♥ 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

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

Julie Quach, Owner of Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary.

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

I was born in WA, 27 years ago. I went to Curtin Business School and finished a double degree in Marketing and Communications. At the age of 21, I started my own business, and I have never looked back. I’m quite simple in the sense that I know what is important in life and I am realistic about my goals and direction. I’ve always had a passion for beauty, anyone who knows me can vouch for that! It only seemed natural that I used my degree as a base, and mixed in my passion, to help shape and create my life. Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary isn’t work for me at all, it might sound really cliché but when you do something you really love there are no boundaries, just abundance.

Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist – $28

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Ok, well as you can image my bathroom is FULL of product, and I am usually “researching” (aka testing) for new brands to put on the site. At the moment, these are the products I am using:

Both morning and evening, my skin cleansing routine consists of:

Cleanser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Wash
Toner: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist
Serum: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Purifying Palmarosa Facial Serum
Moisturiser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream
Eyes: Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel

When I cleanse I always massage from behind the ears and down to the clavical to drain the lymph nodes.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub – $40

I also like to treat my skin at least twice a week using these two products interchangeably:

♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub
♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Face Mask

As for makeup, one of my favourite products would have to be RMS Beauty’s Un-cover Up. This product is UN-BELIEVEABLE. This product is perfect for ladies who are after natural, dewy looking skin, without having to wear too much makeup.

My current primer is Alison Raffaele’s Age Response Primer. You have to feel it to believe it – it seriously gives you the MOST silky skin.

RMS- Living Luminiser, a cult product – $53

I always use RMS LIP2CHEEK- Smile and Rapture. RMS Beauty’s MOMENT lip shine, and the Living Luminiser are great for highlighting the cheeks also.

I don’t tend to use a lot of product on my eyes unless I’m going out. When I do choose to wear some colour, I always reach for the RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow SEDUCE.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without?

My weekly facial.

♥ And your favourite place to have it done?

I prefer to do them myself in my bathroom, only because I am very particular when it comes to my skin and products.

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

Hairloom in Osborne Park – Candice or Connie. They are super talented and beautiful people. They’re always traveling for work as they’re in high demand. Not many people know, but they are usually over east for fashion week, exercising their talents backstage.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My natural manicure for sure!

The Japanese Wash Cloth – $29

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

Not Fair, there are so many!!!

If I have to choose, I will go with these 3…

1. RMS Beauty’s Living Luminiser
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream (one of Neal’s Yard’s best selling products)
3. Japanese Wash Cloth.

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

Exercise daily – it makes such a difference to your emotional state, I feel like ME when I work out. Its empowering and you can feel confident in anything. Mediation helps me to center and focus in the mornings. My days are very busy so if I don’t take a moment to just slow down I feel a little out of whack! Before bed try thinking about 5 things that you are grateful for, from that day. It can be anything! Even the smallest thing, as long as it has elevated you, it’s important to acknowledge.

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

Kefir, a probiotic rich food made from fermented milk.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Normally, breakfast consists of kefir and oats or a Protein shake, and coffee at the office with my beloved nespresso! I eat a healthy big lunch around 1pm. I always make sure I have some protein with salad. A snack of fruit at 4pm keeps me going until my light dinner at 7pm. I really try and stay away from carbs especially at night, but I always treat myself to something sweet to cleanse the pallet!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I’m up at 6am and I usually go to the gym. I’ll do about 45mins of weight training followed by 30mins of cardio. I’ll do this about 4 times a week. Pilates on Saturday. The 3 days of the week I have off I will just go for a 1hr run with my dog Kamajii.

Remedial Massage.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements?

I don’t take any supplements, and the only therapies I take part in are quite indulgent. This includes remedial massages (the only kind of massage I like!) and also I love Reiki, my fav place for that is up in the hills of Noosa, QLD. A Japanese couple do this treatment at their estate – amazing!

♥ How do you like to relax?

Take a bath or get a remedial massage, pedicure or read. I’m inspired by anything creative, and cooking to me is an art. Art of taste! So I love to visit subi markets and farmers markets to get my produce fresh and spend all day cooking whilst listening to music.

Thanks Julie, you were a pleasure to interview and have provided lots to look at and think about!

If you have any questions please leave a comment below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

♥

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

♥ 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