Beauty Secret / Tip

Day 8.  Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)?  Share, please!

In 2 years working at a beauty clinic and having to do professional skin analysis and product recommendations on a daily basis I realised how complicated each persons skin is. That's why, I am convinced it is SO important to know your own skin.


If you don't know the ins and outs of your skin, you should definitely have a skin analysis done. If you're in Christchurch, give Body Business a call and they do them for free, no obligation (at least, they used to! :) )


One of the most common skin complaints that people had no idea about was the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. They are COMPLETELY different. Dry skin is your skin type - It may be flaky, course and show signs of premature aging. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition that can be remedied and may come and go depending on climate, the products you use, what you eat (lots of salts) etc. 


For example, my skin type is Oily (I can't change that), and most of the time I suffer from dehydrated skin. Crazy huh!! Infact, I discovered that most people in Christchurch had bouts of dehydrated skin, especially in a period of season change, or winter. You can tell if you have dehydrated skin by pinching your cheeks and forehead skin - It will create little horizontal or vertical crevices and look like it lacks water (because it is... it's dehydrated.)


You can remedie dehydrated skin really easily. Drink lots and lots of water is the cheapest easiest way!


Get yourself a GREAT toner. And by toner I don't mean the cheap type you by from the super market that probably has alcohol in it and is designed to dry out your skin and remove surface oil. No Ma'am! Thats no toner at all! You want a hydrating toner that will add moisture and will prep your skin to absorb your moisturiser well. (You can thank me later for that tip alone)


If you are severely dehydrated there's lots of other extras, you could invest in a hydrating serum to use once or twice a week, you could use a hydrating masque (NOT a clay masque) or you could use some pampering and buy yourself a professional facial!


Hopefully that helps you understand your skin a little better. If you want more info on any skin type feel free to ask me, or book yourself in for an analysis :)

Dear Womankind

Day Seven: Write a Blog To Encourage Another Beautiful Woman

Dear Proverbs 31 Wife,

You are a hard worker, selfless, creative, valued and an inspiration. Thankyou for giving me so much to be in the future. Through you I realise that I am not limited or have any bounds. I should do what I am good at and learn to do other things. Thank you for teaching me more about my husbands wants and needs and also my own. Please, keep pushing us to be greater women.

From, Sophie

Lover of my Soul

Day 5.  Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

Jesus, lover of my soul, thank you for bringing me to life. When I was lost and dead to myself and the world you lead me hand in hand down a path to your grace.


The darkness faded, the shadows became people, and suddenly I realised you were next to me the whole way. Everything about you became clear and I knew how much you loved me. Light opened up, it blinded the night creatures and they scuttled away. What was left was you. Colours came into focus and my vision became clear.


This world is so beautiful. In moments you spoke of how wonderful this world is and how much you adore me. I knew of a plan for my life to help and seek the lost so they would see the beauty too. 


Jesus, thank you for making my heart come alive in those days. Thank you for saving me.

Who Inspires Beauty

Day 3.  Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

I know a lot of people who inspire beauty - most of them are women. Perhaps there is something beautiful about a female spirit? Not to disclude them, because I have also witnessed moments of true beauty from men as well. 


The honest truth is that I try and surround my self with beautiful people on purpose. I have no desire to be around ugly and mean spirited people. Those people damage me and bring me down to their level. I constantly want to be around those who inspire and uplift me. So, really, most of the people in my life inspire beauty.

Uniquely You

Project 31. Day Two. 

What makes you uniquely you?

Like everyone else, I have my own experiences and influences that have shaped me and caused me to become who I am today. Mostly, my family, my God, a few friends, and most recently my marriage and own little family.

The truth is, unfortunately like most girls I have never thought about what sets me apart. Which is sad really, because without knowing who we are we can't appreciate and value ourselves as we should.

I would like to think that I am a fighter. I have had experiences and situations which have torn me down to nothing, and I have fought to stand back up. Most of all, I fight so that I don't have a bitter heart. I choose to see the good in the world, and fight very very hard to see the good in some people. Most days I feel as if I am in a fight, and most days I feel as if I am winning. Some days I dont win and those are hard days, but I still get up the next day.

I think I am an ideas person. I think of a lot of brilliant ideas, and start most of them. Mostly they come from out of the blue. I feel as if I have tried a lot of different things to gain experience but would not call myself adventurous. I am terrified of car crashes, I have been in too many, and dont like to be driven by other people. 

 I talk too much about helping people, but don't help people enough. I think most of us do this. This year I have plans to change this. 

Some would say that I have had it easy and spoilt, others would say that I have made some big mistakes and that I have learnt from them. Some might call me selfish, others might call me giving. Some might call me unmotivated and misguided, others will call me a dreamer who strives. I'm not really sure which Sophie you know, but perhaps thats what makes me different? I am unique because I don't fit into your perceptions of me. On the surface I seem one thing, probably because I have caused it to be that way, but on the inside I am someone completely different.


Who do you think I am?

Project 31

Proverbs 31  

A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.

 She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

 She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

She watches over the affairs of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Day One: What does beauty mean to you?

The above proverb says that beauty is fleeting, which is true in a physical sense, but I think real beauty lasts forever, it grows and flourishes and is the physical being of love. Love is beautiful and when something is made in love or starts because of love or represents love it is beauty.

Green leaves on a tree are beautiful. Flowers in cluster are beautiful. A single lonely flower is beautiful. Grand mountains and rugged terrain is beautiful. Nature is beautiful because it is Gods perfect creation.

Often times the human spirit is beautiful; it has hope and is courageous and triumphs. 

Beauty is not loreal, or covergirl, its a spirit that lives inside of us. That spirit is loving, kind, generous, hopeful and reaches out from that person and manages to touch the life of another. We can only achieve that beautiful spirit with God.