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Beauty & Wellbeing Questionnaire: Lauren Hartley, Owner of Beauty on the Grove, Parkwood.

♥ Lauren ♥

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

I am 26 and have worked in the Beauty industry for 9 Years. In June 2010 I started my business “Beauty on the Grove”, which is a one stop hair and beauty shop. The business is combined with Setting Trends Hair studio in Parkwood. I love making people feel pampered and offer them plenty of time to relax so they don’t feel rushed out the door and there is absolutely no hard selling. I Love dancing with Friends, family summer holidays at Rottnest and spending time with my boyfriend Tim.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use Oligodermie Skin Care which is based on various ingredients such as natural plant extracts, vitamins, essential oils, enzymes and marine algae.
I moisturize my whole body daily, cleanse/tone twice a day. Use eye cream, serum and moisturiser twice a day. During the week I exfoliate and mask once or twice a week. I also love to use Invisible Zinc and Youngblood Mineral Make up.

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

I can’t go past a Hair treatment and Blow dry; it makes my hair feel so fresh and silky smooth. The personalised hair Alchemy Service by Wella combines two benefits in a unique treatment created by mixing a mask and an infusion related to individual hair needs. The girls at Setting Trends recommended it and now I am hooked!

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

The team of girls at Setting Trends Hair Studio know just what I like and are never harsh with my hair. They give the best scalp massages and totally relax me.

Mediterranean Charm

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My favourite at home beauty treatment would be making sure my nails look glossy and tidy before the next day at work. I love to use OPI and China Glaze Polishes. At the moment I am wearing Mediterranean Charm by China Glaze.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

1. Youngblood Mineral Foundation, It’s an ultra-fine, luxurious powder that creates a flawless coverage. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t feel like I am wearing make up.

2. Youngblood Ultimate Concealer, it’s great for under the eyes, as it has light reflecting minerals to hide imperfections and it also contains vitamins C and E.

3. Oligodermie Smoothing Body Lotion, it gives lasting nourishment and hydration to the skin, which regains its softness and flexibility. I apply it daily after a shower or bath.

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

Plenty of sleep! It makes you feel so refreshed for the day and keeps you looking younger. Facial massage I do regularly as its great for any puffiness, it stimulates the skins circulation, lymphatic system and relaxes the muscles. To top it off I feel fantastic when I have an Aviva Labs Spray Tan as it gives such a nice glow with out being over the top!



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

I have always thought about getting eyeliner tattooed as it looks great. I am just scared of the process and the pain…

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

A big breakfast is a must for me everyday to function properly. At the moment I enjoy multigrain Weetbix heated or cold, followed by some toast with home made strawberry jam.

Lunch is usually a salad wrap with chicken, ham or turkey.

Dinner is always different as I love to try new things. I enjoy Italian, Asian, Indian, spicy foods the list goes on….

During the day I am always snacking on oranges, nuts, muesli bars, chocolate, mums homemade cake or biscuits and all types of tea! I love my tea!

Describe your fitness routine.

I am always on the go busy walking throughout the day in the salon and running errands. I try to do sit-ups, sometimes a work out DVD or go walking.

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

I regularly go and relax with some reflexology. It relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body
Every morning I take Swisse Women’s Green Ultivite it contains spirulina, green tea, pomegranate, olive leaf and St Marys thistle. All which are rich sources of green ingredients.

How do you like to relax?

I de-stress with reflexology, going for a pedicure, chatting with a friend over cups of tea or playing with my niece and nephews who are very adorable!

Lauren Hartley
Beauty on the Grove
78 Vellgrove Avenue
PARKWOOD WA 6147

9354 8899
0423 149 655

Thanks Lauren for taking the time to share your beauty and wellbeing tips with us! If anyone has any questions, please leave them below! xo

Be well,

xoxo

Product Reviews: Planet Eve Organics!

Just being told that a product is organic is really not enough these days, so when I’m told a product is Certified Organic and Cruelty Free, I tend to stand up and take notice. This is the case with Planet Eve Organics, yummy Australian-owned skincare products that live up to their name, with an abundance of natural ingredients.

I was lucky enough to trial the Facial Cleansing Oil, Luxe Body Creme and Super 5 Eye Firming Gel.

The cleansing oil is PERFECT for all skin types, which is a rarity. As someone with combination skin, I felt the smooth and nourishing cleanser was moisturising my cheeks, while my nose and chin didn’t have that oily feeling that makes you think you just washed your face with a margherita pizza. The perfect balance!

The Luxe Body Creme is exactly that – luxe. With the combination of rose, shea butter, jojoba and macadamia, I felt like I was treating my skin to the love it deserves. The first time I applied, I was aware of the strong smell, but this seemed to grow on me over the week. While it’s a lovely scent of rose, I’d put off use until the morning if you have a sexy significant-other staying in your bed and you haven’t quite hit the ‘long-term and in love’ phase of your relationship!

The Super 5 Eye Firming Gel was definitely my fav, with some excellent packaging bonuses. The gel comes like a pen, where you simply click the end to produce the gel and then gently roll the cooling ball around eyes. This allows the opportunity to massage the delicate eye area while revitalising and firming the skin. The Super 5 are incredible ingredients: Acai berry, gingko biloba, acacia, aloe and rose. This combination is both anti-ageing (you’re never too young to start thinking about this!) and ideal after a big night out (more to my benefit!). This product has already taken prime position in my handbag!

Let us know which products sound good to you?

Do you have any Certified Organic & Cruelty Free favourites?

Reviewed by Ellie Swift, part-time music industry participant and writer, full time product junkie.

Be well,

xoxo

Beauty and Wellbeing Routine: Ashlea Ingham, Model and Miss Universe Australia Contestant!

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

I am a full-time student currently in my last semester of a double degree in Communications and Commerce at UWA. For the past 4 years I have also done some part-time modeling to help see me through my university studies. Recently I took part in the Western Australian heats for the Australian Miss Universe Competition 2011 and have been selected as 1 of 6 finalists to represent Western Australia at the national finals in Melbourne later this year.

Most recently I was fortunate enough to be able to take part in the Royal Queensbury Corporate Boxing Challenge where I got to combine my love for boxercise with a fabulous cause- raising funds and sponsorship through my fight for Toybox International; a fundraiser for sick and disadvantaged children.

I am your typical active aussie girl; i love going to the beach, exercising, living a healthy lifestyle and spending time with my family and friends.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use the Clinique 3-step skin routine where i cleanse tone and moisturise everyday.
In the mornings before I apply any make-up I will always apply a sunscreen or moisturiser with UVA and UVB protection to my face and neck as I am naturally quite fair and the Australian sun is so strong! I sometimes find that sunscreen will sweat off in summer, however I have found that Ella Bache zinc foundation (Available online at StrawberryNET) is a good product that is long-lasting with good coverage.

What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Being a blonde with long hair I find it essential to get good hair strengthening and softening treatments. I have found that Kerastase treatments work the best on me and I like to get them done whenever I get my hair done at the salon.

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

I have had a few hairdressers that I have tried in Perth however currently I am going to (and loving) Circles Of Subiaco Hair Salon. The team of hairdressers are all fabulous and I also love the vibe at the salon.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

When I am at home and feel like I need a bit of TLC (on a student budget) I’ll opt to do my own manicures and pedicures. I think that looking after your hands and feet is really important and they are often overlooked even though they are a body part that we use on a daily basis! My grandma and mum have always stressed the importance of having nice looking nails so my favourite at home hand and nail treatment is Dr Lewinn’s hand and and foot scrub and cuticle oil. The hand polish leaves my hands and feet feeling silky smooth and cuticle treatments keeps the skin around my nails and nails looking nice 🙂

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate -$52

Your two, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Stila Lip and cheek stain – This product reacts with the natural pigmentation on your skin and formulates a natural and complementary colour to your own skin tone. On me it gives a natural and healthy looking glow that i love!

Nars bronzer (in Laguna): Rather than expose my face to the sun, I will opt for a (fake) bronze look which I can achieve with this product. I have found of all the bronzers that I have tried, Laguna bronzer by Nars gives a really natural glowing look.


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

Eat healthy, regular exercise, drink lots of water and ALWAYS wear sunscreen! I am a firm believer of the saying ‘we are what we eat’! If you are putting bad things into your body this will reflect on the outside. Likewise if you maintain a healthy balance in your eating habits and lifestyle this will make you glow from the inside out.

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

I have never had a facial and would absolutely love to try it!

I think I have been put off by some people who have had bad experiences, not to mention the price. However I now have a friend who has regular facials who has recently explained to me the process and the benefits. I feel more confident and curious about trying one now.

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

A typical day of eating for me incorporates at least 3 good meals and in-between snacks.
I always start my day with a hearty breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to me and my favourite and without it I can’t function. Most mornings I will have rolled oats with natural yoghurt and berries or I will make my own bircher with grated apple, nuts and cinnamon.

For lunch it is usually a good serving of protein such as chicken or tuna, with salad in a wrap or on wholegrain bread. If I am in a rush I also like to get sushi and miso soup.
The biggest habit that I try and maintain in my eating is to cut carbs out at night. Although occasionally I will enjoy gnocchi, pasta or share a pizza (I love Italian) I mostly eat fish such as salmon, chicken breast or lean cuts of beef, pork or lamb with salads, beans and steamed vegetables.

During the day I will snack on nuts, fruit, carrot sticks and muesli bars.
I limit myself to one coffee a day (usually soy as I have found that as blood type o I can be susceptible to bloating with dairy).

Although I eat quite healthily, my mum is a chef so I have been brought up around good food and do like to enjoy indulgences from time to time. If I am craving something I allow myself to have it. I love banana bread and dark chocolate!

Describe your fitness routine.

I am quite an active and busy person walking around campus when I am at uni and on my feet when I am at work. However I also always make time to exercise and schedule this in so I can stick to a good routine. I have always been a gym-goer, participating in a range of different classes and running.

However for my Miss Universe training i took part in 3-5 boxercise classes a week at ‘The Ring’ in Northbridge and 1-2 classes of pilates at the Pilates Fitness Institute of WA. If I’m feeling a bit tired I listen to my body and allow myself a rest. Ill either take the time to put my feet up or opt for a walk instead.

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

Currently I am not taking part in any alternative therapies, but I like to use natural remedies and supplements when I can.

I find that a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables will provide me with many of the nutrients I need, but just to make sure I take a Swisse Womans Ultivite everyday.

As I am very busy I will also take a Vitamin B supplement if I’m feeling more tired than usual. Recently I have been trying Acai berry puree because it is full of anti-oxidants and when I’m feeling stressed I’ll use Bach Flower Rescue Remedy drops.

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

To relax I cant go past a long hot bath or a massage. When I am feeling stressed having the ability to turn off and stop thinking about the things that are causing that stress makes me feel better. To do this i do stuff where i can lose myself – whether this is going for a walk along the beach, sitting down with a good book or going to have a coffee with a friend. Of course being organised by having a diary, eating healthy, doing exercise and getting enough sleep helps prevent the stress from developing in the first place.

Thank you for taking part in our interview Ashlea! Please leave any questions below!

Be well,

xoxo

Salon Review: Mind and Body Rebalance at Ella Bache Salon and Spa, West Perth.

Choosing a treatment at a salon or spa, is like trying to choose what flavour you want at the icecream shop. They all look so yummy, and you know they’ll all make you happy (albeit tinged with possible slight regret in the case of icecream!), so you mentally ‘taste’ them all, licking your lips and thinking about the future experience…

It’s scenes like these that make me contemplate a Personal Icecream Assistant!

These deliberations of the most fun kind are what I experienced when I was trying to pick a ‘Spa Retreat Package’ at Ella Bache in West Perth, who kindly allowed me to trial one for review.

In the end I decided on a Mind & Body Rebalance ($230) because, like most, it’s something I’m constantly in desperate need of!

The two-hour treatment includes a full body Hot Rocks Massage (a delicious alternative to regular massage as the weather cools down) and Shirodhara Therapy, which involves a stream of oil being poured over your third eye, located between the brows and up towards the hairline.

♥ ♥ ♥

I’m all about options and customisable treatments, we’re all so different within ourselves on a day-to-day basis, let alone different from each other, that I believe spas and salons REALLY need to make their treatments as bespoke as possible in order to best cater for their clients. With that in mind, I was pleased to be offered the choice between scented and unscented massage. I went for the earthy smelling oils, but am also keen on a scent free massage too, depending on my mood.

My therapist Maggie did a great job of making sure the rocks were never too hot. At times I thought she might have been a magician, making hot rocks appear out of thin air as I swear her hands never left my body to be able to pick one up!

The highlight of the hot rocks experience was… having my ears massaged! Not with rocks, and just ever so lightly, but I don’t think I’ve ever had that before and my gosh was it dreamy! My little ears must have had a bit of tension pent up in them because they adored the attention.

Next up, the Shirodhara! But first, a word of warning:

Your hair is going to resemble an oil slick afterwards, plan on being plan-less to capitalise on the goodness of nourishing sesame oil. Your scalp will love it!

During this treatment, a ceramic container is positioned over your ‘third eye’ and oil streams out continuously. It’s a unique feeling, somewhat like a fish nibbling on your forehead! Afterwards I got to take a shower and wash away all the oil (I had somewhere to be!), which was much appreciated. They even provide a hair dryer for you, nice.

The only slight negative to my experience was that it was a little noisy on the Saturday I went in, which meant I couldn’t relax to the full extent that the treatment would have allowed me to. Regardless of that, I felt amazing for the next two days afterwards – very clear and calm.

Haven’t tried a hot rock massage or shirodhara treatment? I certainly recommend it!

Ella Bache West Perth

1260 Hay Street, WEST PERTH, Western Australia, 6005
Ph: (08) 9321 0560
E: ebspa@iinet.net.au

Ella Bache products are available online at StrawberryNET!

If you have tried either of these, or want to, leave a comment!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Two Words Women Don’t Want to Hear! (Or, Hairdresser Review: Maurie Meade, Subiaco.)

I’m pregnant!!

Don’t get me wrong – we love hearing them from friends, then it’s all shrieks, hugs, and tears. But there’s one person we simply do not want to hear it from, and I’m pretty sure I can speak for the whole sisterhood here…your hairdresser.

Years of unflattering cuts, tragic colours, and massively botched home attempts, litters a rite of passage to be endured until you find, THE ONE. So when your hairdresser enthusiastically declares her impending motherhood, I understand that it takes all your strength not to pick up the buzz razor and fashion a reverse Mohawk through the centre of her perfectly sculpted bob.

Word of warning, if you’re a hairdresser about to make a life changing announcement, please don’t be offended if your clients don’t share your enthusiasm, it’s just that we know our life is about to become ruled by our fickle follicles.

When my last hairdresser drifted off into oblivion, I found myself skulking back to a major corporate salon I’d used years ago in the nineties, Maurice Mead Subiaco.

Perhaps it was a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder but I was thrilled with the service. Not only were the magazines post World War II, I was given a cup of tea and placed in front of a television showing the latest fashions, then given a head massage to die for. The act of hair washing reached a whole new level when, lying back on a black leather vibrating massage chair, the apprentice worked his magic for a good 15 minutes, all the while checking on my personal level of pressure, bliss. Numb beyond belief I watched on as my stylist, Ailsa, retrieved my card and identified the colours that had worked best for me in the past then listened to what I wanted. Not only that, she checked regularly to make sure I was happy. In the end I left the salon relaxed and feeling very special. While it was a lot dearer than my previous stylist, I’d almost pay double just for the head massage, but don’t tell them that.

Maurice Meade Subiaco
9/127 Rokeby Road, SUBIACO WA 6008
Salon is located on Barker Rd

PH: (08) 9381 6447
Web: http://www.mauricemeade.com.au

Review by Glennys Marsdon – author, blogger, consumer behaviourist who’s spent a lifetime researching why we do what we do, but still hasn’t worked out Hollywood tap.

Be well,

xoxo