The Beauty Bible Spring Issue 2018 by The Beauty Bible

SPRING ISSUE

INSIDE REGULARS 3. CONTRIBUTORS 4. EDITOR’S LETTER 5. THE BEAUTY BIBLE ONLINE

BEAUTY 7. GET THE LOOK

The products you need to create our warm spring cover look

9. BEAUTY REPORT

The new kids on the beauty block

10. GOLDEN HOUR 15. INSIDE MY MAKEUP BAG

Celebrity Makeup Artist Tanielle Jai shares her journey and top products.

17. GLOW BABY GLOW

Michaela Bird teaches us how to nail that spring glow

19. FOUR STEPS TO REBALANCING YOUR SKIN

10.

Suffering from post winter dullness? We have you covered.

20. MY SKIN JOURNEY

Holly Wright shares how she keeps her skin in check with Facetime Skin Clinic.

22. GUIDE TO FAKE TANNING

INNER BEAUTY

STYLE

No sun, no problem. Fake it till you make it with these top tips.

37. THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY Find out what’s next for fitness and lifestyle blogger Simone Anderson

25. THE EDIT

23. WHAT IS MESOTHERAPY?

38. HOW TO BALANCE YOUR HORMONES NATURALLY The truth about the little white pill

31. LUXURY SHOPPING ON A BUDGET Your guide to designer shopping with Aki Ang 33. A DAY IN THE LIFE Meet the new bloggers on the block Swank & Roche

The treatment everyone is talking about and what it could do for you

Contributors

Michaela Bird Makeup Artist

Simone Anderson Health/Lifestyle Blogger

Tanielle Jai Celebrity Makeup Artist

Nerelle & Rochelle Lifestyle Bloggers

Aki Ang Fashion Blogger

Holly Wright Fashion/Lifestyle Blogger

Maegan McDowell Photographer

Rachel Mackwood Makeup Artist / Beauty Therapist

Maddi Parker Naturopath

Editor’s

LETTER S

pring! That time of year where we can forget those winter blues, step outside, and maybe even go an entire day

without getting an umbrella out. Clothes get lighter, skin gets brighter and I - yet again - get another year older. In this issue I really wanted to capture spring and everything it is about. Glowing makeup and hydrated skin is trending this season more than ever - we hear from the experts about how to achieve these sought after looks through must have items and treatments. When brainstorming shoot ideas I tried to think of what spring means to me and attempt to capture it through the lens. We somehow, after postponing, replanning and a whole lot of ‘winging it’, managed to create my absolute dream editorial. Blush in Parnell provided the perfect floral haven for our backdrop which we paired with a stunning model, soft pastel clothing and a warm natural glam. When Nicole and I went sourcing for the shoot we ultimately wanted to choose pieces that were wearable, versatile and fresh. We had the best day shooting with London based model Kenya Brown from Red 11 and it is safe to say, if I could set up camp in that store, you would never get me out of there. As always - happy reading! Leah Vine Editor/Creative Director

@leahvine

ONLINE Keep up to date with us. Like, Subscribe & Follow our feed.

@thebeautybiblenz

www.thebeautybible.co.nz

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BEHIND THE SCENES

THE TEAM Photography: Anupam Singh Jumpsuit: Gestuz Hair & Makeup: LeahLovesMakeup Model: Kenya Brown - Red 11 Models Location: Blush Flowers Parnell

GET

THE

Look OUR COVER

1. MAC Give Me Sun Bronzer 2. MAC Half N Half Lipstick

3. Anastasia Soft Glam Palette

2 MUA | @LEAHLOVESMAKEUP

Beauty 8.

BEAUTY

BEAUTY Report OH SO TEMPTING Indulge in Maybelline’s most addictive Total Temptation collection that’ll awaken your senses and leave you looking fresh and flawless. The collection features a coconut-infused mascara that creates irresistibly soft, separated lashes; a super blendable all-in-one eye and cheek palette with indulgent peaches and muted mauves; and a smooth as silk, richly pigmented brow definer that’ll give you a softly defined eyebrow to complete your totally seductive look.

CONSERVATIVE GLAM

RAY OF SUNSHINE

Chantecaille’s Lip Veil Lipsticks are revolutionary, weightless, gliding lipsticks that deliver pure pigment in one stroke. Buildable with a creamy light texture, it kisses the lips with an emollient, nourishing glaze that feels deliciously smooth and silky. Lip Veil is the first lipstick Chantecaille has created exclusively to support a conservation project with every sale supporting ‘Space For Giants’, a conservation committed to protecting the migratory paths of elephants. RRP $76 | Available at Mecca from 2nd Oct 2018

The Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi is like sunshine in a bottle, without the damaging effects. A chronopeptide that mimics the benefits of vitamin D, omega-rich virgin marula and black currant seed oils, along with vitamin F, immediately replenish the delicate balance that supports a healthy barrier function of skin, while a concentrated mix of protective antioxidants boosts skin’s defences against pollution and environmental stressors...all delivered with a bronzy finish. RRP $57 | Available at Mecca from 2nd Oct 2018

Golden Hour Model: Charlee from Unique Model Management Make Up Artist: Oliva King Styling and Photography: Maegan McDowell Studio: Smith Studios

Beauty

Model: Charlee from Unique Model Management | Make Up Artist: Oliva King | Styling and Photography: Maegan McDowell | Studio: Smith Studios

INSIDE

MY MAKEUP BAG

Tanielle Jai

We chatted on the phone to Tanielle Jai AKA Aussies queen of makeup to gain an insight into her journey, her go-to products and how she made her makeup dreams come true. If you shop online or browse social media then you have likely seen some of her work. Tanielle has painted some pretty famous faces from Belle Lucia to Tammy Hembrow, working her magic to achieve that ultimate glow. Her signature ‘Soft-Glam’ look has graced the feeds of online stores such as Beginning Boutique, Mura Boutique, Sabo Skirt and more. So how did she land such an epic gig? Tanielle puts this all down to hard work. After working on counter for Napoleon for over 9 years the self-taught artist took the leap to go out on her own with a goal to be booked 7 days a week. 3 years and 46K followers later and she has done just that. “It’s a lot of hard work but you do it because every small job can lead to something bigger and it has got me to where I am today.” Tanielle shared a few of her favourite products that she uses to create her go-to sexy, subtle look.

MAC Cosmetics Lip Liner in ‘Stripdown’ Iconic London Original Illuminator Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation Nars Creamy Concealer Chanel De Soleil Tan Bronzing Base

@taniellejaimua 15.

Photo by: @Laurenjdg Instagram

MONOCHROMATIC From high fashion to high street Monochromatic Peach is this season’s go-to glam. Here are our essentials for completing the perfect peachy look

peach

1. 3. 2.

ÿ TOO FACED Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Collection RRP: $78.00 // Ā MILANI Baked Blush RRP: $18.99 // ā COLOURPOP SOL Pressed Powder Shadow Palette RRP: $17.54 // ā NARS Lipstick Casablanca - Classic coral RRP: $44.00 // Ă ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Illuminator - Riviera RRP: $40.93

favourite of mine for this kind of look is the Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation it has the most amazing dewy finish and is so buildable but also doesn’t look too heavy if you do want to layer it. As for concealer, one of my favourite concealers for a more natural dewy finish is the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer I have been using this for years. It has a medium coverage, but it is also buildable as well and is not too thick in consistency so doesn’t cake up under the eyes.

STEP FIVE:

@michaelabird

Here are my 7 Steps to getting dewy makeup after a cold winter, the most important thing for this is skin! So here are some of my tips to keep you glowing no matter what time of the year it is!

Powder. For this kind of look where you place your powder is key. I will only place powder underneath my eyes where I conceal, the center of my cheeks, my nose my forehead and my chin. Too much powder will take away from the dewy look and leave you looking too matte which we are trying to avoid with this look. For my powder I use the Rimmel Match Perfection Translucent Loose Powder – I rate this powder so much!

GLOW BABY GLOW With Michaela Bird

STEP ONE: Moisturize. This one is so important, the key to keeping your skin glowing and fresh through these winter months is making sure you are moisturizing both day and night. One of my new favourite moisturizers is the Garnier Botanical Day Cream with Rose Water and best of all it is affordable too! It leaves my skin feeling so fresh and soft and smells like roses.

STEP TWO: Facial Spray. I always find giving my face a quick mist of the Mario Badescu Facial Spray always helps to leave my skin feeling refreshed. I do this before I apply any makeup and as well as on my makeup free days too. I will usually go between the classic Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater scent and the Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender scent.

STEP THREE: Primer. It is always key to prep your skin right – my secret to having glowing makeup after the colder months is by using Mac Strobe Cream in Peachlite this gives your skin a luminous finish and when you apply your foundation over the top of the Mac Strobe Cream it looks like you are glowing from within - I will usually apply this to the tops of my cheeks, down the center of my nose and then also on my forehead and chin. I will skip any other primers for this kind of look as I find this technique leaves your skin the most glowing!

STEP FOUR: Foundation and Concealer. Choosing the right foundation for your skin and for the colder season is also important. I love a lighter coverage foundation that is buildable as well as having a dewy to satin finish this helps keep the moisture in your skin and leaves your looking flawless and glowing. One foundation that has become a new

STEP SIX: Glow baby glow! Highlight. My favourite product for any makeup look, I love a good highlight. I feel like you can never go wrong with adding highlight to the cheekbones, down the center of the nose, to the cupid’s bow and under the brow bone. This just adds that extra bit of shine to your look. Lately I have been going between the Maybelline Master Chrome Highlight in Molten Gold and Mac Cosmetics Mineralize Skin Finish in Oh Darling they are both beautiful golden highlights.

STEP SEVEN: Setting Spray. For this kind of dewy look, I go back and use my Mario Badescu Facial Spray I spray this on both sides of my face to help soak in my highlight and I will try and avoid spraying too much on the center of my face as the center is where I tend to get slightly oilier throughout the day. And there you have it my tips and tricks to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing after the cold winter months!

NARS Velvet Lip Glide PLAYPEN RRP: $41.00

GLOSSY LIPS

COLOURPOP Ultra Glossy Lip FANTASIA RRP: $8.85

The Glossy Lip is so on trend this spring. Want to pull of the perfect shiny pout? Here are a couple of our top picks to keep in your hand bag!

COLOURPOP Ultra Glossy Lip FANTASIA

FOUR STEPS TO

Re-balancing Your Skin

The harsh winter climate can play havoc on your skin. Put a spring back in your step with these four steps to re-balance your complexion and show off your new season glow.

MASK 1

Detoxify & Brighten your skin with the insta famous Alya Skin Pink Clay Mask. Safe on all skin types, this mask uses Kaolin Clay to remove toxins and pollutants from the skin. Aloe Vera and Pomegranate reduces inflammation in the skin & assist in removing eczema and acne while Witch-hazel detoxifies the skin.

2 CLEANSE

Jurlique have used a unique blend of botanicals Birch, Calendula, Spilanthes, Rosemary, Yarrow, Lemon Balm and Licorice handpicked from Jurlique¹s organic farm in the unspoilt Adelaide Hills, which have strong antioxidant properties - helping to gently cleanse and protect the skin against environmental aggressors.

SERUM 3

A powerful youth activating serum that reveals youthful radiance and smoother skin in just 7 days. This innovative formula featuring Génifique’s patented complex with added biotechnology-derived ingredient acts on 10 key signs of youth including skin texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, clarity, and skin tone.

4 MOISTURISE This advanced formula has been blended using advanced anti-ageing technologies and pairing them with quality, natural ingredients to hydrate and plump. The results speak for themselves, it has been shown to reduce the depth of wrinkles and increases the skin’s radiance after just one application.

MASK - Alya Skin Pink Clay Mask (120g, $97.99) // CLEANSE - Jurlique Revitalising Cleansing Gel (200ml, $46) SERUM - Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate, (50ml, $191) // MOISTURISE - Manuka Dr Drops Of Crystal Cashmere Touch Cream (40ml, $49.95)

You may know Holly from her beautiful Instagram and Blog @albaandi She’s a Mommy in her 30’s with another babe on the way! She started her skincare journey with us a year ago now and has been a regular ever since. Here’s what she has to say about her skincare journey with FaceTime. I started my skincare journey with FaceTime Skin Clinic nearly a year ago now. Like all busy Mama’s, after having my daughter Alba, I neglected my skin and hadn’t been for a facial since before she was born! My 31st birthday was fast approaching and I was on the hunt for a new facial clinic. I was looking for somewhere that would offer me more than just a relaxing, pampering facial but instead, substantial anti-aging results without having to do anything invasive. What instantly drew me to FaceTime was the impressive menu of facial treatments on their website. Their treatment menu covers off every type of skin concern you can imagine, with a great range of prices and appointment lengths to suit everyone. Whether you are looking for a quick treatment on your lunch break or indulge in something a little longer to really unwind, they have you covered. They also use some of my favourite dermatology brands including Osmosis skincare which I’ve used on and off for years, always with amazing results. The Clinic itself is set in Mairangi Bay, it’s such a beautiful space full of natural light and the service here from the moment you walk in, is nothing short of amazing. All of the team are so warm and inviting and most importantly so knowledgeable! My treatment of choice is always the Osmosis Medi Facial followed by the Healite II LED light therapy. The reason I love this so much aside from the fact I love Osmosis products, is that this facial can be completely tailored to your skins’ needs on the day! Your Facialist will whip up a bespoke blend using Osmosis’s range of powerful serums and active powders to target the different areas of your skin that need help. My skin always needs a good exfoliation around the chin and mouth area, anti aging around the eyes and always extra hydration everywhere! My Facialist Melissa, who I now count as one of the beauty experts I can’t live without! Always uses the most amazing massage techniques, she honestly has magic hands. So relaxing, but firm enough to pump up my circulation and really infuse the products into my skin. I always leave feeling 100% relaxed and rejuvenated with skin looking super plump and hydrated and the next day my skin literally glows! I tend to book in every 6-8 weeks as sometimes it can be hard booking around my little one Alba, Momlife! I find around the 6-week mark is perfect for me though as that’s when I find my skin is really needing some TLC.

MY SKIN JOURNEY With Holly Wright @facetimeskinclinic

@albaandi

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Self -Tanning

So winter has got you a little more ghostly than glowing? Never fear we have you covered - literally. Behold - the ultimate guide to a streak & stress free fake tan.

THE PREP Make sure you cover all other areas of maintenance such as shaving, manicures and washing your hair before applying your self tanner. Exfoliating is a must! Your skin must be free from dry patches and dead skin before tanning as the product sinks into dryer areas causing them to appear darker and your tan to look patchy. Moisturise the dry areas! Rough areas such as elbows, knees, and ankles tend to go darker once the tan sets. Moisturising these areas will prevent the product from sinking in too much. Applying it to your face also helps to create a barrier between your face and the tan.

THE TAN Choosing the right shade for you is super important to achieve the most natural look. Most self tanners come in a range of shades. Choose one a few shades darker than your natural skin colour then build it up to your desired shade. Always use a tanning mit to apply the tan. This will ensure the tan is even and streak free whilst protecting your hands. Apply your tan infront of a mirror to ensure that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss any spots! Go easy on your face and hands. It is best to use the leftover tan on the mit to avoid these areas going too dark.

THE WAIT Wait 5-10 minutes for the tan to dry before dressing. This will ensure nothing rubs off and you wont get any tan lines Avoid tight underwear and bras until the tan is fully developed. Baggy clothes or Pjs are best! The longer you leave the tan on to develop, the darker it will be. For an ultra-dark glow sleep in it overnight!

THE GOODS

1 - Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam - Light/ Medium | RRP $24.99 2 - Bondi Sands Tanning Mit | RRP $13.99 3 - Mecca Cosmetica Luxe Body Butter | $83

WHAT IS MESOTHERAPY? With Rachel Mackwood These days it’s all about skin, skin, skin! And let me tell you, good makeup is only as good as the skin you start with. So, what is this new Beauty buzz work ‘Mesotherapy’? And what will it do for me? Slowly sweeping the world is a new technique that therapists are raving about and as clients are getting results, they are too!

Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of the body and is not toxic even in elevated doses unless a pre-existing medical condition exists after a treatment the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the area treated returns to normal. There are no known risks or unwanted effects with Carboxy Therapy, and millions of people have been treated with it worldwide without reported adverse effects.

MESOTHERAPY is the name for a technique using injections of vitamins, enzymes and even CO2. Mesotherapy is another name for non surgical cosmetic solutions aimed at diminishing problem areas of the face and body. The benefits of mesotherapy are quite sensational, including overall skin rejuvenation, increased firmness and elasticity. With improvement of skin’s complexion and radiation and prevention of wrinkles some clients are now replacing this method for other well known skin treatments that appear to be not as results driven. It rejuvenates and revives dull skin and improves tone and elasticity of sagging skin on hands, décolleté and neck area. With a qualified therapist you can particularly target what you want to infuse into the skin to solve the skin concern. So what happens when you inject C02? Something quite wonderful... Injecting C02 using the ‘Mesotherapy’ method is called Carboxy. In addition to increasing oxygenated blood-flow to the region injected, carboxytherapy also increases collagen formation in the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. It involves injecting tiny amounts of Carbon dioxide (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production. The Carboxy procedure uses carbon dioxide for facial rejuvenation, puffy eyes, and dark circles, to reduce stretch marks, stubborn cellulite and scars. It is also a safe, minimally invasive, clinically proven method to rejuvenate, restore, and recondition the skin. It stimulates circulation (around the eyes) and collagen production in the skin. Carboxytherapy is rapidly becoming known globally as the leading skin rejuvenation treatment. It is a safe, minimally invasive, clinically proven method to rejuvenate, restore, and recondition the skin and treat wrinkles, laxity, cellulite and stretch marks. It can be performed in any area to treat the eyelids, face, neck, arms, stomach, buttocks, and legs.

@rachelmackwoodbeauty

During the treatment the sensation can be likened to a dull throb or pressure .This mild discomfort lasts 2 to 4 minutes. CO2 is 20 times more soluble than oxygen and it is easily and quickly diffused from the injection site to the surrounding tissue. After a treatment the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the treated area will raise, turn slightly red as oxygen perfused into the area which undergoes an inflammatory response which stimulates collagen production. The area should not be immersed in water for about 4 hours post-treatment. Patients can return to work immediately after treatment. Treatment costs can be priced between $200-$300 per treatment and results may vary but a suggested course of 4-6 treatments is usually required for desired results.

Style

Floral Dreaming PHOTOGRAPHY - Annupam Singh MODEL - Kenya Brown, Red 11 HAIR & MAKEUP - Leah Lim (LeahLovesMakeup) LOCATION - Blush Parnell

Top & Pants - Gestuz | Bag - Witchery

Bodysuit - Heidi Klum Intimates | Pants & Blazer - Salasai

Top - Rachel Mills | Culottes - Ketz Ke | Boots - Witchery

Dress - Ingrid Starnes | Sunglasses - Le Specs

Top & Pants - Leo & Be | Hat & Bag - Witchery | Shoes - Kathyryn Wilson

STATEMENT BAGS TED BAKER striped bow box clutch bag RRP: $166.91

MARC JACOBS Snapshot Small Camera Bag RRP: $463.80

CAMILLA Small Canvas Clutch RRP: $108.01

Statement bags are the ultimate must have this season. Add that extra pop to your outfit by adding a bold clutch.

LUXURY SHOPPING

On a budget

WITH AKI OF THE SLEEK AVENUE Unlike the current luxury consumer demographic that has higher spending power, Millennials are all about finding a better way to spend. As a regular online shopper for luxury products, I would like to offer a few tips from my experience.

THE 3 OUTFITS RULE Beautiful things are meant to be worn again and again. I always make sure I have at least three ways of styling a designer item before adding it to the shopping cart.

COMPARE. COMPARE. COMPARE. Whether it’s offline or online, designer pieces always have different pricing on different sites. I search on Lyst.com for the websites that have what I’m after and make pricing comparisons from there.

ONLINE SHOPPING CHECK LISTS Are the shipping and duty included? What’s the shipping cost if it’s not included? How much will the import duty be if it’s not included? Do they ship to your country? What’s the shipping duration? These are the questions I clarify before placing my order. To my knowledge: Farfetch and Net-a-Porter are duty included. Luisa Via Roma provides express shipping and duty inclusive. Every country has its own duty estimator, make sure you check this on the customs website before purchasing.

SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS 10% might sound little, but in this world where an entry level Gucci shoulder bag costs around NZ$2,000, 10% means $200 saving, which could be a week of apartment rent for some. Now, you would never see that 10% the same way again.

WAIT FOR THE SALE Some sales are worth waiting for, like the NET-A-PORTER bi-annual sale on June/July and December/January. This is the chance where you get to shop design items half price – YAY.

NEVER SHOP IMPULSIVELY Save your favourite item into your wish-lists and if you are still thinking about it the next day, and if the stock is still available: it’s fate! Otherwise, there’s always new season items.

@thesleekavenue www.thesleekavenue

Blazers ELLIATT

Striped with Belt Blazer RRP: $412.24

FRIEND OF AUDREY Peta Textured Blazer

RRP: $77.99

Floral Boyfriend Blazer

MISSGUIDED

RRP: $261.18

Blazers are back and here to stay this spring. Style on their own, or as part of a co-ord to add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Swank & Roche

Meet sister bloggers Nerelle & Rochelle - the new fashion/lifestyle influencers on our radar. What made you want to start a blog together? We have always been passionate purveyors of style, but to be honest, we did not actually know we were going to start a ‘blog’. It was a world that was completely unknown to us and we did not know much about it at all. However, what we did know was that we wanted to have an outlet to share the things that we loved with other people. It all sort of evolved organically from there and we learnt and changed things along the way. Overtime, our direction became clearer and we found ourselves in the midst of the blogging world and here we are today. How has it developed since you started? In the beginning, it was quite overwhelming as you can be easily influenced by others and what they do, making it easy to forget your true self and not really knowing your purpose. Through the experiences that we have had and others that we have met, we have learnt the importance of staying ‘on brand’, true to our identity and ensuring our content reflects us as we evolve. We still feel new to the influencer community and think we always will, simply because there is so much to learn and that always keeps things interesting! Describe a typical day for you both? Currently, we both work, one of us full time and the other studying and working part time, so it can get quite busy, quite quickly! We have become really efficient with using our time and splitting the workload and tend to do most of our Swank & Roche work in the evenings and over the weekend. There is no typical structure to our everyday, each day is different depending on what we need to achieve.

Describe your personal style Rochelle: I can go from feminine to edgy, my style is without a doubt influenced by my mood each day. Nerelle: My style is definitely influenced by where I am going for the day. I feel it is important to ‘dress for the occasion’, however this must be done with your own twist! Some days I will dress in a more classic style and other days I will be completely edgy - depends on how I feel! I like to keep things simple, there is no real formula to it and that is why I love fashion. What current Spring fashion item are you obsessed with? It is hard to choose, but an easy go-to that doesn’t require much effort is a cute ruffle wrap dress. We love finding pieces, even non-designer which are made from quality fabrics and have something slightly stylish or edgy about them. Sometimes you see clothes and just by looking, regardless of the brand, you know that they are a quality item. Who are your style icons? This is a tough one - we don’t have a particular go-to list of style icons, which as fashion bloggers, this may seem a little crazy, we draw our inspiration from various sources. We have always thought Karl Lagerfeld was super stylish and instantly recognisable with his fashion. However, if we were to list them, we would probably kick ourselves when we read this back for forgetting someone really important! We like everything from the 90s supermodel style icons to everyday people who wear their clothing with their own unique sense of style, not necessarily just celebrities or public figures.

@swankandroche 33

swankandroche.com

KNUEFERMANN

ZAMBESI

HAILWOOD

THE BEST OF NZFW

NEW GENERATION TRELISE COOPER 34

EMERGING COUTURE

BACKSTAGE Behind the runway @ NZFW

Photography: Anupam Singh

Inner Beauty Photography: CARLOS+ALYSE

INNER BEAUTY

THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY

With Simone Anderson Spring is the perfect time to seek that motivation you need to reach your goals. What better to get started than taking a page out of Simone Andersons book (literally). In 2014 Aucklander Simone Anderson began her journey to a better life. At 169kg Simone claimed she was living a “half life” and began documenting her weight-loss progress through social media. “I started sharing my progress purely to keep myself accountable, I knew if I admired my weight and shared half naked photos of myself to my friends and family that I would have to stick to my new lifestyle!” Four years later Simone has achieved more than she ever thought possible. Not only has she lost 90kg but she has built up a loyal following of over 276K with people all over the world seeking inspiration from her sucesses. More recently, she released her first book ‘Journey To Health’ which goes into detail about her trials and tribulations.

Being in the spotlight certainly has its challenges with social media trolls quick to judge. She says it wasn’t always easy but Simone has found a way to deal with the harsh criticism. “I initially didn’t deal with it very well. It would get me down and I would cry for days on end. Now I just share the hate in a highlight reel on my Instagram and this truly has put an end to 95% of it, turns out people actually don’t like being called out for being nasty!” Simone has hopes to continue to inspire those around her by doing more motivational speaking to connect with her audience and help them achieve their dreams just like she has. “Connecting with people is one of my biggest driving factors in life. I get so much motivation from my followers, their stories inspire me daily!”

@simone_anderson 37

10 WAYS TO BALANCE YOUR HORMONES

naturally

Maddison Leigh is a Naturopath and Medical Herbalist as well as very period proud! Her mission is to help women fall back in love with their menstrual cycles through her Natural Fertility Method workshops and natural medicine consultations for women who have hormonal concerns. You will find Maddi drinking strong cups of herbal tea, laughing, gardening and/or wearing her grey fat pants.

THIS IS FOR THE LADIES WHO ARE TAKING THAT LITTLE WHITE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL TO “BALANCE HORMONES” OR LOVERS WHO ARE USING IT FOR CONTRACEPTION. I wrote this article for the sole purpose of educating women about the combined oral contraceptive pill. It is important to make informed decisions about your body, and to do what is best for you and your circumstances. Please speak to a medical or qualified holistic practitioner before removing yourself from any prescription medication.

Did You Know: 1. The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) shuts down your body’s natural production of hormones. YUP, it supplies your body with a synthetic form of oestrogen and progesterone, so your body no longer needs to make it’s own hormones (it is essentially a form of hormone replacement). It does this to prevent ovulation (to prevent pregnancy). This is why some women have a hard time coming off the pill and menstruating again - as it can take some time for their bodies natural hormone response to kick start again. 2. The combined oral contraceptive pill does not balance your hormones The pill will not, in the long run, help your endometriosis, PCOS, heavy or painful periods. The pill masks your symptoms of these conditions. As soon as you come off the pill, your hormonal imbalance will most likely arise again as your hormonal production will go back to the way it once was.

3. “The pill mimics a pregnancy” is a lie The pill prevents ovulation, but that is where the similarity of the two end. The pill contains synthetic versions of your natural hormones. Synthetically made progestins in the pill are not the same as naturally occurring progesterone in the body and in pregnancy. 4. Progestins (synthetic progesterone) in birth control increases the risk of blood clots, hair loss, anxiety, depression and breast cancer. In contrast, naturally occurring progesterone found in an ovulating woman is beneficial to hair growth, sleep, mood, cardiovascular health as well as prevention breast cancer.

5. Combined oral contraceptive pill bleeds are not periods. Cleverly, the sugar pills were added to give the appearance of a bleed, and reassure women that they’ve had a “period”. A period is defined by a bleed following ovulation. The pill blocks ovulation, and as a result the bleed you experience on the pill is solely a withdrawal bleed from the synthetic hormones not a period. 6. The pill increases nutritional deficiency. Including Vitamin A, C, E , K and Bs as well as iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and calcium. This is why it is so important if you decide to come off the pill to get pregnant, to do so 3-6 months prior to you conceiving due to nutritional deficiencies that in the long term will effect the health of your child. It is also important to increase your consumption of these nutrients prior to coming off the pill to improve natural hormone restoration. 7. Women are only fertile at ovulation for only 12-24 hours per cycle There needs to be better education around other forms of non-hormonal contraception options for women. The symptothermal method is a 99.4% effective natural contraception, that uses vaginal fluid and basal body temperature to determine the start or end of a women’s fertile phase each cycle.

8. You are in charge of your body. Not your doctor, not your partner, not your parents, not your friends. Do not compromise your femininity, body and health by using the pill only to please your partner, doctor, parents or friends. Please do what is right for your own body. Do not feel afraid, ashamed or guilty for bringing this topic up with your partner. Be honest about how you feel. If he loves you, and wants the best for you – he will understand. 9. There are circumstances where the combined oral contraceptive pill is the best option. And this is OKAY. Every single women’s circumstances are different, and it is completely okay if you wish to stay on the pill. Just know that it is also okay to get more than one opinion about your health circumstance. There are SO MANY different healing practitioners out there (acupuncturists, osteopaths, naturopaths, nutritionists) and it’s important you find the one you feel is hearing your needs most.

A part of learning to care deeply for yourself is understanding and listening to your body. We are with this one body for life, and it is important we take care of her. Sign up to Maddison Leigh’s email list on her website www.maddisonleigh.nz and receive for FREE the detailed handout ‘Ten Ways To Balance Your Hormones Naturally’. Perfect for women preparing to come off the pill; those hoping to get pregnant (see number 6 of this article first); or women wishing to support their hormonal concerns. Maddison also holds regular workshops for women wishing to learn the Natural Fertility Method as a form of natural contraception.