Monkey business

Monkey business

14 Oct 2008 08:01 AM | Posted by Editor

A little bit of Hollywood shimmied into Sydney last night when Sophie Monk jetted into town. No, she wasn’t on board the Prestige Cosmetics beauty jet: her loss! But she was in town to promote The Hollywood Fashion Shapes & Body Collection (those hide-a-manner-of-sins bodysuits that Gwyneth et al rave about).

Perfect timing: at the weekend my friends and I were debating the appeal of suck-em-ins. A girlfriend of mine swears by them. All well and good in theory: they give her the courage to attempt the just-been-washed-size-too-small skinny jeans (will we ever learn?), yet a glass or two of sav blanc later – when she’s been starved of oxygen and has no feeling left in her legs – it’s not looking so rosy from where I’m standing.

That’s why I’ve always been firmly placed in the beauty blitz camp. A little bit of NIVEA Body My Silhouette before bed sees me wake with firmer feeling thighs (for real). Alpha-H Liquid Gold Revita Firming Solution sure lives up to its name and is certainly in the running for the best $50 you could ever spend. You obviously agree judging by your reviews.

And my secret tip? Use stretch mark minimising cream even if you don’t have stretch marks. Mum was right (yes Mother, you heard): prevention really is the best cure. And that’s why Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter and Belli Skincare Motherhood Stretch Mark Minimizing Cream have made their way into my bathroom cabinet.

So while there’s no denying Ms Monk looked amazing last night – even I had trouble tearing my eyes away from her killer, sculpted curves so I felt for the guys in the room – I’m a beauty gal at heart so I’ll be sticking with these treasures to whip my booty into shape.

I’ve told you mine, so you tell me yours. What are your body sculpting saviours?

Member Comments (37)

Posted by: Beauty Obsession (Member since 2007, Australia)

As a Melbournian I stick to my black clothing on occassions for a more slimming colour. Black never fails. I do have other colours in my wardrobe though. I slathered my skin in Palmers coco butter and A'kin rosehip oil when I was pregnant. Rosehip oil has so many multi tasking benefits. It evens out skin, fades pigmentation, helps with ageing, smooths cracked heels, softens cuticles, provides a nice glowy sheen on the skin plus more!!!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:02am)

Posted by: Pusstiss (Member since 2008, Australia)

Love your article Sarah reminds me of a wedding we attended recently. My neice was rather offended by her wee pot belly at 23 like take a look at your Aunties was my reply and then we're talking. To my surprise a girlfriend lent her a body hugger that flattened her so called pot belly to slip into her gorgeous figure hugging to die for dress. My look of excitement saw her undress and tossing the hugger to me. We'll I have to say if I didn't experience it first hand I wouldn't have believed how small my waistline looked. What surprised me was it is very comfortable to wear and one could wear it without anything over the top on account of it looking like a long shoe string tee!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:27am)

Posted by: WildTiger (Member since 2007, Australia)

Very interesting article Sarah. Thank you.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:29am)

Posted by: renee.t (Member since 2008, Australia)

If I am having a fat day I steer clear of clingy fabrics! The best thing to do is go for a walk or join a sports team!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:37am)

Posted by: Beauty Bee (Member since 2008, Australia)

You wouldn't want to be in a hurry to go to the loo with a body shaper on .... more to the point you wouldn't want to drink too much at that big party!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:37am)

Posted by: Pusstiss (Member since 2008, Australia)

I use Rosehip and a number of other invigorating oil blends that my skin responds well to. A recent gift from the Bh Angels included Palmer's Body Gloss with cocoa butter formula with Vitamin E. As a first timer using this product I was surprised to be left with white patches where my skin were overly dry having said that, applying to areas that weren't affected were soft and supple with a gorgeous shimmer!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:37am)

Posted by: Whiterabbit11 (Member since 2008, Australia)

i have a pair of the original magic knickers from the UK. can't say i would want to wear it every day, but it does make it possible to wear something a little slinkier and sexier than normal! but i have to wriggle out of it before hubby sees, it freaks him out big time. the one i have is old-school ugly, these ones sound so much better!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:39am)

Posted by: Billywig (Member since 2007, Australia)

I do have certain clothes in my wardrobe that always make me feel more confident, by emphasising some points, and... er... glossing over others ;)
Bio-Oil worked wonders for my stretch marks, they're virtually non-existent now. I'm still using it though, I figure my skin can use the moisture hit, and again, prevention is the best cure.
I'm also doing my best to do a few light exercises each night before I go to bed... Just a few leg lifts, calf raises etc while I'm watching Friends :]
xx

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:52am)

Posted by: melmeko (Member since 2007, Australia)

I saw her on Sunrise promoting the bodysuits, they look really good, bet they are pricey though.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:52am)

Posted by: Princess75 (Member since 2007, Australia)

ok here's the secret. it works a treat. my body shaping trick is known in my family as .................................. the fat bast&rd suit...........as per Austin Powers.........
it is a body shaping suit that goes from under the bust to the knees BUT it works because it has straps so it doesn't roll down like other suits and knickers do which cause you to have more rolls than a bakery. it's from deals direct or danoz, one of those places and it works wonders, smooths lines and rolls and still lets you breath.
other than that i do a full body mask (including the butt facial hehe) with dead sea mud and green clay with juniper, carrot seed, fennel, grapefruit and lemon e.oils.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:58am)

Posted by: Makoz (Member since 2008, Australia)

I would like to try the Hollywood shape body collection if it will help hiding the rolls and bumps for special occassions when wearing a lovely dress. But will still stick to going to the gym.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 10:37am)

Posted by: Elmo (Member since 2007, Australia)

The only body shaper I've ever tried is a pair of the bike pants that come up almost to your bra - totally hot for the boyf to see you in, and I was so uncomfortable the whole night that I've never worn them again! Have consequently been turned off trying any others...prefer to try and get my body the way I want it rather than to suffocate myself in those body shapers!
Just recently purchased a body brush and Nivea My Silhouette so I'm going to see how I go with those!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 10:52am)

Posted by: Pusstiss (Member since 2008, Australia)

Beautybee I agree not a good look dancing about when in need. However, the body hugger my neice had wasn't an all body type which impressed me, as it stretched over your tummy unlike most that have panties attached!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 11:11am)

Posted by: Tracey77 (Australia)

I think that the body shapers would be a great idea under some really clingy fabrics and for days when you need a bit of help. I also stick to firming creams and good old fashion exercise to keep the wobble at bay.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 1:18pm)

Posted by: fluttrgrl (Member since 2007, Australia)

I only own one body shaper and need to augment my collection. Though I have found the pant ones I have tend to cause silk to cling to them unflatteringly. Static electricity. I need to figure out how to get around that.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 1:26pm)

Posted by: Sweet as (Member since 2008, Australia)

I think one of the best tricks in the book is wearing clothes that suit your body shape, that hide what you want and flaunt your best features.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 1:32pm)

Posted by: Spiteful (Member since 2008, Australia)

I agree with Sweet as, wearing clothes that suit your body shape is always the best way to go. I hate how some girls fall prey to cheap clingy material that shows of every bulge!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 1:35pm)

Posted by: music (Member since 2008, Australia)

Nivea Silhouette is really good for firming the skin. I try to walk whenever possible, also carrying heavy groceries (and other shopping results) serve as my exercise routine. Result: toned arms & legs. Hehehe... Plus eating some chocolates while walking helps to cancel out the calories. Yeeha! :p

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 1:37pm)

Posted by: annibaby (Member since 2008, Australia)

I walk regularly. I leave near my local shopping centre so whenever I get a chance I walk to the shops and feel fantastic plus walking up hill is great for toning the body.
I have a pair of high waisted briefs and I must add that they are a godsend whenever I become a bit bloaty. They make me look nice and flat. I know lots of people who own and swear by them.

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 2:25pm)

Posted by: Ditty13 (Australia)

I try to walk before work i find after work im tooo tired!! :)

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 2:41pm)

Posted by: Style Queen (Member since 2008, Australia)

i saw this on today tonight, it looks great for some but i wouldnt try it. Thanks for the firming tips though bh!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 3:19pm)

Posted by: Sweet Heart (Member since 2008, Australia)

Interesting tip about the stretch marks Sarah. Next time Im at the shops I'll have to pop into Priceline and pick up some cream. Palmers has those cute little travel sized bottles for only $2 - does anyone know if that stretch mark cream actually works?

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 6:12pm)

Posted by: Allyr81 (Member since 2008, Australia)

thanks Sarah for the article great and interesting

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 6:43pm)

Posted by: AmyJ (Australia)

Black dress, fake tan...and I do have a pair of suck em ins...The ones that go right up to just under your boobs, really doesn't look any different, but made me feel a whole lot better! Can't say they're particularly sexy looking underwear though!!

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:02pm)

Posted by: Allyr81 (Member since 2008, Australia)

So sorry and to answer the question I would have to say my not so sexy granny tuck in undies slim me down and lift me up lol

Posted on: October 14, 2008 (Oct 14, 2008 9:53pm)