by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 28, 2011 | Interviews
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I grew up and went to school in a country town in South Australia. I was never much of a country girl though and couldn’t wait to move to the city when I started university. At uni, I met my fiance and grew even more interested in fashion, so I began blogging as Le Blog de Sushi. After finishing my degree in Graphic Design, I moved to Melbourne with my fiance last year. I’m currently working at a clothing store, freelancing as a Graphic Designer and blogging to my heart’s content.
Cellnique Derma Whitening Essence (price unknown)
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
In the mornings I just quickly cleanse my face and use Cellnique Derma Whitening Essence (which I’m currently trialling) before applying Avon tinted moisturiser, Inglot primer and daily makeup. In the evenings I cleanse with water and a microfibre cloth and use:
– Nivea Visage Purifying Toner
– Cellnique Derma Whitening Essence
– Mayaltha Naturopthic Better Eyes Cream
Currently I’m also trialling Cellnique’s Advanced Bio Renewal Masque, which I use 2-3 times a week.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I’m really loving the Cellnique Advanced Bio Renewal Masque. It leaves my skin really, really soft and does a great job of exfoliating from the comfort of my own home.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Melbourne, and why?
After several traumatising visits to different hairdressers in the past, the only person I trust with my hair is myself. I trim and colour it at home. My favourite ammonia-free hair dye is Naturestyle 4N Natural Chestnut.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
My practical favourite would be Nair’s Cream Hair Bleach. I use this every 4 months or so to bleach my arm hair. I have very pale skin but dark hair so being able to camouflage it makes me happy!
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Number one is Softlips lipbalm in Vanilla. I get very dry lips (currently made worse by my braces) and I always carry a tube of this lipbalm with me – it’s a life saver!
The second product, which I use every day and would hate to go without is the Avon tinted moisturiser (ideal for very fair skin like mine as it contains SPF).
And thirdly, Sally Hansen’s Triple Strong clear nail laquer, which keeps my nails strong and protected from splitting.
Semi-Matte Base – $12 USD
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Everyday Minerals mineral makeup has made a huge difference to my everyday routine. I love the Semi-Matte Base because it literally only takes a minute to apply and it gives my skin a lovely, airbrushed glow. I also recommend their blushes (Apple gives a gorgeous flushed glow) and the Flat Top Kabuki brush for even, full coverage.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I would like to get a facial (I’ve never had one!). The reason for this is that I’ve always suffered from acne prone skin so I’ve felt too embarrassed to go anywhere without makeup on. Thanks to going on the pill last year and switching makeup brands (I was using MAC but am now devoted to Everyday Minerals and will never go back!), my skin has cleared up really well so it’s something I’d like to try soon.
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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
My breakfasts are very predictable; I always have a cup of coffee and a slice of rye toast. The rest of the day varies greatly, I usually just eat whatever I feel like. If possible, one of my meals will be Sushi, as this is my number one favourite food! For snacks I usually have a banana or muesli bar, and a few nights a week dinner will be grilled fish or chicken with roast potato and salad.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Before I moved to Melbourne, I had a gym membership and would go to the gym 2-3 times per week. At the moment I’m not exercising at all except for walking/being on my feet all day when working. I really want to find a good gym to join soon though as exercising always make me feel better.
Sunshine in a bottle.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
At the moment I’m not taking anything. During the winter months I like to take Vitamin D tablets to make up for the lack of sunlight. The Blue Bonnet Chewable Vitamin D3 tablets taste great for those like me who don’t like swallowing pills!
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
My favourite way to relax and de-stress is to curl up in bed with a good book and just forget about everything for a while.
Sushi is my web & graphic designer, even though she’s not from Perth she is a mega cutie and worthwhile interviewee, hope you enjoyed!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 25, 2011 | Interviews
Dr Joe Kosterich
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a father, doctor, author, speaker and media commentator and TV presenter. I have a regular spot on 6PR Tuesday mornings after 10am news and publish a weekly newsletter from http://www.drjoe.net.au. In early April I’m doing a series of stories for Today Tonight.
JK Secret Triple Action Booster – RRP $69
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty / wellness routine.
I get 8 hours sleep each night and will catch up on any deficit on the weekend. I eat mainly non processed food, but do not make this a religion. I use the JK Secret Cosmeceutics Triple Action Booster at night. Make sure that I laugh each day. Meditate a few days a week – aiming for everyday. Regular exercise.
♥ What’s the one beauty / wellness treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I do like a good back massage at Subiaco Sports Massage Clinic.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Davilia at Floreat Forum. As a bloke I do value convenience. They are close to home, do a good job, you rarely have to wait long and it is not a rip off.
♥
♥ Favourite budget or at home beauty / wellness treatment?
Sounds lateral, but meditation helps de-stress so helps wellness and is free. I am not a purist of any one “school” I like the downloaded mediations from Deepak Chopra because they are easy. Davidji who is the head of mediation at Chopra reckons people make it too hard, and the key is slowing the mind with slow breathing. Using a mantra like “so… hum…” helps. The most important thing is to just do it and not get caught up in doing it “right”.
♥ Your four, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
1. Brooks running shoes
2. Downloaded meditations from Chopra.com – Ed’s note: I checked these out and they are fantastic!
3. Angry Almond at Subi Markets who sell raw nuts dried fruits and seeds (I make up my own little mix)
4. My home water filter.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Another lateral one, but enjoying what you do is vital. You feel and look better when you are happy and content!
♥ What beauty treatment / wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Would like to do one of those one week retreats with massage meditation and juices no phone etc. Finding a whole week is the barrier.
Breaky.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Breakfast is two eggs scrambled and a piece of rye toast. Lunch varies. Typically some protein (meat or fish) with salad either by itself or in a roll and some fruit.
Mid afternoon some nuts and seeds and a little dried fruit (mixed up in a glad bag). Dinner varies eg Fish/chicken with veg and potatoes, or a curry with rice or pasta. Use olive oil. Minimise food with “numbers”. A few days a week I will have a small sweet treat and a glass of wine some nights. About 2.5 -3L water through the day.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Two days running 6-8 km in 35-45 mins. I have 3 circuits, one is along the coast at City Beach in a loop from home, one is in Bold Park along the Zamia trail and the third is from City Beach down to Floreat Forum and back also in a loop. Two days weights in the gym with a trainer and some stretching.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I take a fish oil as I don’t always get 2.7 serves of fish each week. I take Juice Plus which is a fruit and veg concentrate (again getting the right amount 365 days a year is not always possible) and an antioxidant.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Meditation (10 -15 mins) helps. I love to run (or walk) along the beach. The ocean is very calming. Playing with my kids and laughing at stuff (cartoons, comedies) – you cant stress when you laugh.
You can find Dr Joe on Facebook & Twitter.
Any questions & comments please leave them below!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 23, 2011 | Exercise, Products, Reviews
FitFlop Footwear.
When I was asked to try the thong sensation, FitFlop Footwear, for a Wellness WA review I was wary. Subjecting myself to hours of training for triathlon, could a pair of thongs really make a difference to my leg tone? I was the wrong person for the job until FitFlops PR whizz Dani found out the extent of my training and my current thong of choice.
I’m not one to name names, but let’s just say my current thongs are sexy, black and speak with a Portuguese accent. And I think they look super cute. However these flat-based beauties weren’t the best support act for my training shoes and work heels. Unfortunately, I’m prone to foot injuries and the strain of pounding the footpath frequently leads to the dastardly plantar fasciitis (a common running injury that occurs when the plantar fascia band, running along the arch of the foot, gets inflamed and can lead to severe heel pain).
Aside from the scientifically proven ability to increase leg muscle activation by 10-12% and bottom muscle by up to 30%, the “Microwobbleboard” technology has also indicated in recent study to reduce shock upon impact.
FitFlops Pietra in Pewter – $129
When the shoes arrived in the office late on a Monday afternoon, I eyed them critically. I was given the patent leather Pietra model in pewter that features three resin jewels on the toe strap and before I slipped them on I noted how big they looked. The soles are very chunky and nothing like the streamlined thongs I was used to – could I really pull off such a look?
The answer was known as soon as I slipped my tired feet into them. It was like collapsing on to a freshly laundered, fluffy pillow at the end of a long day and the girls in the office cheered as I used the reception area as a catwalk. Once on, the resin jewels take over and the chunky style diminishes underfoot, simply providing a well-needed height boost for my 5 foot 4 frame. I’ve since had far more comments on how good they look than I did for their Brazilian cousins.
Like this, for your feet!
I’ve been wearing my new shoes for the past four weeks for up to two kilometres each day. My husband cracks up every time I wear them because apparently the spring in my step is notable. Funnily enough, any time I see a fellow FitFlop wearer I notice a certain bounce to their step too and smile in recognition. My feet feel just the same – joyful.
The plantar fasciitis is still knocking on the door and I ice my feet regularly after long runs, but my new shoes are definitely part of my injury-prevention routine and so far, so good – I’ve kept the injury at bay (knock on wood).
As for the claims of leg and butt toning, university studies in London have backed them 100% and similar shoes by Reebok and New Balance have been forced to pull their ads in the UK for making similar claims. So they seem to be the real deal in that respect too.
He’s got happy feet too 😉
But for me, I’m just happy with gloriously comfortable walks to work and when the boss isn’t looking, I slip my feet right out of those calf-screaming high heels and into my little foot pillows under the desk.
They can be found online at B Store or in-store at David Jones and Foot Locker.
Have you tried Fit Flops?
Are your feet happy or unhappy?
Do you like dancing penguins?
Feel free to chat about any of these topics in the comments!
Review by Lisa O’Neill, a freelance journalist and part-time triathlete who loves to squeeze in as much pampering as possible in her free time.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 22, 2011 | Day Spa, North of River, Reviews, Western Suburbs
♥
Despite what you may think, it’s not every day that I get to treat myself to a spa package. I made a promise with myself that when Wellness WA reached 1,000 fans on Facebook, I would book in for a bit of pampering, and lucky for me that milestone came around a couple of weeks ago – double yay! (We are now at 1,060!!!)
My treatment of choice was the ‘Retreat for One’ at Bodhi J which included a half hour of luxurious relaxation in the geisha spa (complete with fruit, choccie & champagne or juice) and then a full body aromatherapy massage afterwards… $125 for this hour and a half of bliss feels so worth it.
I love Bodhi J. I always have a great time there, the staff are a delight and all seem to be experts at their craft (making you feel amazing). Add in the little extras like fresh frangipani flowers, up to date magazines and their preference for organic product ranges and you’ve got yourself a huge winner.
♥
The geisha spa was divine and came complete with the expected warm, bubbly goodness as well as some Li’tya dead-sea mud, which is far more appealing than it sounds! The spa is also recommended to be experienced au naturale (!!).
After spa time was over (sad face), it was onto the next course… massage (happy face). Again, personalised treatments add that special touch and my body was most drawn to the ‘uplift’ aromatherapy oil on the day.
This treatment would be even more incredible in Winter, as I was pretty warm after the spa and it lasted throughout the massage.
The treatment room I was in had two spas and two massage tables, which makes it perfectly suited for a romantic treat or a spa day with a close friend, (or a complete stranger if you like, who am I to judge!)
My ‘Retreat for One‘ was well worth it at $125, and hopefully I can hit another milestone soon so I can book in again for some more relaxing me time 🙂
Have I made you want a retreat? I am making myself want another one just re-reading over this!
Contact Bodhi J
42C Grantham St (Cnr Nanson St)
Wembley, Western Australia 6014
ph: (08) 9387 5152
fax: (08) 9387 4548
admin@bodhij.com.au
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 21, 2011 | Inner City, Products, Reviews
♥ Kit Lippy in ‘Hip Shaker’ – $24.95 ♥
As a makeup artist, I need to know which beauty products are good, which are bad and which products are not even worth putting on your clothes, getting into the car, going to the shops and paying good money for.
It’s hard though, there really are so many products out there, how are we supposed to get through them all? Well that’s where I step in (cue superhero music) and with the help of Kit Cosmetics hopefully we can make your next trip to the shops easier.
When I think of Kit, I envisage fun, international beauty products… but did you know they also offer their own makeup range? The line includes Lipsticks, Tinted Moisturiser, Mineral Foundation and more. The products come in wonderful black sleek packaging and are all Australian made.
♥Kit Mineral Tinted Moisturiser – $32.95
First up in my review is the Kit Mineral Tinted Moisturiser. Containing Grape seed oil and Vitamins C and E, this tinted moisturiser is nourishing which gets a big tick from me. The coverage of this Tinted moisturiser is sheer but there is enough there to even out the skin tone and add a glow. The whole point of a tinted moisturiser is exactly as it sounds, to moisturise and tint. You don’t need or want too much coverage otherwise you are essentially wearing foundation.
♥ Close up!
Next up is a lipstick from Kit’s new collection, Capture the Moment. This lipstick is soft and creamy and when I first applied it I did scoff a little to myself, thinking there was no way it will last half an hour on the mouth. But I was proved wrong when three hours later, I still had strong colour on the lips and no flaking. The shade I was given to review is ‘Hip Shaker’ which the website describes as a rich magenta rose. Personally I prefer shades with more pop but I think this would be ideal for a woman needing a simple colour to wear during the day.
♥ All the new season shades! (Ed: Isn’t she cute?!)
Lastly I was sent four shades from the Capture the Moment nail polish range. These are pretty pastel colours, all perfect for Summer (and Autumn!). My favourites from the range were Phase in, a bright eggshell blue and Play Down, a pastel Lavender colour. The shades dry fast, with minimal streaking and the colour pigment is strong.
Phew! So there we have it. Kit’s aesthetic is fun and fresh, but the makeup products are seriously good. The sleek packaging appeals to women of all ages and the products themselves have a great colour pay off and lasting power. An all round win in my books!
You can shop online or head to Kit Cosmetics in the Enex100 building or Perth city Myer in town.
Hope you enjoyed!
Review by Jacqui, fashion blogger, make up artist and all round cute thing.
Be well,
xoxo
