♥ First up tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Elly Squire but I tend to be better known as my stage moniker Clara Cupcakes. I perform with Sugar Blue Burlesque in shows all over WA. I also teach Hula Hooping at the Burlesque Academy. In my real person life (I couldn’t live like Clara Cupcakes – she’s an absolute drunken floozy!) I like to go lindy hopping, sew pretty clothes and bake cupcakes, mostly for the Retro Market. You can usually find me otherwise rehearsing like crazy for one of our shows!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

It’s complicated! My skin was always super easy care (just cleanse, tone, moisturise and the odd exfoliation) until I moved to Thailand. I don’t know if it was the weather or the pollution but my skin changed completely. It was both oily and dry at the same time and it got really rough and lumpy. I had to change my whole routine and all my products. I got rid of anything that had parabens and the like and just used the most natural products I could find. I have a separate day and night routines because I find my skin needs different things at different times of the day. I keep it really light and oil free during the day and put the oils back in at night. Sure my face feels a little sticky and oily when I go to bed but I wake up with the softest skin!

Burt’s Bees Radiance Creme RRP $39.95

In the mornings I use Coal Face by Lush to cleanse, rose water (which I just buy from my local market) to tone and then Burt’s Bees Daily Radiance Creme , plus arnica oil for my eyes. At night I use Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream followed by my own tea tree toner blend and moisturize with a jojoba/vitamin e/ rose hip oil blend (that I also mix myself) and Burt’s Bee’s Carrot Nutritive Night Creme and Beeswax & Royal Jelly Eye Creme. It sounds like a lot but my skin thanks me for it!

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

I am obsessed with keeping my eyebrows groomed. I don’t really have a favourite place. I kind just go wherever is open and has a free appointment at the time.

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

I hadn’t had my hair cut for a good two years because of a terrible hairdressing fiasco that had let me somewhat bitter and vowing never to go back to anyone EVER. But I recently gave in had it all chopped off in New York at Pimps and Pinups (who were AMAZING by the way. Ask for Lizzy!). So I don’t have anyone here that I go to but I will definitely be going to Head Studio in the city for my maintenance. I have heard amazing things!

Olive Oil.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Avocado, coconut oil and jojoba oil hair mask that I make myself. It’s so easy to make great, natural treatments for yourself that don’t break the bank. I also like warm olive oil and salt as an all over body scrub.

Dr Feelgood by Benefit , RRP $53

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

♥ Dr Feelgood by Benefit – I wear this instead of foundation when I’m having a stretch of good skin days. It’s a super light balm that makes your skin look matte so you have that look of foundation without actually wearing it.

♥ Jojoba and Arnica Oils – Jojoba oil has made a huge difference to my skin. It makes it glow, but not in an oily way. You can even use it on your hair. Just put two drops on your hands and run them though your locks. It makes it soft and shiny. Arnica is also a big favourite with me because I bruise like a week old peach and this helps get rid of the colour a little quicker. I also use it under my eyes in the morning to help get rid of dark circles.

♥ Sleep Balm by Badger Balm – I used to be a troubled sleeper until I picked up a tin of this little miracle. I smell it and instantly feel more relaxed. It’s the best! I keep trying to give it to people. I think I’m starting to weird them out.

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

Cold peppermint tea in summer! It’s refreshing and helps you digest so you never feel bloated, which is the WORST in summer. Oh and always use an eye cream, no matter what age you are. It’s an investment in your skin you wont regret.

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

Acupuncture. I think it would make a difference to my horrible knee that keeps flaring up but I’m petrified of needles!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Oh gosh, my eating habits are pretty terrible right now. I think I would scandalise everyone. But I do drink a tonne of water and herbal tea. That’s all I’ll admit right now!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I don’t really have one to be honest. I used to do a lot of yoga but it started getting expensive and unfortunately other things came first. I do hula hoop a tonne which is not only fun but great for toning and strengthening your core. I also try and go lindy hopping once a week, although I have been failing at that pretty badly lately as well.

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

I have the knees of an 80 year old. I take glucosamine and fish oil to help so i’m not hobbling around everywhere. I also take a multivitamin. That’s about it really! As for therapies, well. I say get out there and dance. It’ll cure what ails you!

Any questions for Ms. Cupcakes?

Be well,

xoxo

This glorious sunny Saturday just past marked the first of hopefully many Cruelty Free Festivals’ held at the Earthwise centre in Subiaco.

As you can see from the photo above, vegan cakes & sweets were out in full force, as were helpful advocates giving out informative flyers & pamphlets about cruelty free living.

The main focus though was the food, proving what most already knew – it is possible to eat delicious food without the use of animal products.

Lunch in the form of mock meats, vegetable curries, spring rolls and rice dishes (I also spied mango flavoured sweets just out of this picture!)

Peach muffins & custard fruit tarts (these were both GREAT!), chocolate + green tea cheesecake, melting moments plus a couple other things I wasn’t sure of… keep in mind there are no animal products in any of these, which is pretty amazing / awesome!

Here’s a photo of the wood-fired pizza magic happening, I didn’t get a chance to test these out but there were some winning combinations happening and I’m kicking myself for filling up on chocolate cupcakes before I saw this.

There were many wares to be found including heaps of books, stickers, shoes, tees & hoodies, vegan dog treats (!!!), snacks and so much more.

One well known healthy living company that made the trip up from down South was Samudra.

Here are some of the goodies that they had on display:

As you can see, these snacks look great and they are all amazingly good for you! Aside from selling these treats, Samudra also run yoga and surfing getaways in Dunsborough, well worth a look.

The bands playing kept the spirit lively outside and if you ventured into the back corner there were vegan cooking demonstrations being held inside if you could tear yourself away from the cakes for long enough.

All in all it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon, a fantastic new event and one I will be wholeheartedly supporting next year!

Many thanks to Animal Rights Advocates for organising it!

Did you go to the Cruelty Free Festival?

Ever tried a vegan cupcake?

Be well,

xoxo