Our inner confidence — and perception of our own beauty — can be shaped by a great many things, from family and friends to culture, external events (yes, we’re referring to YOU, pandemic), and, even just life’s everyday experiences.
Some of us are born already instilled with great confidence, others are not. Some of us have ups and downs throughout life, while others are somewhere in between.
But perhaps the greatest question we all ponder is… how do some women manage to override the negative influences, and drive forward — rewriting their definition of beauty and self-esteem — to a more positive, empowering place, regardless of what the world is dishing out to them?
For these editors, self-care played a critical role. Read their stories about how caring for themselves propelled them into a place of confidence and strength, and be inspired to find your own.
Lifestyle Director Emma Vidgen prioritises self-care daily.
“Meditation is my absolute non-negotiable.” Emma Vidgen, Lifestyle Director
“No matter how busy I am, I always make sure I take time for mindfulness at some point throughout my day. If I must take public transport, I use that time to meditate.
“If I’m too busy to fit it in, I’ll try and perform ordinary things mindfully — like having a shower and using a moisturising body wash, or even brushing my teeth. Paying attention to my breathing, I tune in to the sensations of whatever I am doing – how it smells, how it feels, how it sounds, and just let my attention rest on what I’m doing. A moment of presence, I call it ‘single-tasking’.
“As a mum of two small people under three, making time for self-care means I can show up in a more patient, present way for them. Showing them I value myself enough to make time for self-care is a great way to model self-compassion to them too.”
Mantra: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Self-care essentials: “A 20-minute mindfulness meditation using my favourite app, Insight Timer. Liquorice tea is amazing for managing sugar cravings and very soothing for the adrenals. Rolling out the yoga mat for a quick flow, even if it’s just 10 minutes. It can be hard to motivate myself to get onto the mat, but once I’ve started, I never regret a practice.”
Little self-care details that can play a big role. According to a recent Woman’s Day for Dove ‘Care Factor Survey’, 50 per cent of women say finding the right skincare cleanser ‘greatly improved’ their confidence.
As Beauty Director, Elise indulges in self-care treats regularly.
“I’m a big ‘masking’ fan.” Elise Wilson, Beauty Director
“There’s nothing better than lying in the bath (with Adele’s album on repeat) with a nourishing hair mask or treatment in and a sheet mask on my face. It’s a time where my phone is out of reach and I can just be still for a bit, which is a novelty in my fast-paced world.
“When I hop out, on goes my LED Light mask for 10 minutes and a rich hand mask (yep, sheet masks for your hands are a thing) as I lay on my bed for a mini-meditation. It’s a great excuse when you literally can’t do anything else at that time!”
Mantra: “Practice kindness, always.”
Self-care essentials: “Popping on some brow product, cream blush and lipliner really does brighten my day (and my usually very tired-looking face) instantly. It’s the small things that make a big difference!”
Hair love. Can great, damage free hair boost your confidence? According to the Woman’s Day for Dove ‘Care Factor Survey’, 47 per cent of women say YES, citing that ‘finding the right hair care greatly improved their confidence’.
The Dove self-care bathroom essentials kit
Beauty should be a source of confidence with self-care at the centre. So whether you’re looking for a deodorant to keep you feeling fresh from sun-up to sun-down, want a body wash to keep your skin hydrated or just want healthy hair, Dove has your back.
For smooth skin, the Triple Moisturising Care Body Wash, a 24 hour nourishing formula with ¼ moisturising cream which replenishes skin’s nutrients leaving it clean, cared for and moisturised after just one wash. Refill with the newly launched Dove 1.5L Triple Moisturising Refill Pouch – get 50 per cent more product and 70 per cent less plastic.
For great hair, the Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner nourishes and repairs hair, preventing 98 per cent of daily hair damage*, with Smart Target Damage Repair Technology that precisely targets and repairs recurring daily hair damage from the first wash.
For body confidence, Dove’s Advanced Care Deodorant Spray antiperspirant technology formula gives 48h sweat protection, plus the Dove unique ¼ moisturising cream and caring oil, which leaves your skin smooth and treats your skin with kindness.
The perfect trio to feel confident and comfortable all day. All Dove skin care products are cruelty-free, accredited by PETA, and Dove 1L packs are made in Australia and are recyclable.
Hair treatments, skin care, deodorant and Qigong are Franki’s self-care essentials.
(Photo: Simona Janek)“I realised that self-care was essential to me feeling happy.” Franki Hobson, Content Director
“Like many people, COVID turned my world upside down. I lost my job, moved from the city to the country and everything just stopped… no exercise, no socialising, no doing my hair and make-up each morning, or getting dressed for work. The old me disappeared – the ‘me’ who took pride in my health and appearance, and cared for myself and for others enthusiastically.
“It was only after getting a new job and having to present myself ‘professionally’ for the work world that I realised how positive caring for myself was for my self-esteem. Looking after my myself, investing time in my hair and repairing all the damage I’d caused from colouring it myself during COVID, caring for my skin, exercising and just practicing little acts of self-care actually made me feel BETTER about myself!”
Mantra: “Self-care is an investment in oneself, not selfish. It has a positive flow-on affect in all areas — my self-esteem, and my ability to be good at my job, be a good mum, friend, daughter and sister.”
Self-care essentials: “Three x 10-minute Qigong sessions weekly for my mind, Dove’s Beauty Bar soap and Advanced Care deodorant for body (and feeling confident that I won’t smell throughout the day!), and some daily ‘fun time’ with my kids or friends for my soul.”
Body confidence. If body odour has impacted your day to day, switch up your products — 48 per cent of women say finding the right deodorant ‘greatly improved their confidence’.*
*Source: Woman’s Day for Dove ‘Care Factor Survey’ 2022.
**breakage due to combing vs non-conditioning shampoo.*
Brought to you by Dove.
