All I achieved during lockdown was a glowy fake tan, and I am more than okay with that! I don’t think I will ever be fully confident with my body, but I think accepting this fact is the biggest step over the years that i’ve taken to come to terms with this. I’m more confident and accepting of my flaws more than ever, and whilst others may argue they aren’t flaws, I actually think it’s okay for me to be okay with having flaws. It makes us human. However one thing that always helps to lift my mood and spirits when i’m feeling a little bleh, is a relaxing pamper session and a splash of fake tan.
More than ever i’ve been feeling the pressure to accept body positivity and confidence, and the pressure to embrace your own personal body positivity is actually very overwhelming. It’s been extra difficult this year as many embraced the period of lockdown and used it as a time to better themselves and to get into fitness, healthy eating etc. However whilst I wasn’ the exact opposite, I just carried on doing my usual thing, however having not ‘achieved’ something during lockdown has been hard to face, especially when everywhere on social media people are facing their positive achievements, which is great, my positive achievement has been to just simply keep on going. It’s taken me a few months, but i’ve definitely realised that that is so okay, not having anything to shout about is fine. I haven’t learnt a new language, I haven’t macrame’d, or started knitting, I haven’t worked out every day, and I haven’t thrived. I’ve just kept doing me.
When Boots asked me to get involved with this campaign it came at the most perfect time, with things getting back to a new normal, and with me accepting that it has been more than okay to not have achieved during lockdown, and to have just kept going. Boots is the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer. With over 2,500 stores in the UK, ranging from local community pharmacies to large destination health and beauty stores, their purpose is to help customers look and feel better than they ever thought possible. Boots mission is to be the first choice for pharmacy, health and beauty – caring for people, customers and communities everywhere; championing everyone’s right to feel good.
I know everyone is sick of hearing about ‘uncertain times’, but as I mentioned in my update post on lockdown life, it really has been a massive period of uncertainty, particularly with the future of my degree looming above me. And during these times of uncertainty and worry, i’ve found it has been really important for my mental health to try and enjoy the small things, and moments of peace, and i’ve been really enjoying the off quiet hour here and there where i’ve done a nice skin pamper with a face mask, or fake tanned head to toe. These feel good moments have been just what I needed. I’ve found that with a glowy fake tan, and a touch of glow with some fake tan for the face, anything has been possible and i has really lifted my mood. I know it sounds silly, but it has really helped me during lockdown to make things seem more ‘normal and has helped me feel more confident in myself, especially when i’ve been going makeup free 99% of the time, a little glow has really helped me feel just a touch more put together, even if i’m basically just wearing pjs all day everyday.
I love a good solid pamper sesh where I spend a few hours treating myself head to toe with exfoliating, tanning and moisturising. I always feel like a new women afterwards and it never lets me down! During lockdown I discovered the Sanctuary Spa White Lily and Damask Rose Body Scrub and it is such a treat, the scent is so rich and luxurious, and well I just love a good body exfoliator! Lockdown was also the perfect chance to try a few new tans out, as if it wasn’t quite how I wanted, well nobody would know. The Bondi Sands Aero Aerated Self-Tanning Foam Liquid Gold was reccomended to me by a few people on social media, alongside the Isle of Paradise brand, so i tried out the Isle of Paradise Hyglo Hyaluronic Self-Tan Face Serum and the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops Medium. Can you spot a theme? Tan products with easy application? Yup, that’s me!
How have you been looking after yourself uring lockdown, and adjusting to this new normal?
Sophie xx