Loving my baby body

When I was recently asked to be photographed for a pregnancy photoshoot, I didn’t really give it much thought before accepting. It was lovely to be asked, and I figured it would be a nice way to capture these last few weeks of my pregnancy.

It was only the day before the shoot that I got to thinking about how much my body has changed over the past few months and how I feel about it.

Physically, I can’t say I’ve loved being pregnant. I’ve struggled with my energy levels throughout, become incredibly clumsy, and found lugging my expanding bump around logistically challenging. Creating a nightly pillow fort in bed to support said bump sounds way more fun than it actually is.

But I’ve also loved seeing my bump grow, knowing that every week it means the baby is growing too and that we’re that little bit closer to meeting her. 

Frequent visits to the work biscuit tin and a slightly obsessive penchant for ice-cream aside, I’ve eaten well. My priority has been to stay healthy and to give the baby all the nutrients she needs, so I've not given much thought to my figure. Having said that, I’ve been lucky not to have put much weight on. Over the years, my weight has fluctuated and at 39 weeks pregnant, I’m still lighter than when I was at my heaviest.

I’ve always tried to maintain a healthy attitude to food and body image, even when I was bigger and I worry about raising a girl in an increasingly weight-obsessed world. That's a whole other blog post though.

Anyway, the day before the shoot, I started to think about what to wear. Admittedly my options were rather limited. I’ve bought as few maternity clothes as possible with the view that I’ll only be wearing them for a short time and my money can be better spent elsewhere. (You know, like on the million and one things we need for the baby.) And then I thought about actually getting the bump OUT. 

There’s no way I would have considered being photographed in my undies before. It's a bit, well, self-indulgent and vain, right? But I realised that I feel confident about my pregnancy body – stretch marks, cellulite and all and this was an opportunity to capture this special time on camera.

So I dug out my best underwear (literally - it’s not seen the light of day for months) and got my kit off. Photographer Shelley was lovely and I felt totally comfortable with her. If you could see me now, typing away wearing joggers and my boyfriend's biggest jumper because it's the only one in the house that fits me, I couldn't look more different from the way I do in these pictures. They certainly aren't representative of my day-to-day pregnancy look, but I feel glamorous and sexy. I love the resulting shots.

Over the coming months, my body is sure to change even more. I can’t predict how I’ll feel about it when I’m left with the remains of a bump that once was, but I know I'll always be happy that I took the opportunity to flaunt it whilst I still had it.

What do you think? Would you have the confidence to get your kit off on camera, pregnant or not? 

Photography: Shelley Richmond
Shelley is currently offering mini-portrait photo shoots for just £50 - perfect for growing bumps or babies. 

Location: Brocco on the Park Hotel

Review | Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector in Light Matte

A 20p sized blob applied on a tanning mitt created a natural-looking colour.

Before and after: milk bottle legs, be gone with you!

Autumn’s well and truly here and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be rejoicing at the fact that you can finally start wearing the opaque black tights that have been banished to the back of the drawer all summer. But sometimes, even as the temperature drops, black tights don’t look quite right and bare legs have to make an appearance. 

Whilst I try and rock the pale and tragic interesting look most of the time, I have milk bottles where my legs should be and it’s just a fact of life that they look better with a little bit of colour. I’m not averse to a pair of very sheer nude tights with the right outfit, but the ever-increasing baby bump means my existing pairs are currently redundant. Similarly, me and fake tan have a long and chequered history, because frankly, I can’t be arsed with the faff of it. 

That’s why I was intrigued by the promises being made by the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector* in Light Matte. It’s claim to offer 24 hours of natural looking matte tan which can simply be washed off appealed to my lazy sensibilities. As with most fake tan, good preparation and a bit of patience make all the difference, so exfoliating and moisturising beforehand will create a smooth base. I did this the night before to save time on the day. Although technically a wash-off product, I didn’t trust it enough not to end up with orange palms, so I applied it with a mitt which was far less messy.

My impatience got the better of me the first couple of times I used it and there were some streaks at the back of my calves which didn’t look great. But this time I made sure I spent plenty of time rubbing it in – when I thought I’d blended it enough, I blended some more and it seemed to do the trick: I achieved a natural-looking tan in less than 10 minutes. If you prefer a darker shade, you could easily get a more intense colour by using more product. As it was, a 20p sized blob was enough to do each of my pale legs.

Overall, I was impressed with the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector. It’s a great value product which is ideal for fake-tan-phobes like myself, or for time-pressed tan fans. I suspect I’ll get quite a bit of use out of it in the Spring and Summer. 

Have you tried it yet? Or are there any other wash-off tans which you can recommend? 

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector | £6.99
 
*I’m completely ignoring the BB claim as, frankly, I’m not convinced it’s anything other than marketing speak.

The Best Hair Mask You'll Ever Use (and four other ways with coconut oil)

It may be more commonly found in the kitchen cupboard than the bathroom cabinet, but invest in a tub of virgin coconut oil and your skin, hair and nails will only thank you. 

Solid in the tub, once warmed into your hands it melts into an unctuous, versatile oil that smells delicious. 

With no hidden nasties, preservatives, fragrances or chemicals, the best thing about it is that it’s completely natural.

I’ve had a tub of Coconoil Organic Virgin Coconut Oil on the go for months now and there's still plenty left – amazing value at just £10.45 for a huge 460g tub. 

Any coconut oil will do though, just make sure it's the virgin variety as that's when it's at its most pure. 

Here are my favourite ways to use it.

1. The best hair mask you’ll ever use 

If your hair is dry, coloured, over straightened or is just looking a bit lacklustre, I recommend giving a coconut oil mask a go. 

It has the ability to transform my dry, frizzy locks into shiny frizz-free curls in a way that no other product has ever been able to do. Its anti-bacterial qualities make it a good choice for people who suffer from scalp conditions, such as dandruff, too. 

I’m usually a fan of treatments that get to work instantly, but alas, there are no short-cuts here. You need to leave the oil on for at least an hour – longer if possible – to really feel the benefits. I tend to use it when I’m hibernating at home with no likelihood of encountering another human being. I’ll apply it in the morning, go about my daily business (i.e. binge-watching cooking programmes), then wash it off a few hours later. 

• Section off dry hair and apply the oil generously all over. I find it works better applying it in sections than in one go – especially if you have thick hair.
• Pay extra attention to the ends, as this tends to be where hair is most damaged.
• Remember to rub the oil it into your roots too, as it is great at nourishing the scalp. Don’t worry about it leaving your hair looking greasy, as it will be washed out later.
• Wrap hair in a warm towel or a shower cap and leave for at least an hour.
• Shampoo twice and condition as normal.

2. Facial cleanser

Coconut oil is an excellent deep cleanser which makes nifty work of removing even stubborn eye make-up. 

Simply massage about a teaspoon-full in well, then wipe away with a damp muslin or flannel. Repeat if you’ve been wearing a full face of make-up or sunscreen to ensure every last bit of grease, grime and dirt have been removed.

3. Post-hair-removal soother 

Whether you’re a Nair on the top-lip girl, a bikini-line shaver or a leg epilator, hair removal can leave skin sore and dry afterwards. 

Coconut oil is the best post-hair-removal soother I’ve used. It quickly imparts moisture back into the skin, calms any redness and quickly soothes itching or burning. I won’t ever be without it for this purpose alone.

4. Cuticle oil 

Man, my cuticles are in terrible condition. My nails aren’t much better. 

They’re just so damn dry all the time. I’ve made it my mission to remember to rub a little bit of coconut oil into the cuticles each evening. I've been doing it for about a month and they certainly feel more nourished and look less flakey. I just need to keep it up now.

5. Body moisturiser

Many body lotions use coconut oil as a base anyway. Apply this all-natural alternative straight from the tub for well moisturised limbs. 

It sinks in surprisingly quickly (just give it a few minutes before putting your clothes on) and leaves a lovely sheen to the skin. You will smell so good you may want to lick yourself afterwards though.

Buy Coconoil Virgin Coconut Oil

So there are my five ways with coconut oil that don't involve cooking. Is there anything I've missed?

I'm having a baby and there are loads of new beauty products to try as a result

17 week bump.

So you may have noticed that things have been a bit quiet on The Beauty Scriptures recently. Don’t worry, I’ve not given up on this blogging business just yet. I am in fact, having a baby. 

Previously my response to that would have been, “And what? You’re pregnant, not ill!” Alas, I fear my aforementioned lack of sympathy for pregnant women has karma coming back round to bite me on my (ever expanding) ass because, truthfully, I’m finding things pretty tough. Nothing could have prepared me for how so ridiculously exhausting this pregnancy malarky is. I’m just so tired. All. The. Bloody. Time.

And no, I don’t want to hear that “it’s only downhill from here” or “if you think it’s bad now, just wait until the little’un is born”. Nope, that’s not helpful. All I want to do is sleep. Zzzzzzzz.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand. My ever-changing body has opened my eyes to a new world of products that claim to soothe my aching limbs, give me a bit of a boost or prevent stretch marks. It’s the latter which I’m most interested in so I’ve been slathering on a whole host of lotions and potions ever since I found out I was expecting. Some are specifically designed for the job, others are standard body lotions and oils.

But here’s the thing about stretch marks: You’re either predisposed to developing them or not, and no product can really penetrate the epidermis far enough down to actually make a difference. This is where brand marketing and science don’t exactly match up. Having said that, the more natural a product is, the more likely it is to be effective at nourishing the top epidermal layers, so may help reduce light stretch marks. Nut and plant oils (virgin coconut, almond, argan etc) are best because their molecules are easily absorbed into the skin. On that note, I’m always skeptical of scientific-sounding unpronounceable ingredients, but even more so now that I have a human growing inside me - I’d quite like to know what I’m putting onto my body, thanks very much.

Whilst I know the facts and am aware of the limited ability of topical products to make a difference to stretch marks, it makes me feel better to look after myself during this massive period of change that my body is going through. I massage the lotion or oil into my boobs, stomach, bum and thighs after my evening shower, before applying any surplus on the rest of my body. Then I go to bed. At about 8.30pm...

Lotions and potions.

Interestingly, of the products I’ve tried so far, I’ve least enjoyed using the specialist stretch-mark products from a couple of trusted brands. Let’s start with the Champneys Blissful Bump Moisturising Duo (£15.00). This set contains an oil and a body lotion. There are some nice, natural ingredients in there like coconut oil and shea butter, but a whole load of other things which I can’t pronounce too. The oil is a lovely texture and the  body lotion is rich and creamy, but man, this stuff STINKS. I’m not the first mum-to-be to experience a heightened sense of smell - it’s a common side-effect of pregnancy - so I’m surprised that they’ve gone for something so potent. I think it’s supposed to be a floral scent, but all I can smell is sourness. You know when vinegary salad has been lingering in the fridge a bit too long? That. Not for me I’m afraid. I’ve given the set to a pregnant friend whose nose is less sensitive.

Next up is the Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil (£15.95, not pictured). It’s an award winning, all-natural product with sweet almond oil as the base and lots of other skin-loving essential oils in there too. I’m finding I need to use a hefty glug to get good slip across the body and it’s left me thinking that you could easily get through a few bottles during a full-term pregnancy which would work out quite costly. Skin does feel well nourished and moisturised after each use though. However, once again I just can’t get on with the scent. I can see where they’re going with it - it’s really natural, almost botanical - but it’s WAY too strong for me. I’ll finish the bottle (on days when I don’t feel too queasy), but I wouldn’t re-purchase it. 

The ones I have been enjoying using are the Body Shop Coconut Beautifying Oil (£9.00) and the Ragdale Hall Fresh Blossom Dry Body Oil (£8.50). Only a small amount is needed to get good moisturisation and they sink in quickly. Thankfully, the scents are light and fresh - the Body Shop offering unsurprisingly smells of tropical coconut and the Ragdale Hall one has a delicate floral scent. The list of unpronounceable ingredients in the Fresh Blossom Dry Body Oil does concern me slightly though.

The latest addition to my stretch-mark-busting armour is the Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks (£3.15). This one is pleasant to use and I like the sweet, familiar scent. It’s by far the cheapest of the bunch too. Again though, there’s a lot of unpronounceables in there and it contains a high level of mineral oil. Mineral oil is not, as the name would suggest, a natural oil at all. It’s a by-product of the petroleum industry and is used to make things like Vaseline. It’s also loved by beauty brands because it’s a cheap way to bulk out their products. Mineral oil (or petroleum) creates a barrier on the skin, but it can’t be actually be absorbed into the epidermis. As a result, skin may feel soft to the touch, but don't expect miracles on the stretch-mark-banishing front.

Apologies for the essay here, but I had more to say than I'd anticipated about the products I've tried up to the four month point in my pregnancy! Are there any others I've missed that I should give a go?

Lush Anti-Badger Cull Bath Bomb

Brands like Lush and the Body Shop have a long history of using their beauty products to support charitable causes and it's something I always keep an eye out for. What's not to like about contributing to a worthwhile cause whilst handing over pennies for a product you're going to buy and use anyway? 

How cute?

Every penny of LUSH's new badger inspired, May Day bath bomb (minus the VAT which has to go to the Government) goes towards anti-badger cull projects in the UK, including SAVE ME - the animal welfare organisation founded in 2010 by Queen guitarist Brian May.  

If you're against the badger cull too, this adorable limited edition bath bomb will be right up your street. With fennel oil to stimulate your skin and antiseptic rosewood oil to soothe and uplift, it would make a lovely treat for yourself and an even lovelier gift for wildlife lovers. And at just £2.95 each, you can feel like you're making a difference for the same price as a cup of coffee.

There are many opposing arguments when it comes to the UK badger cull and it's arguably a more political issue than some beauty charity campaigns. Whatever your standpoint, you've got to admire Lush for sticking their head above the parapet and trying to make a difference for something they believe in.

May Day bath bomb | £2.95 | Available for one month only from Lush stores or online

Budget Beauty #2 | Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel

Moisturising and nourishing with a sweet, soothing scent and a rich lather, Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel offers a little bit of soapy luxury for the grand total of £1.20. 

Palmolive Milk and Honey Shower Gel | From £1.20 | Widely available

Granted, the cheery packaging doesn't exactly look luxe, but as the saying goes, it's what's inside that counts and this stuff is mighty fine. I just really enjoy using it. Enough said.

What are your favourite budget beauty products?