Meet our featured beauty with brains Julia Cartwright, a business stylist and mindset coach based in Sydney, Australia. She is a truly inspirational woman, who after being confused for a long time, finally realised what her true essence was. It took her years to give herself permission to be herself and to re-connect with who she really was. Here is her story.

“What does it mean to be open to being imperfect and why did I decide to make it my ‘Why’? We are all wonderfully imperfect, and, yet as hard as that is to believe we still spend most of our lives searching for perfection and acceptance.

‘You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.’ ~ Brene Brown

I know I am a perfectionist, and I can see the patterns that have existed in me from the time I was a little girl.

I was the little girl who used competition to determine her own self-worth and it led me on a continual path seeking perfectionism. I grew up with a stifled feeling of entrapment around being free to be fully me, and my only avenue for self-expression was through various sportsmand competitions, which subsequently became a way of life for me.

With every achievement, I internalised this as personal validation that I was good enough. So from then onwards sport became a big part of my life and my identity was wrapped up in it. My achievements gave me personal fulfilment, but with every knockdown my confidence would take a hit and my self worth would take a tumble, so I would search for ways to be better. But the victories became harder and harder to achieve, and quitting was never an option, as the victories were the only ways I had, to feel as if I had something to offer. The day I finished school, was the day I decided to leave home, and the day all the competing stopped. I was exhausted from the competition!

I then decided on my next step and it was not competing in sport. I had set my heart on becoming a Fashion designer. This was for me the ticket I needed to step into the label of “Designer”, and a pass to being as creative as I wanted, without the worry of being different. I wanted to explore who I was through art and design. Self-expression was encouraged, and the more different you were the more successful your designs became.

But sadly, the many years of trying to fit in earlier, had left me in a heap of confusion with not only how to be myself but how to be different. I was struggling to deeply and authentically connect with that part of me that had been lost. My designs were boxy and masculine! Sadly, my frustration ultimately kicked in and I quit.

It wasn’t until after I got married, and purchased our first home was I able to recognise that through creating and designing my home, I was able to freely express and surround myself with my own version of what I loved and what reflected a part of me. Through transforming my home, I encountered a lost part of myself. This led me on a new path into interior design.

Over the years to follow to feed my thirst for design and self-expression, I went on to complete numerous design courses and continued my design and styling jobs, but that need for validation was still with me! This led me to enter an international design competition, and although I won I was still having an inner struggle with who I was and what I wanted. I was still not giving myself the permission to be myself.

Five years ago, I eventually reached a turning point, and I decided no more! Every decision from then onwards was about reconnecting with who I was. I wanted more for myself! I wanted to feel fully expressed, more empowered and more aligned to be working in an area that I loved. I started visualising the person I wanted to become, I wanted to be fitter, healthier and have the beautiful home that reflected what I REALLY loved, and I wanted a wardrobe to reflect the more confident person I was becoming. Whilst on my journey of self- acceptance, what changed was me getting ultra-clear with who I was, what I wanted, what my version of success was and to give myself permission to go for it.

I de-cluttered my home and my life. I chose to be selective with how I would live my life and the choices I would make; I chose to only have things I truly and deeply loved, and I now finally feel free with how I present myself through my home, my wardrobe and my business. I am clearer with what my personal essence is. My business is moving closer to being in alignment with this and I am feeling more excited than ever to show others how it doesn’t have to be so hard. I am still on this journey and find that the awareness I have now, is making my decisions and choices so much easier to make. I now choose to show up with more energy and passion, as the alternative is not worth revisiting.

My years of experience and knowledge in design have helped me give back to others in ways I had been wanting for myself. I have created so many beautiful spaces and I have designed and dressed so many people. Looking back, I have given so many people the opportunity for self-expression I felt I never had, but in hindsight had always been there. Through my love of design and having my own business I now share my insights with how others can show up with more energy and passion to create the most aligned, heart centred brands. Just as a house can become a home through introducing the owner’s personality so can your business become a reflection of who you are.

Our minds are powerful! Our thoughts are powerful!

It is important to remember…

* That we are enough!

* Embrace your value!

* Your imperfections are loveable!

Every beautiful journey and inspiring transformation begins with an intention and a decision to move in the direction of where you hope to be.”

If you would like to know more about her please feel free to visit her webpage at http://www.Juliacartwright.com

Meet our featured beauty with brains Varsha Khandelwal (DJ Sasha), an IT project manager and DJ (Disc Jockey) based in Sydney, Australia. She is a strong, independent and inspirational woman who has never bowed down to difficulties and has two successful careers, which are very different from each other. Here is an interview with her.

1. Tell me something about yourself Varsha/ DJ Sasha?

Haha it still takes me a while to respond when people call me DJ Sasha. I am a fun loving person who loves to spend time with good & quality friends. I am glad I started DJing and met so many new people and made new friends as otherwise I wouldn’t have met them since I am quite shy by nature.

I love sports. I have played cricket for Parramatta Women’s Club which is my best cricket experience so far but now I have found a new passion which is DJing that keeps me busy.

Apart from DJing I am an IT Project Manager and I work for BT Financial Group/Westpac. So I am always working or dancing which keeps me busy and happy.

PS: I am also the mother of a eight year old boy.

2. How do you manage to do so many things?

Well, firstly I am single so that gives me enough time to think about others now. I started DJing so I can organise “Ladies Only Club nights” to provide entertainment and club like atmosphere to all working moms as well as single women, when they need a break from their busy lives. I realised there are some ladies who can’t travel to the main city often and can’t afford to spend much so I created my own club nights with affordable tickets so that they can come and mingle with other ladies and enjoy dancing.

From Monday to Friday working hours, I take ownership of my IT job and in the evenings I spend quality time with my son and look after his studies and do usual chores. I absolutely love and adore my son and he is my first priority in life. He loves me and is very proud to call me DJ Sasha and he has told me to never stop DJing.

3. Have you had a smooth run following your separation from your partner?

No of course not. I got separated recently and am still recovering from that and coming to terms with my new life. I am blessed to have good friends in Sydney and a good support system (brother, sister-in-law, parents) overseas.

I am a very positive person who wants to grow in life and be happy. I am quite ambitious career wise and don’t waste time on negative things. I have also lost many good friends in the last one year which has left a hole in my life since I had truly loved them but you can’t figure out human beings, most complex entities on this planet. I wish people would never break relationships and never fight, but that’s just me.

4. Would you be looking out for someone special soon?

To be honest, I can’t think about it right now.

Everyone needs a companion in life but probably I am still not ready and still have fresh memories from my previous relationship and I haven’t moved on yet.

Moreover, I find the current dating system too modern for my taste and I feel I am still in the 90’s era as I am looking for a good companion rather than a sleeping buddy. I would date someone for at least six months before taking the relationship to the next level and I am sure I wouldn’t find anyone in that space.

5. Tell us more about your next event called ‘Red Affair’.

I’m really looking forward to this event which is on 7th April 2018. You can check out the flyer on my Facebook profile for more details. This is my favourite theme (Love & Red). I have a great team of MCs, guest DJs, Dhol (Indian drum) players, and my sponsors who have contributed to the event. I’m blessed to have their support. We will paint the room red with love. I will be playing love EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and RNB (Rhythm & Blues) music that night.

6. What message would you give to others?

I don’t think I am in a position to give any advice to others, but I would say life is too short, so be happy and make others happy. My very good friend has taught me to be considerate towards others (friends, husband, boyfriend, parents and any relationship) and always think about what you can give others in a relationship, how you can add value to their life without expecting anything in return. If you do that, things will automatically fall in place.

Please don’t break relationships. Fight, but get over fights and be friends forever. Why do you want to wait till someone’s death to think good and feel good about that person?

Be nice and friendly. While we are alive we can live in harmony and make so many more good memories together. Please push all your bad feelings aside and give a hug to someone you haven’t spoken to for ages.

Be humble and grateful to people and start loving life because life is beautiful!! Lastly I would say – Surround yourself with people who make you hungry for life, who touch your heart and nourish your soul.

If you have a message for her or would like to contact her for a DJ gig, feel free to email her at varsha9999in@gmail.com or call her at (+61) 044950 1006

Meet our featured beauty with brains Rowen Sydney Gallon, a 25 year old Filipino Australian student based in Sydney, Australia. She is a very strong woman who never gave up courage despite battling epilepsy, anxiety and depression for fourteen years! Here is her story.

“My name is Sydney and I am almost twenty five. I have four sisters who are free from allergies and disabilities. I was born in the Philippines and named Sydney because my father got his visa when I was born, to come to Sydney, Australia. My father always tells me that I am his lucky charm.

At the age of three, I was in a coma for three days because of Meningitis. My family took me to three hospitals and the staff at those three hospitals told my family that only a miracle could save me. I guess three is not my lucky number.

However, my family and I experienced a miracle. I woke up and I was completely fine. Doctors told my family that in ten years they will see the side effects of my illness. School in the Philippines was easy and I stayed at the top of the class until Grade Four.

In April 2004, I, my mother and four sisters flew here in Sydney to live. In June 2014, I woke up in the school’s First Aid room with different clothing including underwear. The teacher didn’t explain anything about what had happened. I was confused and questioned myself, asking, ‘Why do I have different clothing and underwear? Why am I here in the First Aid room?’

I walked out of the room and I saw a wet mark where I was standing. My General Practitioner referred me to a Neurologist at Westmead Children’s Hospital. I was diagnosed with Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. I was prescribed Epilem, Tegretol and Frisium tablets. For almost a year I was seizure free.

When I entered High School, I made a couple of friends but never shared the fact that I had Epilepsy with anyone because I was afraid. But it happened again. I had different clothing including underwear again. I went back to Science class and everyone was looking at me while talking. It was traumatising. I was afraid of going to school the next day but I had to. It happened AGAIN. I lost a couple of “friends”. The story spread around the school and I was labelled as the girl who wet her pants. I was in so much pain. Countless nights of crying and countless days of having a fake smile on my lips.

My seizures continued to be uncontrolled, and I tried different medications. I started asking God, ‘Why me? How come my sisters don’t have allergies or disabilities? It’s unfair’. For years I continued to compare myself to my sisters. I used to be at the top of the class but now I was at the bottom. It turned into anxiety and depression. I would say that I was okay but deep inside I was not. I didn’t want people to look down on me. No one fully understood me.

I only opened up about my Epilepsy to my high school real friends but I never reminded them of Science class. I was ashamed.

At the age of fifteen, I was told not to get pregnant because my medicine will affect my child. I was young and never thought about it. But I knew I had to do something.

At the age of sixteen and a half I became a senior high student. A man I had a crush on was in Filipino class for one day. He was popular, tall, dark, handsome and a kickboxer. He asked a classmate how to say ‘You are beautiful’ and he told me ‘Maganda ka’. I felt myself blush. After class, we started talking. One of the first questions he asked me was, ‘Is it true you wet your pants?’ My heart stopped beating but I knew I had to tell him the truth. I told him and he said, ‘It’s okay. My aunty had Epilepsy but she is now Epilepsy-free.’ My hope of being Epilepsy-free became stronger and I realised how lucky I was to be alive and to be in Australia. We broke up, but I’m glad I had met him. He made me strong.

At the age of eighteen, I started dating a man I knew since 2005. No epilepsy secrets. He made me stronger. I had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital one day. I told my family not to tell him because I knew he would leave work. He got angry and said, ‘I can find another job but I can never find another you’. I guess that’s sweeter than I love you. He always reminded me to take my medicines even while working. With him, I felt normal, I felt beautiful before, during and after seizures, I felt so much love and I learnt how to laugh and joke after seizures. I never felt ashamed of my seizures in front of him.

I started seeing a psychologist and I shared everything that I had kept inside me. I wasn’t crazy. I was in pain. I needed someone to pull out the hundreds of needles piercing my heart. I shook, cried, mumbled and felt the room spinning. She said, ‘It’s okay’. It helped me but still not one hundred percent.

Last year on the 20th of November 2017, I had a brain surgery by one of the best neurosurgeons in New South Wales, Australia. IT WAS THE MOST EXCITING AND HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE! My surgeon told me the risks and side effects, but I just smiled. I was willing to take the risk. I was exhausted. I knew it will be healthier and safer for my future child and that’s important. I prayed and told God, ‘I’m giving up my Epilepsy, anxieties and depression. This is nothing compared to what you’ve been through to save me. Thank you’.

On December 20 2017, I had a check-up with my surgeon. I told him I hadn’t had Epileptic or non-Epileptic seizures since the surgery. Guess what he said? ‘You’re epilepsy free!’ I cried in front of everyone. I called my family and even my boyfriend’s grandma and mum. They all cried as well.

I now have two friends with Epilepsy. They understand everything I say and feel.

On 4th March 2018, I shared my story at my church. I didn’t expect so many people to wipe their eyes with tissues, especially guys.

Epilepsy isn’t so bad because it has made me strong. I found my real friends, family and a great boyfriend. If I could go back in time, I would still choose Epilepsy. It’s a big part of me. I’m not ashamed of it. If anyone’s got Epilepsy, anxiety or depression, speak to me. I will listen and I’ll understand you. You can email me at sydney.gallon@live.com.au Thanks.”

Meet our featured beauty with brains Malika Raina, a 24 year old Fijian Indian receptionist based in Sydney, Australia. She is a truly inspirational young lady who has overcome many setbacks in her life including bullying, parents’ divorce and losing a loved one to suicide, to become who she is today – a strong, independent woman. Here is an interview with her.

1. What forms do you think bullying can take and what is your advice to the parents of bullying victims?

Bullying can take many forms, some of
which are physical & psychological and
sometimes it’s not even a face to face
thing anymore, it may even be done online
or through word of mouth. My advice to
parents of bullying victims who are worried
and not sure what to do to help, is to
reassure your child that it is not any of
their own doing, also to be in contact with
the school about the matter. It’s best for
both parties, the parents of the bully as
well as the victim, to sit down and discuss
and work something out about the
behaviours displayed.

2. Have you ever been bullied? If so, please share your story and let us know how did the bullying affect you and how did you cope?

I have been bullied all through out my high
school years, a day in particular has
affected me the most. I wasn’t always
standing up to my bullies but this one day I
had decided to put my foot down. As a
result, I was attacked in class while all my
friends and teacher watched. My shoes
were taken off by a bigger girl and the two
who instigated this laughed and everyone
in the class was unsure of what to do. My
shoes were chucked out of class and I ran
to go get it but they took my shoe
elsewhere and I was left shoe less and got
kicked in the face after school. This
affected me tremendously and in a
negative way, because my family was not
understanding of the situation and my mum
blamed me for the incident, though my
father contacted the police and the school
also got the teacher who stood and did
nothing fired. I coped with self harm. Had I
gotten proper support things wouldn’t have
gone that way for me.

3. What are the emotional difficulties children experience when their parents divorce? Have you experienced it yourself? If so, how did you cope?

The emotional impact of divorce is harder
on kids than it is on the parents I believe.
Your parents are the only role models you
have known for a successful relationship
and when it doesn’t work out it leaves you
confused and shattered sometimes even
unable to trust. I have experienced it for
myself first hand. I ran away to friends for
hours, to be away from the chaos and
that’s how I coped but I was the back bone
of the family and I smartened up really
quick to be able to support my mother and
father emotionally during this time.

4. Research shows suicide rates among teenagers and young people is quite high. Has anyone close to you committed suicide? If so, did it cause you to have suicidal thoughts yourself?

It is indeed very high and I wish it wasn’t.
My cousin who lived in Fiji committed
suicide at the tender age of 16. She was a
bright girl and was at the top of all her
classes, not to mention beautiful as well
and an only child. Seeing the effects of her
suicide, how it hurt the whole family, I
stopped myself from having any suicidal
thoughts. All I had left was regret.

5. What is your advice to those, who has lost a loved one to suicide?

My advice to people who have lost loved
ones to suicide is to not hold any grudges
against them as you don’t know what your
loved one may have been feeling. Don’t
hold any regrets and think of the good
times. I want people to know that you are
not alone and there are ways to help
transition your life into a healing process
rather then holding it all inside by talking to
a psychologist and if you have suicidal
thoughts please call 13 11 14 for the suicide
helpline Australia.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Csilla Love, a health coach based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about helping people live a healthier lifestyle inside and out. Here is an interview with her where she answers some questions about health and the importance of nutritional cleansing.

1. What is the definition of health and how does our environment play a role on our health?

Simply defined, health is the absence of disease. It is a combination of balance and freedom. Balance within your body so that you have the freedom to do what you want to do. The ways in which we can have good health is to eat whole foods, move our bodies, drink water, consciously breathe at least 100 breaths a day, sleep between 7-8 hours every night and eliminate toxins from our organs. Good health builds internal resistance so that the external stresses of life don’t seem like such a big deal to the body and mind. It doesn’t matter how we shake it, our environment is filled with toxins. Pollution, processed foods, skincare, cosmetics, the sun, lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking, stress and a lack of sleep all contribute to disease. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves IF all our internal organs are working together harmoniously. But what happens to our bodies when there are just too many toxins to heal? Some signs of toxicity to look out for include: low energy & fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, depression, abdominal bleeding, excess weight, skin problems, high cholesterol, Alzheimer’s, asthma, cancer and auto-immune disorders. Gut health is critical! An astounding 80% of people have gut imbalances. It’s not surprising that more and more research is linking gut health to mental health. 90% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine is created in the gut. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression and anxiety.

2. How do we eliminate toxicity?

Firstly, let’s talk about our elimination organs. We have 5 organs that aid in eliminating toxins from our bodies – kidneys, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract and skin (your skin is your largest elimination organ so it is crucial to be using skincare that is without toxins and harsh chemicals. It takes 26 seconds for products to be absorbed into your bloodstream). Consider your body to be like a bathtub where the drains are your elimination organs. When you clog up the drains with “life” (toxins/products) that don’t support your health, the drain is blocked and the bathtub overflows. What do you think you need to do to unclog your bathtub? Yep, you got it – pull the plug and clean it out. So how can you do that to your body? You need to do a nutritional cleansing detox. The more you load up your body and don’t regularly detox it the more stress you put on it. If your elimination organs are working effectively together then your body can naturally detox. That’s what it’s designed to do! Excess toxins, however, can put your body out of balance.

3. What is a nutritional rebalancing detox?

It is important to outline how fat is created in the body. Fat is a protective mechanism that the body creates to protect itself from toxins and impurities. Excess toxins = unwanted weight. It is also important to note that a nutritional rebalancing program is NOT a diet. Diet’s only work in the short term. Often calorie cutting and/or excessive exercising is used which results in fat loss BUT also results in an increase of the body’s toxic density. The body goes into toxic overload and triggers the need to create more fat, therefore, weight is regained. A cellular cleansing program removes the toxins from the body, creates lean muscle and melts away excess fat. Nutritional balance keeps the body naturally lean by reprograming your organs to work effectively together while cleansing manages the toxins in your system. Depending on how many toxins are present will determine how long it’ll take to cleanse the body. A nutritional rebalancing detox is a long term solution and not a rapid weight loss program. Many people that have done our 30 days to healthy living program have achieved their weight loss goals. Whilst weight loss is possible it’s not the only focus of the program. Our main focus is to help people create a healthy lifestyle and develop a better understanding of healthy eating so that they have more energy, create a platform for excellent health and ultimately feel happier in who they are. At the core of our program is whole food clean eating. Whilst this concept is not new, what is incredibly powerful is that we have products and resources you need to ensure your success. Food is thy medicine, and we show you how to eat right, so you are the best version of you.

4. How does a 30 days to healthy living detox work? What do I need to do?

The basis of the program is to eliminate acidic, allergenic, inflammatory triggering and addictive foods such as dairy, gluten, soy, refined sugar, alcohol and coffee. It focuses on: increasing our nutrient intake by eating clean whole foods; good gut health so that we can absorb our food effectively (the old saying “You are what you eat” needs to be replaced with “You are what you absorb!”); balancing blood sugar levels to boost the metabolism and balance PH levels; exercise, sleep and mindfulness. The use of Arbonne products is critical as these products provide the extra nutrients that we cannot get enough of through our diet alone. This in turn aids in the functioning of the body’s systems. Most of us are too busy to make 3-4 perfect meals each day. The products are “easy buttons” or “fast foods” to make sure we’re getting the proper nutrients in the proper proportions at each meal. These products are what make the program do-able for most of us and give us the greatest chance of success reaching our goals. Arbonne’s products follow the philosophy of our Healthy Living and Beyond Program. They provide you with a holistic approach for internal and external health. The products are pure, safe and beneficial and are botanically based, certified vegan and formulated without gluten, dairy, soy, artificial sugars and flavours.

Some people will sit and think, whilst others will jump in and take action to get their health back on track immediately. If you are the person that wants to improve their health, then contact me and I can help you. Saying YES to the program will get you started on the path to feeling your healthy, happy, true self again.

For more information on Csilla Love and the 30 days to healthy living program visit http://csillalove.arbonne.com or contact her directly via email: csilla@arbonnenaturals.com or by phone: 0414 751 542.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Sonia Sethi Gugnani, a speech pathologist based in Sydney, Australia. Here is her story:

“Hi, I’m Sonia, mother of two beautiful girls and wife of a very caring and supportive husband. I get all my strength and energy from my family. I have been working as a speech pathologist for over 15 years in New Zealand and Australia, and recently I’ve opened my own tutoring and speech pathology services in Epping. I’m Indian by background but moved overseas almost 17 years ago—that being said, I’m very much in touch with my culture and the Indian community in Sydney. In my spare time, you can find me cooking up a storm or going out for nice walks in nature.

I graduated with an honours degree in psychology and later went on to attain my masters in speech pathology. Over my career, I’ve worked extensively with children of all ages and abilities, and in various settings, predominantly in not-for-profit centres, but also in private practices and recently my own clinic. I’m also a public speaker and have run a number of workshops, webinars and seminars.

I opened my clinic with a vision: to empower children and their families to strive for excellence and reach their potential, their personal goals, and discover their strengths. To me, education is about enjoying a life-long experience of formal and informal learning.”

We asked her some questions on speech, language and communication.

1. According to you, what are the major
causes of speech problems in children?

There is often no one cause! Speech problems are multifaceted and arise as a combination of many different factors. Children develop at different paces and quite often what appears to be a speech problem is just a child being a late talker—although if you’re concerned, definitely speak to a speech pathologist and get it checked out. Some common reasons children may have speech delays or difficulties can include limited exposure to language during early development, selective mutism, bilingualism/multilingualism, dyspraxia (motor planning difficulties), underlying syndromes and disabilities. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development relative to their age, feel free to check out this link. http://www.hillsspeechlearningcentre.com.au/speech-pathology/ages-and-stages/

2. Is there a difference between speech, language and communication?

There’s a bit of a difference, but they all go hand in hand. Communication is not just words, but includes all the other non-verbal ways in which we get our message across e.g. signs, gestures, facial expressions, visuals etc. Speech is the way in which sounds are articulated and is a complex process involving many regions of the brain, throat, mouth and oral muscles. Language is a way of expression through words, phrases and sentences.

3. What are the best ways to encourage a child’s language development?

Communicate! Talking to your child, spending time with them, exposing them to different words, sounds, gestures and books all are proven strategies to help them with their language. Follow your child’s lead and interests to model language through day-to-day routine activities. Children learn best through spaced repetition and songs.

4. Can speech/language problems be prevented?

To a very large extent, yes. First and foremost, make sure your child’s hearing is tested from a young age. If you’re ever in doubt about your child’s language development, do see a professional (e.g. speech pathologist, or GP who can refer you to one) to get a proper assessment of your child’s communication skills. Early intervention solves a lot of problems or more importantly, prevents them from happening. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money. GP care plans, your health insurance and NDIS can all help out.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Suprava Nayak Sachdeva, a new mum, HR consultant and social worker, based in Sydney (Australia). Here is her story:

“I am Suprava, mum to a cheeky naughty boy and wife to a very supportive husband. I moved to Sydney from India around two years ago but it seems like I have been here for ages, thanks to my family and friends.
I’m of mix culture, Oriya (belonging to the Indian state of Odisha) by birth but born and raised in Mumbai (city in the Indian state of Maharashtra), and fell in love and got married to a Punjabi (belonging to the Indian state of Punjab) guy.
I did my MBA in HR and worked here in the telecom industry. I learnt many personnel aspects like dealing with people’s mindset, etiquette, cultures, values, beliefs etc. I have also done a Diploma in ‘Early Childhood’. I give free counselling to people who need it. I love coffee dates with my friends, shopping, travelling etc. I have participated in many events and festivals here. I was the winner of the ‘Bride of Australia’ pageant in 2016. I recently started a Ladies club called S.H.E (Society of Harmony & Empowerment) which organises events and is involved in social causes.
I feel that being yourself is one of the hardest things because it’s scary. You always wonder whether you’ll be accepted for who you really are. ‘Inside Out’ – that’s my motto about life. I don’t think you ever succeed at trying to be anyone else but who you truly are.

We asked her some questions on the challenges faced by new mums.

1. What is your advice to new mums who often get depressed and anxious trying to do several things at once like caring for the baby, keeping the house clean, losing weight etc?

My advice to all new mums is KISS – Keep it simple and sweet. The most important thing is to focus on the positive, to see your baby grow. Enjoy how much they are attached to you and how they need your care and affection. Think how their cute smile melts your heart and how they depend on you for everything like feeding, nappy change etc. Its important to focus on the fact that no one can substitute you (the mother) in your baby’s life.
Now talking about household chores, gadgets are there to help you so take your time and do it one by one.
Stress can become a barrier between you and your baby and can prevent bonding between you both so try not to let it affect you too much.
Regarding losing weight, first 3-4 months try to eat healthy and go for walks with your baby. Walking is the best exercise to lose weight initially. Then once your baby is a bit more grown up, you can hit the gym. Go for coffee with friends, stroll in a park or near lakes, do yoga or meditate for a few minutes. Remember you are the best no matter what.

2. New mums often don’t have much time for fashion and makeup. Do you have any quick and easy fashion and beauty tips for them?

Doing a full face makeup is a Big No as you won’t have the time to do nor maintain it. Use simple products which are easy to put on like a good primer, cushion foundation and a nude coloured lipstick. Rub a little Vaseline near your cheek bones, on the tip of your nose and on your collar bone to accentuate them. Put on a nice perfume which will make you feel good.

3. The challenges of bringing up a baby often cause friction between a couple. How do you think they can be minimised and resolved?

Yes that does happen as the new addition to the family takes most of our time, energy and even bed. Share the responsibilities and do small things together like the laundry or changing the bedsheets or feeding the baby. Try to cook food and eat together. Understand that each of you is going through a change so respect that. Both of you will get tired equally. Sometimes a little gesture like saying “I Love You” to your partner works wonders.

4. New mums are often conscious of their curves and tummies. Any dressing advice for them?

You are a mum and that gives you the right to shop even more now. You have got the curves and the marks of a lioness, so just flaunt it. Go for spa, manicure and hair treatment. Keep your clothes simple and convenient as you might need to undress during breastfeeding. A good dress, good sensible shoes and a nappy bag is enough.
I generally like to wear a knee length dress or a skater dress or maxi gowns depending on the occasion and weather. Good shoes are a must as after pregnancy you tend to get swollen feet or tired legs. If you feel like wearing heels, wedges or platforms are good. comfort should be your topmost priority. Carry a stylish nappy bag. Walk with your chin up and be confident. Remember being simple is the ultimate sophistication.

Meet our featured beauty with brains Amanda Bernstein. She is a Doula, Ka Huna massage therapist and Pilates instructor based in Sydney, Australia. She helps to support and empower women and couples on their journey to meet their baby. She’s also a mum of two, and it’s her personal experience that has driven her down this path to help other women.

As the owner of Essential Me and Pilates With Purpose, we asked Amanda some questions.

1. What is a Doula?

The word “Doula” is a Greek word that means “woman’s servant”. A Doula is a trained and experienced support person, and does not replace a midwife or a doctor. Doulas can attend your birth at a private or public hospital, and even at your home. A Doula “mothers the mother” and provides continuity of care with physical and emotional support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. I offer this service to you from a uniquely holistic perspective, incorporating my extensive Doula, Ka Huna and Pilates training and expertise.

2. How will you as a Doula help a mother to be?

As your Doula, I’ll be here to support you by providing information around your birthing choices and discussing your concerns, queries and fears. During your birth I’m there for you, to help with massage, position suggestions, breathing and sounding techniques, aromatherapy, homeopathy, photography and more – ultimately being there so you and your partner both feel continuously cared for and supported. After the birth we debrief your birth and I help further with tips and demonstrations for settling and wrapping your baby, suggestions for breast or bottle feeding, and can even cook you a meal or fold a load of laundry. You may just need me to simply hold your baby so you can shower!

3. How do you most often support women during labour?

Often, having a woman present throughout the labour can make a huge difference. As a Doula, my clients have already built a relationship with me and the continuity of care travels through their pregnancy, labour and postnatal period. Often in a hospital setting, there are changing shifts of midwives and obstetricians so the simple continuous presence can really allow the birthing women to feel rested, safe and reassured that she’s not alone and that all is well. I offer massage, acupressure point techniques, words of encouragement and affirmation, aromatherapy and homeopathy – amongst other things. I also support the woman’s partner (if she has one) and give suggestions on things they can do to help, just to keep them involved and included in the birth experience.

4. Which labour coping techniques do you think tend to be the most helpful?

As with anything in life, if you want to succeed then you have to prepare for it. Coping in labour in my opinion means doing the work first. So not just attending your hospital’s antenatal classes, but doing more like a hypnobirthing or SheBirths course and practising the meditations and breathing at home. To me, the key to a successful labour is the preparation before the day itself. Trusting in your body’s ability to birth a baby and knowing deep down that your body and baby know what to do. Surrounding yourself with people that believe in you is key too. And I believe having a Doula is super important.

5. What is your take on the use of pain medication in labour and why?

Pain medication is available to women to use in labour if they want to. When I support a women at her birth, I’m there for her and support her choices unconditionally. Many women who choose a doula either do not want medication, or only want it if they really feel they need it at the time, and so I have a bag of tricks in my tool kit to try to help women avoid pain relief if that’s what they choose. Things like a better position, hot water, meditation and breathing can make a big difference. Fear in my opinion, is one of the biggest causes of pain, along with other potentially unnecessary interventions – like an induction without a medical need. There are different types of pain medication, from gas to morphine to epidurals – all carry risks for both mother and baby, and this is something we discuss during our meetings in pregnancy.

6. What is Ka Huna massage and why do you offer this?

Ka Huna is a Hawaiian style of bodywork that is deeply relaxing on an emotional, physical and spiritual level. We use long flowing strokes from head to toe and back again, over and under the body. It’s the underbody work in particular that makes this massage so unique. For those open to a bigger experience, I offer deeper work, where I use my intuition to find places in the body that hold onto emotional trauma that has manifested itself physically. Not everyone is open to this kind of work though as it can be very confronting and open raw emotion. I do offer Lomi Lomi style and Pregnancy massage too, and also work with a male therapist as some people prefer to receive from one gender practitioner over another.
I didn’t study Ka Huna to become a massage therapist. Going on this journey requires a lot of personal development. If for example I’ve had a bad day and I’m frustrated, then this is what my client on the table will feel. However, if I can clear these negative emotions and give from my heart and a place of love, then not only can I give a great massage, but it puts me in a fantastic emotional head space too. It allows me to renew my energy and I truly get so much out of giving. Plus, seeing people walk out feeling lighter, knowing things have shifted for them is a bonus for me too. Being able to offer my pregnant doula clients Ka Huna is very special.

7. And you are a Pilates instructor too?

Yes I specialise in pregnancy and post natal recovery, offering a mobile service to your home or office, focusing on functional exercises that reduce the risk of injury in everyday life. I love helping new mothers in their home, learn how to apply Pilates exercises back into activities like nursing their baby, unstacking the dishwasher or lifting a heavy pram into their car.

8. If one of our readers is pregnant, has a question or wants to refer a friend, how can we reach you?

I’d love to support them. Please check out my websites http://www.EssentialMe.com.au and http://www.PilatesWithPurpose.com.au and get in touch through there. Thanks so much for choosing to interview me – it’s an honour to help support other local small businesses.

 

Meet our featured beauty with brains Neha Seth. She is a professional makeup artist based in Sydney, Australia. She is passionate about teaching and spreading her knowledge to others and about helping her clients feel confident by looking & feeling good. She has done makeup for short films, music videos, Bollywood shoots, fashion shows etc. She features in makeup videos where she teaches easy and simple makeup techniques. Here is an interview with her, whereby she answers questions on makeup.

1. Is there any way to prevent eye liner from leaving marks in the crease of the eyes or smudge underneath the eyes?

To avoid that, apply a nice coat of powder on your eyelid before applying eyeliner or you can take a same colour eyeshadow and go over the liner or kohl with a thin brush. This will make it smudge free.

2. What can we do to make our makeup last longer?

a) Prepare your skin by exfoliating, toning and moisturising.

b) Use oil free foundation.

c) Use waterproof mascara & eyeliner.

d) Use translucent powder over your foundation.

e) Finish your makeup with a setting spray.

3. For girls who wear glasses, what eye makeup would you advice for them so that their eye makeup stands out even under glasses?

While putting eyeliner make sure that if your frame is thicker then apply a thick eyeliner to your upper lash line so that the eyes stand out. If you have a thin frame then apply soft eyeliner.
Eye glass frames draw attention to the brows so be sure to keep your arches well groomed.
An eye shadow that is lighter and brighter than your frames will helps eyes to stand out but if you want to go bold and add some fun use eyeshadow colours like lavender, blue, green that will complement your skin tone and will add contrast to your face.

4. How should we choose a concealer which matches with our skin tone?

For under eye area be sure to select a shade of concealer that’s one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. For face select a concealer that matches the colour of your foundation.

You can follow Neha on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NehaSethMakeup

Meet our featured beauty with brains Helen Sweeney. She is a video, style and weight loss coach based in Sydney, Australia. Here is an interview with her, whereby she answers questions on video confidence and style.

1. Many women are nervous about appearing on camera as they are self-conscious of certain features which they perceive as flaws, for example, a breast cancer survivor might be conscious of how her chest would look on camera or a girl born with a cleft lip palete might be conscious of how her lips would appear on camera. What would be your advice to them?

Asymmetry in the body and the face is something that can affect camera confidence greatly. By restoring symmetry or minimising the asymmetry you can alter the appearance of their concern.
A breast cancer survivor can restore symmetry using a breast prosthesis or bra padding. She could also wear tops with patterned or embellished fabrics and avoid clothing with horizontal lines or a satin surface that highlight the differences in her breasts’ contours.
A girl with a cleft palate can minimise asymmetry using makeup. (Here I am thinking of a surgically repaired cleft palate where there is scarring and irregularity). A good concealer can be used to cover the scarring and lipliner and lip colour can be used to help in creating a new and symmetrical lip line. I also suggest avoiding a front on camera angle. Experiment with the pose and camera angle to get the best results, because the cleft palate will be less visible shooting from one side.

2. What according to you, is the root of camera anxieties?

Not being happy with your likeness in photos can be due to several factors and ranges in severity. When we look at a photo of ourselves, often we are hoping to see the face we see looking back at us in the mirror. There is a smiling face, a look that we make when we say “There, I am good to go, I am ready to face the world”. When this face is not the one in our photographs it is always disappointing.
The most common factors in camera anxiety is the reflection factor and the candid factor.
Firstly let me talk about something I call the reflection factor. The face we approved before we left the bedroom/bathroom was seen in a mirror and is a reflection and not as it appears in a photograph taken by a camera (unless it is a selfie). Asymmetries in our hair, brows and other features appear different when mirror-reversed. The compound effect of these differences create a confusion or a disconnect because it is not the face we expect to see.
Secondly there is the candid factor. Where you are caught unprepared, mid sentence or mid mouthful in an unflattering pose or an unflattering facial expression. These cringe-worthy photographs where we might look fatter or less attractive are distressing and certainly erode your camera confidence.

Could it be caused by something deeper like beauty anxieties?

Yes, certainly.
Some people are never ever happy when they look in the mirror and they certainly will not be happy when they see themselves in a photo. These people can only see their perceived flaws, they are hyper-critical of themselves, their bodies and their reflection. In extreme cases they cannot even look at their own reflection. This forms a kind of self-loathing.
These people are not happy with their physical appearance. They are rarely happy when they look in the mirror and they certainly will not be happy when they see themselves in a photo.
They often repeat to themselves, the unkind (and often untrue) things said to them in their childhood and their past by others. These wounding comments then become vicious self-affirmations as they are replayed in their own thoughts over and over again.
It can take some time for the destructive thoughts to be replaced with realistic and positive ones but it is very worthwhile to find help to overcome this as it will see a boost to their overall personal confidence, not just their camera confidence and this can be life changing. I love working with these clients.

3. How do you approach styling women of different shapes and sizes?

Styling involves understanding the client’s body shape and how to dress it with clothing styles to create this flattering silhouette. By concealing her body concerns and showcasing her most attractive features it is possible to take years and kilos off a client.
The ideal, sexy body shape is a balanced hourglass shape with a defined waist and a wider hip no broader that your shoulders. I aim to recreate the illusion of this shape with each client. This is not done by covering her with mountains of fabric, it is done using clothing that will show off her body shape. This is a very rewarding process and regardless of a woman’s size I always dress her for her body shape first.

4. What is the most common body shape concern you hear and how do you address that?

Carrying too much weight is the most common body shape concern. It depends on the client’s needs and the time, effort and resources that she has available.
For a quick fix, a good idea is to invest in some great shape wear to create a smooth and more flattering silhouette to minimise any bulges and visible panty lines. This may not be ideal in a very hot climate. Next, dress in styles that flatter your body shape and skim over and not cling to problem areas. Where time permits you can take steps to be more active and lose some weight and then tone up. This last option is perfect when there is a goal for an event in say a month’s time and you are prepared to put in some effort.