Do British Women Have the Best Bodies?

British women are the most comfortable in Europe with their body shape - despite being the most overweight.

This contrasts with French women, who are the thinnest in the EU and yet still worry the most that they are fat.

A study by French researchers into body size across the EU, and attitudes to weight, highlights huge discrepancies between countries.

French women were found to have the lowest body mass index in Europe, averaging just 23.2. British women had the highest, averaging 26.2, which is considered overweight.

BMI is measured by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. A 'normal' reading is 20-25. Under 18.5 is considered dangerously underweight, and over 30 is obese.

Nearly 7% of French women are dangerously thin, yet half of French women believe they weigh too much, and French women aspire to the lowest weights in Europe. British women, meanwhile, consider themselves slimmer than they are, reports the Independent.

Kate Winslet, who told People magazine she has a 'real woman's figure', and has spoken out against extreme dieting, represents many British women.

Dr Thibaut de Saint Pol of France's national institute of demographic studies, who led the research, believes that French women are put under intense pressure by their male counterparts to be thin.

What do you think?

Check this out:

In credit crunch times pricey facials are a rarity - but I am loving this new product for visable radiance in a jar.

Elemental Herbology, a beauty brand that’s basic philosophy is to ‘restore equilibrium’ when all the elements attack our visage, has delivered with its Facial Glow Radiance Peel. With a tropical mix of papaya, Manuka honey, orange peel and apple serum, this exfoliating mask relaxes you and sloughs away dead, dull skin to leave a smooth, glowing complexion. A steal at £35.72

Addicted to Lipgloss?

News feature on beauty addicts from the weekend papers caught my eye. Check it out here.
My favourite (addictive) products below:

Limited edition Hello Kitty Tinted Lip Conditioner featuring a shiny black cap with the Hello Kitty figure on a pop-art pattern background.
15ml, £10.28



Some kind-a gorgeous, an amazing foundation faker, £19.50

Fitness Bulletin: Stay in Shape

Blitzing it in the gym before your bikini holiday? Keep it up - even when you’re on the beach!
According to University of Granada more than 35 per cent of people suffer from post-holiday blues, but staying active can help you hold onto that sunshine state of mind.
Running on the beach, playing volleyball, hiking in the hills, swimming in the sea, - keeping active on your trip can be fun - and different to your gym sessions. ‘Subconsciously we create goals with exercise - such as for an event like a holiday,’ says Dr Nicola Manson, lecturer in health, behaviour and physical activity at Leeds Trinity University. ‘Instead of going back to your same routine when you get back, try signing up for a new class or activity to keep things varied.’ You feel sexier and happier about your body when you’re on holiday - so try and keep it up. Staying active after your holiday will continue the release of exercise endorphins - so you keep smiling long after your tan has faded.

Real life slimmer stories - Drop a dress size for summer

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Blushing beautiful

It’s true: Flushed faces are seen as more healthy looking, say scientists.
In a recent study, having rosy cheeks was found to denote health and hormones. Blushing, the researchers note, was also shown to be a major characteristic of sexual attraction.
Experts at the University of St. Andrews measured how the tiny blood vessels under the skin carry oxygenated blood to skin cells. The process nourishes skin cells and allows the body to release heat during exercise. People who are physically fit or have higher levels of sex hormones have more of these blood vessels and blush more easily than people who are unhealthy, unfit, elderly or who smoke, researchers said.
So, if you want to look healthier - get active. Exercise increases blood circulation which will contribute to a healthy glow.

psssst: Or you can fake it! I love this new CORALista powder for cheerful cheeks RRP£22.50

Celeb Beauty Buys.. male grooming with Diddy

Sean "Diddy" Combs — the most polished guy on the fashion week front row — reveals his must have products.
LOUIS VUITTON Bequia bag: "Got to give it up for the L.V. Their stuff is tight. These bags are stylish yet masculine — like me."
FIJI water: "It tastes so pure and keeps me hydrated when I'm running around."
SEAN JOHN classic navigators: "It's all about style — and these shades add instant swagger."
UNFORGIVABLE by Sean John eau de toilette: "My scent is a part of me; it's what's left behind when I exit the room. I never leave home without smelling right."
PROACTIV skincare: "I'm always in the spotlight, so I can't be walking around with acne. This keeps my skin in check."
FRESH Sugar Lemon body lotion: "This lotion exfoliates my skin like nothing else." PLANTRONICS Bluetooth headset: "I only have two hands. This device keeps them free to get the bigger things done."
LUXURY SPA Ginger Prosperity air freshener: "These keep any hotel room smelling a little bit like home, no matter where in the world I am."

To drink wine, or not to drink wine..?

It's the age-old query - one minute we're told a glass of red wine is good for you, the next we're told it's not.
In the same week a study is released singing the praises of Chianti - the drink to make you think - that one glass of the famous red wine is great for improving your brains memory and thoughts.


Yet we're also told that just one glass of wine a day increases our risk of breast cancer by 10% and ideally women shouldn't drink at all...

What do you think?

In all likelihood, most women will just shrug and reach for the corkscrew. There are, after all, so many conflicting stories about what is good and bad for you these days. Unfortunately, this is not some easily dismissed, pie-in-the-sky trial involving a couple of hundred people.

It is the Million Women Study, run by some very senior scientists at Oxford University. In research, size really does matter - and this is the biggest project of its kind on the planet.

Well over a million women - 1.3 million to be accurate. Seems to me that this is
study, being the biggest of it's kind in the UK ever, is going to shake up the way we view our health and lifestyles in the long term - and there's a lot more yet to be released.