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Eczema Eczema, Read All About It: New Range from Nyal.

Winter. It’s clearly here, intruding its way into our lives with the chilliest of mornings and nights. However, I love winter! The smell in the air on rainy days, that glimmer of raindrops off flowers, getting to rug up in clothes that have spent a year in your closet unloved, a close cuddle with someone special and best of all, long, hot showers! Though as much as I love a long hot shower, like 1 in 3 other Australians – I suffer from eczema, where hot showers mean sore, itchy skin. Thankfully I came across the new Eczema Relief Range from Nyal, and decided after years of searching for a decent shower wash and soap, I would give this newcomer a try.

First up, the Nyal Eczema Relief Shower and Bath Oil

The first thing I notice is the smell, and it is goood. Most shower washes I’ve used that have eczema relief qualities have been ok when it comes to calming the skin, however they smell like a hospital hallway. Not really an appealing feature for something that you are going use all over yourself. No thanks! However with this productl I’m being hit with a very enjoyable buttery/caramel type smell, which is a nice change to say the least. The oil also lathers to a milky texture as applied and mixed with water, which leaves a smooth feeling afterwards on your skin.

I’ve found it a really good change to have a pleasant smell and a smooth, soft feel to my skin. The best thing about this shower and bath oil is that it’s made with colloidal oatmeal, which is basically a whole bunch of oats ground down into powder that is really effective at soothing and comforting itchy, scratchy dry skin. And before you think to yourself, hmmm really oatmeal, like I have for breakfast, yummo! You can’t eat it. I checked…

Nyal Eczema Relief Soap Wash

The soap wash seems to be more your traditional-styled eczema wash than the shower and bath oil. It’s comes across nice and mild so you can use it every day, and really seems to cleanse the skin well, leaving your hands feeling nice and soft. The soap wash has been great to me since I started using it, as I recently had a terrible run-in with a nasty massage oil that left my hands with a pretty severe rash for a week or so! Since then, most soaps seem to cause dry skin and eczema to hijack parts of my hand. Not fun. However, this new Nyal soap wash has never given me a problem with that, and I have the comfort of knowing that every time I use it I won’t be applying any soothing cream an hour later. I’ve found it a relief and a much loved addition to the bathroom.

The other good news is, both of these products do not have any parabens in them which makes them even better for you, as these nasties have been linked to the development of breast cancer. They also don’t contain any lanolin, so our cute woollen friends aren’t contributing to our skin care and can remain woolly and warm throughout winter too!

So if you’re looking for a decent relieving soap or shower oil give the new Nyal range a shot as I really enjoyed using these products and will use them in the future, knowing that long hot showers are back on the menu for wintertime. Yes! Though as we know that skin types can differ, I do suggest you try them first if you have eczema or dry skin, and see how its works for you. I know I found them very helpful and good to use. You can find them at your local supermarket or chemist.

Review by Russell, boyfriend extraordinaire.

Be well,

xoxo

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Fallon Jones, Fashion and Beauty Photographer + Creativer Director @ Emergent Magazine.

First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I’m Fallon Jones and I’m a fashion and beauty photographer. I have always been a creative person and so a little over 4 years ago I started my business, Poise Photography. I am a Fully Accredited Member of the AIPP (Australian Institute Of Professional Photography) and I specialise in fashion editorial, model & designer look-books, high-end beauty and fashion advertising. I am also Creative Director at a new luxury Perth-based fashion publication, Èmergent Magazine.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine. 

I use a tinted moisturiser every day to keep my skin hydrated. (a recent favourite is Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion). I like to use a light coverage foundation – Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation with SPF18 sunscreen – because I don’t like anything to heavy on my face. I usually just use a little Ben Nye blush, Napoleon ‘Whole Lotta Lash’ Mascara and Chanel ‘Brilliant Lèvres’ Lipgloss (available at StrawberryNET). Once a week I use an exfoliating glove all over my body.

What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done? 

I can’t live without my monthly manicure. Beautiful, flawless nails make you feel like a whole new woman! I go to Jodi Gittos Beauty (0423 763 598), she always does an amazing job.

Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why? 

I have had the pleasure to work with amazingly talented people in the fashion industry and I’d have to recommend a friend of mine, Zoe, who works at Sachi for Hair. She can make anyone look and feel amazing!

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?  

Every week I use Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask on my hair. I use the hairdryer and hair straightener frequently so its a great way to get the moisture back into my hair and keep it shiny and healthy.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Neutrogena Cleansing Wipes, Garnier Ambre Solaire Moisturising Bronzer and my Nivea Repair & Protect Lip Balm.

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great? 

It sounds cliché, but getting lots of sleep and drinking lots of water really does wonders for your mind and body. A steaming hot shower and full body scrub ensures a comfortable and relaxed night’s sleep!

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!) 

I’d love to try a hot stone massage. It looks amazing so its definitely on my must-try list.

Ed: Check out our reviews of hot stone massages – one, two & three!

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I don’t really have much of an appetite in the morning so sometimes I skip breakfast (very bad I know!), but most days I have a bowl of oats or avocado on toast with a cup of tea. No two days are the same so I’ll grab some lunch wherever I am, mostly something like Subway or sushi, so I can eat on the run. I always make sure I have a good dinner eg. Chicken, fish or steak with lots of veggies and drink plenty of water.

Describe your fitness routine.

I used to be a real gym junkie but my hectic schedule threw me off for a while. I’m now starting to get back into going to the gym 2 to 3 days a week. I’ve done all sorts of routines with personal trainers, but I’ve found that I really love cardio work-outs. Spinning is amazing!

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss. 

No, I try to eat healthily so I don’t take supplements but when I’ve been ill I like to take Ethical Nutrients: Inner Health Plus to restore good bacteria and get me feeling good again.

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

My favourite way to de-stress is shopping! I’ve become an online shopping addict! I also love to curl up in bed with the latest Vogue or Harpers Bazaar and, of course, a good dose of Sex & The City never fails to make me smile!

Many thanks to Fallon for taking the time to share her answers with us!

If you have any questions for her, leave them below!

Be well,

xoxo

What are the top 5 wellbeing superfoods, and why?

1. Apples

When it comes to eating for wellbeing, you truly can’t go past apples. Not only are they rich in antioxidants, they have also been shown to significantly lower many of our blood fats. Apples decrease the oxidation of cell membrane fats – which is a primary risk factor in the clogging of the arteries and other cardiovascular problems. The insoluble fibre found in apples also provides bulk and aids digestion by holding water, which helps food to move quickly through the digestive system. There are enough varieties of apples to suit just about anyone’s personal taste and you really should be aiming to eat one a day. (Ed: Organic is preferable, check out our reviews on farmers markets here and here for some suggestions on where to pick some up!)

2. Fish

Fish provides an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, is extremely low in saturated fat and very high in protein. Consuming fish with a fresh salad or vegetables will keep you fuller for longer due to its high protein content and you should try to eat fish two to three times a week to truly reap the nutritional benefits. Fish is healthiest when enjoyed grilled, boiled or steamed. (If you’re going to eat fish try and source sustainably harvested types!)

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil contains the beneficial monosaturated fat, oleic acid, and the antioxidant Vitamin E. Olive oil is the essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, for maintenance of good health, particularly in reducing ‘metabolic syndrome’ risk.” Olive oil is believed to reduce the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and is said to increase life expectancy. Consumed in moderation, olive oil is an important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and wholegrain breads and cereals.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that is considered to be nature’s natural healer and provides excellent health benefits when added to dishes. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has also revealed that turmeric may aid in fat metabolism and assist in the treatment of many different health conditions including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis and liver damage.

5. Garlic

Proving to be a delicious addition to many dishes, garlic is known to offer a number of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Garlic can assist in the lowering of blood sugar and can even be used by people with diabetes in addition to their regular regime of insulin and special diets. Garlic is also believed to help prevent life threatening illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

Article by Dr Robert Vial from SureSlim Australia for Wellness WA. Dr Vial has been working in General Practice for almost 20 years and has a special interest in obesity, nutrition medicine, weight related medical conditions and metabolic syndrome.

Be well,

xoxo

Budget Beauty: Chux Microfibre Cloth for Exfoliation and Smooth Skin!

Another budget beauty product that I have read about on the Vogue Forum is the microfibre cloth. According to my research (read: Google and Vogue Forum), microfibre cloths are able to eliminate oil, cleanse makeup with just water, exfoliate skin and deep clean pores. Plus, the household microfibre cleaning cloths are a LOT cheaper than the beauty specific ones and still get the job done. Needless to say, I was hooked! I just had to try them out.

As I have mentioned in my previous article, my skin isn’t the greatest. Unfortunately, I am not one those girls blessed with naturally perfect, glowing skin – mine is oily, prone to break outs unless I am very disciplined in my cleansing regime, with large pores and rough patches.

So, I toddled down to my local supermarket and found a microfibre cloth in the household cleaning aisle. That night, I decided to try it out. I wet my face, wet a corner of the cloth and massaged it over my face in soft, circular motions. Let me tell you right now, the cloth really delivers! It managed to clean ALL of my makeup off (moisturiser, primer, foundation, blush, eyeliner, mascara and concealer) with just water. No harsh rubbing and it took barely any time at all. After, I toned with witch hazel and there was no makeup residue on the cotton pad – none! At all! Even when I cleanse with Cetaphil, there is still usually a bit left. The cloth managed to get right down into my pores and sweep everything off.

In addition to removing all my makeup, the cloth also eliminated the oil from my face (not long term – it was back the next day) and my skin was left feeling very soft and smooth. The cloth acted as a very gentle exfoliant. In fact, it is so gentle that I feel comfortable using it everyday – there is no redness, rubbing or scratching. As the cloth is quite large, I have been using various corners of it so far, but once I have run out of clean patches I will just chuck it in the washing machine and voila! Good as new. Love it.

Cloth in packaging (so you can spot it in the shops!)

The Nitty Gritty

Cost:
$4.72 for Chux All Purpose Microfibre Cloth (pack of one)

Pros:
cheap as chips!
instant results
feels great during and after
re-useable

Cons:
results aren’t AMAZING OH MY GOD THIS IS A MIRACLE, but still really good

Recommended Usage:
I think that it would be totally fine to use the cloth everyday – I certainly am and haven’t noticed any adverse effects so far.

Rating:
4.5 / 5

Review by Cassandra, beauty lover on a student budget and Pilbara correspondent!

Be well,

xoxo

Beauty and Wellbeing Routine: Tegan, Singer for Voltaire Twins.

First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hello! I’m Tegan, I sing and play synthesizer for Voltaire Twins and also work for the AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things in Perth.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I get home quite late most nights from band, so I’m pretty reluctant to get up early in the morning for any kind of routine… I use Cetaphil cleanser as it has no fancy fragrances or soaps but it seems to do the job. Most of my make-up is a Korean brand called Missha that I get from a Korean grocer out in the burbs. I wear sunscreen every day in even mildly warm weather to protect my moon tan.

What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

I don’t know that I’ve ever really had one… But if I was going to pick, maybe a Mud wrap? It sounds cool, although I’m not 100% sure what it is.

Alison @ Toni & Guy Cott, Hair Wizard

Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

My lovely friend Alison from Toni and Guy in Cottesloe cuts my hair, she is some kind of awesome hair wizard and gets it perfect every time.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I use Wella Silver Saver which is a purple hair toner, 3 mins in the shower and voila! Silvery-blonde hair!

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Fresh Mascara
– Lucas’ Paw Paw
– Nina Ricci Nina perfume

Voltaire Twins by Lloyd Hughes

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Having creative interests and keeping busy makes me really happy. I’m exceptionally lucky to be in a band with my best buddies. We get to hang out, be creative and travel together all the time. I get a lot of satisfaction and excitement out of writing, recording and performing music as well as working with other artists on things like music videos, artwork and remixes.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

If funds would ever permit, I’d like to buy a bunch of lotions and potions from Cosmetics Cop, as its cruelty free, environmentally responsible and based on scientific research.

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

For breakfast I usually try to be healthy and have yoghurt, fruit, toasted muesli or toast. I usually do big vego cook-ups on Sundays of soups, quiches, pasta bakes, rice paper rolls and things so I can eat on the run for most of the week for lunch and dinner. I usually smash a few coffees in a day as well. Then on the weekends anything goes and I eat and drink anything I can find which is usually Paneer Masala, Coode St Café breakfast or poached eggies with my family (our Saturday morning tradition), and then at the more disgusting end of the scale, mi goreng, ice magic, poptarts and all the kinds of alcohol.

Describe your fitness routine.

I am pretty busy outside work hours and refuse to get out of bed early so I try to build fitness into my day. I love yoga and used to do it all the time at lunchtime with Jos at Mojo Yoga who is brilliant and not afraid to seriously punish you for your weekend indiscretions. But alas, then my office moved away from yoga so now I do boxing at lunch and I ride my bike to work most days and usually get rained on. I’ve just started playing squash which is a lot of fun too, although I fail at most sports.

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

I’ve had physio acupuncture before which was pretty cool, but that’s about it.

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

Poptarts in the bath, baby you got a stew on!

Thanks to lovely Tegan for taking the time from her busy schedule to share her routine with us.

Any questions please reply below!

Be well,

xoxo