Weleda Prodz

Continuing with my Weleda love affair are two new products that I have been trialing, both of them are from the Wild Rose range. Even though I love the smell of roses I was initially hesitant to try the Wild Rose range in fear of smelling a little too nana-ish (no offence to my nana or any other nana’s reading this!). Rose was always a fragrance that I had associated with older women, but Weleda proved me wrong! I tested the Wild Rose Body Oil and also the Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Masque.

The Wild Rose Body Oil is described on the Weleda website as “luxurious, exotic moisturiser” and I have to hands down agree! With jojoba, sweet almond and rose oil to deeply moisturise, restore suppleness and increase elasticity this is one truly decadent body oil. Unlike some other body oils I have tried this one was absorbed into my skin immediately, not leaving it oily or greasy. It’s best applied straight after a bath or shower whilst the skin is still damp. The divine scent which is more exotic than overly floral lingers afterwards for a calming feeling.

The oil from these sweet things is one of the masks ingredients. Yes, these exact peaches!

The Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Masque is designed for skins that are in need of some extra hydration or those that are showing the first signs or ageing. Seeing that I’m about to hit the big 30, I thought this wouldn’t be a bad one to try. Ingredients such as peach kernel oil, rose oil and mallow extract all work overtime to promote skin renewal, soften, rehydrate and vitalise skin. This masque is great for those skins in need of a little pick me up or dehydrated skins. I work long hours in an air-conditioned environment, so even though my skin is more combination it’s pretty prone to dehydration and this masque is the perfect solution. It can be used 1-2 times a week for about 15-20 minutes. You can either wash it off or for an extra intense treatment leave it on. Get glowing!

Check out http://www.weleda.com.au for stockists.

Review by Hannah L.

Be well,

xoxo

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I’m sure you’ve heard about chia seeds (or the more sexy sounding scientific name Salvia Hispanica) by now! If you haven’t, they have been taking the world by storm for the past few years with their incredible nutritional profile, essential fats, protein, minerals, vitamins and fiber.

Here are a few fun facts about chia seeds:

♥ Contains the highest known plant concentrations of omega-3
♥ Great source of both soluble & insoluble fiber
♥ A complete vegan protein
♥ Three times more iron than spinach, four times more antioxidants than blueberries, seven times more vitamin c than oranges! (source)
♥ On their own they are really crunchy (and get stuck in your teeth!) but if you leave them in water for 10 minutes, they swell to form a gel like substance so can be used in dry food preparation as well as liquids, like smoothies.
♥ In 28 gms of chia you can find: 9% of the Daily Value for protein, 42% dietary fiber, high amounts of the essential minerals, phosphorus and manganese, moderate calcium content, and trace levels of potassium and sodium (source, Wikipedia)
♥ Can you say, chia pet? These cute little guys are made from chia seeds too!

♥ I want this chia puppy!

So today I was sent an e-mail asking where you can purchase chia seeds in Perth, and I wanted to let everyone know that it is REALLY, REALLY easy!

Chia seeds have become so popular now that I’ve seen them frequently in Coles, Woolworths and IGA’s (in the health aisle), as well as your more traditional outlets – health shops.

If you’re looking for organic chia seeds I’d suggest trying Manna Wholefoods or Mt Lawley Wholefoods, but if you’re just after garden variety chia then a trip down to your local supermarket should prove successful 🙂

Chia porridge

My personal trainer, Sarah, sprinkles chia seeds on porridge for breaky, which is one really easy way to incorporate these little nutrient gems into your diet.

Stuart Watkins, my personal meditation / yoga trainer, as well as Emma from The Raw Kitchen are big chia fans as well. These three are some of the healthiest people I know!

Hope I’ve helped some of you out 🙂

Have you tried chia seeds before?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Rosehip Buds ♥

Rosehips are good guys, let me persuade you with a few quick facts about these high performing little cuties:

♥ Very high in vitamin C (an excellent antioxidant).
♥ Rose hips contain some vitamin A and B, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids.
♥ Can be used to help prevent / treat colds and flu.

The other thing they are great for?

♥ Plumping up your skin and giving you an incredible glow.

My skin is temperamental, dry in some spots, breakout prone in others – it’s very frustrating and makes it difficult to find products that will gently pat my skin into relaxed, glowy submission.

Rosehip prods are one of the very few that I’ve found that can accomplish this task of making my skin happy.

SO! What are my favourite picks and how do you go about getting your own little Rosehip Routine going? Well, I’m glad you asked…

1. A Clean Start

First up we want to remove all traces of makeup, dirt and midnight pizza snack grease to get the skin back to its natural state.

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Wotnot Natural Wipes contain heaps of goodies that are fantastic for the skin, one of them being our current hero Mr. Rosehip. My skin always feels great after using these, I highly recommend them and have turned quite a few people into fans. They can be tricky to source, but the Wotnot Website has free shipping so if you like your wipes all natural, organic & good for you then look no further!

2. Time for a Cuppa

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Next up, it’s time to get the rosehips working some magic from the inside. Packed with Vitamin C, this type of tea is a powerful ally in the quest for great skin.

Vitamin C has been proven to help our skin out in the following ways:

♥ Key ingredient in the production of collagen, which keeps skin firm & strong.
♥ Being an antioxidant, it stops pesky free-radicals, which destroy collagen leading to fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin.
♥ Antioxidants also help in the fight against UV rays.

Enough reasons to put tea cup to mouth? If not, it’s a very refreshing drink in Summer, served chilled. It has a tart taste (which I love), but if it’s a bit much pop some honey in and away you go!

I use a random supermarket brand called ‘Tasty’, but T2 Tea have some great varieties depending on how fancy you want to get. 🙂

3. Gonna Get Gooey

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So your face is clean, sippin’ on tea. Now it’s time to get masky. This Endota Honey & Rosehip Mask is ROCKING MY WORLD right now by making my skin dewy and ultra hydrated.

Apply to clean skin, it’s pretty goopy due to the honey, and jump in the shower after 10 minutes to rinse off. Emerge and be amazed at how soft and transformed your skin has become!

This green tube has now become a staple for me. CANT.GET.ENOUGH!

Update! Unfortunately, my one and only has been discontinued!!! In it’s place is the Rosehip & Myrrh Facemask which I’m told is also excellent, but I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet. If it’s good enough for the Three Wise Men however…

4. Oils aint Oils

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This organic rosehip oil claims to reduce wrinkles, blemishes and to maintain your most succulent skin and I can’t help but agree with the good Endota folk. As I’m currently out of both moisturiser and primer (scandalous, I know) I massage a drop of this into my skin post-shower in the morning before applying makeup, and rub a larger amount in post-shower-pre-bed at night.

My skin is noticeably more prone to blemishes and dryness when I’m not using it – I really do notice the difference. It also feels wonderful to be using a certified organic skincare product that contains heaps of NATURAL goodies for my skin to gobble up.

5. Don’t Forget the Lips!

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Rosehip is good for your lippies too! Packed full of natural ingredients, I’ve found the Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream just a little bit dreamy. It leaves my lips soooo soft after using it, and it’s the perfect ending to the Rosehip Ritual! I’ve found it works best to apply at night and wake up in the morning to soft, lush lips.

I hope you enjoyed the Rosehip Ritual and possibly feel inspired to get some of these hips of roses into your life as well!

Let me know if you have any questions or have tried any of the above products! Rosy kisses.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Wella Shine Define Shampoo ($32) & Colour Save Conditioner ($32)!

♥ Despite my hair being in shocking condition at the moment (hello frequent GHD, and no haircut for 7 months…!) the new Wella System Professionals range, relaunching in February, is currently injecting some life and love back into my sad strands.

The Shine Define Shampoo in particular impressed me. It lathers up and disperses through the hair REALLY well, it was honestly the first time that I’ve felt like I was achieving an in-salon experience at home. I’m also using the Colour Save Conditioner and my hair is loving the combo. My hair is shiny, swishy and feels great – which is not always the case for me!

Repeated uses has confirmed that these are great for my normal-combination hair with damage, my hair is actually behaving, and I’ve been raving about it to my workmates.

The Wella SP range is only available in salon, you can call 1300 889 886 for your nearest salon!

Pretty much my favourite thing at the moment!! (dorky photos ahoy)

♥ Organic n Green Fruit and Veggie Boxes

My boyfriend and I have been ordering boxes of organic fruit and veggies lately, and it’s AMAZING! The taste, variety, cost and time saving / stress reducing-ness of these boxes of joy is amazing.

It’s also SO MUCH FUN when the box comes… it’s like Christmas because they send different goodies EVERYTIME!

There’s another proper article on it coming soon, but it is my giant crush right now!!!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser – $78

♥ At $78, this isn’t a cheapie, but I have found myself using it, loving it, running out, trying other tinted moisturisers with average results, and ultimately coming back to this great little glow-getter.

The porcelain shade is perfect for my notoriously difficult skin colour (very fair, with freckles, yellow undertone) and it just makes me glow without looking greasy.

Often I’ll wear it on it’s own when my skin is having a good day, otherwise I mix a bit into my regular foundation (Bobbi Brown). It’s like healthy skin in a bottle and I lurve lurve lurve it and have been using it for years now.

Get it online at Adore Beauty or in store at David Jones.

What do you think of my current crushes? Are any of them a crush for you too?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥ Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Starter Kit

I was tired, I had been out in the sun and was feeling mad at my skin. The festive season had taken its toll with blotchy skin, a couple of spots and ever-increasing sun damage. The glowing package I’d received from Youngblood gave me a little hope and I lunged at it.

I’d converted to mineral foundation after I found the perfect colour match in Inika’s Unity. I’ve found mineral cosmetics have a lighter feel and a natural look that suits me.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics was started by medical aesthetician Pauline Youngblood-Soli who was in daily contact with patients with severely traumatised skin from harsh laser treatments, cosmetic surgeries, acne and rosacea. Pauline’s aim was to create a natural-looking make up that concealed and soothed problematic skin.

The before shot.

So with a shining face and grumpy attitude, I almost felt sorry for these poor wee products – they were going to have to work hard on this mug. Clean, moisturised face ready I put on the Mineral Rice Setting Powder (primer) then set about buffing on the neutral shade of the Natural Mineral Foundation. The finishing touch was a little Hi-Definition Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder and a touch of Crushed Mineral Blush to the apples of my cheeks.

And after!

Flipping heck… I was stunned with the results as virtually every imperfection was covered with this stuff. My sunspots all but faded into oblivion and only one cheeky spot was left visible. The shade matched my skin very nicely and looked natural while concealing any sins. The blush colour looked extreme in the pot (my shade was sherbet and looked like it packed some punch) but with just a small amount on the kabuki brush it gave a pretty pink glow to my cheeks.

My husband came home soon after the product trial and wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. “Wow, you look nice – you look like you’re going to a wedding or something,” were his appraising words directed at my skin (my singlet, shorts and thongs get up were definitely not wedding-worthy).

As I sit here writing this review eight hours later, my skin still looks good although could do with a minor touch up. I’m not used to a light, mineral foundation having such oomph and I can’t stop peeking at myself in the mirror to check if my skin still looks perfect. I may have even winked at myself during one shameless glance… this stuff is confidence in a jar and I highly recommend.

Where can you geddit?

Try the company’s website http://www.youngbloodmineralcosmetics.com.au and you’ll find a long list of WA retailers that sell the brand. The four complexion products I tried come in one kit for $69.95.

Have you tried mineral makeup yet? We’d love to hear about your favourites!

Review by Lisa O’Neill, a freelance journalist and part-time triathlete who loves to squeeze in as much pampering as possible in her free time.

Be well,

xoxo