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For those who are in the knoW, W Hotels are a chain of worldwide luxury hotels. When I first heard of them, I was intrigued to read that celebrities Heidi Klum and Seal had stayed at the newly opened W Hotel in Bali, Seminyak (where we stayed). From then on, I was very eager to try out the treatments on offer at the on premises amazing sound beauty and wellness centre, the ‘Away Spa‘ and receive some star treatment! I was pleasantly surprised, I was Whisked away by the atmosphere and facilities they have on offer.

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Located on the ground level of W Retreat is the exotic looking entrance to the spa. “Whatever, Whenever” is their motto and it’s no wonder because it’s open 24/7 and is the first of it’s kind. The path to the spa is surrounded by water and colourful stones imprinted with “wish” and “hope” which is what W hotels is about, little surprises that delight! The friendly staff greet us as we step in the door and soon after we are introduced to our individual therapists before our 4 hour long appointment. The only requirement for our Pimp Me Up package is “dress to impress and we do the rest”, and they certainly took care of the rest, because for the next 4 hours we were treated to something very special.

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As I look around the brightly lit blue massage room, there are robes and slippers prepared for us in the corner. There are two massage tables on a platform infront, and shower facilities behind. After changing into a robe, my therapist asks me to choose 6 out of 10 coloured bottles. These bottles are filled with aromatherapy oils to be used in the massage. After 5 blissful days in Bali, I felt refreshed and energised so I pick 6 vibrant colours, which turn out to be the most zesty scents. I chose a bright orange that smelt like an orange being spritzed into a bottle. This playful little gesture of picking colours added another element to the W spa experience. My therapist made sure to check with me that each scent was okay before applying the oils to my body. Uncertain about the bright blue light at first, I quickly get used to it after the first few minutes of my soothing 90 minute aromatherapy massage.

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After a few refreshments the therapist explains to me what is next – the very luxurious Diamond Dust Scrub. The Diamond Dust Scrub is made from actual diamond dust particles and is an exclusive blend. At first it felt quite cold but further into it the scrub was invigorating. My therapist scrubbed my body from head to toe, front and back. A short time later, I stepped into a nice hot shower and rinsed off the scrub, I could still see flecks of diamonds on my skin and it shimmered in the blue light.

Next step in our pimping process, a 24-karat gold wrap. Yes you heard (read) right, a blend of 24-karat gold in a hydrating lotion, massaged on to our exfoliated skin to add moisture while experiencing a bit of glitz and glamour. When the therapist slathered the gold wrap on to my skin, I snuck a peek at my arm and I could see flecks of gold and squealed excitedly to myself. The lotion had a thick consistency and felt soft on my skin was massaged over my entire body. After about 20 minutes I rinsed off (yes shock horror!) the gold lotion in the shower. Hoping that not all the gold had gone down the drain, I came out of the shower and noticed my skin had gold flecks and it was shimmering in the light. A truly unique experience! It’s also good to know that the blend of ingredients in W’s own scrubs and lotions are 100% natural.

Some of the products used in our treatment.

After the whole body treatments, my face was treated to a Bright Eyes facial using a mixture of Priori and W’s products. The Priori range of anti-aging products contain ingredients that are ideal for cleansing and exfoliating the skin and they used a moisturiser that protects and hydrates for more than 8 hours. The Priori eye-serum firms and boosts weary and tired eyes, rich in spirulina, witch hazel and comfrey extracts, thus the Bright Eyes name (not to be confused with the band). A spritz of the ‘Away’ facial mist in a lavender scent to finish the facial, refreshing and light, they also sell the products to take home with you in the salon.

Some of the heavenly face mists.

At last when I opened my eyes, I felt like a goddess that had just woken from a deep slumber, refreshed and rejuvenated. Our therapists took such care with our hands and feet and gave us the most amazing manicure and pedicure using OPI colours. Words can’t even describe how I was feeling after 4 hours of indulgence, it was a truly one of a kind experience.

One of the lovely therapists.

To top off the 5 star treatment, we were served gourmet style tapas in the spa’s dining room accompanied by a choice of a smoothie, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

And if you thought that wasn’t enough, the spa also has a hot stone bath and cold jet set vitality pool to keep your relaxed, so you don’t have to stop there.

With an extensive list of treatments offered there are endless possibilities at Away Spa & Retreat in Seminyak/Bali, and you’ll come out feeling like a million bucks, (or literally worth a million bucks after the over the top gold wrap!) it is certainly worth the trip.

W also provide the SWEAT Fitness Centre which is also open 24/7. The gym is fully equipped with treadmills, cross-trainers, weight machines, yoga mats and speed ropes for gym junkies that like to go on holiday and keep up with their exercise routine. They also offer personal trainers as part of their Whatever/Whenever service at any time of day. Where else can you get that kind of service?

I would like to extend my gratitude to W hotels and their absolute commitment and accommodating staff and Wellness WA for giving me the opportunity to review this wonderful spa, an ideal escape for a honeymoon or a getaway with a girlfriend for a well deserved break.

AWAY® Spa
Ambience: Sophisticated and Luxurious
Spa Dining: Light Snacks and Drinks at Chill Bar and Decompression Lounge
Special Facilities: 5 Treatment Rooms, 2 Spa Suites, Nail Lounge, and Hair Salon
Spa Hours: 24 Hour
Cost: 4,600,000 aka roughly $495 AUD
More Information: Pimp Me Up

Have you ever been to a spa in Bali? Any other recommendations for us? Share your knowledge below!

Review by Kelly-Anne, newly awakened Balinese princess. Photos by Tegan Taudigani.

Be well,

xoxo

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With a self-confessed aptitude for makeup which is somewhere in the negatives, I made my way to Kit Cosmetics located in the CBD Myer in order to test out the newly relaunched range of bareMinerals makeup. I loved how simple it sounded – just swirl a brush into the mineral makeup lid, tap off the excess and buff it into your skin and you’re on your way to gorgeous. How simple is that? Simple enough that my interest was ignited and I pushed my love for liquid makeup and tinted moisturiser aside for the evening.

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My gorgeous makeup artist, complete with 50’s style GHD curls to die for, took me through the application process… primer, mineral foundation in ‘Fairly Light’, mineral veil, a scary shade of bronzer (which turned out to be less scary than it looked), blush and some fantastic eye makeup.

The whole process is fairly simple and it really feels like you aren’t wearing any makeup afterwards! I would suggest having the makeover done to anyone who is curious about mineral makeup, personally I’m undecided as I found it didn’t cover my blemishes as much as I would have liked which is a big factor when I purchase makeup. I will still use it for those days that my skin is a little bit happier with me!

If you are lucky enough not to worry about that, get thee to your nearest Kit Cosmetics and put some bareMinerals on your face!

The Starter Kit costs $84.95 and can be purchased online or in store.

What’s your take on mineral makeup?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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This week marks the start of World Vegan Month (November!), and what better time to share some of my favourite vegan beauty products with you?!

For a product to be vegan it has to be be free from any animal ingredients, including things such as honey, beeswax and cochineal (a common additive in lipsticks and blushes which comes from crushed, bright red beetles), and the product must have undergone no animal testing. It’s something that most people don’t think about in relation to beauty and body products, so it’s good to bring our focus back now and then to realise that yes, animal prods are often used in the beauty and wellness industry, but that there are some companies who are reversing the trend and going animal free!

Lets start with one of the pioneers of mainstream vegan beauty and body products… a long time favourite: LUSH!

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Take a stroll into your local Lush, or a squiz at the online store and their commitment to veganism is evident. While not all of their products are vegan (80% vegan, 20% vegetarian), the ones that are can easily be found by the green “Vegan” stamp – doesn’t get much easier than that!

The Comforter by Lush – one of my all time fave animal free bathing products!

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♥ Wotnot Vegan Makeup Brushes

You may or may not know that most makeup brushes are made from animal hair, think horses, goats, calves etc. Apparently products stick to this type of hair better than synthetic versions, but we say that the hair should stay on those who it’s intended for – our animal friends – and that we should get by with synthetic versions!

One such company that has taken this approach is Wotnot. Their vegan makeup brushes had me very excited when I first found out about them, and upon trialling them I think everyone should consider making the swap from animal hair to these! Made from bamboo and cruelty free synthetic fibres, the brushes also boast that they are strong and waterproof, individually handmade, eco friendly AND Australian owned.

The kit is $79.95 contains the following brushes: powder/bronzer, foundation, blush, 3 x eye shadows brushes, eyebrow & lip!

Their natural facial wipes are pretty damn special too!

“Don’t steal ma hair plz!”

♥ Echolife

The Echolife online store is one of my faves and they have L.O.A.D.S of vegan products! It’s my first stop if I’m looking for something natural and organic, too.

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♥ Be Genki

We’re already huge fans of Be Genki at Wellness WA, and it helps that their products are also vegan, yay!

The latest product to be inhabiting my world is the Tranquility Bath & Shower Oil. While it’s an ‘oil’, when it is added to water it disperses into a milky consistency and fills the bathroom with the dreamiest, relaxing scent that completely embodies ‘tranquility’ in the purest sense of the word!

It’s a cruelty free bathing treat that I indulge in on a very frequent basis (at least once a fortnight!)

That’s it from me for now, although I know there are PLENTY more amazing vegan beauty products around.

Do you know of any? What are your favourites? Do share with us 🙂

Happy World Vegan Month!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

I’ve been a big fan of the Clinique Lip Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Balm ($35) since they first came out and regularly sport the watermelon colour. When I spotted a similar product produced by mineral brand Morgan Annie, I jumped at the opportunity to combine my mineral make up passion with my lip gloss addiction.

One of the best things for me about Morgan Annie is that it’s a local brand. Albany mum-of-two Kylie Apostoles created the brand after years of experience in the hair and beauty industry. It started with the lip products and has grown to include a full mineral make up range.

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The Mineral Chubbi Lippy ($42) is a combination of a moisturising lipstick in a pencil packaging. Unlike a pencil product, they are far more like a lipstick in application and texture but have the pencil-like bonus of long-lasting wear. I tried two colours, soft pink and nude pink, and loved both. I’m already starting to sharpen the soft pink to get more out of it.

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I also tried the Perfect Pink Mineral Lipstick ($39.95) and yet again, it suits my complexion perfectly. It’s so rare for me to find “that” shade of pink as they’re either too harsh, too pale or too mumsy. I think the difference here is that the Morgan Annie range enhances your natural colours rather than dominating them with an entirely new shade.

The more opportunities I have to try mineral products, the more I’m sold. I’m addicted to my Inika and Youngblood products already, but I’m making space in my bathroom cabinet for local star Morgan Annie if these luscious lippies are anything to go by.

Morgan Annie products are available at the following places:

♥ Morgan Annie online store
♥ Other retail stockists

Are you into mineral products? What brand and product have converted you?

Review by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist & mineral makeup convert.

Be well,

xoxo

♥ Clarisonic Mia, what a cutie!

After hearing about this mythical, magical, dream skincare appliance by the name of Clarisonic for many years, I finally got the opportunity to road test it’s baby sister, Clarisonic Mia, and the results have me seriously impressed after just one use!

Clari-what now? Sonic skin cleansing?

Clarisonic is the unique sonic skin cleansing system that has taken the beauty world by storm, their website states:

“The Sonic Skin Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.”

Claimed benefits:

♥ Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing
♥ Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
♥ Cleanses so well that products absorb better
♥ Gentle enough for twice daily use
♥ Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
♥ Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores

After one use my skin (which is normal-dry-acne prone, better known as extremely difficult) feels smoother than it has in a long, long time and also quickly absorbed my favourite natural serum, rosehip oil, which always makes my skin glow. So far that’s 2/6!

I will post a thorough review in one month, but for now… I’m a convert!

The Clarisonic Mia comes in this gorgeous range of colours… unfortunately it’s only available in white in Australia at the moment. Hopefully the other colours start filtering through, I’m quite fond of the pastel purple myself!

Clarisonic Mia + sample cleanser is available for $179
Clarisonic Classic Skincare System is available for $249

Clarisonic is available in Australia from David Jones, Myer, Priceline and selected pharmacies as well as Adorebeauty.com.au

Have you got a Clarisonic, or ever wanted to try it out? Which colour is your favourite?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo