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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on July 1, 2011
KIT COFFEE BODY SCRUB (250G) RRP: $32.95
KIT Cosmetics have recently combined two of my favourite luxuries (& regular rituals) coffee & exfoliation = B – L – I – S – S !
If you’re anything like me & can’t bear to contemplate the day ahead until you’ve had your regular, must have, daily ritual morning coffee you’ll absolutely love KIT Cosmetic’s new trio of products inspired by Sensory Lab’s S1 Champion Blend. Featuring a freshly roasted coffee bean scent to literally awaken your senses, the range includes a Coffee Body Wash, Scrub and a delicious Coffee-Scented Soy Candle.
I was lucky enough to sample the scrub – thank you KIT Cosmetics!
As well as caffeine, the scrub features Vitamin E, organic jojoba and grapeseed oil, native Australian Botanicals and Australian sugar – a definite recipe for invigorating goodness. A welcome new addition to my morning beauty routine the scrub is not only a stimulating exfoliant, it also left my skin feeling ridiculously silky smooth & soft. As a coffee lover, I love waking up to the freshly roasted coffee bean scent!
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It is a well known fact that caffeine has positive effects on the mood such as increasing alertness and boosting feelings of energy and general well being & when combined as an exfoliant the positive effects are twice as beneficial. Who knew coffee was so versatile – genius!
Caffeine fix + invigoration + silky soft smooth skin all in one = P- E – R – F – E – C – T start to the day.
I definitely recommend a trip to your nearest KIT Cosmetics and adding this luxurious product to your beauty routine for an invigorating caffeinated kick start to your day.
Review by Jasmin, invigoration junkie and lover of silky smooth soft skin.
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Inner City, Products, Reviews | 
1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 30, 2011
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When I first heard the words ‘vacu power’ I had images of a space age machine rolling over my body, whilst I was wearing a space age compatible suit, sucking out any parts that I didn’t like. Then I remembered that this is a surgery called liposuction (sans space age suit) and that ‘vacu power’ probably meant something else.
BUT GUESS WHAT? I wasn’t actually too far off. The Vacu Power machine at Body D’vine in Midvale can easily be described like this, a machine (see?) on top of a treadmill. You get into a wetsuit-like half suit (SEE?) that goes over your shoulders and creates a ‘skirt’ around your middle. You step into the machine and the skirt zips in creating an airtight lock. Then you turn on the treadmill, start running/walking and the machine creates a vacuum suction that makes your legs work HARD.
Motivational material comes with the session!
This treatment is described as ‘body sculpting’ and is meant to help you lose weight and eliminate cellulite by making you exercise certain parts harder and smarter. The great thing about this treatment is that you are still increasing your fitness and doing something very active to try and achieve results (better than surgery hey?) AND you can do it while watching something on your own personal TV attached to the machine (they have a large range of DVDs at Body D’vine to keep you occupied for the 30 minutes, ‘Cher in Concert’, anyone?) All you have to do is wear your gym clothes, bring your running/walking shoes, a towel and some water. Everything else (lockers, headphones) is provided.
So does it work? While trainers will tell you that there is no way to spot reduce fat on JUST your legs, there is a whole wall of photos at Body D’vine of lovely ladies of all ages smiling large above a number- the amount of kilos and centimeters they have shed all over since starting Vacu Power. A sign the body sculpting is at work.
Random picture of attractive legs for good measure!
Personally I found this enjoyable, the 30 minutes flies by when you have your mind on something else (music, the TV etc) and you can go as hard as you feel comfortable (this is not a group workout). Each time I went I was able to go faster and I saw my fitness levels increase even over the relatively short period of 2 weeks. I felt all the normal effects of good exercise in the short term- that little extra bounce in your step- and would actually describe the whole Vacu Power experience as just a different form of exercise. If you are expecting dramatic and literal ‘vacuuming’ this isn’t for you. The staff and other clientele (mostly women) are lovely and there is a real sense of community in the place. My ONLY gripe is that it is in Midvale and the opening hours were limiting for my schedule. But this could be for you.
Find out more at the Body D’vine website – Body D’vine.
Review by Adriane Daff, super-duper famous actress and TOTAL Cher lover. 😉
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Exercise, North of River, Reviews | Comments Off on Exercise Review: Vacu Power at Body D’vine, Midvale!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 28, 2011
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A day at a day spa… the scene was set with a perfect, blue-skied, almost winter day with a latte, Johnny Cash bellowing poetry on the speakers and my GPS pointing me in the wrong direction.
When heading out to the dreamy wonderland of Brookleigh – don’t trust your Sat Nav, people! Fortunately, I knew Brookleigh was next to Belvoir Amphitheatre and a lot closer than the GPS suggested. And it’s a problem the owners of Brookleigh have dealt with a lot, so get your directions clear before you hit the road unless you want a 45-minute detour.
So, back to the blue skies, latte and Johnny Cash… I arrived feeling pretty peaced-out and ready to relax. I met the wellness consultant and personal trainer, Rachel and owner Nikki on arrival and was impressed by how healthy they both looked. Both had glowing skin, very fit bodies and huge smiles… these were happy people and I was ready to discover the secret to their sunshine.
A Brookleigh horse
My day began with a personal training session with Rachel. We jogged past the beautiful horse stables (Brookleigh started out as an equestrian centre and still is an Olympic training venue), the chateau where the spa resides and guests stay and a “roundabout” which is a gorgeous, meditation-style garden.
Roundabout
We kept on joggin’ past all of these beauties and out the back of the property where an “obstacle course” awaits. It’s also an equestrian training area but nicely doubles as a people fitness area too. The jumps were utilised as push up, dip and sit up stations while a trotting area was used for some punishing sprints (it was here the heart rate monitor I had to wear really betrayed me, sounding like a hideous alarm going off as if warning everyone I was about to drop dead).
After the PT workout, we stretched by the small lake where Brookleigh hosts weddings every weekend throughout October to May. You can see why, with a quaint gazebo overlooking the lake which is perfect for the ceremony to take place. Huge trees, the neighing of horses and the surrounding paddocks combine to make you feel as though you are far, far from civilisation.
Next up was the spa treatment. I met with the lovely consultant, Lisa, and discussed facial options and confessed my skin woes. Breakouts in certain areas were plaguing me and I definitely needed help. I was treated to a lime sugar exfoliation to start, which sloughed off any dead skin on my legs. Despite Lisa warning me it might hurt a little as the sugar did its job, the scrubbing felt just right and my skin was glowing by the time it finished. The smell of lime was delicious. The massage was next and thankfully Lisa applied just the right pressure for the knots in my muscles to be erased while sending me into a state of utter bliss. Despite trying very hard not to, I also fell asleep in the later stages but I guess it’s a sign of ultimate relaxation so I tried not to beat myself up about it too much.
Guinot Facial @ Brookleigh.
The facial did wonders for my skin. Brookleigh has either Guinot or the local, organic range Joi Pure. Despite trialling Joi Pure previously and knowing it was delicious, my skin was in need for something a little stronger and Guinot was enlisted. I had the classic facial and Lisa used a peel around the troubled areas to break up the congestion. Despite my skin glowing afterwards, it was also a tad red and it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I really noticed the benefits. My skin really cleared up and it totally confirmed what I’d suspected all along… I need to be getting regular facials.
To complete the day spa package, I had lunch at Stewart’s Restaurant which is also a part of Brookleigh. Stewart’s is one of the best restaurants in the Swan Valley and has plenty of healthy options to complement the day spas and health retreats that are on offer. I had the salmon with roasted beetroot and pumpkin with a lemon sauce and holy yum, it was sensational. And post-meal, I felt as though my body was being further nourished rather than overly-full like you might at many of the wineries boasting first class restaurants in the area.
Urban Spoon rsetaurant rating: 
Nikki and Rachel mentioned the three and five-day health retreats now on offer and I think they sound fabulous. Half a day out at Brookleigh and I felt rejuvenated and as though I’d been much further from Perth than the 45-minute drive it was.
If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend (classy hens’ weekends would be perfect there), doing something for your health or simply a getaway from the daily grind without travelling too far, Brookleigh is the place you’re looking for.
Check out their website to see enticing pics and more info, call (08) 9296 0018 or email Nikki or Rachel on info@brookleigh.com.au.
Brookleigh is located at 1235 Great Northern Highway,
Upper Swan in the Swan Valley.
Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Brookleigh’s newest devotee!
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Dining, Exercise, Food, Massage, North of River, Organic, Reviews | 1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 26, 2011
Belinda Hart!
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi, I am Belinda Hart. I founded Bella Hart – Beauty Emporium just over three years ago with the ambition of creating a comfortable environment for women to purchase cosmetics, skincare and fragrances. I have always loved beauty products but had always found it very uncomfortable and somewhat frustrating shopping in Department stores as the Beauty Advisors could only sell the brand they represented. In our store we can genuinely recommend the products that we think are best suited to your individual needs across all the brands we sell.
I am just about to have my first baby due in a few months, so life as I know is about to significantly change. I also have a new puppy arriving, which I am equally excited about.
The much loved skincare miracle: Clarisonic.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I cant live without my Clarisonic, it is an electronic cleanser for the face and it cleanses your skin so effectively and leaves your skin feeling so soft and clean. I religiously use this every morning and night and even travel with it.
I have to confess I am a bit of a skincare junkie so I use a fair few products, it seems complicated but doesn’t take me more than a few minutes.
In the morning I use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Vitamin C, Hydrating B5 Gel and Eye Balm, Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF30, then Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer before applying my foundation. In the evening I use Skinceuticals Retinol every 2nd night and alternate with Skin Firming Cream and every night the eye balm. I exfoliate once a week with the Dermalogica Agesmart thermofoliant and then use one of the Apivita express treatment masks, whichever one I think my skin needs at the particular time.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Once a month the New York facial from Bella Hart (where else…), it delivers immediate results and leaves my skin glowing. Its has the works a peel, Microdermabrasion and Vitamin C mask.
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♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Circles in Subiaco, they always do a fabulous job and are always up to date with the latest trends and product developments.
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
The Apivita Express Masks. I love that they target every skin concern you could ever have so however your skin is feeling there is something to rectify your concern and they are just $6.90 for about four applications.
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
– Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer (with this your skin is always glowing)
– Lancome Virtuose Mascara
– Clarisonic cleanser.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
I think everyone in Australia should be protecting their skin with some form of topical Vitamin C. The benefits are significant, it promotes collagen production, its an antioxidant and protects the cells from damage, lightens pigmentation and overall gives your skin radiance.
Vitamin A or Retinol is also another secret weapon in preventing ageing and keeping the skin looking at its optimum. I have also seen great results with this reducing my pore size.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Hypoxi is intriguing me at the moment, particularly appealing for after I have had my baby, it is supposed to be amazing for toning, which I am sure will be high on the agenda.
♥ yum!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Not a good question for me at the moment with being pregnant and all, my eating has been very odd to say the least and not in the least bit typical. Lots of “chicken in a biscuit”, banana smoothies and big cravings for seafood.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Prior to pregnancy I loved my RPM cycling and Pump classes but in the last few months I have had to modify that to Pregnancy pilates and walking. Cant wait to crank back up my exercise regime once the baby is born.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I do try and once a month have a reflexology treatment with the most amazing therapist, I feel incredibly alive after it.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Reading magazines and being anywhere surrounded by water, ideally on a boat.
Thanks for sharing your beauty and wellbeing with us Belinda, follow the link to find out more about Bella Hart Beauty Emporium.
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews, Wellness Tips, Western Suburbs | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 24, 2011
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Gyms stand for everything that makes me uncomfortable. Sweating profusely in public, wearing ugly shoes with unflattering clothing and being around people who may judge you because you cant lift your own body weight above your head. However, recently I started thinking about changing my exercise routine up a bit to include a bit more…well…routine.
Lots of gyms offer free trials for various periods of times you can find one near you on Good Gym Guide, it’s a great way to see whether (realistically) this is likely to be something you are going to be able to easily make a part of your day to day doings.
For this Battle Royale (number two if you’ve been following) I have chosen two gyms located in Perth’s CBD, Fitness First Murray Street and CBD Health Spa.
Home sweet home to our battlin’ gyms.
Round 1 – LOCATION
Ok well, both of these gyms are located right in the city so the ‘location’ point on the surface is kind of tied. So, let’s go into more detail. CBD Health Spa is open 24 hours a day so is as convenient as you like – you can sweat it out at 3am if it pleases you (Ed: Coincidentally, I have actually done this, 2:30am to be precise. Carry on!). It’s in off the street and is spread out over two levels, and has the better layout of the two gyms while also being the biggest. Fitness First has put their cardio room right at the front with nothing but a glass wall separating you and your sweat zone from the escalator to the Murray Street Mall. I didn’t dig it. But both have separate rooms for their classes.
You wont be him at either gym!
Round 2 – EQUIPMENT
CBD has older equipment but in the weights room there is a better mix of machines and free weights than at Fitness First. The locker rooms kind of feel like you are back at high school (a llittle bit old and the sort of place where you would want to wear thongs in the shower) but the lockers are free to use as long as you bring your own lock. The bike lockers are located inside the building right near the reception desk, which ensures max security. Fitness First has the newer equipment by far, fans built into the treadmills, ability to plug your headphones in to listen to/watch whatever is on one of the many TVs. The locker rooms are beautiful and very clean and your membership card is also your locker key (barcode = state of the art). Hairdryers are supplied at both places which means you don’t have to leave looking like a damp rat.
Round 3 – PRICE
Fitness First is about $22 a week and you are locked into a 12 month contract, CBD is about $17 a week when locked into a contract or $20 a week when you pay month by month (no contract) HERE.
Round 4 – ATMOSPHERE
CBD was the less intimidating and less gym-like, just a mix of people (student, corporate, young, old) doing their own thing. They always have Channel V on the TVs, which I loved because I like to catch up on what my girl Beyonce is doing these days. Fitness First has their own TV station (video clips heavily influenced by the 1990s – I saw video clips from AQUA and All Saints, multiple times whilst there, no lie), they have lovely staff and a big supplement store next door, if that’s your thing.
The worst thing about Fitness First is what I call the ‘leery’ atmosphere. The cardio room was ok, but the weights room was very intimidating. I was nearly always the only girl in there (sometimes there would be two, three tops) but I felt uncomfortable. This last point coupled with the 24 hour convenience of CBD Health Spa and the fact I can pay month by month (and the Channel V, I admit it) is what pushes it over the edge for me in this round of Battle Royale. Sorry Fitness First you came damn close. I guess it’s now time to find some not-so-ugly shoes.
Find out more info about both places here;
♥ Fitness First
♥ CBD Health Spa
Battle royale by Adriane Daff, newest convert to the exercise ‘dark side’!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Exercise, Inner City, Reviews | 4 Comments »
