by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 20, 2011 | Wellness Tips
Kit nails! ♥
Today I’d like to share with you the beauty and wellbeing bits n pieces that have made my week – hopefully you like them, please share your wellness wrap-up too if you like!
1. Got ma nails did for FREE at the Kit event in Enex100.
And I swear it’s one of the best manicures I’ve ever had! The new season free spirits edition colour is called ‘Play Down‘ (shown above). The girls at this event were the sweetest things and I hope that Kit run something like this again soon, it was great!
2. Raw Comedy State Final @ His Majesty’s Theatre.
16 comedians did battle last night with words and wit as their weapons, the winner (Tien Tran) is headed off to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to vie for the national title! Let me tell you, this event was fantastic. There were so many highlights I can’t even remember some of them, but I would go again in a heartbeat, laughing is also AMAZING for your wellbeing, didyaknow?
♥
3. Super mild sunscreen for the face in the form of QV Moisturising Day Cream with SPF 30+.
I’m having a bit of a love affair with this guy, after being told off by my beauty therapist for not wearing sunscreen on my face each day. My skin is a bit sensitive and prone to breaking out, so I needed something mild, non-clogging but effective, I also didn’t want that whole white-mask business that some sunscreens try and get away with.
This stuff RULZ! It has almost no smell, is non-greasy, non-sticky, is a great base for make up and ticks all of the above boxes as well. Best of all it is only $15.99 from pharmacies/Priceline!!! It has moved swiftly up the ranks to must have product in my bathroom.
4. Retreat for one at Bodhi J Day Spa.
Last Monday I treated myself to a spa day. It was fantastic. Review to come in the next few days!
♥
5. T2 Spi Chai Tea!
I avoid caffeine where I can (but I do love my choccy!) and as a huge lover of chai tea have been searching for a decaff alternative for a while now. In T2 the other day, I stumbled upon Spi Chai, which is exactly what I’ve been wishing for!
Ingredients: Star anise, cardamon seeds/pods, liquorice root, cinnamon, ginger, jasmine, cloves, rose petals.
It’s a beautiful blend which is soothing & mildly warming, perfect as we’re waving goodbye to Summer (finally). I have mine with Vitasoy soy milk & a squeeze ‘o honey. It doesn’t make the water really dark (coz there’s no actual tea in it unlike regular chai) but the flavour is still strong and delicious. Do try it!
What have you been doing this week to up your wellness quotient?
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 15, 2011 | Beauty Salon, Day Spa, Organic, Products, Reviews, Spa and Salon Brochures, Western Suburbs
From the outside, it’s not clear whether the Jurlique Store in the newly developed Claremont Quarter provides treatments or not. It’s a cute little shop, which evokes a sense of being atop a snowy Swiss mountain, nestled in a wooden lodge. Only instead of hot chocolate and moose-heads, you’re surrounded by all the organic, biodynamic Australian-made skincare you could ever need! It’s a good feeling.
Jurlique, Claremont Quarter store.
Luckily for you (and me), this quaint little space does indeed provide treatments and they are indulgent ones at that. Here you wont find any of your standard waxing fare, but what you will find is an incredible array of facial and body treatments that will have your mind abuzz with confusion as to which one to pick!
I chose the Jurlique Aromatherapy Facial which is described as:
“This classic facial provides holistic benefits essential for radiant healthy skin. Using aromatherapy preparations, this cleansing and relaxing facial is personalised to suit your skin’s individual rebalancing needs. An uplifting sensory experience of natural skin care and total pampering.”
The treatment room.
Both the girls at the Claremont Quarter store were lovely and welcoming! I filled in a card, was asked a lot of questions about my skin and then taken into the treatment room for the fun to begin…
I should mention that they were playing really good music, cue Death Cab for Cutie, The Album Leaf and more soft folky sounds.
Lemon-Lime Hydrating Essence – $45.
I love personalised treatments, from a choice of three scents I chose this one, Lemon-Lime. Yum. This hydrating essence is compressed onto the face with hot towels, complete bliss, and apparently it plumps up the dead skin cells and makes it easier for them to be exfoliated off!
Balancing Cleansing Lotion – $45.
It should really be called a face-neck-chest-ial, as all three of these areas are joining in the party, starting with the cleanse.
Next comes one of the best bits of getting a facial…. the steamer!
My face is steamed for about 5 minutes to open up the pores and then a mask is applied (although I forgot which one, oh dear!)
While it dries my arms are exfoliated, massaged and moisturised, I could get used to this.
Some soft hot towels later and my face is bare again, ready to be introduced to the final products to complete my experience…
Herbal Recovery Eye Cream – $52.
♥ (Above) Applied under the eyes, this cream helps to de-puff and reduce dark circles!
♥ Balancing Day Cream – an everyday moisturiser that smells great.
♥ Herbal Recovery Gel – this is a potent little mix of good for you anti-aging ingredients, I found it made my skin pretty sticky afterwards though, so beware!
♥ Love Balm! ♥
Last but not least this super-cute balm is applied to my lips. My therapist offered me some tea and water, and then sadly it was time to leave.
To check out the other treatments available on the menu, head here.
I loved my treatment and the staff were super sweet, make sure you head down to Claremont Quarter soon – it is incredible! When you’re finished with Jurlique you can duck over to the T2 shop across the road as well – for a post-spa tea! Can’t beat it 🙂
The aromatherapy facial is $105 and takes 60 minutes.
Contact the Claremont Quarter girls on: 08 9284 2325
I received this facial gratis, but as always would like to remind you that we will only write about something if we loved it and think you’d love it too. This one made the cut!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 15, 2011 | Cheap / Free, Inner City
♥ Beeeeyootiful new season Kit nail polish colours! ♥
If you fancy a spruce up before the weekend or just want to try a fresh new shade on your fingertips, then you must absolutely make sure you pop on down to Kit Cosmetics in the enex100 building, Hay Street Mall, this Friday – 18 March 2011!
The lovely Kit gals will be dishing out FREE 10 minute mini paint ‘n polish manicures between the following times:
11am to 2pm & 5pm to 7pm
I reckon this one will be popular, but very worth it.
Let me know if you’re thinking of heading down!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 14, 2011 | Inner City, Interviews, Products
♥ Aggie Hong ♥
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I love to dream big and every experience along the journey is always a blessing!
I’ve just recently opened Moi Moi Fine Jewellery in Carillon City. So it’s all very exciting right now. Because it is so new, I’m currently running complimentary Jewellery Appreciation Workshops which educate people on how to choose the right jewellery to suit their face shapes, what to look for when purchasing fine jewellery and most importantly just to have some fun and enjoy champagne and canapés!
We also stock bright coloured MiABELLE enamel jewellery, my current favourite piece is the Faberge inspired enamel egg pendants (above) which are hand-painted and set with white topaz, they start from just $135 and you can’t get it anywhere else in WA!
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
Well it all depends on my mood and weather! When it’s hot and sticky, the lesser the better.
Step 1: Cleansing
I would always start with removing my eye make up with Lancome (fab to remove water resistant and water proof mascara) and then with Shiseido’s cleansing cream, as I do wear make up so that is a good way to remove them before using my Clarins gentle exfoliating cleanser. I would never skip a single step here even when I’m dead tired! Without cleansing properly you might as well not bother putting anything else on your face.
Shiseido Concentrated Balancing Softener – RRP $150
Step 2: Softening & Eye Cream
LOVE Shiseido Future Solution LX Softener!! It’s instant hydration to your skin and smells divine. Currently I’m using La Mer Eye Concentrate, expensive ($350) little pot of eye cream but you really to get what you pay for! Never skip eye cream! First signs of aging begin around your eyes. In summer, I usually stop here without moisturizer on top as this softener is rich enough.
Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum – RRP $89
Step 3: Moisturise & Treatments
I like Loccitane Olive tree organic moisturiser which feels very comfortable and light. When I feel in need of boost, I would use Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum and Crème De La Mer for a bit of pampering as well.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Visage and Shiatsu are great ways to relax and pamper myself. I get it done once every few months at Shiseido in David Jones on Hay Street. Not only on my face, I even get my neck, shoulders and hands massaged too. All I have to do is purchase 2 products and I get to enjoy 1 hour of complimentary facial – absolutely great deal!
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
St James Hair Salon in Northbridge – my stylist always meets my expectations when styling my hair. I am very picky with colouring but they always have a can do attitude even when I come up with a hard and tricky colour request. Great service, friendly atmosphere and superbly priced!
Aesop Three Acts Kit – RRP $69
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
A relaxing massage from my partner! Body oil from Aesop is beautiful, rich with Vitamin E and botanical extracts.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – RRP $24-39
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
This is a hard question! Coming from a beauty background, I’ve tried many amazing products, so this will be a hard one but I managed to pull out 3.
1. Lancome Hypnose – good mascara that will work magic on your look. For the budget alternative try Maybelline volume express, works just as good!
2. Jurlique Rose Face Mist – it comes in a mini 30ml and I always carry one in my handbag. It’s my quick fix for an instant pick me up when I feel tired or dry in air conditioning and in winter. Spray on with or without makeup and you will sure get a radiant glow.
3. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle – need I say more? (Available online at StrawberryNET)
♥
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Drink lots of tea, especially green tea. I hardly ever drink anything with sugar or anything fizzy. I like to sing as it helps me to relieve stress and always think positive!
Last but not least, lots of beauty sleep of course!
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Pilates – seems hard but would like to try it someday.
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Talking about food I’m actually craving sushi right now!
Well this morning I had a cup of Twining lady grey and honey on multigrain toast.
As I’m opening the shop I made myself Dilmah Rose with French vanilla milk tea.
Then its tuna and avocado sandwich for lunch with green tea. By late afternoon it’s time for my coffee fix, I love Chai tea latte from Gloria Jeans and sometimes I snack with carrot cake. For dinner I love my fish, especially salmon and other food I love eating are mushrooms, beans, roast lamb, salad especially with balsamic dressing and things with vinegar and a bit of chilli.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Does walking 20mins everyday while getting to the bus stop and back count?
And if I’m not too tired by the end of the day I try to go for a swim in my backyard.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I like to drink warm honey and apple cider vinegar at least 2 to 3 times a week in the morning.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Listen to soothing music and lie down with a mask.
Watch chick flick or comedy with a bunch of girlfriends.
Get away from the city completely for a retreat in the nature, somewhere that’s not too hot.
Thanks so much Aggie! We hope you enjoyed delving into her beauty & wellbeing routine, if you have someone in mind you’d love us to interview, leave a comment below!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 6, 2011 | Beauty Salon, Inner City, North of River, Products, Reviews
♥
Fed up with the way many products and brands in the beauty world were either overpriced, poorly formulated, marketed in a misleading way or all three, Perth chemist, businesswoman and mother Bridget Black decided to take matters into her own hands.
Her chemistry background provided the foundation for her to create her own range of beauty products. Her absolute commitment to ethical practice means no ingredients used by the business are tested on animals and she tracks carbon footprint for everything from manufacture to distribution, as well as crediting $2 for the return of every piece of BB packaging.
I was lucky enough to be treated to a deluxe facial at Bridget’s flagship Mt Lawley boutique.
Reception / store area.
The fit-out is gorgeous. Considering the namesake of the business, black is the obvious choice, but it’s complemented with lots of bright white, chandeliers and make-up style light-bulbs around the mirrors.
I don’t know about you, but the moment I always fear most with a new beautician is the one where that lamp with the all-knowing light hangs over your face and tells of the multitude of sins: drinking too much alcohol and too little water, smoking (not that I do), spending too much time in the sun (driving a soft-top in summer doesn’t help); eating poorly or whatever other vice you have or temptation you give in to. Luckily, it appears all that drinking water and diligent application of sunscreen paid off and my skin, is, happily, free of premature aging and sun damage.
Temily, the therapist I had on the day, was an absolute professional.
After leaving me to tuck myself into the plush (black) blankets, she ran through my own skincare routine with me, having read the client details I had filled in on arrival.
The lush treatment room.
One of my pet hates is pushy therapists who try to sell you products while you’re having a treatment. Ditto for hairdressers trying to upsell serums, conditioners etc at the till.
I’m all for being informed, knowing what the therapist is using and the features and benefits, but it’s a fine line between informing a client and peddling products and Temily straddled it perfectly. It was an incredibly relaxing and soothing treatment, but also one where I felt informed and safe every step of the way, also another really important factor with a new therapist. Temily made me feel like just for that hour, there was no more important place to be than right where I was.
The jojoba buffing beads were one of my favourite products. I’ve used them since I had the facial, and have really never felt my skin so clean and clear of debris and dead skin cells.
Bridget Black Eye Gel, 30ml – RRP $35
The eye gel also felt beautiful on my skin and appeared to really make the skin around my eyes tighter and more soft and supple. The moisturiser for normal to oily skin, which is what I’ve got, was the perfect weight and I wasn’t left feeling at all greasy on a hot Perth summer morning.
One of the most delightful parts of the facial was the arm and leg exfoliation. Having a choice of scents added a personal touch, and vanilla, which is my all-time favourite, was one of them. Being able to select, when filling in client info, what level of massage you like is just one of the services that makes the Bridget Black experience more personal and far better than the average beauty salon encounter.
I left the salon feeling pampered, spoiled and like I’d been treated with products that had truly done my skin good.
The deluxe facial goes for 1 hour and costs $75.
Bridget runs a second store on St George’s Terrace in the CBD.
Follow Bridget’s movements on Facebook or on her website.
Have you tried Bridget Black, or any other local Perth brands before? Let us know in the comments!
Review by Athanae Lucev, a freelance journalist and writer with a keen eye for a pretty bargain.
Be well,
xoxo
