• About
  • Yoga
  • Mind
  • Health
  • Contact

YOGA PANTHER

YOGA PANTHER

Category Archives: Beauty

Nail trends for summer 2013

29 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by Yoga Panther in Beauty, Lifestyle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Jessie j, lana del rey, nail polish, nail varnish, nails, neons, nudes, ombre, pastels, rihanna

I wrote this earlier this year but forgot to put it on my blog, so excuse the fact that it’s out of date!

Sunshine, finally! The gloves are off and the sandals are on, but what shades and styles should you be sporting? Here is the low-down on some nail trends seen on and off the runway that are going to be hot this summer.

Neons

Jessie J sporting neon green nails

From Rihanna instagramming her hot pink talons, to Jessie J flaunting her acid green stiletto nails on The Voice, fluorescent hues are the statement of the season. Essie have even brought out a range of zingy shades, aptly named ‘Neons 2013’. Make the manicure pop by using a layer of Essie Blanc underneath the colour. Try Orly for some vibrant summer varnishes, like ‘Oh Cabana Boy’ (pink), and ‘Life’s a Peach’ (orange). Whether you’re heading to the beach or hitting the dance floor, this trend will add a jolt of colour to their summer look.

Ombre Pastels

Use a small sponge to create this ombre effect

Soft, creamy colours have been on trend for a while, but they are still the perfect way to add punch to a neutral or black outfit. Rosie Fortescue of Made in Chelsea has been wearing ‘Mint Candy Apple’ by Essie, while her co-star Millie Mackintosh showed off her rock with duck egg blue shellac. Look no further than Nails Inc’s Spring/Summer collection for a great selection of pastels. To mix up this trend, choose five shades from the same colour family (OPI and Essie are great for this) and graduate them from thumb to pinky. For more of a challenge, create an ombre effect on each nail by blending a pastel colour into a contrasting shade using a small sponge.

The New Nude

Jessie J’s showed off her nude nails on Instagram

This minimal trend was all over the SS13 shows with creamy whites and soft coffees dominating. Celebrity nude nail lovers have included Kate Middleton, Natalie Portman and of course nail queen Jessie J.  Choose a shade paler than the skin to elongate fingers but steer clear of the classic pinks and nudes of the French manicure. Instead go for more of a Greige colour (beige with a hint of grey). Try ‘Porchester Square’ by Nails Inc for a muted mushroom, ‘Master Plan’ by Essie for a soft grey or ‘Nail Enamel in Elegant’ by Revlon for a milky coffee. If you’d rather enhance your nails than make a big colour statement, this simple, toned-down look is for you.

Modern French

Lana Del Rey’s racy red tips

All the rage on the catwalk, this two-tone design is bold without being over the top. For a creative take on the classic French manicure, simply pick two different shades that flatter the skintone and use a small brush (The Edge do some great ones) to paint a style. Experiment with different colours and tip designs like a diagonal strip, vertical split, or the ever popular half moon. It doesn’t even have to be two colours, you could just use one bold colour and a top coat for the rest. Lana Del Rey is a big fan of this trend with her edgy black hearts and racy red tips.  The possibilities really are endless.

Share the love

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Does body modification boost self-esteem?

18 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Yoga Panther in 'Reasons to be Beautiful' articles, Beauty, Lifestyle, Mind

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

body modification, britney spears, confidence, hair dye, lady gaga, make-up, piercings, tattoos, venus the human doll

I don’t think there are many people out there who can safely say that they have never altered their body in some way. Growing up, we are surrounded by celebrities and now influencers who have enhanced their image through body modification, and we are conditioned to think that we should be like them.

I remember the reason why I begged my parents to let me get my belly button pierced was because Britney Spears had it done. They refused, which I’m glad they did. So I waited until I left home, when I was old enough to make sure it was still definitely what I wanted, not what the media said I should do.

From make-up and hair dye to piercings and tattoos, there are endless options when it comes to customising our bodies. And there are many reasons why people make these modifications:

  • to fit in with beauty ideals
  • to mark that they belong to a certain group
  • to be rebellious
  • to show self-expression

…all of which may increase self-esteem. But sometimes these can be taken too far, which can affect wellbeing, and therefore self-esteem, while negative perceptions could reduce self-esteem further.

Make-up and hair dye

In a study carried out by Superdrug it was found that one in three women wear make-up every time they leave the house, and six out of ten won’t go to work without applying cosmetics. Sara Wolverson, of Superdrug, argues that make-up is not about vanity, but giving women the confidence to succeed.

In terms of hair dye, about half of women say they regularly colour their hair, according to a poll conducted by ShopSmart. And a study commissioned by Clairol revealed that women who dye their hair blonde feel more attractive to the opposite sex and are generally more confident.

However, we shouldn’t have to conform to unrealistic beauty ideals the media has created in order to feel better about ourselves. Encouragingly, there are now more and more images of normal, natural women in the media, like the Dove campaigns embracing all body shapes, colours and hair types and this is fostering more body acceptance and positivity.

Piercing and tattooing

Once associated with rebellious sub-cultures these are now becoming more mainstream. According to a survey issued by Laumann & Derick, of 500 people between the ages of 18 and 50, 24% reported having a tattoo and 14% had a body piercing in a location other than the ear lobe.

A study by Carroll & Anderson has suggested that individuals who were moderately to heavily tattooed have an increased sense of self-confidence. Tattoos can commemorate an important experience as well as help people move on from negative experiences.

Sociologist Michael Atkinson has found that trauma victims, those with disabilities or serious illnesses, or marginalized groups, may tattoo themselves as a way of claiming positive ownership of their own bodies. Tattooing can therefore heal, empower and promote body acceptance and self-esteem.

Unfortunately, tattoos and piercings can sometimes be seen by otheres in a negative way, which could affect self-esteem. According to career website, Valut.com, more than half the managers surveyed would be less likely to hire an applicant with obvious tattoos and body piercings, which could make those fitting this description feel like they’re being punished for their form of self-expression.

Look good, feel good?

I agree with this mantra to a certain extent. I know I feel a bit better when I’ve just coloured my hair or got a new piercing. Not only does the small change give you a boost, but the compliments that follow can also raise your self-confidence.

But this mantra can only be sustained for so long. Lasting self-esteem comes from within, in the form of self-acceptance of our bodies, as well as our minds. Confidence in your beliefs and actions will shine through, no matter what you look like.

Can body modification be taken too far?

Some attempts at body modification can have unintended negative consequences that might reduce self-esteem. We all know that too much make-up can cause skin problems, hair can be damaged from over-dyeing, and piercings can cause infections and irritations, yet we continue to apply, dye and pierce.

Many women seek to create a ‘Barbie’ image by dyeing their hair bleach blonde, using tanning beds and wearing heavy make-up. It’s as if they’re wearing a mask to become that idealised image of beauty in order to boost their self-esteem, at the detriment of their health.

That said, celebrities like Lady Gaga take their various alterations to the extreme for the sake of art. It’s also a way of expressing and experimenting with their identity, which empowers others to do the same.

Modification in moderation

  • As with everything, I believe any alterations should be in small doses and shouldn’t be too drastic
  • If you decide to modify yourself in some way, and for whatever reason, make sure it is your own decision
  • You should be 100% certain of the change you want and aware of the potential consequences
  • If you aren’t sure about a more permanent modification, there are many ways to ‘try before you buy’, such as semi-permanent hair dyes, stick-on gems and of course transfer and henna tattoos.

At the end of the day, you’re in charge of what you do with your body, and you are beautiful whatever you decide to do.

As Mother Monster would say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with loving who you are’.

Share the love

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
Sam Graham Yoga Teacher

I'm Sam Graham – a yoga teacher and content editor with a love of Japanese culture.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Social

  • View yoga.panther’s profile on Instagram
Follow YOGA PANTHER on WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • YOGA PANTHER
    • Join 1,138 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • YOGA PANTHER
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: