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Feeling your belly blossom with a growing baby is an indescribable privilege I’ve been granted. There isn’t a day that goes by without a zing of excitement about who that bump will turn out to be.

However, despite the wonder and excitement, my body is throwing all sorts of wicked challenges my way. Discovering an aversion to my favourite vegetables (keep sweet potato and broccoli far, far away), the now-passed morning sickness (welcome second trimester!) and watching my muscles fade as a softer look wraps around my body.

There are certain things that you can do to make yourself feel like the lady you once were; manicures and pedicures, making the most of the lustrous condition of your hair (one of the pros, less hair shedding!) and taking care of that stretching skin.

Some believe certain body types are doomed to stretch marks no matter what, but I’m not taking my chances. It’s better to prevent rather than cure, right? So I sought out a couple of reputable brands to nix those squiggly lines before they branched out across my already stretching body.

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Be Genki creator Samantha Sample developed an all-natural body oil through a new brand Be Naturallyou after pregnant friends begged for a stretch mark elixir. After extensive research, the Body Oil ($38 for 130mL) is now a blend of avocado oil, flax seed oil, apricot kernel oil, wheatgerm oil and essential oils of mandarin, lavender, neroli and frankincense. The resulting blend boasts properties that nourish skin, promote regeneration of scarred skin, helps skin retain elasticity, moisturizes and is good for eczema and psoriasis.

The smell of the oil is pure relaxation and the lavender stood most prominently. The long-necked bottle meant the oil rushed out and surprised me on the first go, resulting in my palm covered in the slightly green oil. The oil was fabulously moisturising and kept my skin well hydrated. The strong scent meant I didn’t want to wear it during the day as it was close to overpowering my perfume, but at night it was perfect for rubbing in after a warm shower and the soothing smell was lovely to fall asleep with.

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At a much higher end price bracket, L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Oil ($64.95 for 100mL) was recommended by a friend so I had to give it a go. The handy pump top means I controlled the amount a lot better and the oil was lighter in texture. The smell is delicious; sweet and a hint of almond, you could almost wear it as a light perfume but I wear it alongside my daily spritz of Bvlgari Rose. The moisturising component is also excellent although perhaps not as long lasting as the Be Genki oil.

With the combination of these two beauties, I have a day and night combo going on and am yet to see the dreaded effects of stretch marks. And let me tell you, it’s not just the belly that expands and there are a few other bumps getting vigorous attention from the body oils. But the belly rub is definitely my favourite… and I’m pretty sure it’s the baby’s too.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and super cute anti-stretch mark crusader.

Be well,

xoxo

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1. Cheaper Strawberries & Oranges

There’s been an influx of these bright, summer reminiscent fruits in the shops lately and I for one am LOVING IT! I think strawberries were up around the $8-$9 mark for a while and I prefer to buy local oranges as opposed to ones that come from the USA, due to them being gassed prior to undertaking their travel!

Refreshing orange wedges, fresh strawberry smoothies & chopped fruit with natural yoghurt have been keeping me healthy & happy lately. HOORAY FOR SEASONAL EATING!!!

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2. Invisible Zinc.

Although I’ve long heard the hype about Invisible Zinc, it’s taken me until now to jump on board the ‘physical sunscreen’ band wagon. With total babes such as Elle Macpherson and Georgia May Jagger (Jerry Hall’s daughter) as spokesmodels, it’s no wonder that this brand is turning heads. Being a freckled lass means that I should have been sunscreening up on a daily basis. Emphasis on the should have. I’ve only recently been really making an effort to make sure I pop on some sunscreen before putting on my make-up.

Tales of my naughtiness aside, I am really enjoying the Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector SPF30+. It feels great during and after application, lives up to it’s name of being invisible and has THREE (count em) ways in which it does our skin some serious favours:

♥ UVA + UVB protection. Physical sunscreen reflects these danger-rays, unlike chemical sunscreen (the regular stuff) which absorbs only UVB rays and then turns them into free radicals, which is less than ideal. So physical wins here!
♥ Pollution barrier! Stops city smog from interacting with your face, ESP forms a film over your face to protect you from these baddies which can contribute to aging.
♥ Packed full of antioxidants, which help to protect your skin cells pre & post sun exposure.

International model, Simone Kerr, also enjoys it – check out our interview with her here!

3. More Yoga!!!

The benefits I’ve experienced from yoga include: increased mental clarity and calm, less moodiness, increased flexibility, better sleep, clearer skin and a more toned tum. Despite all of these wonderful perks, I’ve been slack with making time to fit in into my schedule. UNTIL NOW! The past two weeks have seen yoga appearing twice in my 7 day routine and I’ve been loving it!

I would love to take part in a ‘yoga revolution’ which is one entire month of doing a yoga class, once a day. I think the benefits would be incredible, but I might have to start off with just a weeks worth first! 😉

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4. Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash

I am adoring this, hard. I’ve previously talked about it in my birthday wellness weekend article, but wanted to declare my love once more. LOVE YOU BB, DON’T EVA LET ME GO <3. Ahem.

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5. Mukha Natural Yoga Mats – $80

I’ve had one of these for quite some time now, but kept forgetting to take it to class with me! Very silly, I know. The mats were dreamed up when Perth based yoga teacher, Lisa Gawned, was in the well loved downward dog position.

She realised that she was ‘grounding’ herself upon a PVC mat, a man-made material which is toxic to our health and the environment. And so Mukha Mats were born, made from 100% sustainably farmed natural rubber (the smell is very strong in the mat when you first get it, but soon dissipates), healthy for you and the environment. The mat is also completely biodegradable at the end of it’s life, which is pretty awesome.

I found the mat heavier than expected when I first started using it, but quickly got used to it and am now enjoying having my own personal eco-friendly mat in which to stretch and de-stress on. No fear of sharing sweat and bacteria with other people and the knowledge that it’s non-toxic and good for the earth? Double win.

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I have spent the last few weeks of every Tuesday A.M. with Larissa Amos from Devine Wellbeing Practice. What she awakens within the four walls of her consciously decorated studio, with modern and retro themes, branded by peacock feathers and a beautiful landscape of attuned crystals, is simply awe inspiring. Larissa greets you with heart at your first consultation, at which moment you are quite assured that you have entered into something quite special. I’m not generally taken by the air and fare that you can experience from ‘so called’ healers, but with Larissa the confidence is raised to a whole new level.

Inside it is both cosy and ambient with soft soulful music playing, the senses are in appreciation. Larissa combines a unique selection of therapies (meditation, massage & healing) which culminate together in both a feel good and life enhancing experience, her time with you is almost always on the generous side, so be sure to spare a few extra minutes, they are well worth it.

Have you ever wondered why you experience the physical and emotional discomforts you do?

Larissa will bring you closer to your answers. “I like to think of emotions as a way of reading information, either sent from an outside source or an internal one, emotions are simply trying to tell us something, my system of healing guides and teaches the individual management of the mind body and spirit” Larissa shares.

My time with her was an awakening experience and a connection to strengths I didn’t know that I had. From the first time that I saw her I have continued to utilise these strengths in the world we live in. Absolutely empowering! I would highly recommend taking a breather to investigate the potential Larissa can elevate you to, truly magical.

The Devine Wellbeing Practice is located in Coolbinia, nestled within the suburban streets, bookings are by appointment only.

Address: 7/23 Ardross Crescent
Coolbinia, Perth 6053
Email: larissa.amos@devinetime.com.au
Mobile: 0419 858 074
Web: http://www.devinetime.com.au

Review by Lavida Rose.

Disclaimer: Devine Time is currently advertising on Wellness WA. This advertising relationship in no way affects the nature or outcome of the review.

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

Hi, my name is Jasmine and I’m a model with Scene Model Management. I am currently in my final year studying at school.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use a Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser and 7 Day Scrub Cream and Become Day Cream.

During the day for make up, instead of using foundation, I use Pore Putty bb cream and face powder. It’s great because it gives heaps of coverage and makes your skin feel really soft, but looks like you’re not wearing anything at all. For blush I use Urban Decay glide-on cheek tint because they have some awesome colours. In my make up bag I also carry a Fred Farrugia transparent creme blush. I usually don’t wear any eye shadow and just use Sephora mascara.

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

I love a massage and reflexology, although I’ve only had it done in Bali on the beach as yet! It’s a great way to relax.

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

I don’t often cut my hair to be honest (its very long at the moment), but the last time I had it done was by Skatt in Claremont and I was very pleased.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I sometimes use Bio Oil for dry skin treatment.

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

My Frederic Fekkai shampoo and conditioner, and marocMaroc “Onguent d’Argan”, it’s a nourishing body balm which is great for people who get really dry skin – like me. This is a new product that I have just discovered and thoroughly recommend it.

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

I don’t use too much make-up, unless I’m doing a shoot. Also, I try to get as much sleep as possible, exercise everyday and always use sunscreen to protect my skin. Drinking lots of water is beneficial too.

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

A fish spa!!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Rather than have cereal I like to start the morning with some fruit (sometimes with yoghurt) because I find it’s really refreshing. Then for lunch I usually have tuna and salad. Dinner depends on what everyone in my family is having, but normally we have roast chicken, steak or soup.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Exercise and keeping fit is a really big part of my life. Even if I’m really busy I try to go walking for at least an hour and a half every day (about 8km) and on the weekends I do a lot of horse riding.

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

No I don’t take any supplements, I just try to keep a balanced and healthy diet, and eat sweet foods in moderation.

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

When I want to relax I like to go to the movies. Its great to just sit down, chat with friends and enjoy some popcorn!

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The latest influx of ‘daily deals’ made available online to us beauty lovers can make you go a bit crazy. All those deals! All those bargains! You would be forgiven for thinking you were one of those guys on Wall Street standing in the pit in a brightly coloured jacket waving your arms around, yelling ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ like a maniac, before regaining consciousness and wondering what the hell you had just bought.

But it’s a good deal right? For a procedure that you know and that you like? So where’s the harm. I know what you’re thinking; calm down Adriane, why do you have to hate like that? OK, allow me to share a story. Let’s call it ‘A Story of Caution’.

Recently, thanks to one of those daily emails offering you deals on practically anything, I bought a voucher for IPL. I really like IPL and have had some great results from all four of the salons that I have been to before…well, before this time (see where I’m going here?) Yes.

Now, I would first and foremost like to say that I wont name where I went this time because I really do not believe it was entirely the technician’s fault and she was nice and I don’t want to be mean here. What I will say though is that the plain facts; she was a retired beautician working from home – evidently she had purchased a machine some years ago and was now treating people from there. A little alarm bell went off for me here, it made me feel uncomfortable that the machine was old and although sometimes the paperwork that you have to fill out in a normal salon is annoying it is also there to protect you and protect the business from any damage to either party that may occur as a result of a miscommunication. So when there was no paperwork, I was feeling apprehensive.

Not my burns, but an example of what can happen under a non-qualified technician.

Then the treatment started, Oh. Dear. Me. I had opted for my legs to be done and your legs are pretty tough so don’t any one of you start thinking I’m a big ol’ baby, ok? To say that it ‘hurt’ would be an understatement. It KILLED. It hurt so much that half way through I wanted to say ‘actually you know what, don’t worry about it’. I was actually jolting after every time she administered the pulse of light. She was trying to have a conversation with me and I was trying to speak around the light pulses so that I didn’t sound like I was having an electric shock. That’s harder than it sounds. So why did I let her finish? Because I am an A grade idiot. Because I thought that if I told her I was incredibly uncomfortable and in pain that she would think I was weak, or a complainer, or being difficult. I didn’t want to look stupid.

So fast forward to when I left her house. I got into my car and my skin felt like it was burning underneath my jeans, my hands were shaking (from some kind of shock maybe? Oh who knows) and I drove home, ran a cold bath and stuck my legs in there. What did I see? Burns all over my legs, burns burns burns. I looked like I had been run over by a tractor tyre. The pain subsided but the burns took three weeks to heal. Who looked stupid then (clue: ME)! Luckily I don’t have any scarring or pigmentation damage but why oh why did I not tell her that it was hurting? She could’ve turned down the intensity of the machine or done some other magical thing that would have made it feel like oh-I-don’t-know-I’ll-take-a-stab-in-the-dark-here my skin wasn’t burning.

My burns.

Most of all I’m angry at myself because I had this procedure before and experienced no pain (yeah I thought I was a pretty tough son of a gun after those times) and yet having the exact same thing done this time made me feel like I was being tortured for information. The moral of the story is: please, be careful. The deals are great, no question, but don’t let cheapness make your guard drop. Always speak up. If you are uncomfortable in ANY way, physical, psychologically, emotionally, tell the technician. It’s your money that is paying for their skill and their time so don’t be one of the guys in the Wall Street pit running around like a maniac, be the guy at the beginning who coolly and calmly gets to ring the big bell or something. Bad analogy, but you know what I’m saying- speak up. Don’t look like me. The tyre marks were not good. Be safe!

Article by Adriane Daff, deals-wary dame & current Parisian correspondent.

Be well (and safe!),

xoxo