Lots of us have extreme insecurities; we just can’t see the beauty in ourselves. We think that we have to reach perfection; we look at other people and compare ourselves continuously. We are so bombarded by unattainable standards of beauty through social media, TV, magazines – that when it comes to how we look and feel, we are our worst critic. 

Do you feel personally beautiful? We know that feeling beautiful is the first step to living happier, more confident lives. So at Marlow Beauty Lounge we’ve decided to do something about it, we’re launching #beautyschool to build confidence, to notice the positives, to appreciate and understand your natural beauty inside and out and to learn to take time out and breathe. It’ll be regular tips and advice to feel beautiful, confident and give your self esteem a bit of a boost.  

Beauty is more than what we are; it’s energy, fuelled by positivity. 

Having a positive attitude is good for your health and wellbeing. If you are motivated and positive, you take good care of your skin, giving you that extra glow to your skin when you wake up in the morning. If you feel powerful in your mind and body, skincare, hair and clothing will merely compliment your beauty. 

If your thinking is positive, then others have a wonderful initial impression of you. Positive thinkers easily impress, with an upbeat and bright attitude, you look more mentally and physically beautiful to everyone you meet.  

If you are full of gloom and doom all the time and are stressed out, then it will be reflecting in your looks. You will be devoid of energy and look tired. Your hair will feel and look dull. Your eyes will be lifeless. With a positive attitude, the healthier you are with glossy hair, bright eyes, and smooth skin.

Here at Marlow Beauty Lounge we’re passionate about empowering women to look and feel confident in their appearance, here are a few #beautyschool tips as we make the most of the rays of summer and head into autumn

• Use SPF30+ everyday below your make up to protect against sun damaging, fine line and premature aging. We highly recommend the JANSSEN Cosmetics Sun Protection range

• Apply Vitamin C underneath your make up before applying SPF for additional protection against aging rays

• Remove your make up before bedtime to allow your skin to breathe

• Cleanse: help your skin rid impurities with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. As the summer comes to an end, soothe dry sun-kissed skin with JANSSEN Multi Action Cleansing Balm, with Murumuru butter, apricot kernel oil and evening primrose oil it has a delicate cream-gel texture that can be used as a cleansing lotion, make-up remover, moisturising mask and if you’re in need of a SOS balm it’s fantastic for dry skin areas. It’s a real favourite as we head into autumn!

• Exfoliate: a gentle exfoliator buffs away dull, dead skin cells, leaving you with a radiant complexion. As we head into Autumn, we love using JANSSEN Intensive Face Scrub. Using wet fingertips, massage the finely ground peach kernels into the skin to form a gentle exfoliating cream. Whilst buffing away dead skin cells the macadamia oil gives the skin an intensive moisture boost giving you a perfectly smooth, even complexion whilst leaving your skin velvety soft.

• Tone: Toners keep shiny skin at bay, leaving you with a clean, oil free complexion. Try JANSSEN Cosmetics Ocean Treasure Radiant Firming. It’s a mild, alcohol free toner with skin friendly pH, invigorating, refreshing and restoring your skin and bringing back memories with a wonderful holiday smell.

• Make time: Treat yourself, book a nails, hair, skin treatment appointment or just read a book, magazine

• Avoid squinting, frowning, wear sunglasses in bright sunshine

• Eat your way to fabulous skin, eat clean, fresh produce and invest in a vitamin supplement that works from the inside out to help boost collagen for healthy looking skin. We are so excited by the results of Skin Elixir, like a super water for your skin, it’s your daily dose of inner loving care to help skin maintain its elasticity, smooth texture, and overall healthy looking glow.

• Hydration starts from within: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day.

• Sleep for skin health: Getting a good night's sleep will help to clear up skin, which allows sleep to improve and, in turn, will improve skin health

• Exercise: Exercise helps increase confidence enhancing body image and increased self-esteem.

• Put on a happy face: Smiling faces are more attractive than non-smiling ones. A smile not only lifts the muscles around the eyes and lips, for a more youthful appearance, but also generates a feel-good ripple effect: Your brain gets an instant mood boost from the muscle contractions, and that boost is maintained as people smile back at you.

• Breathe deeply: Shallow breathing manifests itself as tension in your face, throat, even shoulders. On the other hand, when you take deep, slow breaths, you look and feel more at ease in your body. So take a second, download Headspace (other apps are available) and breathe

• Just Say Thanks: Simply say "thank you" when someone compliments you.

• Wear Colour: Just a pop of colour can light up your face and your mood. Blue is considered a happy colour and looks good on everyone.

• Loosen Up: Body image can be dictated by external influences – the dreaded scales, fitting room mirrors but it’s also affected by discomfort. Don’t squeeze into clothes, the feeling of constriction sends a constant signal to your brain that you’re not thin enough

• View Yourself in a flattering light: Change your lightbulbs. White-coated incandescent bulbs cast a wash of soft, pretty light, that goes easy on all skin tones. When light reaches your face from all directions, it minimizes lines and shadows, replace overhead lighting with fixtures on either side of your mirror.

• Reality Check: It's human nature to compare yourself with media images. Until such pictures are stamped with warning labels (an idea British and French lawmakers have proposed), remember that these pictures are incredibly unrealistic—engineered by teams of lighting experts, makeup artists, airbrush and filters

  Selfcare starts here. #selfcare #beauty #selfcarestartshere.

  All products are used in Salon.