Dove

If you weren't lucky enough to have had one, can you imagine the difference it would have made in your life to have had a strong, positive female role model?  That's what Dove thinks too and as part of the new Dove Movement for Self-Esteem, Dove is encouraging women across the country to take simple steps to support self-esteem in young girls during the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend, October 22-24. 

Joining in the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend can be as simple as talking about self-esteem with a young girl, sending an encouraging message to someone you care about, organizing a group self-esteem building activity or attending a Dove Self-Esteem Fund Sponsored Public Workshop.

Recent research by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund found almost 50% of Canadian girls will refrain from participating in daily activities such as attending school, going to a social event or even sharing their opinion when they feel bad about the way they look.  the research also revealed that female role models have the power to positively shape the lives of women and girls by helping them build positive self-esteem and reach their full personal potential in life.

The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem, launched in June of this year by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, strives to support positive self-esteem among girls and women so they can feel more confident and reach their full personal potential.  As part of the Movement, Dove will provide women and girls with self-esteem building tools and activities found at www.dovemovement.com and encourage participation through regular e-mail updates.  Tools range from simple conversation starters; to mother-daughter self-esteem activity booklets and more comprehensive self-esteem workshop guides for teachers and youth leaders. No matter the type of mentor you are - mother, aunt, sister, teacher, whatever - there are easy to use tools designed just for you.

"Starting an open and supportive dialogue between moms or female mentors and the girls in their lives can be the first step in ensuring the development of positive self-esteem," says Lisa Naylor, a self-esteem expert based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  "The Dove Self-Esteem Weekend is the perfect opportunity to start those conversations by spending time together and being part of a movement that promises to open up a world of possibilities for the young girls in the country."

Women and local girls' organizations can go to www.dovemovement.com to see a list of easy activities they can do at home, download materials and tools for group workshops or browse a list of free public workshops in their communities sponsored by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

Participants can then register their chosen activities - big or small - on the site, which will then be highlighted on an interactive Dove Self-Esteem Weekend Map for everyone to see how many women and girls are taking part in North America.  The map will provide a visual representation of the groundswell of support for this cause.

So easy to do and the rewards and results so worth it!  We'd love to know your thoughts and if you plan on participating!

I've always hated and cursed my dry skin but I never realized that it was such a widespread issue - Vaseline recently conducted a Good Skin Day Survey and I was amazed to see that 76% of the women surveyed have the same problem as I do and say that their dry skin can make them feel physically uncomfortable at least some of the time - including itchiness, tightness and cracking.  Women also say that the physical effects of dry skin can interfere with a range of every day activities including sleeping, getting dressed and working.  It's nice not to be alone in this problem but it's even better to find something to solve it!

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Extra Strength - 325ml - $4.99, 600ml - $7.99, 725ml - $8.99 - is available in fragranced (chamomile scent) and unfragranced. - Accelerates the healing of dry skin by tripling the skin's moisture reserves instantly while still feeling comfortable on your skin - not greasy or sticky.  Dermatologist recommended, restores and protects the skin and delivers 24 hours of hypoallergenic soothing moisture.  For super dry skin they also offer Vaseline Clinical Therapy Lotion - 200ml - $8.49 - which is clinically proven to moisturize for accelerated healing of persistently dry skin without feeling sticky or greasy and is comfortable on skin.  Proven to instantly increase hydration by five times and to lock in moisture for 24 hours.  Instantly softens and relieves extremely dry skin and to restore - through hydration - extremely dry skin in 5 days.

And of course having dry skin means that I try every moisturizer out there so here are some other great choices:

True Blue Spa Lay It On Thick Body Cream - 170g - $17 - fragrance-free with super moisturizing shea butter, macadamia nut oil to nourish and hydrate the skin and Vitamin E to help protect and condition. If you like your moisturizer to be super thick, this is one to try - I enjoy using this one right before bed to give it all night to soak in! Available at Bath & Body Works.
Calgon Nourishing Body Cream - 236ml - $6.99 - with Vitamins E and A as well as aloe to deliver longer-lasting moisturization that will leave your skin feeling soft and silky. Comes in Morning Glory, Hawaiian Ginger, Tahitian Orchid, Cotton Candy, Vanilla Swirl, Marshmallow and Moon Petal Musk. My favourite scent is the Hawaiian Ginger, you just close your eyes and imagine yourself away from winter and on a tropical island!
Thann Body Butter - 100g - $23 - 350g - $47 - with cocoa butter, jojoba oil, licorice and shiso extracts to nourish and protect dry and sensitive skin. The tick yet smooth cream absorbs quickly into the skin for long-lasting and effective moisturizing.  It's 100% paraben-free with no artificial colours or fragrances.  Available online at www.thann.ca, in select stores and spas across Canada and at Thann concept stores in Ottawa.

St. Ives 24 Hour Moisture Advanced Body Moisturizer - 600ml - $6.99 - an innovative formula clinically proven to nourish skin even after 24 hours - replenishes and retains skin for soft-looking, smooth skin all day with 100% natural moisturizers including shea butter. Features a patented moisturizing complex that acts as a barrier to prevent moisture loss without forming a heavy film on the skin.
Dial NutriSkin Replenishing Lotion - 88ml - $2.99 - 354ml - $6.99 - focus on adding essential moisture, vitamins and nutrients for your skin - in four varieties each containg a specific BioNutrient blend: Dry Skin - with aloe and vitamins C, E and F, amino acids, and omega 3; Extra Dry Skin - with shea butter, omega 3 and 6, vitamins A,C,E and F and amino acids; Soothing - with chamomile, beta-glucan, vitamins A,C and E, amino acids and zinc; and Men's - with magnesium, niacinamide, amino acids and vitamins A,C and E.

Kiss My Face Peaches & Creme Ultra Moisturizer - 118ml - $6, 350ml - $12 - with 4% alpha-hydroxy to help speed up exfoliation that allows for new healthy skin cells to emerge from your dry, flaky mess - and the peachy smell - Amazing!  You can find Kiss My Face products in various drug and health food stores - I find the website easier though - they have a Canadian site that prices and gives shipping costs in Canadian $ - www.kissmyfacewebstore.com

If you want super duper softness, start with a moisturizing body wash - my faves right now:


Dove Visible Care Renewing Creme Body Wash - 300ml - $5.99 - for visible skin improvement in just one week and with continued use, skin is more visibly beautiful within 3 weeks. It's designed to nourish and replenish skin with the highest concentration of Nutrium Moisture which contains skin natural moisturizers, the building blocks to help improve skin's look over time. It has a fruity, floral fragrance that I quite like and lathers like nobody's business!
Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash - 500ml - $9.99 - with a built-in moisturizing matrix and natural vanilla fruit and orchid extracts, it feels great and smells amazing!  It also suds up nicely which is something I find that moisturizing body washes sometimes lack. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Shower Cream - 236ml - $12.50 - with milk proteins, rice bran oil and acai berry.  Part of the Signature Collection, you will find it in lots of different scents - I love Warm Vanilla Sugar and Twilight Woods!

Are you a dry skin sufferer too?  Would love to hear about any great moisturizers that you've tried!