Search Results
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 30, 2011
♥
I’ve recently found a new friend on my wellbeing journey, he goes by the name of Dr Russ Harris. The good doc often chats to me in bed at night, and while this sounds like something that could make my boyfriend jealous, I’ve occasionally brought Dr Harris along when the boy has stayed over and he has been more than accommodating of his presence. 😉
Before anyone gets too carried away, I am of course I’m talking about a CD!
Dr Harris has put together his Mindfulness Skills (Volume 1!) CD and it’s the perfect accompaniment for anyone who leads a busy or stressful life. That’s most of us right?
So what exactly is mindfulness and why should you be interested in it when there’s a million other things on your plate?
Dr Harris defines it in the following way:
“Consciously bringing awareness to your here-and-now experience, with openness, interest and receptiveness.”
At the outset he makes an interesting point that relaxation is not the aim of listening to the CD, although it often is a by product of working towards mindfulness… tricky tricky.
♥
So why do I love this…?
♥ There are 4 different tracks that you can listen to depending on how you’re feeling and what you’d like to cultivate.
♥ Mindfulness of Breathing: As the name suggests, this track focuses on getting you to be mindful of your breathing through a variety of exercises.
♥ Mindfulness of Emotions: Ever get anxious about being anxious? I do. This track helps you to see and accept your emotions as they are, that even though they may be uncomfortable, they are just emotions and will pass. This is perfect to listen to when you feel overwhelmed by any particular negative feelings.
♥ Leaves on a Stream: My favourite track and the one I find myself listening to the most. Place any thought, feeling, sound, or vision that comes into your mind onto a leaf and let it float away down a calm river, even if that thought is “this activity is ridiculous!”, you can place it on the leaf and send it away. I love this so much, my river has a lot of leaves 😉
♥ The Observing Self: Probably the trickiest mindfulness exercise on the CD, this one requires you to notice that you’re noticing something. A really useful exercise that is mostly too brain-bending for me at night, so I recommend working on this during the day when you have some time out.
♥ I feel peaceful afterwards. Despite being told not to expect relaxation, it often shows up and I’m happy to let it snuggle right next to me as I drift off to sleep.
Could you do with some mindfulness in your life? Ever tried it? If you have any tips or questions I’d love to hear them!
Mindfulness Skills Volume 1 by Dr Russ Harris is available for purchase through Exisle Publishing for $24.99 – a bargain price for the benefits that it delivers.
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in At Home, Products, Reviews, Wellness Tips | 
Comments Off on Wellbeing CD Review: Mindfulness Skills Volume 1, by Dr Russ Harris.
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 29, 2011
♥
Most beauty lovers will know about cult product, Yves Saint Laurent – Touche Eclat, which is a staple for anyone who wants their under eye area brightened up. It works, magically, and was a favourite of mine until I discovered that YSL is owned by L’oreal, who do not deny that they continue to test their products on animals.
For a long time since this discovery, my eyes have gone unbrightened, until I was lucky enough to stumble upon an alternative product recently that has three big things going for it:
♥ NOT tested on animals! Yippee.
♥ Mineral makeup, free of fragrance, oil, talc, dyes, heavy fillers and pore-clogging ingredients.
♥ Perth based company owned by lovely gal, and namesake of the brand, Alison Jade!
The Alison Jade Mineral Illuminator comes in the same click-pen-brush format as the Touche Eclat, and is used in the same way.
♥ Upside down, upside down!
For best results, draw an upside down triangle under each eye and gently pat until the triangle is no longer visible. I’ve found the following makeup the best for me:
♥ Moisturiser / primer
♥ Concealer
♥ Foundation with tinted moisturiser mixed in (coverage including eye area)
♥ Mineral Illuminator triangles under eyes!
♥ Blush
♥ Mascara
I definitely recommend putting your blush on post-illuminator, as the triangle technique is designed to brighten a large-ish area under the eye, which may mingle with the blush zone if done afterwards.
PS. It is important to note that these products are NOT concealers! They are designed to be the brightening star on top of your makeup christmas tree, so I would still suggest using your regular under eye concealer and makeup / tinted moisturiser.
The Alison Jade Illuminator has become a part of my daily routine and I’m so happy to have found a more people/puppy alternative to YSL 🙂
It comes in 4 shades, and retails for $48. Available for purchase online.
What do you think? Would you be willing to give another brand of under eye illuminator a go if it was better for you and our animal pals?
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in Products, Reviews | 7 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 28, 2011
♥
There is no better way to describe the effects of Privé’s Concept Shampoo and Conditioner than to explain in picture form how it transformed my hair after one of the most important hair events on my social calendar, Halloween.
I take Halloween pretty seriously. It’s all about dressing up and for me this year it was all about big hair, lots of teasing and a whole lot of hairspray over TWO nights of Halloween festivities.
♥ First Day of Halloween
♥ Second Day of Halloween
♥ Picture three. Day after Halloween/s
This shampoo and conditioner repaired my hair after treating it so abominably for two days, returning it to a state that was even better than before I teased the you-know-what out of it. My ends felt so good, was it the Amazon acai or the babassu oil? I don’t know, but there’s a combination of active ingredients in these products that really made my hair feel light yet voluminous, clean, soft, shiny and best of all…healthy.
Foamy!
If this productive was just effective, that would definitely be enough, but something that makes it unique is the texture. Both the shampoo and the conditioner squirt out like a foam (think shaving cream and you are pretty close) and then it turns into a gel RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR VERY EYES.
Both have a delightful lemon/lime citrus smell- the shampoo works up into a really great lather, and the conditioner works through the meanest knots in the world. Considering the performance of Privé’s Concept Shampoo and Conditioner in my hour of post-Halloween need I really have no choice but to give these guys an enthusiastic two thumbs up.
Visit their website for more info, usage tips (you can get way more out of this shampoo and conditioner because of the aforementioned non-aerosol mousse) and of course to BUY them, which I highly recommend. The Concept Vert Shampoo is $28 and the Concept Vert Conditioner is $30. They are also available at David Jones.
Oh wow, I just like knowing that I can fully indulge in Halloween without ruining my hair, don’t you?
Review by Adriane Daff, halloween costume, hair and makeup extraordinaire!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in At Home, Products, Reviews | Comments Off on Product Review: Privé Concept Shampoo and Conditioner – In Pictures!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 27, 2011
♥
Hola amigos! I thought today I’d share with you some of the products that I’ve been using pretty religiously over the last few months. I’m very lucky to be able to try a whole host of different skincare and beauty products, however when I find something that I keep reaching for, I know I’m onto a winner.
These four products have been keeping my skin very clear and glowy recently, along with the supplements that my naturopath has prescribed me.
So here we go!
♥ Ren ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Cleanser
This cleanser is marvelous for combination skins like mine. A lot of the time when I see clay cleansers I think “Ack, too drying” but this isn’t the case with the Clearcalm, it’s very gentle. The 3 is in the product name because it’s meant to work on the three areas of breakout formation – excess sebum, buildup of dead cells and blemish causing bacteria. I’d have to say I agree! Am totally loving it and reccommend it whole-heartedly! Especially when used in conjuction with…
♥ Clarisonic Mia
As previously mentioned, I feel that this is the major reason my skin has been so good to me lately. Breakouts have SERIOUSLY diminished and my skin is smoother than it has been…well, forever. Used twice a day it has my skin beaming (be careful not to use it on any active pimples (the ones with any pus in them…!) though, as it can spread the bacteria and cause more zits. Once they’ve settled a bit it’s fine! The Clarisonic is also the perfect precurser to…
♥ Rosehip oil
I’m always raving about rosehip oil, it can do no wrong in my eyes! Once my skin is smooth and clear from the above two steps, I massage three drops of RHO into my skin at night (I prefer an SPF moisturiser during the day). It works it’s miracles overnight… and in the morning I wake up with even clearer and glowy-er skin. Seriously a miracle prod! It’s packed with vitamin c, and reduces scars, dryness, pimples and even works on oily skin. WHAT CAN’T IT DO? Well it can’t make you a green smoothie unfortunately, but I hear it’s in the pipeline.
♥ Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
When I want to mix things up a bit and give my skin a break from the Clarisonic, this is my go to. It’s a rice-based enzyme powder which you add water to, then apply to your face for some at-home microdermabrasion! It’s really helpful for brightening and smoothing the skin, and works particularly well on any breakout/blackhead prone areas due to the salicylic acid content (pimple kryptonite). It’s a cult beauty product the world over, and I love it too.
Flashbacks
♥ 90 Minute Gem Inspiration Massage @ Cove Spa – super dreamy, christmas is coming and this would make an AMAZING gift!
♥ Echolife Facial Mist Giveaway! – just in time for summer… get into our latest comp!
♥ Product Review: OPI Muppet Collection – Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang are waiting to hang out on your hands and toes.
♥ Restaurant Review: Yongs Green Food, Melbourne – Take a trip interstate to this incredible restaurant that’s worth the airfare in itself.
♥ Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Jade Jurewicz, Wellness WA Contributor – One of our most popular articles of ALL TIME! Find out why so many people want to read about Jade’s fabulous wellness routine.
Much love to everyone!
What are your favourite skincare heroes at the moment?
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
Posted in At Home, Products, Reviews | 7 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on November 25, 2011
♥
When I heard about the latest decadent offering from Cove Spa, the Gem Inspiration Massage, I knew we were going to become well acquainted. Before I delve into the review though, I need to issue you an important warning:
Do not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery under the influence of this massage treatment.
Ideally you’re going to want someone to chauffeur you home afterwards, so you can continue enjoying the deep state of relaxation that will inevitably envelop you throughout this spa journey. If you have to drive yourself home, as I did- breaking my own above rule, you’ll be amazed at your new-found tolerance for bad traffic, terrible drivers and long waits at traffic lights!
♥ ♥ ♥
Beautiful flowers in a garden next to Cove Spa 🙂
Locker with gown, shoes and choccie, to store your items in.
The Gem Inspiration Massage has its roots firmly grounded in all things healing and spiritual. As the name suggests, if you’re after some inspiration, this is the perfect place to start.
♥ Chakras – the purpose of this massage is to bring your chakras (7 energy wheels of the body) into balance, as an imbalance is said to cause mental and physical disease, as well as impaired wellbeing, eek!
♥ Choose your own adventure – I’m a giant big fan of customisable treatments, the ‘just for you’ vibe is pretty special, knowing you’re not getting the same treatment as every other person who comes in is a good feeling! I was asked to choose which round JOYA gemstone I most connected with (I chose amethyst for stress relief) and was also given the choice between scented or unscented oil (scented please!) and THEN given the chance to smell three different oil blends (I picked the meditation scent, mmm). Three customisable elements = three big ticks.
Choices, choices!
♥ The massage starts with deep inhalations of the meditation oil, which instantly calms me and sets the mood for whats to come. Throughout the massage, more gems are placed in my hands and between my toes, which is hopefully providing even more body balancing action!
♥ One thing to note about this massage is that it includes chest and stomach massage since the heart chakra is located there. Yup, you will be baring all for the therapist. If the idea of this makes you uncomfortable, just let your therapist know and she will focus on another area instead, but if you’re just a little nervous about it then why not throw your fears to the wayside and embrace doing something a little different?
♥ While I enjoyed the whole experience, the best part was the totally unique experience of the round silky gems being rolled and massaged across my body. If you can marry a massage, with the creamy smoothness of a Lindt lindor ball dissolving in your mouth, then that comes close to describing the amazing feeling.
Even more choices, a beautiful touch 🙂
♥ The last little treat was to be found in the form of some Louise L Hay “power cards”. I was asked to choose a card at random, which would then have an affirmation on it which would hopefully relate to my life! It did 😉
♥ The 90 minutes slipped by far too quickly and I was left wishing that the massage table was, in fact, a portal to another world (my own cozy bed). If a box of Lindt balls was to magically appear next to my bed too, well that would have been just perfect.
My massage was performed by Kate, one of the head massage therapists at Cove Spa, and I highly recommend her.
Cup o tea?
Waiting room @ Cove Spa.
Info
Gem Inspiration Massage is $175 for 90 minutes
Address: 47 Tate Street, South Perth, Western Australia 6151
Ph: 08 9367 1877
Web: Cove Spa
What do you think? Could you do with some chocolatey-esque crystals being massaged across your body?
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Massage, Reviews, South of River | 2 Comments »
