadot was modelling when she was called up for her film debut as Gisele in the fourth film of the “Fast and Furious” franchise, “Fast & Furious” (2009). Her role was expanded in two sequels, “Fast Five” (2011) and “Fast & Furious 6” (2013), and was admired for her willingness and ability to perform her own stunts. In early December 2013, Gal was cast as Wonder Woman in the superhero teamup film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016). For the role, Gadot dedicated herself to honing her skills in swordsmanship, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Then came “Justice League” (2017) with an all-star cast including Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Jason Momoa, Jeremy Irons and J. K. Simmons, among many others.

Gadot found herself under added pressure when she discovered she was pregnant part way through filming. “I didn’t tell anyone because you just don’t broadcast it in the beginning. But it became more apparent when I had such bad sickness, not just morning, but afternoon and evening too. I felt terrible. I was literally on set, shooting a scene and in my head the whole time I’m saying, ‘don’t vomit, don’t vomit’.” So early into her pregnancy, her growing belly went unnoticed, and by the time, months later, reshoots were required for certain scenes, the editors came to the rescue with CGI magic. (Computer generated images). Despite the international fame, acclaim and adulation, Gadot is quick to acknowledge her most important role is being mother to her two daughters. “It’s the best feeling in the world to create life,” muses Gadot. “I may play a goddess in Wonder Woman, but I feel like a true goddess after giving birth and being the mother of two beautiful daughters. “To them, I’m just ‘mum’. The girls don’t pay much attention. But they have certainly learned that every woman is a wonder woman.” Despite hectic schedules and other projects on the boil, Gadot states she and her husband are “more in love than ever”.

“He supports me in everything. I love every moment I spend with him and my daughters. He is also a very successful businessman and is very involved in that. But even though we are both busy with our work, family life comes first. I am a very happy woman who can hardly wait to come home to my family every time I finish work.”

And work she must, stating it’s a great source of satisfaction to her to be able to contribute to supporting her family and add her mark on a heroine for a new generation. “Every working mother goes through the same thing. We always juggle, we feel the guilt. It’s a sensitive balance. What works for me is knowing that when I’m at work, I enjoy my work and I’m busy and then when I’m at home, I’m completely there, enjoying time with them.”

Ahead in 2021, Gadot will be seen in a new action-comedy blockbuster on Netflix, “Red Notice”, starring alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.’ Reflecting on the production, which was halted in March due to COVID and only returned in late September, Gadot enumerated the challenges involved in getting the film finished. “We had to be sequestered 24/7 and only go to and from set. The crew had to be away from their families for several months and they worked their butts off so we can all deliver the best movie possible, while keeping everyone safe. “I’m always aware of the fact that things are impactful and special only when there’s a collective force behind it. This one was for sure that!”

Set in the world of international crime, “Red Notice” refers to the alert issued by INTERPOL for a global hunt to capture the world’s most wanted art thief. Gadot is the art thief, while Johnson is the world’s greatest tracker charged with the mission to bring her in. Ryan Reynolds co-stars as the world’s greatest con man. As if that were not enough, Gadot will reunite with director Patty Jenkins, Director of “Wonder Woman” for a historical drama based on the life of Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. Asked if there’s a “Wonder Woman 3” on the horizon, Gadot says she is open to the idea.

“I would love to do another one if the story is great and with Patty Jenkins, of course. We’ll have to wait and see. It would be a nice closure.”