Rosehip Buds ♥

Rosehips are good guys, let me persuade you with a few quick facts about these high performing little cuties:

♥ Very high in vitamin C (an excellent antioxidant).
♥ Rose hips contain some vitamin A and B, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids.
♥ Can be used to help prevent / treat colds and flu.

The other thing they are great for?

♥ Plumping up your skin and giving you an incredible glow.

My skin is temperamental, dry in some spots, breakout prone in others – it’s very frustrating and makes it difficult to find products that will gently pat my skin into relaxed, glowy submission.

Rosehip prods are one of the very few that I’ve found that can accomplish this task of making my skin happy.

SO! What are my favourite picks and how do you go about getting your own little Rosehip Routine going? Well, I’m glad you asked…

1. A Clean Start

First up we want to remove all traces of makeup, dirt and midnight pizza snack grease to get the skin back to its natural state.

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Wotnot Natural Wipes contain heaps of goodies that are fantastic for the skin, one of them being our current hero Mr. Rosehip. My skin always feels great after using these, I highly recommend them and have turned quite a few people into fans. They can be tricky to source, but the Wotnot Website has free shipping so if you like your wipes all natural, organic & good for you then look no further!

2. Time for a Cuppa

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Next up, it’s time to get the rosehips working some magic from the inside. Packed with Vitamin C, this type of tea is a powerful ally in the quest for great skin.

Vitamin C has been proven to help our skin out in the following ways:

♥ Key ingredient in the production of collagen, which keeps skin firm & strong.
♥ Being an antioxidant, it stops pesky free-radicals, which destroy collagen leading to fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin.
♥ Antioxidants also help in the fight against UV rays.

Enough reasons to put tea cup to mouth? If not, it’s a very refreshing drink in Summer, served chilled. It has a tart taste (which I love), but if it’s a bit much pop some honey in and away you go!

I use a random supermarket brand called ‘Tasty’, but T2 Tea have some great varieties depending on how fancy you want to get. 🙂

3. Gonna Get Gooey

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So your face is clean, sippin’ on tea. Now it’s time to get masky. This Endota Honey & Rosehip Mask is ROCKING MY WORLD right now by making my skin dewy and ultra hydrated.

Apply to clean skin, it’s pretty goopy due to the honey, and jump in the shower after 10 minutes to rinse off. Emerge and be amazed at how soft and transformed your skin has become!

This green tube has now become a staple for me. CANT.GET.ENOUGH!

Update! Unfortunately, my one and only has been discontinued!!! In it’s place is the Rosehip & Myrrh Facemask which I’m told is also excellent, but I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet. If it’s good enough for the Three Wise Men however…

4. Oils aint Oils

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This organic rosehip oil claims to reduce wrinkles, blemishes and to maintain your most succulent skin and I can’t help but agree with the good Endota folk. As I’m currently out of both moisturiser and primer (scandalous, I know) I massage a drop of this into my skin post-shower in the morning before applying makeup, and rub a larger amount in post-shower-pre-bed at night.

My skin is noticeably more prone to blemishes and dryness when I’m not using it – I really do notice the difference. It also feels wonderful to be using a certified organic skincare product that contains heaps of NATURAL goodies for my skin to gobble up.

5. Don’t Forget the Lips!

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Rosehip is good for your lippies too! Packed full of natural ingredients, I’ve found the Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream just a little bit dreamy. It leaves my lips soooo soft after using it, and it’s the perfect ending to the Rosehip Ritual! I’ve found it works best to apply at night and wake up in the morning to soft, lush lips.

I hope you enjoyed the Rosehip Ritual and possibly feel inspired to get some of these hips of roses into your life as well!

Let me know if you have any questions or have tried any of the above products! Rosy kisses.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Jerico!

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

My name’s Jerico, I’m a Virgo and a busy girl! I work two jobs, one in retail and the other at an arthouse cinema. I also sing, dance and play keys in local pop band Boys Boys Boys! which is super fun and a lot of work. It’s cool to have an artistic outlet, especially since i get to make fun, pop music and dance around a stage like an idiot with my buddies. I also really love Prince alot 🙂

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Like most people, I don’t like getting outta bed in the morning 🙂 So with a busy schedule and early starts, my daily beauty routine needs to be as minimal as possible.

To start my day feeling fresh, ) like to use a gentle, facial exfoliant, preferably of the fruity kind. Followed by another fruity face wash to wake me up, I use Neutrogena Visibly Clear Grapefruit facial wash then end it with Vaseline Aloe Vera Replenishing Moisturiser to make my skin lovely and soft like every girl should have! A face wash before bed is always good also to avoid that oil build up over night. And don’t forget to brush your teeth! 🙂

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

To be honest I’m not really one to go and get beauty treatments from anywhere. Most things can be done in the comfort of your own home right? I’m shy 🙂 Maybe to go and have my hair cut, keep it looking nicccce.

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

Head Studio on King Street in the city are really innovative and modern with their styles…and my friend works there, bonus!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I guess that would have to be the budget, home hair colouring job. Cant beat it, $80… or $10? I know which one I will pick, ha.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

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

1. St Ives Apricot Scrub for skin
2. Sheer Cover mineral foundation for fantastic coverage and a healthy glow
3. Body Shop, paw paw flavoured moisturiser to feel smooth and smell yummy

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

I ride my bike lots. Buy a bike! A really cute, vintage one with streamers that you’ll want to ride everywhere so you’ll look cute and keep fit. And H20, water is your best friend. Drink tons of it and you’ll feel and look better in every way.

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

A personal trainer would be fantastic! But they are so expenny and my schedule is crazy :(. It would be great to have someone to motivate and push you into getting fit.

Yummy, yummy mango!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Breakfast needs to be light and healthy so you get a good start to the day. So i like to start with fresh fruit, especially mangoes. Summery and sweet, mmm 🙂 I’ll grab a 1 litre soda water during the day to keep me hydrated and bubbly.

I’m a vegetarian, so for lunch i’ll mostly head to Subway for a vege salad wrap or sandwich. Wraps are good because they’re lighter, less carbs, and they taste good too. Add a diet coke to the equation and I’m good. I always get nibbly about 3 o’clock, so on a good day I’ll have a fruit muesli bar and on a naughty day I’ll have a little chocolate. I can’t help it! I love sugar 🙂 Half the time I eat dinner at work, which means a lean cuisine meal like spinach cannelloni or something similar and tasty. At home cooking is fun for me and my boy. We love Mexican and curries with lots of herbs and spices. And maybe for dessert some choc mint slice. On a naughty day of course 🙂

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Ha, wouldn’t really call it a ‘routine’ but I do try to work out when I can. A couple of days a week a friend and i will gear up to go for a run around Hyde Park or Lake Monger. We try to do at least 30-40 mins, and make sure we SWEAT. I also try and ride my bike to work about 3 times a week. Bicycle fun!

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

Multivitamin tablets can give you a good boost. Berocca twist drinks are awesome if you need a little zing to wake you up at work on an off day. And I take fish oil tablets every day for general wellbeing.

Thanks Jerico! Any questions for our pop songstress, then leave them below in the comments!

Be well,

xoxo

Wella Shine Define Shampoo ($32) & Colour Save Conditioner ($32)!

♥ Despite my hair being in shocking condition at the moment (hello frequent GHD, and no haircut for 7 months…!) the new Wella System Professionals range, relaunching in February, is currently injecting some life and love back into my sad strands.

The Shine Define Shampoo in particular impressed me. It lathers up and disperses through the hair REALLY well, it was honestly the first time that I’ve felt like I was achieving an in-salon experience at home. I’m also using the Colour Save Conditioner and my hair is loving the combo. My hair is shiny, swishy and feels great – which is not always the case for me!

Repeated uses has confirmed that these are great for my normal-combination hair with damage, my hair is actually behaving, and I’ve been raving about it to my workmates.

The Wella SP range is only available in salon, you can call 1300 889 886 for your nearest salon!

Pretty much my favourite thing at the moment!! (dorky photos ahoy)

♥ Organic n Green Fruit and Veggie Boxes

My boyfriend and I have been ordering boxes of organic fruit and veggies lately, and it’s AMAZING! The taste, variety, cost and time saving / stress reducing-ness of these boxes of joy is amazing.

It’s also SO MUCH FUN when the box comes… it’s like Christmas because they send different goodies EVERYTIME!

There’s another proper article on it coming soon, but it is my giant crush right now!!!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser – $78

♥ At $78, this isn’t a cheapie, but I have found myself using it, loving it, running out, trying other tinted moisturisers with average results, and ultimately coming back to this great little glow-getter.

The porcelain shade is perfect for my notoriously difficult skin colour (very fair, with freckles, yellow undertone) and it just makes me glow without looking greasy.

Often I’ll wear it on it’s own when my skin is having a good day, otherwise I mix a bit into my regular foundation (Bobbi Brown). It’s like healthy skin in a bottle and I lurve lurve lurve it and have been using it for years now.

Get it online at Adore Beauty or in store at David Jones.

What do you think of my current crushes? Are any of them a crush for you too?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥ Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Starter Kit

I was tired, I had been out in the sun and was feeling mad at my skin. The festive season had taken its toll with blotchy skin, a couple of spots and ever-increasing sun damage. The glowing package I’d received from Youngblood gave me a little hope and I lunged at it.

I’d converted to mineral foundation after I found the perfect colour match in Inika’s Unity. I’ve found mineral cosmetics have a lighter feel and a natural look that suits me.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics was started by medical aesthetician Pauline Youngblood-Soli who was in daily contact with patients with severely traumatised skin from harsh laser treatments, cosmetic surgeries, acne and rosacea. Pauline’s aim was to create a natural-looking make up that concealed and soothed problematic skin.

The before shot.

So with a shining face and grumpy attitude, I almost felt sorry for these poor wee products – they were going to have to work hard on this mug. Clean, moisturised face ready I put on the Mineral Rice Setting Powder (primer) then set about buffing on the neutral shade of the Natural Mineral Foundation. The finishing touch was a little Hi-Definition Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder and a touch of Crushed Mineral Blush to the apples of my cheeks.

And after!

Flipping heck… I was stunned with the results as virtually every imperfection was covered with this stuff. My sunspots all but faded into oblivion and only one cheeky spot was left visible. The shade matched my skin very nicely and looked natural while concealing any sins. The blush colour looked extreme in the pot (my shade was sherbet and looked like it packed some punch) but with just a small amount on the kabuki brush it gave a pretty pink glow to my cheeks.

My husband came home soon after the product trial and wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. “Wow, you look nice – you look like you’re going to a wedding or something,” were his appraising words directed at my skin (my singlet, shorts and thongs get up were definitely not wedding-worthy).

As I sit here writing this review eight hours later, my skin still looks good although could do with a minor touch up. I’m not used to a light, mineral foundation having such oomph and I can’t stop peeking at myself in the mirror to check if my skin still looks perfect. I may have even winked at myself during one shameless glance… this stuff is confidence in a jar and I highly recommend.

Where can you geddit?

Try the company’s website http://www.youngbloodmineralcosmetics.com.au and you’ll find a long list of WA retailers that sell the brand. The four complexion products I tried come in one kit for $69.95.

Have you tried mineral makeup yet? We’d love to hear about your favourites!

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

♥ Yummy Mummy Pregnancy Day Spa ♥

I have an admission – I had never been to a Day Spa before. Considering the fact I’m entering my 27th year on this planet and I have friends who are experts on this matter, this is quite a feat!

So not only was this itself a scary concept, throw in the fact that I am 35 weeks pregnant and incredibly self conscious at the moment, what a better time to take the plunge.

I visited Yummy Mummy Pregnancy Day Spa in Leederville thanks to a gift voucher from my sister and found it to be very welcoming. A friendly smile to greet me, peaceful decor, water offered, I began to feel at ease which was appreciated seeing how nervous I was. The chill out area had comfortable chairs, music and water with freshly cut strawberries in it, why hadn’t I tried this before? I could get used to this!

I had chosen the Aroma Massage and was taken to my treatment room by a friendly masseuse. The room was very discrete and I felt at ease making my own way to the pregnancy friendly table – complete with hole for my belly! This might have been one of the most novel parts of my morning, being able to lie face down. How you take the little things for granted.

It didn’t take me long to ‘let go’ and enjoy the massage. How could I not with the soft music, lovely massage oils and warm towels? For somebody at a time of incredibly vulnerable body image, I didn’t have a problem with a stranger touching me. My poor swollen body sure appreciated it. It was also relaxing to have confidence in the masseur and that everything they were doing was pregnancy friendly – something very important to me.

The time passed quickly and unfortunately my first experience at the day spa came to an end, but it was thoroughly enjoyed and has given me the confidence to treat myself to another! I am sure I will deserve it come 5 weeks time!

The Aroma Massage has the following price points:

50 min -$120

80 min – $160

110 min – $210

As well as an article by Yummy Mummy with some FAQ about pregnancy massage, including benefits and addressing any concerns you may have 🙂

Yummy Mummy Pregnancy Day Spa is located at:

253 Oxford Street
Leederville WA 6007

Open Hours

Monday to Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 9am-5pm

Phone: 08 9201 1077

Review by Krystle M, heavily pregnant and newly converted to the wonders of massage!

Be well,

xoxo