♥ Tarj Mavi, Owner of LA MAV

First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

As the Founder and CEO of LA MAV, I am passionate about helping women to think holistically about health and beauty—developing Australia’s first Certified Organic skincare range to infuse bio-actives. While my role means that I work across all facets of our brand, I’m particularly passionate about product development as I am a scientist and researcher so I’m always looking for new natural ingredients and bio-actives that supercharge our formulas and deliver real, tangible results.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I try to wake around 6am each morning—making the most of those lovely quiet moments before the busy day begins. And while I strive for 10 hours of beauty sleep each night, realistically it’s more like 7–8 hours as working with international partners means that I’m often up late at night for meetings.

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

Every morning I dedicate at least 10 minutes to gentle movement—practicing a little yoga or simply stretching. Not only does this simple practice help me to wake up slowly, but it also clears my mind so that I can embark on my day with a fresh outlook and new inspiration.

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Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?

Although my days are busy, I’m dedicated to my beauty routine and always make time for this simple ritual—I have to practice what I preach, after all! In my experience, the secret to great skin is to utilise bio-actives that work on a cellular level to keep skin feeling fresh and youthful—at any age.

The first thing I do is double cleanse with our Marula Oil Cleanser and Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser. I then alternate between using our Collagen Support and Bakuchiol 4% Retinol Alternative boosters, both potent formulas penetrate deep into the skin’s dermis—followed by our Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 Antioxidant Oil which instantly moisturises and plumps the skin and Intense Repair Eye Balm to firm the delicate eye area.

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One of my favourite beauty rituals, though, is to use an Ayurvedic Kansa Wand 2–3 times per week which instantly relaxes facial muscles and plumps and tones my skin. While facial massage is not a new trend, it’s certainly underrated as not only does it help to infuse the skin with nourishment by helping any actives in your skincare products to absorb more deeply into the skin, but it’s also incredibly relaxing and a simple way to integrate a little self-care into your day.

Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!

I try not to take too many over-the-counter supplements or vitamins — I’m a big believer in the philosophy that food is medicine so I naturally try to focus on a healthy balanced diet, packed with antioxidant-rich wholefoods, Ayurvedic ingredients and adaptogens. In saying that however, there are so many wonderful inner beauty wellness products and elixirs available these days, so as we look to expand our offering at LA MAV, I’m inspired to share the power of wholefoods with our customers. Watch this space…

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Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

While every day is different—and my wind-down ritual certainly depends on my work schedule—I do my best to take some time in the evening to sit down and relax with a cup of tea. I recently added a Wellbeing category to LA MAV which includes a range of Inner Beauty Teas so depending on my mood, I’ll reach for one of those. Each blend is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients which have been hand-selected to target specific skin concerns and nourish the body from the inside out. My current favourite is our Age Defence blend which helps to combat fine lines and support collagen synthesis from within.

Before bed, I also do my best to book-end my day by practising a little yoga or indulging in at least 10 minutes of stretching. I start the day in the same way and I find that when I do this regularly, I not only sleep better, but I wake up feeling far more refreshed and energised.

What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?

It’s hard to pick just three but I’d have to say that Bikram Yoga three times a week undoubtedly helps to keep me sane and supple! I cleanse my skin for at least 60 seconds twice a day, every day and whenever possible, I spend time in nature which is like my soul food. While this helps to keep me calm and balanced, nature is also where I find my deepest inspiration so it’s a good source of creative energy for me, too.

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Your absolute favourite healthy cafe in Sydney is?

We are spoilt for choice in Sydney when it comes to healthy cafes, but for me, a weekend trip to Orchard St in Manly is the ultimate treat! It’s become a bit of an institution here in Sydney and I love their holistic approach to wellness. It’s not unusual for me to go home with a selection of their teas and tinctures.

Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?

On the way to work you can often find me at Hills Organics. I’m a huge fan of their Green Machine smoothie as well as their Chai Lattes. Delish!

What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

Yoga has always been a huge part of my life—but for many years, I’ve been dedicated to my Bikram yoga practice. While the series of postures undoubtedly keeps me feeling fit (and sweaty!), it’s a wonderful way to detoxify the body—as well as the skin and switch off the mind for two hours. The workout is so intense that being able to focus only on my body and my breathing for two hours is bliss.

Are you into any woo-woo wellness trends?

While I wouldn’t call it woo-woo, I’m definitely inspired by Ayurveda and due to my Indian heritage, it’s been somewhat of a thread throughout my life. I love how across every touchpoint, Ayurveda embraces a holistic view of health—illustrating how our body, mind and spirit exist in a delicate balance. At LA MAV, I try to infuse this same philosophy by creating products that are infused with Ayurvedic ingredients and adaptogens that work holistically and synergistically to improve beauty, health and overall wellbeing.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

As a dedicated yogi I would love to spend time at a yoga retreat in India. Not only would it be wonderful to be able to take a holiday in India—but to practice yoga where it all began would be my idea of bliss.

And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

LA MAV skincare products, of course!

Thank you so much to the beautiful Tarj for taking part in our daily wellbeing interview – to find out more about LA MAV’s range of luxurious skincare & self-care, visit their website, Instagram, or Facebook.

Be well,

xoxo

♥ Img: Shot by Thom

Today I start my 30 day ‘Dial it Up’ RIDE challenge with one of Perth’s hottest fitness studios, LA Fit.

I’ve long been an LA Fit fan, since they first opened in 2015. As Perth’s only Lagree studio, it’s always been a unique place to get an intense strength & core workout in, but when they added rhythm ride classes a few years later – things kicked up a notch.

So for a background on me: the past few years I’ve had a couple of life-threatening injuries requiring hospitalisation (torn neck arteries which put me at risk of a stroke – not fun) which meant that I wasn’t able to exercise for 12 months. During this period of time I gained 12kg and it’s been pretty tough shaking that weight, especially as I’ve just turned 38 and my metabolism has slowed down quite a lot! Put it simply – ya girl is not in the best shape of her life right now.

I’ve been doing twice weekly rehab-ish personal training for around 4 months and this has been great for rebuilding some strength & getting back into a routine, plus helping with mental health. But I’d been feeling for a while like I need to shake things up a bit – so the Dial it Up Challenge came at the PERFECT time.

So, the general Dial it Up challenge is this: 20 Ride classes in 30 days, with a fun bingo card to keep things fun and motivating, access to a personalised health app, Shaefit, and a grand prize of a 4 week all access membership to LA Fit for one lucky winner.

Due to the aforementioned slightly-less-fit-than-I-used-to-be sitch, I’ve decided to go a bit easier on myself, and aim for 2-3 classes per week (so 8-12 classes over the month) as my personal challenge. I’ll even try to throw in a couple of Megaformer classes to up my strength a little.

I’ll be updating my challenge diary over the month here – let’s do this!

♥ Img: Shot by Thom

Week One

My first class was with Kristy, she helped me get my seat all set up, gave me some encouraging words, and then myself and the other 10 or so people in class were off. With a mix of tunes from old bangers (my fave!), to newer bangers (pretty good!), and some techno (not 100% my thing, I’m more of an 80’s gal), I spent the next 45 minutes pedalling, sweating & awkwardly following along with the moves & trying to keep up with everyone.

I took it pretty easy in the first class so as not to shock my body TOO much, and surprised myself by managing to come out the other side not entirely wrecked. My aim will be to be following along with 90% of the suggested moves by the end of the challenge.

Stay tuned for further updates as the challenge progresses! For more, follow along on Instagram.

See you there! xoxo

Be well,

Annette

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Lipsticks are something that we haven’t been able to get much wear out of for the past 2 years, so as we get back into the swing of things, I thought it was about time to share a rundown of the best of the best (in our not-so-humble opinion!) vegan lipsticks in 2022. (If you’re still having to wear a mask out – don’t worry – I’ve put these lippies to the test under masks and throughout eating a cheeky spag bol down at the local restaurant to ensure you don’t miss out on the fun!)

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Step 1 for any good lip care routine. Its preparation, thanks to one of our all time faves, Luk Beautifood.

Include this routine 1-2 times a week, preferably at night. First up, the Supergreens Lip Scrub. Now this broccoli seed, camellia, chlorophyll, grape seed oil, seaweed extract GOODNESS, smells and TASTES so good. I love that Luk Beautifood actually says you can just lick the product straight off – I think that just shows just how mindful and natural the products are.

Apart from tasting delish, this scrub smooths fine lines and restores the lips’ natural colour and shape. And as any good exfoliator, the scrub helps to get rid of those pesky dead skin cells to make for soft, smooth lips.

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Next in our routine is the Golden Glow Lip Polish – and I kid you not, I actually didn’t realise this was the name but now I understand (go peep at our reel on our Insta). This polish is made from chamomile, coconut sugar (YUM), ginkgo biloba sugar, manuka honey and soap wort (which apparently softens skin and delicately cleanses lips… nice one!). So, why the need for coconut sugar? Well it helps to get rid of those dead skin cells.

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Everything else works together to smooth and soothe lips to achieve that perfect pout! And lastly, there’s the Sweet Dreams Lip Mask. Made of all things dreamy such as, apricot oil, Kakadu plum, kaolin, hyaluronic acid (I’m sensing a few smiles here) and volcanic ash! This lip mask not only feels amazing – but it gets to work whilst you’re sleeping… WIN! You’ll wake up in the morning to your 6am alarm with nourished and ready to line those lips.

♥ Ere Perez Coco Crayon in Heart

The Lip Liner / Crayon

A brand we all love, it’s Ere Perez. Ere Perez really does tick all the boxes for us. Plastic free, ultra hydrating – thanks to that all important coconut oil – as well as, baobab seed oil, vitamins A,B & C AND omega 3,6,9 fatty acids.

Looking for a red for winter but a little lighter than deep red? It’s the shade Heart (pictured above) for us. If you’re looking for a berry colour – which is perfect for winter… then the shade Rebel is for you!

♥ Luk Beautifood Lipstick Crayon in Caramel Kiss

Next up… Luk Beautifood are back on our radar again. Vegan. Plant based. Cruelty free and synthetic free conditioning colour means these lip crayons are a winner. My personal favourite is the shade Caramel Kiss! I would describe it as a mix of nude and pink – but leaning more towards pink. Lychee Sorbet is also quite incredible – I would explain this shade as the perfect nude. Honey Peach is also a winner – again nude, but as the name suggests it has a slight undertone of peach!

♥ Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte + Satin Lipstick in Tease

The Classic Lippy

Anastasia of Beverly Hills definitely won our hearts with her brow products, but could she do it again with her lipsticks? In my opinion, yes (otherwise I guess we wouldn’t really be talking about her would we?).

Seriously, if you’re to try any product from this post it has to be these lippies. The formulation is creamy and literally heaven. They smell AMAZING and they are SOOO easy to apply. Also Anastasia has absolutely nailed the packaging. Okay, now if you’re only gonna choose one to try – may it please be the shade ‘Tease’. I don’t usually like nude lippies because I feel the pink undertone looks nicer, however I’ve clearly just been trying the wrong brands because this nude is amazing. I literally texted Annette as soon as i put it on and told her she had to try it. Please – do yourself and your lips a favour and get THIS NUDE. But also, if you’re wanting to step outside your comfort zone this winter, Rum Punch is a beautiful deep purple, and Toffee is a deep beige-brown shade that you can’t go wrong with. Take a peep at all the options here.

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I also absolutely adore the Satin Hydration Moisture Lipstick from Cozmetic Lab. It smells and feels sooooo goood… probably thanks to the amazing ingredients packed into it. Including hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and shea butter. To have hyaluronic acid in a lipstick is pretty genius because it reduces fine lines, and it also retains moisture – hello plump lips! Jojoba oil contains vitamin’s A, D, E as well as fatty acids to smooth and heal dry lips – perfect for the cold winter months. Shea Butter works to provide a barrier to protect the lips from the outside pollutants – winner.

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The gloss.

Boohoo Beauty have nailed it with their Hydrating Lipgloss. There will never be a gloss that glosses like this gloss. Okay, I’ll stop, but if you’re wanting to turn your matte lipstick to dewy, then this gloss is the product you need. Packaging is chic & LOOK HOW CUTE IT IS, easy to apply and the gloss doesn’t feel sticky… It somewhat feels creamy… cheap as chips. Gold star for you Boohoo!

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The trusted lip balm.

The 100% natural Lip Nourish by Luk Beautifood is my new fav lip balm. It really does nourish the lips, thanks to vitamin E, cacao butter and avocado oil! If you’re looking for the perfect nude, go the Nude Sugar. If you’re wanting some deeper colours for winter I’d opt for Cranberry Citrus and Cherry Plum. Even the names are mouthwatering.

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The aftercare routine.

This is pretty simple so there’s no excuse. It’s also a pretty important step because in winter our lips can get dry and crack, and yes although all the above options are going to protect your lips during the day, we still need something to protect them at night! Ciate London Fruit Burst Lip Oil has been my go to for the past month and I am obsessed with it – the Lychee & Acai being faves! Key ingredients include mango & lime, mango seed butter (for nourishing), jojoba & avocado oil (antioxidants to naturally moisturise and plump the lips) and vitamin E (to help hydrate and plump the lips thanks to the essential fatty acids).

So that was a lot of info but also a lot of options (filled with some non-negotiables). I hope you have fun this winter trying out new lippies, especially for those of us that have been in a mask wearing world.

With love,

Olivia

xoxo

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The words ‘perimenopause’ or ‘menopause’ and women inevitably come hand in hand with the words – heat, sweat, angry and overwhelm. In fact if I were to describe my own experience it would go something like this: raging hot furnace of overwhelm and anxiety with sleep deprivation, no patience and the memory of a goldfish!

But how do the colder months affect these symptoms? Studies have shown that levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increase during the winter and decrease during the summer in both healthy people and people with hypothyroidism. Symptoms of raised TSH include low mood, fatigue, weight gain, an intolerance to cold and memory problems, commonly described as a ‘brain fog’.

Winter brings heavy clothing, lack of light, shorter days, changes in exercise routines, cravings for comfort food and if you are like me, red wine! On top of this there are the known effects of seasonal affective disorder, so all these can really exacerbate the symptoms of peri/menopause and make it even more difficult to deal with.

Some of the ways I have learnt to cope with peri and menopause in winter:

1. Layer my clothing and yes, activewear has become my best friend.

2. Stay hydrated – I drink lots of water but aim to do this before 2pm to stop the night time bathroom wake up!

3. Avoid sugar (which includes alcohol), as this is known to exacerbate symptoms.

4. Wake at sunrise – seeing the daylight first thing sets circadian rhythm – this is the ‘sleep wake cycle’ which helps regulate sleep.

5. Body temperature – I sleep with 2 duvets in the winter! Because after my hot flashes I become very cold, so that coupled with very light PJ’s is a must for me. And of course a fan is on 24/7!

6. Be prepared – knowing what meals I will have for the next day (or more if I am organised!) means I tend not to cave for the chips and chocolate that seems to call much louder these days.

7. Set out my clothes the night before – because I can’t make up my mind in the morning.

8. Talk! Find your tribe – as our hormones change, many of us do too. So finding people that are going through the same thing is so important to feel supported, rather than look at you like a weird alien!

9. Have my workout area set up and ready – if my mat is down then I am more likely to do a workout.

At the end of the day, it is important to recognise that every woman is different, and while some may experience it this way, others will not, so tune in to your body and remember to move, eat, learn and connect in ways that make sense to you.

For over 20 years, Naz has worked and studied alongside specialist trainers, nutritionists, and mindfulness experts to do the work and learn the lessons. Naz de Bono founded Xali, an online platform that helps other women going through hormonal changes, after her own personal experience of going through menopause.

Be well,

xoxo

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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

I am a nutritionist and mum of two, author and girl boss of Skin Friend, and I get a kick out of wearing hats, doing yoga and designing supplements.

My life in skin care feels like a natural progression from my awful teenage years where I suffered with severe hand dermatitis and a couple of years in my adult life where I had a painful case of head-to-toe eczema and severe multiple chemical intolerances that left me unable to eat much at all. Social isolation became my life until I found the solution to my skin problems. After my daughter recovered from eczema I wrote The Eczema Diet, and for the past 20 years I have worked with thousands of people with skin issues. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that skin wellness is not only about the foods you eat — this is important, but so is mental wellness, relaxation and dampening the stress response.

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I wanted to share this information so I have just launched my latest health book The Healthy Skin Kitchen.

I also have a new online program to help people with eczema at www.healthyskinkitchen.com.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I wake up at 5.30am (most days) and aim for seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep is king.

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

I have a high-pressure job and I have recently successfully recovered from an auto-immune condition, so this routine helps me to stay well and feel relaxed and happy. It has been life changing. I usually wake at 5.30am, drink a large glass of water and then I meditate for 45 minutes or I’ll do a beach walk. Then I have breakfast and do creative visualizations and vagus nerve wellness exercises for up to an hour to calm down my nervous system. I’m obsessed with wildflowers and gardening so a few times a week I’ll wander through my garden, pulling up weeds as my two kittens follow me around.

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Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Food is joy. There was a time when I couldn’t eat much at all, so I celebrate meal times and make exceptions when I eat out with friends.

When I am at home, this is my usual routine:

♥ Breakfast is a massive bowl of porridge or overnight oats (1 cup of raw oats cooked in water and oat milk) and The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen.

♥ As I get up so early, I have a snack at 11am (leftover smoothie and a few protein balls) and then lunch at 12.30, which is usually a home-made wrap (Oat and Leek Flatbread) with a black bean San Choy Bau filling.

♥ Dinners can consist of some type of healthy soup, sweet potato vermicelli stir-fry with chicken, leek, spring onion and red cabbage, or a Sunday lamb roast with roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrots and potato and rosemary, which I enjoy with my family.

♥ I drink lots of water throughout the day.

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Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?

I naturally have super dry skin so I can’t live without my 24-Hour Rescue Balm, which I apply to my body each the morning after showering. It was a lifesaver when I had eczema. I also use a home-made face skin cream which has anti-aging peptides (I usually test my creations for years before I launch them online—this one is still in the testing phase). If I am going out in the sun I apply UberZinc by Synergie Skin, before applying light conceal-er, coloured lip gloss and a lick of mascara.

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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!

In the morning I make a smoothie with an anti-inflammatory skin multivitamin, Skin Friend AM, and I add a teaspoon of hemp seed oil to keep my skin feeling hydrated. In the afternoon, about half an hour before dinner I have Skin Friend PM – it contains magnesium, calcium and glycine to promote a good night’s sleep.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

I used to have major sleep problems, so now I meditate and do breathing exercises before bed. I practice being present, which is basically focusing on my breathing and switching off any thoughts for as long as possible. Plus I use a massage ball to relax my shoulders and neck. This routine (plus Skin Friend PM) knocks me out at night — it’s brilliant.

What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?

Cooking in my kitchen, resting and drinking 2-3 litres of water daily.

Those are my wellness basics… if I don’t drink enough water I get headaches. If I don’t rest enough I feel stressed and lethargic, and if I eat other people’s food too often my skin looks awful.

♥ BSKT Cafe

Your absolute favourite healthy cafe on the Gold Coast is?

BSKT Café on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?

Same as above.

Favourite farmers market or place to shop for healthy goodies?

Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market.

What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

I do yoga 2-3 times a week. I previously did yoga every day but I have cut my routine in half as I have decided to chill more and be less busy.

♥ Blue Healer Smoothie

What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without?

I can’t live without The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen. I also recently treated myself to a hydra facial at Light Years Skin Studio in Broadbeach — it included LED light therapy which made me feel so relaxed and pampered.

You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

I’m usually too busy to do much prep, but I might buy a new dress and get my hair blow dried at my favourite hairdresser before the event.

♥ Poondhara Falls by Steven Crook

If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness, what would it involve and where would you go?

Wellness for me includes being in nature, so I would go to one of the waterfall walks on the Gold Coast, then I would drive to the coast and dive into the ocean and spend the afternoon under a beach umbrella with a good book.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

I am a ‘stay at home and potter in my garden’ kind of woman but if I had to indulge it would be to a health retreat that included yoga, nature walks and daily massages—actually that sounds pretty blissful.

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And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

It’s usually an eczema product, but once a week I use Oat and Zinc Bath Powder as a face scrub during my morning shower. It ‘polishes’ the skin on my face to make it silky smooth then I apply moisturiser, it also helps my skin care soak in quickly for a lovely hydrated, matte finish.

Thank you to Karen for taking the time to share her wonderful, inspiring & skin friendly routine! To find out more and follow along, head to the Skin Friend website or Instagram!

Be well,

xoxo