Empower Yourself and Follow Your Dreams––Without Apology

Everywhere women look ––on TV, in ads, in social media––there are reminders of how far we are from achieving perfection.

As women, we’ve been taught that the only way we’ll succeed or be happy in a perfection-obsessed world is to play the roles assigned to us, and give Oscar-worthy performances. We’re told not to make waves--to please others by looking the way they want us to look and act the way they want us to act.

• Be smart, but not so smart you’ll intimidate people. 
• Be athletic, but don’t get too muscular.
• Lose weight, but don’t obsess over your diet. 
• Negotiate for better pay, but don’t be too assertive. 

Is it any surprise many of us go through the world second-guessing our every move? 
We’re so worried about the disapproval of others that we dim ourselves when we’re meant to shine. 

To heck with that!!!
Lady, your life doesn’t belong to anyone other than you. You’re the one calling the shots, so why not empower yourself with the confidence to ignore what others say and pursue your passion?

Read the transcription on our blog! 

As you’ll discover in the following video from Shapermint Gal Khara Campbell, empowering yourself isn’t about appealing to the expectations of others--it’s about being yourself and following your dreams without apology.

Self Love Even When You’re Off Track

If a dear friend were to tell you that she hasn’t been eating healthy or hasn’t been exercising as much as she should, would you try to make her feel bad about herself by shaming her or putting her down?

Hopefully not!

So why do we do these things to ourselves?

One of the best--and surprisingly difficult--things we can do for ourselves is to find compassion and self-love, even during the rough times.

#ShapermintGal Kire has discovered some simple ways to cultivate a sense of self love that has little to do with sticking with a diet or exercise regimen and everything to do with honoring the person you’re meant to be.

Check out her video below to find out how little changes can make a big difference in your ability to give yourself the love you so deeply deserve.

Check the rest on our blogpost!

Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Up for Yourself - Be Yourself

We’ve all had that friend that’s says “You should stand up for yourself”, or maybe you’re that friend. Either way, what does it actually mean? Does it mean fighting back and acting tough? Does it mean you should always share your truth?

As we grow wiser, the way we stand up for ourselves starts flourishing from our own values. Those values may change over time. But whatever they are, they’re all valid because they come from your own value systems.

Destinee Stewart – Shapermint Gal- shares her thoughts about standing up for yourself, being yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

 Blog to see the rest

With Age Comes Wisdom and More Confidence

The majority of us have come across a picture of ourselves from our early twenties and thought “I wish I looked like this again”. And it’s normal. We miss our complexion, our energy, or our bodies. But like the title says, with age comes wisdom, and Kemmi – a Shapermint Gal – has shared some with us that’ll have us feeling happier with ourselves now more than ever.

As we age, we become more confident in not only our looks, but also with ourselves. We learn through life experiences, trials and lessons learned that empowerment and self love comes from within us first. The little things that used to bother us just don’t anymore and we’ve chosen to focus our energy where it matters. We’ve built ourselves up and we plan to stay there.

Check out the video below for something we all need to hear every once in a while. Or if you prefer to read, the transcript is below the video.

Read the transcript on Shapermint.com/Blog

The Best Shapewear to Wear with Your Costume this Halloween [UPDATED 2020]

Boo! 👻Time to Trick or Treat and don’t know what to wear under your costume? Worried about freezing your butt off? 😱No need to be frightened - we’re here to help! It’s time to dress up and stand out - starting with what you’re wearing underneath. Whether you’re dressing up as a superhero or your pet cat, we’ve got you covered with the best shapewear to wear with your costume to keep you stylish, comfortable, and warm.

You might want to read: The best shapewear for your Halloween dress

The Skirt

We all know some of the costumes for us ladies are a tad on the short side (which is totally cool) - but to stay feeling confident and worry-free about the wind blowing a bit too hard and showing that cute bum to the entire neighborhood, pair your outfit with the Empetua All Day Every Day High-Waisted Shaper Shorts for a medium hemline or the Co’Coon BIOCrystals High-Waisted Shaping Boyshort for the shorter skirts.

Lions and Tigers and...Tights? Oh my!

Have a wildcard costume that doesn’t cover your legs but want an extra something to pair with your look? We recommend wearing tights. They’re multifunctional - they keep your legs warm but can also boost the look of your costume. Dressed up as an animal of any kind? Try the Co’Coon Opaque Wild Print Tights. Also, try the Co’Coon High-Waisted Paris Tights - they are perfect for adding an extra “oomph” to your already fab look.

Check the rest on our blog

Halloween is not canceled! Want to shop for our 2020 Collection? Find out more at Shapermint.com

Breast Cancer Awareness with Shapermint

October is a month filled with celebrations of pumpkins, funny costumes and festive fall activities but for some, it’s a reminder of something much more serious - it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s a time when people, organizations and companies come together to bring awareness about the disease, raise funds for a much needed cure, celebrate survivors and remember those who have passed.

The biggest key in fighting the disease is awareness and early detection. We’ve put together some quick tips on how to self-check so you can be in the know.

The best form of detection is through yearly screenings by your doctor - mammograms can detect irregularities and lumps that can’t be seen or felt but you don’t have to wait for an entire year - you can get started at home by performing monthly regular self-breast exams. A great place to check is in the shower or while you’re laying down. We’ve made a quick and easy chart for you to reference. Print it out, save the image, repost and share with your girlfriends and loved ones. Encourage them to perform the checks regularly and if it helps to get the job done, host a girl’s night with wine, snacks and a private room (a simple bathroom will do!).

When performing your self-exam, be sure to cover the entire breast area and armpit. Pressure should be light, medium and firm. Also squeeze the nipples to check for discharge and lumps.

What to Look For

• Any swelling of the breast (all or part)
• Skin irritation or dimpling  (like the peel of an orange)
• Pain in the nipple or breast
• Nipples retracting/turning inwards
• Nipple or breast skin redness, scaliness, or thickening
• Discharge other than breast milk from the nipple

Read the rest on our post!

A Quick Guide To Choosing The Best Shapewear for Your Body Type

Shapewear has gotten a bad rap. Some have compared them to torture devices that squeeze your innards in the name of beauty. Then there’s the problem of having to constantly and discreetly adjust bits that are rolling down or sliding up. If you’ve had any of these bad run-ins with shapewear, it’s because it didn’t do its job, which is to help you feel comfortable and in control.

What if we told you that the squeezing, rolling, muffin-topping discomfort you’ve experienced is because the piece of shapewear you’ve chosen is either the wrong size (easy to fix) or it’s the wrong piece for your body type (also an easy fix)?

Just like no two bodies are alike, not every piece of shapewear is intended for every shape. This guide will help you discover the perfect match the next time you’re looking for shapewear to help you feel comfy and body confident.

1) What outcome do you want?

First thing’s first: what are you going for? The level of control, aka compression of your shapewear will determine the outcome, so make sure it matches your goals.

LIGHT CONTROL (MEDIUM) - Do you have some bulges you want to smooth out so you can wear clothes more comfortably? Light control, everyday shapewear pieces will smooth trouble spots so you can rock your look all day long.

FIRM CONTROL (MEDIUM-HIGH) - Are you looking to accentuate your curves? Firm control shapewear is made with supple, stretchy fabrics that move with your body while adding subtle contours to your shape. You should get hours of comfort from firm control pieces.

EXTRA-FIRM CONTROL (HIGH) - Have a special occasion where you want to look breathtaking (while still being able to breathe)? Extra-firm control pieces are perfect for formal, structured clothing like wedding dresses, prom gowns, evening gowns and cocktail dresses. You should feel toned and sturdy without feeling constricted.

No matter how firm the control of your shapewear is, you should never feel like an overstuffed sausage. If your breathing or movement is restricted, try a size or two up.

2) What area do you want to boost?

Shapewear is like real estate: it’s all about location, location, location. But not everyone wants or needs beachfront property (or tiny waists...or bangin’ booties) to be happy. So what spots of your body are sources of discomfort that you want to turn into a happy place?

FULL BODY Some of us have hang-ups in more than one spot. If you want an all-over sleeker physique, try a full body piece like a bodysuit. Just make sure the piece has an easily accessible opening for bathroom breaks!!

TORSO Bra bulges and muffin tops no more: if you feel self-conscious about extra fluff on your belly, waist or back, boost your self esteem with a shaping cami.

BOTTOM Have extra bulk you’d like to slim down, or a flat little bum that could use a boost? From smoothing panties to butt-lifting bike shorts, you have all kinds of options to help you feel better about your thighs, legs and buns.

3) What’s your body shape?

So, what's your perfect shapewear? read it on our blog and chose the one for you!

6 Hosiery Products at Shapermint You NEED For Your Fall Look

Time to say bye-bye to summer: fall is on its way! But wait: just because the weather is getting a little nippy doesn’t mean you have to say buh-bye to your legs until spring. With the right pair of tights, stockings or pantyhose, you can rock a leggy fall look while adding a light layer of warmth that can weather any weather.

With a wide variety of textures, colors and sheerness, hosiery can transform the look of an outfit. But those of us with curves can have a hard time finding the perfect fitting pair of hose.

Seriously: who hasn’t suffered from the following hosiery mishaps?

Ready for the good news? There are hosiery options out there for those of us who want to have all our bases (and bellies and crotches and legs and tushes) covered. And they go way beyond the cheap control-top pantyhose you pick up at the drugstore.

Shapermint offers hosiery products that not only stay firmly in place, but also compliment your curves with booty-accentuating and tummy-controlling designs.

Let’s take a look at Shapermint’s collection of body-shaping hosiery that will have you confidently serving up fabulous fall looks.

See the products on our blog!

How Becoming a Mom Taught Kayra to Finally Love Her Body

How Becoming a Mom Taught Me To Finally Love My Body By Kayra Merrills

I can still remember a key moment in my life, probably around 10th grade, when I woke up to bigger hips, full breasts, and a bigger butt. It was as if my body did a complete transformation overnight without my approval. In this body transformation, there were days that I felt like a beautiful young woman and there were also days where my body’s curviness overwhelmed me.

I used to compare my clothing fit with other young girls, and I envied how many girls didn’t have to deal with curves that contributed to a shapely look in clothing. I would try my best to run in the mornings and engage in crazy diets to lean out the best that I could. But it wasn’t sustainable - and I would gain the weight back.

In college, I began to accept my curviness. But there were still times where my insecurities would hit me and I would begin to try to exercise with more intensity, in an effort to lose weight to be this ideal body vision in my head.

Throughout the colder months, I remember not feeling as self conscious because dressing with layers was flattering in my mind - those months where when I felt the most confident. But as the warmer months came around, I knew that I needed to make sure that I was exercising consistently and eliminating foods that made me gain weight.

Looking back, the act of trying to be a healthier and a more active person for spring and summer was not a bad choice. The problem was the lack of acceptance that I had for the fullness of my body. It was as if I felt that I needed to fix something that was wrong.

Keep reading on our blog

Even Skinny Girls Are Called Fat - Lydia’s Story

We all have our hang-ups but what’s amazing is that, probably, 89.99% of them are all in our head. And if you’re anything like us, most of the time we can recall WHEN that self-doubt started to creep up in our lives (teenage years, anyone?).

Meet Lydia Donaldson from California, Shapermint customer and one of the smartest, confident and gorgeous women we’ve ever met. She can tell EXACTLY when she started thinking she was fat.

Yes, that’s her in the thumbnail. Yes, she’s always been basically the same size. And yes, she was STILL called fat during her teenage years. Check out her story -and how she deals with her self-doubts and hang-ups today.

Click here to watch her story and share it if you feel related