Glow with Laura Wood

Brows It Going?!

Embrowdery, Phi brows, microblading, henna, laminated brows, HD brows...

Confused?! I don’t blame you. I’ve had nearly all of these treatments on my brows over the years, the first of which was in the house of a lady that owned the local Chinese restaurant over twenty years ago. She convinced me to remove half of my brows, higher them considerably and tattoo (yes proper dark blue ink tattoo) over themmaking them nice and thin.

I’m still slightly traumatised by this and have a pink hue from my eyebrow ever since. I’ve tried lots of other treatments but either they don’t last long or I’m not happy with them at all. I recently became sick and tired of constantly tinting them/shading them in with shadow and that’s when I started asking around for local recommendations.

Julie Davis from juliedavispermanentmakeup was a name that kept popping up as she had recently been nominated for some awards for her work and when I had a look at her page, I liked the way she had ladies with every kind of brow imaginable on her Instagram page. Not just easy on the eye easy canvasses but those with little or no brows, be it post cancer or that they were suffering from alopecia or people just like me who aren’t getting younger and have punished their brows over the years.

When I went in for a consultation Julie explained it all to me and assured me that in my case it was microblading with shading that I should go. I made an appointment, and the treatment took two hours. It was slightly uncomfortable at times, but not painful and I can honestly say I nearly cried with delight when I saw the finished result. I MCed a gig that night and got so many compliments on my eyebrows and the best thing is that with good brows you feel made up without being made up. You look in the mirror in the mirror in the morning and don’t recoil in horror!

Have a listen to the podcast where Julie explains the difference between some of these treatments and explains how the trout pout has left the building and working with what you have to enhance your natural features is what 2022 is all about.

Sea swimmers Sea swimmers everywhere! (Although not as many right now)

You’ve probably noticed people seem to shouting from the rooftops about sea swimming more than ever since the outbreak of Covid and lockdown, why is that?

BECAUSE IT DESERVES TO BE SHOUTED ABOUT!

I do have lockdown to thank for my addiction, I took my first winter dip in Connemara off the coast of InnisTurbot this time two years ago and was horrified by how cold it was, but something clicked with how good it made me feel and I was hooked.

I’m currently nearly finished a thing called The Walrus challenge (Yes, it’s a very unfortunate name) which basically involves me swimming 3000m a month (or 20,000m minimum in total) from Nov1st last year to March 31st this year. The hardest part is we’re not allowed wear wetsuits, gloves or boots so your warm up gear is so important. My sister Tab is doing this level with me and my Mum  is doing the Novice Walrus which is 1000m a month or 2000m minimum and you can wear wetsuits, gloves and shoes with that one.

It's no mean feet in Wicklow waters but I’m hopeful we’re going to get there by the end of the month. There’s nothing waiting for me at the end except a Walrus badge a bit like the Brownie/Guides ones I used to strive for years ago but we’ll have earned those badges and I’m nearly more excited to get it then I was getting my Masters!

I’ve had a very difficult few years and my children regularly say to me “Mum, I think you need a swim” whenever I’m in terrible form. That says it all really, it provides a total reset, recharge and huge mood boost.

The Winter Walruses began under the patronage of king Walrus Ger Kennedy. It was started by a group of friends in 2014 to promote all aspects of winter swimming from competitive to Social and Mental Health benefits.TheChallenge is a fun way to encourage swimming through the Winter. It simply helps you personally challenge yourself by setting an achievable Goal and I would highly recommend it as a healthy way of distracting yourself from the stresses of life.

Here's some tips to help you along from King Walrus himself Ger Kennedy:

It's ok to say NO or turn back from any distance.

Don’t swim beyond your ability, as temperatures drop most incidents happen on the return leg of your swim, be responsible to yourself.

1. Each level has minimum totals for the challenge period, the idea is to do more acclimatizing swims during Nov/Dec in preparation for the colder months Jan-March
2. Enjoy with friends and perfectly normal for the body to shiver during the acclimatization period and beyond, lots of Cake & Hot Drinks afterwards.
3. Try a pick a swim distance target at your location like a swim buoy or rock or land reference, much easier than swimming in circles or swimming to nothing 
4. Bright Color Swim hat and Tow Float is best practice
5. Good warm clothes and footwear easy to put on after your swim (merino wool best), Tight leggings or tight tracksuits we found difficult after winter swimming  
6. Quality Socks, I've been using these for years, Extra Long type https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=HEAT+HOLDERS&ref=bl_sl_s_ap_web_1667347031 also do gloves and hats 
7. Dryrobe or Similar, great for changing and keeping wind chill away, not great for warmth if base layers are bad, but highly recommended investment 

Walrus Levels

1. Novice Walrus - swim 1000m “each” month and complete 7000m minimum total distance during the challenge period. Note Neoprene Allowed
2. Beginner Walrus - swim 2000m “each” month and complete 15,000m minimum total distance during the challenge period.
3. Competent Walrus - swim 3000m “each” month and complete 20,000m minimum total distance during the challenge period.
4. Proficient Walrus - swim 5000m “each” month and complete 35,000m minimum total distance during the challenge period
5. Expert Walrus - swim 10,000m “each” month and complete 60,000m minimum total distance during the challenge period
6. Ice Walrus Under 7c
7. Extreme Walrus Under 5c
8. International Walrus Ireland

Ilona Madden!

Certified Nutritional Therapist and Health & Lifestyle Coach shares her top tips for the festive season here

My top 10 tips for the Festive Season - RightFood4U

RE-LOSING THE COVID STONE

Well well well, here I am again surrounded by leftover wrappers from trick-or-treating asking myself what happened in the last year that caused me to regain most of that stone that I had so painstakingly lost. The answer...life. That simple really, much as I like to be in control of everything going on in my life and indeed I am over what I put in my mouth/the exercise I do, life can throw curve balls that make the journey a lot rockier so now all I can do is get back on the horse/bike/rowing machine and try again for what if I'm honest probably won't be the last time. That's the thing though..once you realise, just like a dog is not just for Christmas, a fit/healthy dare I say slender body is not just for the next wedding/event you're going to then you're halfway there! It's a long journey and we're on it together. Just to remind you of the words of Kate Moss though ..nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" 

Over the next few weeks we'll chat to some of the people in the know from Shoreline Leisure Greystones who'll give us the advice that we need to try and look and more importantly FEEL good for Christmas (and hopefully beyond this time) 

Good Luck! Laura

HOME WORKOUTS

Home workouts remind me of Davina McCall fitness videos in my ‘couldn’t swing a cat’ sitting room in my flat in town, half concentrating, half looking out the window wondering what I’ll be having for my tea..... Read the full article CLICK

NO PAIN NO GAIN..FACT OR FICTION?!  

Listen to the podcast CLICK

IF LOCKDOWN RETURNS ARE YOU PREPARED FOR HOME TRAINING?

Some examples of why you might need to train from your home and stay out of your gym...read full article CLICK

THE CLEANER LIFESTYLE PROGRAMME

By Personal Trainer life coach and Sport Scientist Adam Kelly

The period from September to December has traditionally been a key time period for goal achievement both for my clients in Pura Vida and for many others.

It's a straight run into Christmas from here with no distractions. So, if you want to work on improving your body shape and lifestyle, then now is your best chance...read full article CLICK

FIVE WEEK WELLBEING CHALLENGE

With Athletic Therapist, Personal trainer and Yoga teacher Kim Jacob

Building habits that support our physical and mental well-being is a small but incredibly powerful step that we can take to nourish and bolster ourselves amidst a changing landscape. With that in mind I would love to suggest that we join each other in a "Five week Wellbeing challenge."....read full article CLICK

LOSING THE COVID STONE- INTERFERENCE

Life sometimes gets in the way of healthy eating and training and Covid and the resulting lockdown have caused major disruptions in many people’s routines. Schools being off, working from home, gyms being closed/with limited availability, too much work on/too little work on, lack of time for food prep and exercise…read full article CLICK

 

LOSING THE COVID STONE ..Well still trying anyway

Well I did it, King Of Greystones triathlon in the bag and a not too shabby time of 1’40....read full article CLICK

LOSING THE COVID STONE

Anyone else sick of setting goals that are unrealistic or challenges that are unobtainable? ....read full article CLICK