Are you suffering from the back-at-work blues?

03 Feb 2012 17:44 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

So you’re back at work, nose to the grindstone, and the summer holidays seem so long ago. It’s hard not to feel a little down in the dumps at times – it’s okay, we understand!

Which is why we’ve called upon the help of Psychology expert, Dr Mary Casey, CEO of leading health and education organisation, Casey Centre – who has these strategies to help you beat the back-at-work blues:

1.            You dislike the work you do: “Maybe it’s time to revaluate your job satisfaction,” Dr Casey says. “Often it takes courage to be honest with ourselves. Ask yourself if you’re being challenged, and believe in the work you do. If you have been dissatisfied for a year or more, it’s could be time to discover what you do like. Learn new skills by embarking on some study, or look for a new role where your existing skills can be applied.”

2.            You don’t know how to deal with difficult people: “People only do what they do because they can,” says Dr Casey, who details effective strategies in How to Deal with Master Manipulators. “It is well worth developing the skills to deal with a difficult colleague or manager. My tips are to control your emotions around any difficult person, set strong boundaries within acceptable limits, don’t take anything too personally, remain professional, and channel your attention into areas of your work that will reward you both personally and professionally.”

3.            You dislike the work culture: “Maybe you’re stuck in a negative work culture or you’re just bored. Find out what exactly what bothers you. Adopting an attitude of gratitude may be all that you need: identify the positive attributes of your job – for instance a regular income, stability, mentoring and/or work satisfaction. If you can’t identify positive aspects, then maybe it is time for a change,” Dr Casey says.

4.            You’re often overworked: Anyone would dread starting a new working year if they knew it meant long hours all over again, Dr Casey says. “Look into why so much work is being delegated to you. Communicate with management if you need more resources and how it would benefit the business; identify where and how you can delegate to another; or are you are doing other people’s work for them and it’s simply become a habit? Take responsibility and stop it immediately as it is your health that suffers in the long run.”

5.            You don’t speak up for yourself: “This can stunt your career progression: People will leapfrog you into better positions, they will take credit for the work you have done, your ambitions will be unnoticed and your career acceleration will be slower – leading to job dissatisfaction in the long term,” Dr Casey says.

6.            You lack confidence: Self-confidence is the single largest quality that “opens doors” in the workplace – whether that door is a promotion, the best projects in the company, or working alongside the most talented people. Confidence is required to befriend and align yourself with the most important people in the company, who will reward you. “If you don’t have confidence in yourself, neither will your boss or co-workers, leaving you stagnating in your career growth.

7.            You allow people to walk over you: “This is something that only you can be accountable for,” Dr Casey says. “It is up to you to have clear boundaries for yourself as to what is acceptable to you and what is not acceptable. You need to be perfectly clear on how you will be spoken to and treated. If you are not clear, others will walk all over you.”
Dr Casey says that while most work-related issues can be solved, if you feel like you cannot change anything about your situation it may be worthwhile seeking a new role or workplace. “Everyone deserves job satisfaction and peace of mind. Find a reason or goal to motivate you to change your situation or yourself, and be assertive enough to take action.”

What are your tips for feeling better at work?

Stretch marks – beware

03 Feb 2012 13:49 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Sometimes on a low day, you start to doubt everything about yourself and the way you look. Your make-up looks blotchy and uneven; your hair just won’t sit right; and those jiggly bits? They feel around twice as big as usual.

On those ‘blah’ kind of days, it really helps to come across a ‘good news’ story that can help to lift your spirits and inject a bit of hope back into your day. Don’t know what I mean? How’s this for some good news:

bh member, Sarahly, recently started a thread in the bh forums gushing about a couple of body products she swears have helped get rid of her stretch marks, ten fold. I know, stretch marks! The infamous body pest that won’t budge! She really got rid of them! So of course I just had to share her findings with you, and even add a couple of stretch mark saviours of my own to the mix. Check it out!

Lush Buffy (vegan) – Sarahly says: “I noticed tonight that my stretch marks have faded considerably in this short period of time, they’re flatter, and whiter. I am amazed at my results with such cheap simple products. I will continue to do this religiously. I really believe my success comes from the Lush Buffy exfoliant. It is my new holy grail product!”

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion

Urban Rituelle Mumma & Bubba Organics Mumma Balm Stretch Mark Cream

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks

Protec Protec Scar Cream

Innoxa Skin Tissue Oil

Avado Organics Stretch Mark Crème

Dr. LeWinn’s Medic Bio-Care Oil

What is your biggest body issue?

What is the best stretch mark treatment you've come across?

Check out the forum thread on how to tone up your body fast...

Product Of The Year - the beauty winners!

03 Feb 2012 10:54 AM | Posted by Editor

Each year, global research company TNS, surveys thousands of shoppers to determine the best of the best supermarket buys for the Product Of The Year Awards. This year, 7,000 Australian household shoppers were surveyed to find the most innovative new products to hit supermarket shelves between 1st January 2010 and 30th August 2011.

Product Of The Year Director, Sarah Connelly, said that most of the 28 winners reflected the huge time pressure everyone is under and the desire to find new products to make lives simpler and better.
 
“Consumers are looking for good value, with supermarket home brands scoring two awards this year, but there’s still room for little luxuries even though purses are being squeezed. A number of category winners are not the cheapest options, but clearly shoppers think they are worth paying that little bit extra for,” she said.

So which beauty brands came out on top in the Product Of The Year Awards? We bet you’re dying to find out….

The winners: 

Beauty Award: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream

Click here to read bh member reviews for Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream...

Body Lotion Award: NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion

Click here to read bh member reviews for NIVEA Express Body Lotion...

                                                
Body Wash Award: Imperial Leather Foam Burst Shower Gel   

                          
Dental Care Award: Listerine Zero 

Click here to read bh member reviews for Listerine Zero...

                                                           
Deodorant Award: NIVEA Deodorant Invisible For Black & White - MEN & WOMEN 

Click here to read bh member reviews for NIVEA Deodorant Invisible For Black & White - MEN & WOMEN...

                    
Female Skin Care Award: OLAY Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution

Click here to read bh member reviews for OLAY Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution...

                                                 
Hair Care Award: Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner 

Click here to read bh member reviews for Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner...

           
Hair Colour Award: L'Oreal Paris Sublime Mousse

Click here to read bh member reviews for L'Oreal Paris Sublime Mousse...

                                                        
Hair Styling Award: TRESemme TRES Two Hairspray

Click here to read bh member reviews for TRESemme TRES Two Hairspray...

                                                         
Male Grooming Award: Schick Hydro Range

Click here to read bh member reviews for Schick Hydro Range...

                                                                 
Male Skin Care Award: NIVEA FOR MEN Sensitive Face Wash 

Click here to read bh member reviews for NIVEA FOR MEN Sensitive Face Wash...

                                                  

Click here to check out all the category winners of the Product Of The Year Awards…

Which beauty brands would you vote as the best product?

What was she thinking?!

02 Feb 2012 16:33 PM | Posted by bh'sCarli

Oh boy, 2012 has barely begun and there’s already more draw-dropping (and not in the good way) red carpet looks than should be seen in an entire year.

We’re not sure if these looks were a result of, uh, creative styling and a little bit of risk taking, or if they can simply be put down to bad choices. Either way, these celebs need to be taught a thing or two about red carpet style, stat.

Check out the best and worst looks of 2011…

See how this Hollywood A-lister always gets it right…

Do you think any of these celebs didn’t belong in this gallery?

Hey, it’s Blake ‘No Brows’ Lively

02 Feb 2012 16:52 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Even style icons have their bad days. You may not think so, but it’s true. Look at Blake Lively for example. Normally swanning about with perfect hair and make-up, enjoying the triumph of being many a designer’s muse, we caught a shot of her that made many in the bh office gasp – with an added chest clutch to match.

“But… but – she’s got no brows!” one observant bh-er exclaimed. It’s true; this recent snap of Miss Lively does look as though there’s something missing indeed. At first I admit I couldn’t quite put my finger on it – but you just can’t stop staring once you figure out that her brows have been well, muted…

Why would someone do this you ask? Well, I don’t know exactly. Even though my beauty regime is chock full to the brim already, I made a vow to tend to my brows a long time ago and each morning I always allow time for a little brow maintenance – I just don’t feel finished without it. So, with that in mind, I thought it only fair to share my brow know-how with Blake (and all of you too so you don’t make the same mistake!).

Tip #1 - It looks as though you have foundation stuck in your brows there, Blake. After I’ve applied my foundation I always get a wet wipe and wipe across my brows, removing any foundation or powder that may have been caught in the hairs.

Tip #2 – If you don’t want to rock ultra-defined Camilla Belle brows that’s fine! Just opt for an untinted brow gel or a lighter brow powder that you can use to make them look natural. We love Prestige Cosmetics Brow Perfection Revitalising Clear Brow Gel and glo minerals Brow Powder Duos for this (two shades means you can create a more natural or a more structured look.)

Tip #3 – If you have brows that tend to look ‘messy’ or unstructured at times, opt for a brow product with a ‘spoolie’ on the end. A ‘spoolie’ is a mascara brush style of brush that is used to brush your brows into place before shading and setting them with a brow powder or gel. We love Benefit Instant Brow Pencil and Revlon ColorStay® Eyebrow Liner for fitting the bill.

Which celebrity do you think has had the biggest brow fail?

What are your top tips for great brows? 

Check out the brows that inspired a whole office...

Check out the brow bits that have had the tick of approval by you...