5 ways to love yourself this Valentine's Day

Whilst it is great to have someone to love on Valentine’s Day, what’s even better is being able to truly love yourself. So when February 14th rolls around this year we are encouraging all of our readers to focus on loving the skin they are in.

 It’s no secret that many people struggle with body image, both male and female. A Butterfly Foundation survey of young Australians found that 73% wished they could change the way they looked, 66% had been teased about their appearance and over 40% are unhappy about their appearance. 

And whilst there is a concerted effort to shift our mindset, negative body image is still not a thing of the past. TPR Founder, Natalie Papadopoulos, witnesses this negativity first hand and wants something to change.

“I have met so many men & women who can’t answer the question ‘what’s your favourite feature’, instead, they focus on what they want to change. I am SO guilty of this, and I'm tired of it! At TPR we want to celebrate you! We want to help you accept any imperfections and to find the confidence to love yourself (As cliché as that sounds). Our salon is a safe place where you can be yourself. Let’s help each other find self-acceptance. I challenge you to answer the question, what’s your favourite feature?”

With thigh gaps and thinspo dominating much of what we see on social media, it is a breath of fresh air to have homegrown Australian Influencers rocking their unique and beautiful bodies. Tash Oakley, Jade Tuncdoruk and Stephanie Claire Miller (just to name a few) are embracing their bodies and encouraging their followers to follow suit.

TPR wants you to love the skin you’re in, so we have created a list of the 5 things you need to remind yourself when you look in the mirror.

Our bodies are amazing.

It is important for people to remember that our bodies are awesome, particularly women. The fact that we can produce another human in our wombs is incredible, and something we should be proud of.

Many women suffer from period-related body dysmorphia, which makes them feel negative about their body and appearance during their menstrual cycle. There are many physical elements of periods that we cannot control, but there’s an important one which we can. 

Keep it Cleaner Co-Founder, Laura Henshaw recently addressed this on her Instagram page, stating that whilst inflammation can’t be controlled, how was talk about our bodies and value ourselves can be. Her advice is “Know that it’s completely normal and you don’t need to worry. Tell yourself you are beautiful no matter what and that you’re doing great. ❤️”.

Another part of being womanly is developing hips and curves, and of course, having children. Having children is supposed to be one of the greatest gifts we could possibly experience, but many mum’s suffer from postpartum body dissatisfaction. With an expectation to ‘bounce back’, many women start to feel negative about their bodies, rather than appreciating the amazing process. 

Our advice to recent mum’s hating on themselves. Stop right now. 

You’re incredible. The journey to pregnancy and motherhood is not the same for everyone and not always easy. Trust the process, embrace the changes and know that being physically and mentally healthy is the most important thing. Stop putting pressure on yourself. Remember you’re trying your best, and you’re beautiful.

No room for negativity.

Hands up if you have ever looked in the mirror and thought “I look so bad”? 

Well, it’s time to stop this, because it’s not just affecting your happiness. It has been scientifically proven that poor mental health and negativity can affect our physical well-being.

Self-efficacy is the practice of positive self-talk, rather than negative. Once we start using positive affirmations about our bodies and appearance, the body image anxiety goes away and we are uplifted. Life is too short to not wear shorts or swim at the beach. Once we remove the pressure and start embracing our bodies, we instantly improve our quality of life.

Wanting to change the way we look at beauty and the way we look at ourselves, was a motivating factor in the creation of The Parlour Room.

“It’s so important to surround yourself with positive people who believe in you, who lift you up & help you shine. That’s what I wanted when I created TPR. It’s a space you can come to forget your worries & have a giggle with the girls. We will give you the confidence to conquer the world & feel absolutely gorgeous while doing it” says Natalie, TPR founder.

So our challenge to you for 2020, is to remember that every time you start to feel and talk negatively about your body, stop. Remove your mind from that train of thought, and surround yourself with positivity.

Confidence is key.

The best thing you can wear in this lifetime is a smile. And whilst this sounds cheesy, it’s incredibly true. 

The Royal Society of Publishing found that people who look happier and more confident are automatically more attractive. TPR Founder, Natalie, discussed her attitude towards confidence and beauty in a recent interview: 

“I think the older I get the more confidence and self-acceptance I have found. I am a big less-is-more girl, I still want to feel like me under all the makeup and hair. I also think everyone looks more beautiful when they smile/laugh.”

To help bump up confidence, why not get a spray tan? A 2019 Public Health study found that 80% of the respondents reported feeling and look better with a tan, even if that tan was the result of damaging UV Rays.

But don’t damage your skin just to get a glow. Modern beauty technology allows us to look golden without the sunspots, wrinkles and melanomas, thanks to spray tans. To try one of our amazing spray tans click here.

We also suggest using a gradual tanner. The Sunescape Gradual Tanner is an ultra-hydrating moisturiser, rich in antioxidants and essential oils. It keeps your skin subtle while building a gradual tan. It will keep you safe and sun-kissed all at once.

TLC is important.

As beauty professionals, we see the impact of body image and appearance on our clients every single day. And it shouldn't come as a surprise, but sometimes putting a little bit of effort in, works wonders on our self-confidence and body image. 

By keeping ourselves groomed we will automatically feel better about our overall appearance. And whilst we shouldn't rely upon this to be happy, there is nothing wrong with getting a little boost of confidence. So next time you’re feeling a little down about yourself, get your nails done, book an eyebrow appointment or get a facial. Not only will it be relaxing, but you will leave the salon feeling and looking amazing.

Here are some of our favourite grooming treatments:

Brows: Professionally shaped eyebrows help to accentuate your eyes, frame your face and give you a polished look. Beauty therapists can sculpt your brows by waxing, tinting or threading to give your face a lift, making your eyes appear larger and your brows fuller.

Nails: With fabulously groomed hair and a mani and pedi with a pop of colour, you can add shine and glow to your overall appearance. We offer a variety of professional nail services and the hottest colours to suit your style.

Click here to book your next TPR service.

Work with what you have.

If you don't like where you are in life, move. You’re not a tree. - anonymous.

We have all heard it before, but if you want something to change, do something about it. If you want to feel better rocking a bikini this summer, but you haven't been to the gym all year, maybe going once a week will be a nudge in the right direction?

And that’s not to say that not exercising is bad, as health is relative to each individual, but it is common knowledge the average person should be exercising 30 minutes a day, 6 times a week. Exercise does wonders for both our body and mind. It helps us to feel positive, energised and happy.

Co-Founder of Keep It Cleaner, Laura Henshaw wants her followers to commit to loving themselves in 2020.

“Keep It Cleaner is here to help you become the happiest and healthiest version of yourself 🙌. Our program is a lifestyle program you can follow every day of the week with healthy meal plans, daily workouts and mindfulness🧘‍♀️. We’re here to reinvigorate your attitude towards fitness, food, and life, by showing you how to live a balanced lifestyle.”

Keep It Cleaner encourages users to have a balanced lifestyle, including exercise, diet, meditation and overall well-being. Exercising doesn't mean you have to hit the gym for 3 hours a day every day and never touch a carb. Living a balanced lifestyle is important to make us feel better and think positively about our bodies.

Our challenge to our readers in 2020 is to focus on loving themselves, spreading positivity and maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Wishing you all a positive and happy February. Xx