Competition Time! 2 x $40 Vouchers for the Relauncher Online Store!

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Relauncher is a luxe online health, beauty & lifestyle destination with handpicked products & services, all in the essence of looking and feeling your best, and it just so happens that we have TWO $40 vouchers up for grabs to spend on anything in their online store. Aren’t we good to you?!

Relauncher also feature Sydney-based services – ideal for those visiting and unsure where to get their hair done / facial / makeup for a special event / visit a yoga guru / shopping with a personal stylist who will take them to the best places within their budget rather than wasting time trying to work out where to go themselves…

Annette’s Top Picks

If I was able to win the voucher, which unfortunately I’m not (I don’t think that would be fair!), I’d be preeeeetty happy with any of the following gorgeous little morsels:

♥ Parakeet Drink Bottle – $21.95

ABSOLUTE BLISS IN A STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE. I am very enamoured with this one, in case you couldn’t tell. Cutest way to cart around your green smoothie with you that I’ve ever seen 🙂

♥ Still Your Mind Meditation Blanket – $87.95

Not much to say but – YUM. These cosy blankets are a great way to stay warm in winter and add a touch of the deluxe to your yoga practice.

♥ The Muesli – Gluten Free Version – From $19.50

An absolutely delicious sounding muesli, which is high in healthy fats and extremely low in sugar. I’m going to make sure I try some of this soon, as it sounds absolutely perfect for winter mornings when you need to fuel up without getting a sugar rush.

♥ HURRAW! Balm in Black Cherry – $6.95

With a weakness for all things cherry, this all-natural, organic, fair trade, certified vegan lip balm is RIGHT up my alley! And did you see all those good-for-you things it has going for it? The best part is that if you win, and lip balms are your thing, you can get a HEAP for $40!

So now it’s your turn…

TO WIN: Make sure you’re a fan of Wellness WA on Facebook and head over to the Relauncher shop and let me know what you’d spend the $40 voucher on if you won, there’s 2 chances to win and just by leaving a comment with what you’d choose, you’re in with a chance! Hop to it! 🙂

Winner drawn 4th June 2012.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Posted in Other | 49 Comments »

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Camilla Peffer, Wellness WA Contributor & Curator @ Cunning Copy.

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

Bonjeezy! I’m a 20-something Sydney girl, but I’m currently kicking it in Fremantle. By day I’m a freelance writer/marketing maestro/blogger/student, and by night I am still those things but a very lazy one.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I have quite sensitive, acne-prone skin which flares up when I stress out/wear too much makeup/on days ending in ‘y’, so I only use Corynne’s Natural Soap bars to cleanse my skin. They’re nice and gentle, and they lather up really, really well. And they’re only like $3.50. Score! I usually follow up with a magical potion called Witch Hazel, followed by Corynne’s Light and Refreshing Moisturiser. You can buy them online and at Fremantle Markets.

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

Head Studio on King Street in Perth. The girls there are absolute prodigies and are also very good looking. It’s a bit of toughie to find a hairdresser who knows how to do balayage properly, they usually just apply a few foils and you walk out stripey. Not a cool look. Not only do the girls at Head Studio actually know how to do balayage, but they’re super personable, professional, hardcore stylish, and are also good conversationalists. The studio is also tres chic and it’s very cool that you can watch movies up the back when they’re washing your hair. Did I mention they give you free tea?

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I have to say I’m a big fan of DIY treatments. I like to steam my face by boiling some water and sitting over a gigantic bowl with a towel over my head for a few minutes to open up my pores. I then apply Corynne’s Glorious Mud Mask for sensitive skin and like to scare my flat mates by hiding behind doors. It’s the most amazing mud mask I’ve ever used, and it’s only like $12 and lasts for months and months.

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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Nude Mineral Foundation FTW. I will sing to high heaven the praises of this little powdery gem. My skin is so oily I’ve had calls from American Presidents, so I try to avoid liquid based foundations. Nude products definitely helped me appear a little less like a hormonal teenager. I’m still having a battle with my skin, but Mineral Foundation is a lot more gentle.

I also love a really bold lippie, and wear either bright pinks or reds on any given day. Revlon does a few wham-bam shades which I alternate between, like Love That Pink, Blasé Apricot, Revlon Red and Hot Coral.

Finally, a good blush is a must! Makes you look all sprightly. My favourite is Lotus by Clinique. It’s the perfect shade of pink and makes me feel all girly and youthful. Available from StrawberryNET.

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

If I’m feeling a bit crap-tastic I hit the gym and sweat out all that bad energy. I feel zippa-dee-do-da afterwards and can’t recommend a good cardio session enough. I also got into meditation last year. It’s super hard at first to quiet your mind and I definitely had a few foot stamping moments, but it’s proven to be highly beneficial for my stress levels. I recommend listen to The Mediation Podcast or Meditation Oasis for some guided meditations to start with.

♥ Gabrielle Bernstein

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

There are a million things I’m yet to try but as I’m a student I can’t exactly prioritise a week long Yoga trip to Ubud, nor can I really say Acupuncture is affordable for myself. I’d have to say that on the top of my list would be attending any event hosted by Gabrielle Bernstein, particularly her upcoming workshop in Kripalu. She’s a motivational speaker and if it weren’t biologically impossible I’d have all of her babies.

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Friends and family would describe my eating as borderline fanatical when it comes to health foods. And it’s true – I spend a lot of money of healthy food. But I figure, I’ve only got one body so I don’t want to stick crap in it. I’ve been vegan for 5 years now which occasionally freaks people out, but I’ve honestly never felt as healthy as I do now. I always make sure I take my multi-vitamins and get enough iron and b12. Unfortunately, I’m gluten-intolerant which is super sucky! However, lots of places now sell gluten-free products so I’m finding grocery shopping a little less of a marathon.

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I like to start the day with an Acai smoothie because it’s got so many vitamins and minerals in it, I feel like wonder woman afterwards and basically destroy my to-do list with laser beams of productivity. I used to be a maniacal caffeine addict, but I’ve cut back and will only have one a few hours after I’ve eaten. Lunch is usually a mega salad of some sort, full of beans, root vegetables, leafy greens, button mushrooms, tomatoes and a deliciously creamy Tahini dressing.

At the moment I’m on a Moroccan kick, so my dinners are full of lots of tomatoes, beans, eggplant, oranges and lots of spices.

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

My exercise routine used to be a whole lot more consistent than what it is now, but being a major multi-tasking vixen that I am, I kind of have to prioritise work, study and relationships nowadays. I really envy myself two years ago when I had the time to go to the gym every day, but at the moment I only find time for two gym sessions a week. I do cycle to and from work a few days a week though, and because I don’t drive I do a lot of walking. I also had an injury last year which has limited my exercise quite significantly, so I stick to low impact exercise such as rowing, cycling, walking and swimming.

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

I see a naturopath quite often for a few digestive issues I’ve been having. I know there’s a lot of skepticism surrounding naturopathy, but I can only speak from personal experience when I say that NatMed in East Fremantle has made my body sing a happy tune for the past few months. I don’t of course recommend seeing them for everything little ailment you have. I treat naturopathy as a form of complimentary medicine, because it is quite expensive and can’t cure everything.

I also take spirulina when feeling low on energy, and always have my daily dose of Floradix with my breakfast.

♥ Black Cherries Espresso

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

I’m a huge fan of dilly-dallying. If I can sleep in I will, and I love the days when I can take my time to pop into Fremantle markets, grab a coffee from Black Cherries Espresso, read a magazine and people watch. I also find that burning some sweet smelling incense does a frazzled lass a world of good.

Thanks Camilla! If you have any questions about Camilla’s wellbeing routine, comment below!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews, Wellness Tips | 6 Comments »

Healthy Perth Cafe Review: Yelo, Trigg.

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I like the idea of health-conscious cafes, but I don’t like the ‘judgy’ vibes some of them have. You go there happy to slurp up vege soup and crunch raw things, but while you’re doing it you also want to be able to chat to your mate about how you stayed up all night and drank a buttload of red wine, without having to deal with the ‘you should really cut back on the booze and try to get more sleep’ glares from your fellow diners (yes, you can say all that in a facial expression).

The better cafes are ones that put an emphasis on healthy eating, and healthy product purchases, but acknowledge that lifestyle enjoyment comes in many forms. Yelo Café really hits the bullseye in this regard: at Yelo, vegan wraps and green juices sit alongside giant slabs of chocolate brownies and strong creamy coffees, and nobody gets their goat up about which combo you choose.

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Formerly the Bennion Street Café, Yelo is right on Trigg Beach; its clientele are mostly local, and often hit Yelo post surf/power walk (there’s always a few doggehs out front!). That said, the surfers are mixed in with more urban yo-pros: it’s a real diverse clientele. Yelo’s ‘Clean Carparks’ fruit and veg juice is a healthy favourite, Yelo also do acai smoothies, and have a fridge full of coconut water (including fresh young coconut), fruit juices and organic sodas.

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Their coffee is made from Fiori beans and Bannister Downs milk and served in a BioCup: it’s the best for miles around (there’s two coffee machines on the go so you get it quick, too).

Hydration choices aside, the best thing about Yelo is their wholesome, fresh, home-made menu of ‘snacks’. Favourites reel: the Vegan wrap, the gluten-free spinach and mushroom frittata, the oatbran muffins, the gluten-free macaroon slice and the bircher museli, but there’s also plenty of breakfast wraps, tuna patties, croissants, sandwiches and sweet treats on offer: many of which are vegan, or gluten free.

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Take in the sprawling ocean views while you wait for your order: or be tempted by Yelo’s ‘provedore’ section, curated with wellness in mind: for sale are healthy cereal boxes, Yogi Bliss trail mixes, Serenade Organic Skincare, Abhi’s Bread, Ecoya soy candles, surf wax and plenty of other goodies.

Yelo is located at 331 West Coast Drive, Trigg.
Contact: 9447 9441 or email yelo@bigpond.com

By Thousands Perth City Guide editor Danielle Marsland, who, in the words of Donovan, is just mad about Yelo.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Dining, Food, North of River, Organic, Products, Reviews | 7 Comments »

Beauty and Wellbeing Routine: Nicole Forde, Renowned Perth Makeup Artist.

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

I have been hairdressing for 19 years and a freelance makeup artist for 12 years. I started my own business 12 years ago. With the support of my amazing husband – I love doing lots of little projects in the beauty/fashion industry. I was a finalist for the AHFA’s Makeup Artist of the Year 2011, 2012 and April/May this year I will be heading to Sydney for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week with the Redken Session Stylist Support team. I will be starting at Channel 7 in May doing hair and makeup. I am also a mum to a 12, 3, and 22mth old.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine. (please include specifics about brands/products used)

I cleanse with Cetaphil face wash morning and night, twice a week I use Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub and moisturize with Cetaphil Moisturiser or Embryolisse Concentrated Lait Creme. To remove my eye makeup I use Bioderma Crealine and for my lips I use Lucas’ papaw ointment.

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

Every couple of months I have a facial with Danne Montague-King products by a home based therapist. It was the only product/treatment that cleared up my adult acne.

♥ There’s a hairdresser in here too! [pic source]

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

The team at Distracted in Leederville. Besides having had the opportunity to work there, Mark and DJ are amazing at their craft.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I use a teaspoon of Bicarb soda mixed with Cetaphil cleanser for a great face and body exfoliant.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Lucas’ papaw ointment (as a lip balm), concealer (loving Yves Saint Laurent, touché éclat), Semi permanent brow pen (for those perfect brows) and Lancome mascara (I know that’s 4, but couldn’t help myself)

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

Laughing out loud with family and friends.

Being grateful for at least one thing each day.

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

♥ Jhana Meditation Grove

Meditation retreat at the Jhana Meditation Retreat Centre, run by the Buddhist Society of WA

And any treatments at Annasha Day Spa in Gooseberry Hill.

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Easter hasn’t been kind!

On a good day, I juice my own juice in the morning, muesli with rice milk, a piece of fruit, sandwich or Sumo Salad, either a vegetarian rice or pasta dinner. Lots of salad from my garden.. and trying to drink more water. My next purchase would be a Vita Mix to make green smoothies..

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I try to either walk or bike ride. I recently purchased a kiddie trailer for my bike, to bring my babies along for the ride.

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

Regular visits to the Chiropractor for well being. I take a pro biotic, flaxseed capsule and a multi vitamin.

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

More sleep would be nice! Spending time in my veggie garden and going to meditation run by the Buddhist Monks.

Thanks for sharing Nicole! If you have any questions for Nicole, please leave them in the comments below! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews, Makeup | 6 Comments »

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Kristy Ellis, WA & SA Trainer for Mecca Cosmetica and Kit Cosmetics + Freelance Makeup Artist!

♥ Photo by Sarah Kate Dorman Photography

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

My name is Kristy Ellis and I am the WA and SA regional trainer for Mecca Cosmetica and Kit Cosmetics. I also have my own freelance makeup artistry business as well. I do weddings, special occasions, shoots and portrait sittings. I consider myself to be so lucky to have a job that makes women feel good about themselves. The person that once said to me that makeup is a superficial/fickle industry hasn’t has the opportunities I have to really make women feel amazing in their own skin. I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Oh good question!! My routine changes all the time with the launch of new and exciting products. But I always come back to Perricone MD. I use the Citrus Cleanser AM and PM.

My day-time serum is the Advanced Face Firming Activator (active ingredients are alpha lipoic acid and DMAE) and my night-time serum is the Concentrated Restorative Cream (active ingredient is vitamin C ester) I follow both with the Face Finishing Moisturiser and I use the Advanced Eye Area Therapy. This brand is amazing!

Twice a week I love to do a little facial by exfoliating and a mask double-up, I like to use something with a fruit acid first then follow it with something hydrating. Makeup changes everyday for me, mostly depending on how much time I have. But I do love a bright lipstick, my favourites are “Muse” by hourglass and “Schiap” by Nars.

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

I don’t get to go out and have treatments as much as I would like to but I would always pick to have a great body exfoliant and follow it with a massage. The one place that I will always go when travelling to Bali is a place called Jari Menari. It’s the most divine massage that you will ever have and the spa has relaxing and beautiful surrounds. They do a 4 hand massage there and it’s like nothing else! There is one in Seminyak and one in Nusa Dua. I really need to find somewhere to frequent in Perth! Suggestions????

ED: Bodhi J is my top pick for massage in Perth! 🙂

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

I go to see Michael O’Dowd at Lee Wallis in Claremont. The man is a genius. Last year when I wanted to lop all my (long) locks off to a short bob he did a gorgeous job. I loved it. He was really honest with me with advice and styling tips. I’m an absolute hair product junkie too, and he always suggests things that I love.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

When I want to really give my skin (body) a great scrub and still nourish it at the same time I like to mix sugar or sea salt and olive oil. You can always add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to make it a little more fragrant.

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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

I get asked this all the time in my job, I don’t have children yet but I liken it to having to pick your favourite child!!!! But I believe that if you want your skin to stay looking young you need to protect it.

♥ 1 is the Mecca ‘To Save Face SPF’. Its lightweight, non-whitening and feels great on the skin, never oily.

♥ 2 is the Lip De-Luscious SPF 25 lip protectant. Every day we layer glosses on and head out in the sun, with the main ingredient in glosses being oil, essentially we’re baking our lips in the sun. I’m not at all saying that we shouldn’t wear our fav glosses, but start the day by protecting those gorgeous lips and keep this product with your skincare in the morning (and maybe one in your car and handbag!!!!) LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. My best friend had a little scare with a lip cancer last year, so I’m super passionate about this one! Oh did I mention it has hyaluronic spheres in it too so its plumping?!

♥ 3 is the Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara. It’s the best for volume, separation and it contains rosewater and Red Seaweed Extract to regenerate lashes. I have tried so many mascaras and I consistently come back to this one.

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

I don’t think it’s any massive secret but as hard as it is sometimes, a healthy diet with lots of fresh produce and doing exercise that I love is the best way for me to stay feeling great and de-stressed. As hard as it is to get out of bed early some days, I love to go down to Port beach for a walk or run and then a quick dip before work. I don’t have a dog, but I love to watch all the dogs on the beach having a great time too. It cheers me right up!

Omnilux Facial

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

I would love to go have an Omnilux Facial. I have heard that they are amazing for a energising, regenerating and plumping the skin. I also keep meaning to get myself to a Bikram yoga class too.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I have my ups and downs for sure but lately I have been reading books by James Duigan and following him on Twitter. It’s more of a lifestyle than a diet and his philosophy is all about being “clean and lean”. Lots of organic fresh produce and lean protein to help clean the body of toxicity levels (in a nutshell!!!). I’m not doing it 100% but where I can, I definitely try. He has the best breakfast recipes and being my favourite meal of the day so have been enjoying things like Buckwheat and Blueberry pancakes, Homemade Flaked Granola and Porridge with orange zest and cinnamon. Yum!!!!! Lunch is usually a salad I can grab on the run and dinner is fish, steak or chicken with veges or salad.

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I love to run! It’s a chance be on only in my own thoughts for a while and listen to music. I like to swim if I get a chance but I have just started doing a circuit class with my best friend at a little gym near my house called Fitness Results. Its full on but it’s the interval training that I need. I had set out to run the Perth Marathon this year after completed the City to Surf Half Marathon last year but time (and the extra motivation) has got away from me so I think that will go on the back burner for a bit. Maybe next year who knows? I’d love to do it in New York!!

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

I take alpha lipoic acid in a vitamin form. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant and is said to help with controlling blood sugar levels too. James Duigan (mentioned previously) has a website called bodyism.com and they do their own multi-vitamins and supplements that I take. His supplements are great and you can add them to a smoothie in the morning too.

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

Sunday morning breakfast for sure! I love to discover new and kooky little cafes with my lovely boyfriend, but if it had to be something on my own I’ll say magazines are my true vice!!! I spend so much on them but as cliche as it sounds I love to sit at home, put a good chick flick on in the background (usually something that I have seen 100 times over!!!!) cruise through the glossy pages checking out all the beautiful clothes, makeup and models. I find it really inspires me and I find it a great way to stay on-trend with what’s happening out there and it makes me get creative in trying to figure out a runway to realway solution!!!!

Thanks Kristy! If you have any questions for this makeup artist extraordinaire, please comment below! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews, Products, Wellness Tips | Comments Off on Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Kristy Ellis, WA & SA Trainer for Mecca Cosmetica and Kit Cosmetics + Freelance Makeup Artist!