To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance – Oscar Wilde

Loving yourself is not always easy. In fact, it’s probably the hardest kind of love.  We do things and give up countless things for others way before we do it for ourselves. It’s hard because love is about acceptance,  devotion and dedication. Have you ever given up on something because there is no one else to let down but yourself? I have.

Self love is a choice, day in and day out, to be happy in your own body.  Some days will be better than others but for the love of me, it’s worth it. I asked some of my BHD babes what they did to love themselves and feel a little sexier.

For the Love of me, I…

Joy: Wear a hot pair of undies on any regular day, for nobody but myself. Who said lingerie is only for your partner?

Andrea: A great hair day, bright pink lips and huge wayfarer sunglasses make me feel unstoppable.  If I need a little extra love, hot yoga renews my intentions and sweat out any tension.  You leave soaking wet and feeling like the champion of your life.

Kim: Much of my happiness comes from the happiness of my loved ones – spending time with my family & besties is the ultimate. But my (recently discovered) love affair for stockings & leg wear has definitely brought the ‘vixen’ out of me: hello?

Natassha: I slip on a fitted dress and sky-high heels; that makes me feel sexy. When I feel like a little self-love I get a massage, a facial or a body treatment; that always does the trick.

Cake boss Mary Joy: I laugh until my stomach hurts; that makes me feel sexy. When my heart, mind and soul are happy, my brilliance shines through and that’s sexy. Oh, and wearing lip-gloss, cleaning my house and baking to Motown tunes and the crooners makes me feel sexy.

I make mistakes and learn from them, because I’m the only one that can make me happy. A balanced diet along with running and boxing; love the way you look and feel sexy.  I make time for me; nothing is sexier than an independent womannnn!

Camille: I like to make my eyes look dramatic and model during Caribana. That makes me work to feel comfortable with my body. I plan to have a sexy-30 shoot; I want to create a sexy album to celebrate how I look at 30.

Cassy: To feel sexy I wear a new bra and panty. Each day I tell myself that I am going to be the best me, and that makes me love myself even more.

Maram: I take a long, hot bath with mixed essential oils -like beautiful jasmine and nerloi- and towel dry before I go out with my ladies. While getting ready I listen to some amazing old school jams by Aaliyah and Missy Elliot; that makes me feel sexy.

Daniella: I feel sexy when I put on lingerie and scented lotion before bed. I always feel sexy wearing a pair of heels and sexy underwear while doing my makeup before heading out.

To love myself a bit more, I make sure to take some time for myself; especially when I feel that life gets overwhelming. I also try to connect with the people I love, that’s always a sure bet in reminding me to love myself.

Jess: I feel sexy by smelling edible. Wearing heels while I clean and dance like a maniac. It’s about the little things I do -when no one is watching- that makes me feel sexy. Once you feel sexy for yourself, it naturally transcends into the things you do when people are watching.

I love myself a bit more by reading a fascinating book, while drinking a glass of wine-obviously. Reading the works of great minds helps me explore who I am. Owning your thoughts is so sexy. Oh, and lingerie.

What do you do to feel sexier and love yourself a bit more? For the love of me, I… do tell.

Note: Thank you to my beautiful model Bianka for being oh-so sexy.

Photos by: Di Mora

Styling and direction: Jess

Lingerie available at Tryst Lingerie