The spa-graduate 'yummy mummy'

As appeared in Style
The Brunei Times - May 11, 2007

THEY are stylish, well-coiffed and usually sport not just a Birkin bag but a baby as an accessory. They are not models but their model-like attributes -- every curl in place and make-up as smooth as the second they put it on -- mark them out as the enviable "yummy mummies" who juggle getting back into shape with their breastfeeding schedules.

The litany of famous names is endless -- Victoria Beckham, Courtney Cox-Arquette of Friends fame, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Of course, their fame means they have at their disposal nannies, masseurs, stylists and personal trainers to make them look that good. And we mere mortals don't.

But with Mother's Day just around the corner, let The Brunei Times offer you a quick guide to looking and feeling like an amazing yummy mummy, affordably.

You've heard all the cliches about inner beauty, I'm sure, but there's a kernel of truth to all those urban myths. A "blah" day will affect your mood no matter what price the Chanel suit you've got on.

The first step to becoming a yummy mummy is getting some pampering in, as a bit of self-love never goes astray. A pick-me-up you can do at home includes having a luxurious soak in a steaming-hot, scented bath, packing on a facial mask followed by slathering on creams and skin moisturisers and having a good night's sleep.

But for a full pampering experience, one where you merely have to lie down without lifting a finger, a trip to a spa is just the ticket. And there are so many spas to choose from here in Brunei, offering a variety of treatments to make you feel like a princess.

The Shiatzen Spa in Kiulap, for one, offers what spa manager Elaine Chin refers to as a top-to-toe package to harmonise the body, mind and spirit. Everyone, Chin says, should have a spa experience once in a while to rejuvenate the body. And mothers, who often face 24-hour demands on their time and attention, are no exception.

With a tagline of "awaken the senses, soothe the spirit and relax the mind", the treatments at Shiatzen Spa can possibly fit any taste and budget. Chin says the foot spa package, which includes reflexology and polishing, costs as little as $25, and can give a much-needed boost for tired feet. "They definitely need pampering too," she says, "as we're on our feet all the time."

The spa also offers massages from $30 while for Mother's Day, there are several packages to choose from to maximise the benefits of your day of indulgence.

Other centres like SpaZone at The Mall also offer massages, manicures and pedicures, waxing and other services that can leave you feeling like a million dollars, even when you don't have to pay that much for them.

Another way to get that glow is by sweating out those toxins, and if you're not the sort to laze around in a sauna, exercise classes are the way to go.

Places like Fitness Zone offer not just the irons to pump or the treadmills to get bored on -- they also have classes to suit your interest. Kickboxing, taichi, aerobics or yoga, you can find a class that is just you in the plethora of fitness centres mushrooming in the sultanate to cater for the rising number of health- and figure-conscious Bruneians.

And the added benefit of exercise? A toned body and weight loss what a way to start your yummy mummy quest.

And now that you're glowing from within, let's talk about the outer you, as confidence stems from having self-esteem, and an undeniable part of this is your appearance. The biggest concern women and now men, too have about their appearance is their skin.

And our biggest transgression is often having products at our disposal and not using them properly -- does sleeping with your makeup on or not cleansing your face after a dusty day out sound familiar?

It's the basic things that count, and start by ensuring you cleanse, tone and moisturise religiously. If you have problem skin, visit a dermatologist for professional advice and keep in mind that nothing ever works miracles overnight, not even that ridiculously expensive "wonder cream" everyone raves about.

Another way to instantly create a fabulous look is to learn how to apply make-up that suits not just your colour scheme for the day but also your face. And let go of 80s trend of loud green eye shadow and bright red spots on your cheeks -- a barely-there blush over almost non-existent foundation gives you a flawless look every time.

Get tips from make-up counters, learn from a friend with good taste or visit a specialist like Shahdon's Style studio in Kiulap -- armed with makeup know-how, you're just a brush-flick away from a gorgeous mom experience.

And of course, those yummy mummy celebs can't do without their glittering accessories. However, you don't need to be weighed down with a 20kg diamond tiara to look fabulous -- they're just magnets for those grabby little hands anyway -- subtle but classy is the way to go.

Twinkles Jewellery in Kiulap, for one, offers affordable, unique pieces suitable for every budget, ranging from rings and bracelets with semi-precious stones to drop-dead gorgeous earrings with high-quality diamonds, starting from as little as $50.

You can also get information on being glamour mums on the Internet, for example at the Yummy Mummy Club created by former Canadian TV personality Erica Ehm, or through books like The Yummy Mummy's Survival Guide by Liz Fraser.

So go on and grab your chance for a Mother's Day break, you know you deserve to be called a fabulous mum, on all fronts.