by Annette @ Wellness WA | Aug 20, 2012 | Products, Reviews, Wellness Tips
Gooooood mornin! I hope that your day has gotten off to a wonderful start, and you’re feeling fired up with feelings of positivity, calm and a deep sense of wellness. It’s time for one of my fave segments – beauty and wellbeing crushes! I absolutely love sharing my latest wellness finds and things that are firing me up (in a good way!). There’s a lot this week, so lets get started!!
♥ Oxygen Facial at Cove Spa
“I can’t live without having a weekly Oxygen facial – Intraceuticals facials leave my skin glowing and radiant! When I want to look my best I find a body massage beforehand also works wonders.” – Miranda Kerr.
It was with this pinnacle of testimonials in mind that I headed to Cove Spa in South Perth for a 90 minute oxygen facial, because lets be real, who in their right mind doesn’t want skin like the gorgeous MK? My experience didn’t disappoint. While I can’t afford them every week, after 90 minutes of cleansing, facial massage, serums & having the oxygen applied to my face, my skin was looking a LOT glowier than it was before.
I also have to pay special tribute to my therapist, Melissa, who is one of the top two facialists that I’ve experienced in Perth. It was truly something special! Highly recommended! $195 for 1 hour 45 mins.
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♥ Cute Cloud Chopping Boards & Raw Vegan Cinnamon Chocolate
HOW CUTE IS THIS AMAZING NEW BREAD BOARD I JUST PICKED UP FROM MR SPARROW?!?! I am seriously in love, and if I’m being honest will probably not be using it to chop too many things on because it’s just SO cute! But it will be making appearances on the blog, so watch this space! It’s from Germany, and I had to wait 2+ months for it to be re-shipped, but I am in love.
The second excellent thing in this photo is the little block of raw, handmade, vegan, organic (phew) choccy from Pana Chocolate – who have just changed their name from Conscious Chocolate, thus the old wrapper. I was sent the brand new cinnamon flavour to test out and it’s delightful. If you love chocolate and are looking for a healthy alternative then this is your go to!
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♥ O&M Haircare
How cute are these milk-bottle-esque shampoo and conditioner containers from Original & Mineral (O&M)? Pretty darling if you ask me! They look very cute lined up in my shower. And also on my balcony, as above.
O&M claim to “reduce the chemical load” on your hair, and their products are free of many of the harsh chemicals found in traditional salon haircare. I tried the cutely named Maintain the Mane shamps n condish and really enjoyed them. They don’t leave my hair quite as silky smooth as your usual suspects, but that’s because there’s no silicon in them, which is what gives that shiny sleek look. I’ve found if I rub a couple of drops of jojoba oil in my hands then smooth over my hair and blowdry afterwards then my hair looks pretty darn good.
I’d definitely recommend O&M products for anyone interested in taking some steps towards more natural haircare!
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♥ New Lululemon Pants
I’m in love with my new yoga pants. I feel like a blue tiger cub when I wear them, and they are SO SO comfy. I also picked them up on sale, $69 down from about $99! WIN! 🙂
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♥ Sun Warrior Protein + UDO’s Oil
I’ve recently added these two nifty products to my smoothie routine and they are doing wonders!
UDO’s oil is a product that I’ve wanted to try for a loooooong time. It has the optimum blend of omega 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids that your body needs to be healthy, and my brain is always a little more switched on when I’m including a tablespoon of this stuff in my smoothie. It’s a lot more mellow tasting than just plain flaxseed oil on it’s own, too. Plus it has the added benefit of vitamin e + you can use it in a number of ways, including drizzling it on veggies (YUM!). This is my go-to health oil now.
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I bought the Sun Warrior Protein in vanilla flavour, and it’s a great way to add a little sweetness to smoothies with tangy berries (such as raspberry) in them. It’s 100% raw & vegan, which is exciting, and since I’m currently on a bit of a fitness kick I feel like it’s a great way to add a bit of post-workout protein into my diet! It costs $70-75 for a 1kg bag, pricey, but it’s a pure product, so if you’re looking for the healthiest possible protein powder then this may well be it.
What are you crushing on wellness-wise this week?
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Aug 6, 2012 | Products, Reviews
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Not too long ago, opting for natural skincare meant you might have to compromise on quality or results. But the recent explosion of eco-friendly products onto the market, as well as tried and trusted brands amping up their purity credentials, has changed the beauty landscape immeasurably.
Whilst this is something to celebrate for the conscious consumer, it also introduces the conundrum of choice. Time spent poring over lotions and potions deciding which one to spend your precious dollars on can be enjoyable, but it can also be a tad bewildering. So we at Wellness WA are very pleased to help fast-track your decision making process by trialling some of the loveliest newcomer ‘au naturel’ brands available.
One such new kid on the block is RICH Skincare. It ticks all the right boxes for clean skincare, with no sulphates, parabens, artificial colours or fragrances. The range combines science with nature, incorporating the best natural elements from anti-ageing research. More superficially, it has beautiful, chic packaging, which looks very pretty in your bathroom.
I tested three products, replacing the ones I use day-to-day – the Deep Cleansing Milk, Ultra Hydrating Day Cream and Advanced Peptide Night Cream. As their name suggests, the products are very succulent – perfect for my winter skin. They have a delicate, fresh fragrance, in keeping with the natural ethos. But how did they perform?
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♥ The Deep Cleansing Milk ($44.95) was very effective at removing make up, including eye make-up, and without making my eyes sting like some other natural cleansers I’ve used. It glided on smoothly and rinsed off cleanly leaving my skin soft and refreshed.
♥ The Ultra Hydrating Day Cream ($49.95) was very moisturising, but without the heaviness you sometimes get in anti-ageing creams. I also found that a little went a long way, so good value.
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♥ The Advanced Peptide Night Cream ($59.95) was my favourite of the three. It felt like such a soothing and luscious treat for my skin after a long day and the fine lines around my eyes do seem to have softened.
All that and RICH is also made in Australia, so a smaller carbon footprint too. One more thing to make your skin glow!
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If you’d like to trial this range, you’re in luck! Tomorrow we’ll be giving one lucky reader the chance to win a goodie pack consisting of an Ultra Hydrating Day Cream & an Advanced Peptide Night Cream!!! Stay tuned 🙂
Review by Karen Miller.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Aug 1, 2012 | Exercise, Food, North of River, Western Suburbs
Équilibre (the French term for balance) is a collaboration between fitness fanatic and foodie, Pascal and Nicole van Kan.
Our business combines Pascal’s years of expertise and experience as an exercise professional, with Nic’s passion for great food and cooking. Together, we provide a refreshing approach to health and fitness that is realistic, back-to-basics and sustainable.
Staying fit and healthy is a way of life for us, but it doesn’t mean that we miss out on delicious food, a great glass of wine or a well-made coffee! So for us, it’s all about helping our clients to find their own personal equilibrium.
We champion good health over weight loss, promote positive body image, strive to simplify exercise and encourage people to get back to REAL food. There are no gimmicks, quick fixes or empty promises.
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We’ve been delighted to introduce our 8-week Fitness for Foodies program this year. It combines outdoor exercise sessions with practical advice and simple habits that can be easily implemented on a week-by-week basis – including plenty of recipe inspiration, useful templates and exercise routines to do at home.
Sessions are held 3 times per week at central Perth locations (such as King’s Park, Subiaco, City Beach and Lake Monger) and our groups are friendly, approachable and designed to accommodate all levels of fitness. Read what our members are saying about it here.
We pride ourselves on delivering an inspiring and uplifting program that is both supportive and personal. And at only $139 for 8 weeks, it’s also great value for money.
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Fitness for Foodies is all about giving you the tools and knowledge to be able to self- manage your own health and fitness and to change your approach for good.
Our spring program commences on the 20th August and we’d love to have you join in the fun!
www.equilibre.com.au
www.equilibre.com.au/fitnessforfoodies
www.facebook.com/fitnessforfoodies
Photo credit: Jessica Shaver Photography
This is a sponsored post, as always though, we will only bring you posts with content we think you will find relevant & inspiring!
Be well,
xoxo
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by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 31, 2012 | Beauty Salon, Day Spa, Inner City, Massage, Reviews
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A few weeks ago I got to spend some time at what I'm not afraid to say is the most elegantly decorated spa I've ever had the pleasure of being pampered in. And Vanity Box Skin Couture in Perth (the intersection of East Perth, Highgate & Maylands) isn't just a pretty face, though their exquisite decor is the initial drawcard, it's the warm welcome, ambiance and list of 'little extras' about a mile long that really impress. This is definitely your go-to if all out luxury and service is on the cards.
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My purpose for visiting Vanity Box was to spend an hour and a half with the gorgeous and delightfully friendly owner, Suzey, to road-test one of her 'bespoke' treatments. Basically this means that you book in for a certain amount of time, and in consultation with Suzey decide on the day what you most feel like having done. Genius! It makes sense to be guided by what your skin and body need at the time, and I've never come across a service like this before, so I was very excited to see what she would suggest for me.
The room I was in, stunning right?!
My afternoon of delights starts with some candle warmed berry tea, while the strains of classical music wash over me and the relaxation process begins…
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For someone so petite Suzey has strong hands, which are capable of tailoring the massage treatments to your liking, from tender butterfly kisses, all the way up to strong deep tissue work. My massage was a mixture of both, the preceding deep tissue working out all of my computer slouching sins, while the follow up gentle massage sent me to the brink of sleep. The classical music played during the second half of the massage transported me to a perfectly choreographed ballet, where her hands were the world renowned dancers, and my back the stage.
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The Priori Natureceuticals Coffeeberry Relaxing Yoga Treatment (75 mins) is said to be an intensely relaxing anti-ageing treatment that reduces tension and stress levels as well as brightening the skin. This is where the little extras really kicked in.
♥ My face was massaged extensively during the facial, which was a very enjoyable experience and is meant to help with relieving stress.
♥ I was brought a much appreciated hot water bottle (with plush covering) and a warmed eye bag as it was chilly that day, both of which I loved.
♥ While the face mask was setting I received the longest and most glorious arm massage ever. Divine.
♥ Post-facial I was offered a light mineral makeup application, I gratefully accepted as my skin has been playing up lately and the thought of going bare-faced was a little scary on that day 😉
The second room at Vanity Box – so pretty, this one's my fave!
With my bespoke treatments complete, relaxed muscles and brighter complexion in tow, I couldn't help but think that Vanity Box has completely hit the nail on the head in terms of combining stunning surroundings, wonderful service and a sense of being welcome in those who visit.
This gorgeous spa is the definition of opulence – without the attitude.
Vanity Box Skin Couture
Dilhorn Manor
178 Claisebrook Road
Perth Western Australia 6000
t : +61 8 6468 6471
m : +61 433 133 573
e : info@vanitybox.net.au
w: vanitybox.net.au
price list: available here
Have you heard of this spa before? What do you think of the decor? And how about the sound of a yoga facial? Lets chat below!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 30, 2012 | Alternative Therapy, Interstate/International, Interviews, Wellness Tips
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am the founder of Live Healthy Simply – A source of inspiration for everything related to food, cooking & healthy living. I started the blog on a bit of a whim last November and I’m very humbled that people aside from my Mum are actually reading it! I’m also in the processes of opening up an online health food store www.shophealthy.com.au & will start studying nutrition next year.
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
In the morning I cleanse my face using Akin facial cleanser and apply Antipodes Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream
In the evening I cleanse my face then apply Antipodes Rosehip Oil to my face and neck and apply Akin Rejuvenating Eye Cream under my eyes. I use Antipodes hand cream on my hands. For a body scrub I love Scented Holistic Skincare’s Coconut Sea Salt Scrub – it smells so yummy! I try to remember to exfoliate once a week on my face and body and use my Antipodes Clay Mask. My mum makes her own cosmetics and I use her body butter and exfoliant.
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I love massages! I couldn’t live without them! I love Thai & Chinese massage the best – I find regular massages in beauty salons are too gentle, I prefer my massages to be firm.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
I’ve never been to Perth (I would love to go!) and I’m on the look out for a good hairdresser in Sydney…Any suggestions would be very welcomed!
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
It would have to be my DIY hair treatment – I use coconut oil to keep the ends of my hair moisturised. It works really well and is much cheaper than buying expensive treatments.
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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
– butter LONDON nail polish in red
– Adorn Mineral Cosmetics mascara
– Arbonne Foundation Powder
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♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Eat & drink lots of veggies! I have recently started juicing and the difference it has made to my skin is unbelievable! It’s so much more glowy and healthy looking. I also make sure I drink 2 litres of purified water per day.
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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I would love to try a fish pedicure! I’m really ticklish so I’m sure how much I would enjoy it but it certainty would be an experience!
♥ Cacao Powder
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
For breakfast I have a smoothie with pea protein, oat milk, raw cacao powder, carob, chia seeds and acai berry powder.
Lunch is usually a salad of greens, tomato, nuts, chickpeas, kale chips and roasted veggies. Dinner is some kind of stir-fry, curry, pasta, veggie pattie, soup or salad.
I snack on nuts, fresh juices and raw vegan treats that involve lots of raw cacao powder – I LOVE chocolate!
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♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I’m getting married in September so like all brides I’ve significantly stepped it up in the exercise department! At the moment I’m exercising five times per week when before I use to exercise three to four times per week. I do a mixture of yoga, core work, weights and cardio.
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♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I take spirulina, B vitamins, chlorophyll and zinc. I try to remember to take them everyday day, but it doesn’t always happen!
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
I love soaking in a bath with Epsom salts and reading a good book, pure bliss!
We hope you enjoyed Jessica’s routine! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below! 🙂
Find out more about the great work she is doing…
Web:Â http://www.livehealthysimply.com
Facebook:Â http://www.facebook.com/LiveHealthySimply
Twitter:Â https://twitter.com/LiveHealthyJess
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/LiveHealthyJess
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/LiveHealthySimply
Be well,
xoxo
