♥

Choosing a treatment at a salon or spa, is like trying to choose what flavour you want at the icecream shop. They all look so yummy, and you know they’ll all make you happy (albeit tinged with possible slight regret in the case of icecream!), so you mentally ‘taste’ them all, licking your lips and thinking about the future experience…

♥

It’s scenes like these that make me contemplate a Personal Icecream Assistant!

These deliberations of the most fun kind are what I experienced when I was trying to pick a ‘Spa Retreat Package’ at Ella Bache in West Perth, who kindly allowed me to trial one for review.

In the end I decided on a Mind & Body Rebalance ($230) because, like most, it’s something I’m constantly in desperate need of!

The two-hour treatment includes a full body Hot Rocks Massage (a delicious alternative to regular massage as the weather cools down) and Shirodhara Therapy, which involves a stream of oil being poured over your third eye, located between the brows and up towards the hairline.

I’m all about options and customisable treatments, we’re all so different within ourselves on a day-to-day basis, let alone different from each other, that I believe spas and salons REALLY need to make their treatments as bespoke as possible in order to best cater for their clients. With that in mind, I was pleased to be offered the choice between scented and unscented massage. I went for the earthy smelling oils, but am also keen on a scent free massage too, depending on my mood.

♥

My therapist Maggie did a great job of making sure the rocks were never too hot. At times I thought she might have been a magician, making hot rocks appear out of thin air as I swear her hands never left my body to be able to pick one up!

The highlight of the hot rocks experience was… having my ears massaged! Not with rocks, and just ever so lightly, but I don’t think I’ve ever had that before and my gosh was it dreamy! My little ears must have had a bit of tension pent up in them because they adored the attention.

♥

Next up, the Shirodhara! But first, a word of warning:

Your hair is going to resemble an oil slick afterwards, plan on being plan-less to capitalise on the goodness of nourishing sesame oil. Your scalp will love it!

During this treatment, a ceramic container is positioned over your ‘third eye’ and oil streams out continuously. It’s a unique feeling, somewhat like a fish nibbling on your forehead! Afterwards I got to take a shower and wash away all the oil (I had somewhere to be!), which was much appreciated. They even provide a hair dryer for you, nice.

The only slight negative to my experience was that it was a little noisy on the Saturday I went in, which meant I couldn’t relax to the full extent that the treatment would have allowed me to. Regardless of that, I felt amazing for the next two days afterwards – very clear and calm.

Haven’t tried a hot rock massage or shirodhara treatment? I certainly recommend it!

Ella Bache West Perth

1260 Hay Street, WEST PERTH, Western Australia, 6005
Ph: (08) 9321 0560
E: ebspa@iinet.net.au

Ella Bache products are available online at StrawberryNET!

If you have tried either of these, or want to, leave a comment!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

Having just returned from living in London and spending a good few months reorganising my life, it was time to tackle the next job on the list.

I needed to find a new confidant who was good with a wax pot and a spatula. Someone I felt comfortable with for tending to, well you know. I thought it was going to be an arduous task, but luckily I was wrong…

I am not going to hold back on details, it had been a rather long time between drinks if you know what I am saying. Thanks to Scoopon (who doesn’t love a deal?) I bought a voucher for some waxing at Love Bodyworx on Preston street in Como and even before my voucher was valid, toddled along as a full paying customer. I have to admit I was starting to get the cold sweats about the impending pain but knew it had to be done.

I was warmly greeted by the owner Tracey and ushered into a treatment room. I then braced myself for what I thought would be pain only second to childbirth. I clenched my teeth and sweaty palms for the dreaded first rip ……. it didn’t hurt all, nor the second rip, or third, or in fact – any! Yes a relatively pain free brazilian wax and I am telling you there was some serious removal needed, we were lucky there was any wax left in the pot!

Still stunned from the lack of pain, aftercare advice was offered and not the ‘buy this product’ kind, but good honest helpful advice. I left immediately making a follow up appointment (I never do this) and with a new found spring in my step.

Yes it’s a small salon, but the open friendly manner of the owner, the great pricing ($50 and $45 for a repeat visit within 3-6 weeks of initial wax) and the pain free waxing more than make up for it. Love Bodyworx? Yup I do!

Love Bodyworx Beauty Salon is located at:

Shop 2/10 Preston St (on the corner of Mary and Preston)
Como, WA

Ph: (08) 9368 0396

Website | Facebook

Review by Kristy Mollica freelance TV and radio presenter, lover of girl power & things that are so totally not beige!

Be well,

xoxo

♥ The Detox Box ♥

When I was offered the chance to try above contraption I was initially hesitant.

So you sit in a tiny wooden box, heat coming at you from all angles, with the intention of sweating? My claustrophobia, extreme dislike of heat and penchant towards hygiene were all quite adamant they wouldn’t be letting me step foot in this so called ‘Detox Box’.

Still, I somehow overcame these hurdles and found myself a few weeks ago dressed in my bathers, wrapped in a towel with a vague sense of anxiety about my impending 45 minute vacation to Sweatsville, population: me.

I was given a big bottle of water and told to drink as much as I needed, the temperature was able to be controlled from inside which was nice, and I found myself fiddling with the temps a bit to reach the ‘sweet spot’ of perfect heat for me. Left with a stack of old magazines (you can read in the sauna, because it’s a dry heat!), I settled in and adjusted to the heat.

At one point I turned it down because it felt too hot, but then I put it back up again because I found myself WANTING it hotter again! I drank the whole bottle of water, and found myself sweating mostly towards the end. It was a really unique and relaxing experience, I left feeling very calm and peaceful.

After the sauna you can have a shower and when I looked in the mirror at my skin, my face was glowing. I really feel like it did help to ‘detox’ me!

The Detox Box, or Infrared Sauna, comes with a long list of benefits, as well as a list of precautions:

♥ The equivalent of 30 mins exercise in one 45 minute session
♥ Sweats out toxins
♥ Promotes a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation

If you are pregnant, have any heart / circulatory issues, or are taking medication it’s advised to seek medical advice before jumping into a sauna.

This is going to be a real treat come winter, when you can cosy up in your own private warm cocoon. The best part is it’s only $35 for 40 minutes or so of sauna bliss!

After this treatment I had another omnilux session too 🙂

Location:

Skindeep Medi-Spa Perth
Shop 4 Central Park Building
777 Hay Street, Perth
Western Australia 6000
T. (08) 9226 2997

Have you ever had a dry sauna?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

From the outside, it’s not clear whether the Jurlique Store in the newly developed Claremont Quarter provides treatments or not. It’s a cute little shop, which evokes a sense of being atop a snowy Swiss mountain, nestled in a wooden lodge. Only instead of hot chocolate and moose-heads, you’re surrounded by all the organic, biodynamic Australian-made skincare you could ever need! It’s a good feeling.

Jurlique, Claremont Quarter store.

Luckily for you (and me), this quaint little space does indeed provide treatments and they are indulgent ones at that. Here you wont find any of your standard waxing fare, but what you will find is an incredible array of facial and body treatments that will have your mind abuzz with confusion as to which one to pick!

I chose the Jurlique Aromatherapy Facial which is described as:

“This classic facial provides holistic benefits essential for radiant healthy skin. Using aromatherapy preparations, this cleansing and relaxing facial is personalised to suit your skin’s individual rebalancing needs. An uplifting sensory experience of natural skin care and total pampering.”

The treatment room.

Both the girls at the Claremont Quarter store were lovely and welcoming! I filled in a card, was asked a lot of questions about my skin and then taken into the treatment room for the fun to begin…

I should mention that they were playing really good music, cue Death Cab for Cutie, The Album Leaf and more soft folky sounds.

Lemon-Lime Hydrating Essence – $45.

I love personalised treatments, from a choice of three scents I chose this one, Lemon-Lime. Yum. This hydrating essence is compressed onto the face with hot towels, complete bliss, and apparently it plumps up the dead skin cells and makes it easier for them to be exfoliated off!

Balancing Cleansing Lotion – $45.

It should really be called a face-neck-chest-ial, as all three of these areas are joining in the party, starting with the cleanse.

Next comes one of the best bits of getting a facial…. the steamer!

My face is steamed for about 5 minutes to open up the pores and then a mask is applied (although I forgot which one, oh dear!)

While it dries my arms are exfoliated, massaged and moisturised, I could get used to this.

Some soft hot towels later and my face is bare again, ready to be introduced to the final products to complete my experience…

Herbal Recovery Eye Cream – $52.

♥ (Above) Applied under the eyes, this cream helps to de-puff and reduce dark circles!
♥ Balancing Day Cream – an everyday moisturiser that smells great.
♥ Herbal Recovery Gel – this is a potent little mix of good for you anti-aging ingredients, I found it made my skin pretty sticky afterwards though, so beware!

♥ Love Balm! ♥

Last but not least this super-cute balm is applied to my lips. My therapist offered me some tea and water, and then sadly it was time to leave.

To check out the other treatments available on the menu, head here.

I loved my treatment and the staff were super sweet, make sure you head down to Claremont Quarter soon – it is incredible! When you’re finished with Jurlique you can duck over to the T2 shop across the road as well – for a post-spa tea! Can’t beat it 🙂

The aromatherapy facial is $105 and takes 60 minutes.

Contact the Claremont Quarter girls on: 08 9284 2325

I received this facial gratis, but as always would like to remind you that we will only write about something if we loved it and think you’d love it too. This one made the cut!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

Fed up with the way many products and brands in the beauty world were either overpriced, poorly formulated, marketed in a misleading way or all three, Perth chemist, businesswoman and mother Bridget Black decided to take matters into her own hands.

Her chemistry background provided the foundation for her to create her own range of beauty products. Her absolute commitment to ethical practice means no ingredients used by the business are tested on animals and she tracks carbon footprint for everything from manufacture to distribution, as well as crediting $2 for the return of every piece of BB packaging.

I was lucky enough to be treated to a deluxe facial at Bridget’s flagship Mt Lawley boutique.

Reception / store area.

The fit-out is gorgeous. Considering the namesake of the business, black is the obvious choice, but it’s complemented with lots of bright white, chandeliers and make-up style light-bulbs around the mirrors.

I don’t know about you, but the moment I always fear most with a new beautician is the one where that lamp with the all-knowing light hangs over your face and tells of the multitude of sins: drinking too much alcohol and too little water, smoking (not that I do), spending too much time in the sun (driving a soft-top in summer doesn’t help); eating poorly or whatever other vice you have or temptation you give in to. Luckily, it appears all that drinking water and diligent application of sunscreen paid off and my skin, is, happily, free of premature aging and sun damage.

Temily, the therapist I had on the day, was an absolute professional.

After leaving me to tuck myself into the plush (black) blankets, she ran through my own skincare routine with me, having read the client details I had filled in on arrival.

The lush treatment room.

One of my pet hates is pushy therapists who try to sell you products while you’re having a treatment. Ditto for hairdressers trying to upsell serums, conditioners etc at the till.
I’m all for being informed, knowing what the therapist is using and the features and benefits, but it’s a fine line between informing a client and peddling products and Temily straddled it perfectly. It was an incredibly relaxing and soothing treatment, but also one where I felt informed and safe every step of the way, also another really important factor with a new therapist. Temily made me feel like just for that hour, there was no more important place to be than right where I was.

The jojoba buffing beads were one of my favourite products. I’ve used them since I had the facial, and have really never felt my skin so clean and clear of debris and dead skin cells.

Bridget Black Eye Gel, 30ml – RRP $35

The eye gel also felt beautiful on my skin and appeared to really make the skin around my eyes tighter and more soft and supple. The moisturiser for normal to oily skin, which is what I’ve got, was the perfect weight and I wasn’t left feeling at all greasy on a hot Perth summer morning.

One of the most delightful parts of the facial was the arm and leg exfoliation. Having a choice of scents added a personal touch, and vanilla, which is my all-time favourite, was one of them. Being able to select, when filling in client info, what level of massage you like is just one of the services that makes the Bridget Black experience more personal and far better than the average beauty salon encounter.

I left the salon feeling pampered, spoiled and like I’d been treated with products that had truly done my skin good.

The deluxe facial goes for 1 hour and costs $75.

Bridget runs a second store on St George’s Terrace in the CBD.
 
Follow Bridget’s movements on Facebook or on her website.

Have you tried Bridget Black, or any other local Perth brands before? Let us know in the comments!

Review by Athanae Lucev, a freelance journalist and writer with a keen eye for a pretty bargain.

Be well,

xoxo