by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 25, 2022 | Interviews
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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!
I am a nutritionist and mum of two, author and girl boss of Skin Friend, and I get a kick out of wearing hats, doing yoga and designing supplements.
My life in skin care feels like a natural progression from my awful teenage years where I suffered with severe hand dermatitis and a couple of years in my adult life where I had a painful case of head-to-toe eczema and severe multiple chemical intolerances that left me unable to eat much at all. Social isolation became my life until I found the solution to my skin problems. After my daughter recovered from eczema I wrote The Eczema Diet, and for the past 20 years I have worked with thousands of people with skin issues. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that skin wellness is not only about the foods you eat — this is important, but so is mental wellness, relaxation and dampening the stress response.
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I wanted to share this information so I have just launched my latest health book The Healthy Skin Kitchen.
I also have a new online program to help people with eczema at www.healthyskinkitchen.com.
What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?
I wake up at 5.30am (most days) and aim for seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep is king.
What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?
I have a high-pressure job and I have recently successfully recovered from an auto-immune condition, so this routine helps me to stay well and feel relaxed and happy. It has been life changing. I usually wake at 5.30am, drink a large glass of water and then I meditate for 45 minutes or I’ll do a beach walk. Then I have breakfast and do creative visualizations and vagus nerve wellness exercises for up to an hour to calm down my nervous system. I’m obsessed with wildflowers and gardening so a few times a week I’ll wander through my garden, pulling up weeds as my two kittens follow me around.
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Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Food is joy. There was a time when I couldn’t eat much at all, so I celebrate meal times and make exceptions when I eat out with friends.
When I am at home, this is my usual routine:
♥ Breakfast is a massive bowl of porridge or overnight oats (1 cup of raw oats cooked in water and oat milk) and The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen.
♥ As I get up so early, I have a snack at 11am (leftover smoothie and a few protein balls) and then lunch at 12.30, which is usually a home-made wrap (Oat and Leek Flatbread) with a black bean San Choy Bau filling.
♥ Dinners can consist of some type of healthy soup, sweet potato vermicelli stir-fry with chicken, leek, spring onion and red cabbage, or a Sunday lamb roast with roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrots and potato and rosemary, which I enjoy with my family.
♥ I drink lots of water throughout the day.
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Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?
I naturally have super dry skin so I can’t live without my 24-Hour Rescue Balm, which I apply to my body each the morning after showering. It was a lifesaver when I had eczema. I also use a home-made face skin cream which has anti-aging peptides (I usually test my creations for years before I launch them online—this one is still in the testing phase). If I am going out in the sun I apply UberZinc by Synergie Skin, before applying light conceal-er, coloured lip gloss and a lick of mascara.
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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!
In the morning I make a smoothie with an anti-inflammatory skin multivitamin, Skin Friend AM, and I add a teaspoon of hemp seed oil to keep my skin feeling hydrated. In the afternoon, about half an hour before dinner I have Skin Friend PM – it contains magnesium, calcium and glycine to promote a good night’s sleep.
Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?
I used to have major sleep problems, so now I meditate and do breathing exercises before bed. I practice being present, which is basically focusing on my breathing and switching off any thoughts for as long as possible. Plus I use a massage ball to relax my shoulders and neck. This routine (plus Skin Friend PM) knocks me out at night — it’s brilliant.
What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?
Cooking in my kitchen, resting and drinking 2-3 litres of water daily.
Those are my wellness basics… if I don’t drink enough water I get headaches. If I don’t rest enough I feel stressed and lethargic, and if I eat other people’s food too often my skin looks awful.
♥ BSKT Cafe
Your absolute favourite healthy cafe on the Gold Coast is?
BSKT Café on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?
Same as above.
Favourite farmers market or place to shop for healthy goodies?
Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market.
What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?
I do yoga 2-3 times a week. I previously did yoga every day but I have cut my routine in half as I have decided to chill more and be less busy.
♥ Blue Healer Smoothie
What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without?
I can’t live without The Blue Healer smoothie from The Healthy Skin Kitchen. I also recently treated myself to a hydra facial at Light Years Skin Studio in Broadbeach — it included LED light therapy which made me feel so relaxed and pampered.
You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?
I’m usually too busy to do much prep, but I might buy a new dress and get my hair blow dried at my favourite hairdresser before the event.
♥ Poondhara Falls by Steven Crook
If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness, what would it involve and where would you go?
Wellness for me includes being in nature, so I would go to one of the waterfall walks on the Gold Coast, then I would drive to the coast and dive into the ocean and spend the afternoon under a beach umbrella with a good book.
What’s your dream wellness vacay?
I am a ‘stay at home and potter in my garden’ kind of woman but if I had to indulge it would be to a health retreat that included yoga, nature walks and daily massages—actually that sounds pretty blissful.
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And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
It’s usually an eczema product, but once a week I use Oat and Zinc Bath Powder as a face scrub during my morning shower. It ‘polishes’ the skin on my face to make it silky smooth then I apply moisturiser, it also helps my skin care soak in quickly for a lovely hydrated, matte finish.
Thank you to Karen for taking the time to share her wonderful, inspiring & skin friendly routine! To find out more and follow along, head to the Skin Friend website or Instagram!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 19, 2022 | At Home
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If you’ve ever been on a yoga or wellness retreat, you’ll know the wondrous sense of wellbeing, calm, & mental clarity that they can bring to your mind, body & soul.
Yet, for many, taking a week off to retreat remains a luxury that can only happen once in the rarest of blue moons.
For some, overbooked schedules, projects at work, & feeling guilty about taking time off are the culprits. While for others struggle with financial concerns, not knowing what to look for in a retreat, or not wanting to go alone. But whichever category you fall into, we’ve got you covered with the next best thing…
Find your zen with these 6 dreamy, DIY wellness retreat tips & activities that can be incorporated into even the busiest of Google calendars. All you need is the comfort of your own home – you can choose to invite a wellness loving friend along on your soulful journey – or go it alone. And if you’re extremely time poor, why not select just one tip to weave into your week – every little bit counts.
Book It Now!
It’s amazing how quickly the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months. Time can fly by, and come July all our New Year’s Resolutions have faded from memory.
So instead of procrastinating on self-care, set a date for yourself now!
Pick up your favourite pen and diary (or Google calendar), choose an upcoming weekend you don’t have plans for already, and make time for YOU!
♥ Yoga mat from Wild Mingo
Dust Off Your Yoga Mat
What better way to reinvigorate your spirits than some targeted minutes of yoga & meditation? Meditation helps to relax your body, calm your mind as well as improve your mental health, and yoga will have you feeling relaxed and connected to your body.
We recommend investing in a beautiful mat to make your home practice even more luxurious – our top pick is the stunning, and eco-friendly, Wild Mingo ‘Dot’ Mat (pictured above).
To make your time even more worthwhile, guide yourself with some yoga & meditation apps.
Our favourite recommendations are Insight Timer (meditation), Soul Alive (meditation) & Glo (yoga) – for a virtually unlimited supply of zen-inducing inspiration to help clear and energise your mind.
For some extra inspo – check out our list of the best Aus & NZ yoga and fitness classes!
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Turn your Skin Care Into A Ritual
Really taking time with applying your skincare is a great way to get the retreat feels flowing. By using natural face and body products that are sans harmful chemicals and ingredients, you can truly feel & know on a physical & mental level that you’re taking care of yourself in the best possible way.
Find a time where you wont be disturbed, get cosy in a deluxe dressing gown, close your eyes when applying the products and be mindful throughout the process. Pay attention to how the product feels on your skin, inhale the scents, and enjoy this moment you’ve created for yourself.
You can light up some candles and play your favourite tunes in the background to relax. The bottom line is to be mindful when you apply the products, so the application process becomes a form of meditation in itself.
Pop on a face mask to prepare you for the next step…
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Take a Warm Bubble Bath
There are so many physical and mental benefits of bathing, especially if you include some luxe epsom salts & essential oils to dial up the experience, so indulging in a warm bath is another must-do relaxing activity during your wellness retreat – why not have a soak morning AND night if you really want to treat yourself?!
Remember – you are not in a hurry, so take the time to slowly prepare the bath, pour in the epsom salts & your preferred amount of oil, make sure the temperature is perfect for you, set the mood with some soy candles, & lay out that cute robe from earlier for when you’re done – our eyes are firmly set on these gorgeous Cactus Green & Muted Clay waffle robes from Kip & Co.
Slide into the blissful oasis you’ve created, keep your glass of wine (organic, natural & vegan, of course) at arm’s reach as you soak up all that loveliness, and listen to a self-love podcast while you wonder to yourself why you don’t do this EVERY weekend.
♥ Soulara Gochujang Goddess Noodles
Wholefoods are a Whole Mood
While we’re taking care of our outer wellbeing with stretching, skin care, bathing & long walks – let’s not forget to treat our inner self to some retreat-y goodness too.
This could be in the form of blitzing up green smoothies, lovingly putting together wholefood & home-cooked meals, or if you’d like to take the hassle out of it all and really feel like you’re on retreat, you could try a pre-prepared healthy vegan meal service, such as Soulara, Plant Made Crew, or a vegan My Foodie Box (if you wanna do a little cooking yourself!). All of their meals will leave you feeling completely nourished & cared for, so you can pretend you have a private chef for the weekend.
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Go For a Long, Slow, Walk in Nature
During the hustle and bustle of rushing to get to work on time, we miss out on many of the amazing natural sights around us. Our recommended way to start or end your wellness retreat is to go for a long walk in nature.
Take a 30-90 minute walk around your neighbourhood, local beach or even at Kings Park. Enjoy the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. Mindfully take notice of birds, local wildlife, flora & anything else that catches your eye. You’ll be amazed at the beauty you’ve been missing, and will definitely feel refreshed and more at peace afterwards.
The importance of having an exclusive ‘me’ time should not be underestimated. You don’t need to save for a whole month before you can enjoy a 5-star wellness retreat.
A day, or even just a few hours here and there can do wonders for your mind and body.
So go ahead and give yourself that much-deserved treat.
Written by Mel Driver & edited by Annette. Mel is an award winning skincare formulator and the founder of Merindah Botanicals, a 100% natural range of face and body care products for busy women who want something quick, easy to apply yet delivers results. Find out more about Merindah Botanicals on Instagram & Facebook.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 10, 2022 | Food, Reviews
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Recently I had the absolute pleasure of trialling a months worth of nourishing, plant-based, & best of all, delicious – meals (12 per week + drinks and a snack) from Soulara. I’d been seeing their stunning looking vegan meals beckoning me on social media for some time now, so decided to take the plunge when I was offered the chance to give myself a little nourishment, and break from cooking, for a month.
12 meals a week worked out to be lunch & dinner (sometimes I had one for brekky instead!) for 6 days of the week, and I allowed myself a day off to enjoy a yummy dinner & drinks out with my boyfriend one night on the weekend – because #balance.
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Week 1 – What’s in the box?!
Coming home from a loooong day running around at my retail job, I was thrilled to see my Soulara box sitting patiently on my doorstep on a balmy, late autumn evening – I felt filled with hope and possibility for the coming 4 weeks and super excited to unpack my box. After tearing it open and removing the handy ice-packs which will keep the meals cool if you’re not home when they’re delivered, I was very happy with my first weekly selection which included…
Morning Ritual – a nourishing and delish quinoa-based, brekky oats style dish with apricots and pistachios (pictured above) – I’ll take this moment to note, one of the best things about Soulara, is that their menu changes VERY regularly. Unfortunately this dish is no longer available – sad face – BUT there are currently some Raspberry Ripple Oats, Bushwalker’s Granola & Ruby Sunrise Chia Pudding that also sound like the perfect way to start your morning.
Cold-pressed cleansing juice pack – all of the juices taste so fresh, and the packaging is super cute. I used to run a juice cleanse company so I have high standards for juices, and these ones make the grade.
BBQ Black Bean Casserole – my fave of all the dishes! IT’S SO GOOD.
The first lunch dish I tried was a low-calorie Mushroom Bourguignon with Black Garlic Mash – the mushies are plump and the mashed potato tastes incredible. I love this dish, there’s so much depth to the flavours (hi red wine, herbs, olive oil, tomato, carrots + more). And it also reminds me just HOW GOOD mashed potato is, and that I want to add this healthy comfort food into my life more regularly.
The next morning I had a little misadventure. Hot tip for all – make sure you read the note that’s on top of the container! I accidentally microwaved my Morning Ritual brekky which was meant to be consumed cold, it was still super yummy though, and while I was a bit worried as it’s a somewhat smaller dish than I’d normally have for breakfast, it was very filling, and I found myself craving it on the weeks when this dish wasn’t on my menu.
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Week 2 – Feelin’ Nourished
By now my body is settling into the routine of regular, protein-rich, nutritionally-balanced meals that, admittedly, it may not have been getting so regularly before between working a day job, late-night job, running a website, being a cat mom, spending time with my boyfriend & friends, and trying to squeeze in some exercise and sleep somewhere in amongst the madness.
This week my highlights were…
Kombuchas! I really have to say, the Soulara team have absolutely outdone themselves with their kombucha offering – with super unique and delicious flavours (hello Coconut and Lime, Wild Berry, & Turmeric, Ginger & Pear). If these were available to buy as 750ml bottles, I would definitely have them on hand at all times as I reckon they’re better than anything on the market at the moment.
Work lunch has become a breeze – no more trawling Coles with the hope of finding a random vegan option. My colleagues can’t stop asking about what I’m eating, and I can’t stop raving about it in response.
♥ Cloud Tofu Hoisin Noodles
Dish of the week has got to be the Cloud Tofu Hoisin Noodles.
THIS. DISH. IS. BLOODY. INCREDIBLE. (Also how cute is the name?) I felt like I was having a life altering moment the first time I had it. Super high in protein, incredibly delicious, and I felt so stable, calm and nourished afterwards. Definitely include this in your menu if you decide to make an order!
Week 3 – Protein Powered
I ramped up my exercise this week in an effort to work towards shifting a couple of Covid kilos. I’m a strong believer in being comfortable with and loving your body at any size, but I’d gotten to the point where almost none of my clothes fit anymore, and the prospect of buying a whole new wardrobe wasn’t really vibing with the state of my bank account. In addition to this, a bit of work and blogging related stress had started to creep in, so I hoped that upping my weekly yoga & spin classes to a couple more sessions would help with that, too.
Due to this I decided to focus on some higher protein meals this week to give myself some more energy pre-training, and help my body recover properly post-training.
♥ Supercharged Satay!
Cue the Sunkissed Protein Pesto (30g protein) and Supercharged Satay (36g protein), the highest protein meals of the bunch. These two dishes had enough protein to impress my boyfriend, who is a keen gym-goer & very protein-conscious, plus I really felt like I did recover more quickly afterwards!
♥ Choc Chip Cookie Dough Bites… don’t mind if I do.
The bite-sized sweet treats really are the perfect little snack to have with a morning cup of tea, after lunch when the cravings inevitably hit, pre-workout, or before bed as a mini-dessert. The options are seriously endless. My favourites were the Choc Chip Cookie Dough Bites!
Week 4 – And the winner is…
It was an incredible month of nourishing meals. I shared a couple with friends and loved ones and everyone agreed – 100% delicious. I was the envy of my work colleagues and housemate, sorting out my meals for the day was always a breeze, and most importantly – I felt great.
Overall, my top 5 favourites and recommendations for those considering choosing Soulara for their plant-based meal deliveries are as follows:
♥ BBQ Black Bean Casserole – the well-balanced combination of flavours in this dish make it the perfect filling breakfast, lunch or dinner. While in the past I wouldn’t have called myself a massive seitan (a type of vegan meat substitute) fan in general, it’s done perfectly here. I would honestly eat this every day if I could.
♥ Coconut and Lime Kombucha – Put simply, this drink is bliss. It tastes like all your sun-soaked childhood summers distilled into a bottle. Plus it has the benefit of being loaded with gut-loving probiotics! Please infuse this into my veins immediately.
♥ Any of the curries – While all the meals were really yummy, where I felt Soulara really, really shone were their selections of Indian-inspired curries, such as the Golden Coconut Dahl, Earthen Seer Curry, Roots Unearthed Curry + more. These meals all helped me feel balanced, grounded and nourished, along with tasting amazing of course.
♥ Supercharged Satay – I’m a massive satay fan, and with 36 grams of protein, this dish is amazing for days when you’ve just come home from the gym and there is no known universe in which you’re going to have the energy to cook dinner for yourself. If it’s between UberEats and this dish, Supercharged Satay is winning hands down every time.
♥ Morning Ritual – the unique combination of quinoa, oat milk, apricots, pistachios, vanilla, minced ginger, maple syrup and coconut yoghurt all join together to create a real treat for the tastebuds. And leaves you feeling good all morning. 10/10 do recommend.
I loved my experience with Soulara and I’m looking forward to ordering from them again in future when I have a busy week or two coming up, it’s so comforting to know that you have a selection of fuss-free, 100% vegan dishes that are going to leave you feeling nourished at a moments notice, just waiting for you in the fridge / freezer. The other exciting thing is that Soulara’s in-house chefs and dietitians work together to create new and exciting meals every week, so there’s always something new and exciting being added to the menu. For someone like me who LOVES variety and fun in what they eat – this is a big one for me.
If you’re thinking of taking the plant-based plunge, feel free to ask me any questions below, or over on the ‘gram -> @wellnesswa & make sure you head on over to the Soulara menu to pick out some tasty dishes for yourself!
Be well,
xoxo
Annette
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 21, 2022 | Makeup, Reviews, Wellness Tips
I’ve been wanting to make the move to natural, cruelty free makeup for quite some time now, and I very fortunately had Annette with me to ‘show me the way’ (yep, that was for you Star Wars fans)! I have been using natural skincare for a few years now, but I always love exploring and discovering new brands. In this article I take you through the best of the best cruelty free makeup & skincare that 2022 has to offer… lets go!
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♥ Cleanser
The Gentle Foaming Cleanser by Natio is one of my fav natural cleansers! It feels nourishing whilst deeply cleansing at the same time. It also smells good and is a beautiful pearly white colour. Containing sandalwood, shea butter, calendula, jojoba, rosewood and lemon, the cleanser is designed to help neutralise your skin’s natural pH as well as support natural moisture balance.
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♥ Serums
If you’re looking for a deeply hydrating and regenerating serum, as well as one that targets pigmentation, fine lines, scars, then the Sabbia Co Antioxidant Repair Oil has you covered. Containing avocado oil, sea buckthorn oil and blueberry seed oil, this serum is the perfect blend of natural remedies. I love this serum because it makes my skin FEEL so GOOD! And if it makes you FEEL good, it’s doing something right. Pair it with the Jade Gua Sha tool for some extra loving.
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For my acne prone friends (me included) looking for a serum that soothes irritation, de congests your skin, with all the anti-acne ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn oil, Calendula extract and Rosehip oil, then the Bondi Sands Wonder Potion Hero Oil is your new AM & pm go to. The packaging is also SO cute.
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♥ Sunscreen
Let me let you in on a little secret… when I’m in a rush to get out the door, I love to apply a tinted sunscreen because, not only am I applying sunscreen (oh so important living in sunny Perth!), I also get a little bit of colour & coverage – its like 2 products in 1 and I am here for it wholeheartedly. Well formulated tinted sunscreens are really hard to find (or maybe I’m just a tough critic), but ones that have a nice coverage, the right SPF rating and one that will last… it can be like finding a needle in a sunny haystack.
This is where Bondi Sands comes to play again. Not only do we love a good Bondi Sands tan but their tinted sunscreen is amazing! Its the Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser. First up, SPF 50 is a must, I will literally never wear anything less than SPF 50, so tick to Bondi. Its also hydrating, another tick, and contains vitamin E, wild hibiscus extract & zinc oxide. Plump and protected is this products slogan and I f*ck with that.
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♥ Makeup Brushes
A makeup brush that is interchangeable and also small enough to fit inside your tiny bag which was quite literally invented just to look cute – thanks to ecotools, this is now possible.
The Daily Essentials Face Kit is the brush kit every beginner to guru needs. It includes an angled crease brush, an angled brush, a spoolie, base buffer and an airbrush concealer brush. They are also made with recycled materials, renewable bamboo, are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. I’m obsessed. If you want an indepth tutorial of how to use these bad boys – head over to our insta @wellnesswa! SO, go get your JACQUEMUS ‘Le Chiquito’ bag. I support you Queen.
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♥ Glowy Makeup Oil
When I’m wanting a no-makeup makeup day, I find this product mixed with my sunscreen gives me the ultimate glow and just the right amount of colour I need. It’s the Endota Spa Organics Jojoba & Coconut Dry Shimmer Oil. You can use this product on your too, but I find mixing 3 drops with my sunscreen to put on my face is the perfect match. I love it and you need it – it’s especially perfect for dialing up the glow in winter.
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If you’re wanting a milder glow than the option above, then opt for the Grown Alchemist Tinted Hydra Repair Day Cream. This cream is extremely hydrating and smoothing as well as giving darker & more tanned skintones that sun-kissed sparkle. The stars of the show are Camellia and Geranium Blossom, and they are what make this cream smell SO good. Unfortunately for me, this colour is too deep, so for my other fair skin toned friends maybe leave this one. But for those blessed with a deep complexion, this would be a perfect everyday cream for you. Don’t forget to apply your sunscreen underneath!
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♥ Bonza Bronzer
Everyone needs a good bronzer in their lyf (stay tuned for our bronzing/contouring article dropping soon!), especially heading into winter – we’ve gotta add some colour to those chilly cheekbones!!
One of the best natural bronzers I’ve tried is the Mineral Bronzing Powder by Endota. I love how its a pressed powder because it doesn’t go everywhere when you open it – it’s easy to use and easy to take with you on the go (probably not in your Le Chiquito bag tho)! The colour ‘Sunkissed’ is gorgeous, it provides a natural sun kissed look (who would have thought?!) to your face, making you look like you’ve just spent 6 weeks in Paros. We won’t tell if you wont.
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♥ Mascara
A good mascara is hard to come by, especially when you’re adding vegan & cruelty-free into the mix. Natio have just come out with a brand new range of 3 x mascaras which are: tubing (say bye-bye to panda eyes), cruelty-free, vegan & are great for sensitive eyes.
For a more natural look that works wonders on both upper & lower lashes, we can’t go past the Precision Tubing Mascara in both Brown & Black. If you like a little more va-va-voom, the Infinite Tubing Mascara (pictured above) in Black has you covered – this one has been my go-to for nights out & days when I’m feeling in the mood for looking a little extra fancy / awake, and at the price point of $17.95, picking some up is a no-brainer.
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♥ BROWS. BROWS. BROWS.
Alright so a tip I learnt quite a bit ago was that if you’re in a rush, a brow gel is your best friend to tame, and tint your brows. My absolute favourite brow gel is the Flower Beauty Fiber Fix brow gel. What makes this product even better is that its cruelty free, vegan and gluten free (although don’t try eating it). Its also only $9… thats some serious bang for your buck.
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♥ Spritz ‘n Mist
Wanting to freshen your makeup during the day? Or just feeling like you need a little pick me up? The Grown Alchemist Hydra-Mist is my go to product just for this. It also pairs perfectly with the day cream I mentioned earlier. Why is it so good? It contains peptides which protect your skin from environmental damage, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to visibly smooth, soothe and boost your skin’s glow. It also smells so calming and refreshing, which makes it perfect for a quick breather when you’re feeling frazzle-dazzled in the middle of your day – a little bit of relaxin’, a little bit of glowin’. Perfect.
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&Hearts; The Best Gosh-Darn Face Mask this Side of Pluto
The face mask I’ve been using to prep mine and my clients skin before makeup application for YEARSSS is the go to Go-To Skincare Transformazing Sheet Mask. Honestly, you wont ever want to worry about trying another mask again (kidding, but it’s SERIOUSLY good and deserves a permanent spot in all makeup/skincare cabinets). It instantly hydrates and plumps your skin, makes you look (& feel – equally important) like you’ve spent 8 hours at a lush spa being pampered, and gives you a flawless makeup base for any special occasion or just BECAUSE. This is all thanks to lashings of Kakadu plum, finger lime, Tasmanian pepper leaf & niacinamide. It also only takes 10 minutes – everyone has time for that. Run, don’t walk.
So… I’d love to know, which products are ticking all your boxes right now – head on over to our Instagram and let me know!
Article by Olivia, local natural makeup artist, Leo, content creator & beauty editor in training – follow along for more beauty tips & tricks.
by Annette @ Wellness WA | May 30, 2022 | Interviews
First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!
My name is Nina, I am an accredited Nutritionist (from Endeavour College of Natural Health) and Sports Nutritionist, as well as CrossFit Coach and recipe developer from Western Australia with a big passion for all things food and nutrition, fitness and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
I spend most of my time training or coaching in the gym, working with clients one-on-one for their nutrition goals, and in the kitchen whipping up delicious and wholesome food, as well as sharing nutrition education, recipes and breaking down misinformation on my Instagram @naturally_nina_ and website.
What time do you go-to bed & wake up most days / how many hours of sleep do you aim for?
I go to bed early and get up early, aiming for about 8 hours a night but it definitely doesn’t always happen as sleeping has always been something I’ve struggled with unfortunately!
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Describe a typical day of eating for you.
I eat a lot! I’ve learnt that this is super important to support my training and if I don’t prioritise eating enough, my performance, recovery and energy levels definitely suffer.
Before training I’ll usually have some toast with nut butter, banana and cinnamon plus a coffee.
During training I’ll drink electrolytes and sometimes have some lollies or dried fruit if needed.
Breakfast post training will be overnight oats or quinoa flake porridge with soy milk, flaxmeal, plant protein powder, plus banana, berries and nut butter.
For lunch I’ll usually have leftovers from dinner, a wrap with tofu, salad and hummus, or a sushi bowl type meal.
Afternoon snack will be a big smoothie, or a Fodbods bar with fruit.
If I’m training again I may have something extra too, like rice cakes with nut butter and banana.
Dinner really varies, but often looks like a tofu veggie stir fry with rice, falafel with sweet potato, toasted veg and hummus, chickpea pasta or bean chilli with rice and guacamole.
I always have something sweet after dinner too, maybe something I’ve baked, or some yoghurt with berries and granola!
What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?
I do CrossFit training and Olympic weightlifting, usually training once or twice a day for 5 days a week, plus 1 active recovery day (usually a swim!) and 1 rest day a week. I absolutely love everything about CrossFit, how much it challenges me mentally and physically, how much it helps me grow and get stronger, and the community that comes with it.
♥ Naturally Nina wearing Fortify Gear
If you could only wear one brand of activewear for the rest of your life it would be…
I absolutely love Fortify Gear. An Australian owned branded with super comfy, well fitting activewear that I pretty much live in – in and out of the gym!
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What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I love a good remedial massage especially during big weeks of training when I’m feeling a bit sore! My go-to is Joyce Remedial in Dunsborough – he’s the best!
What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t got around to yet?
I would absolutely love to start incorporating regular ice baths and saunas into my recovery routine, but haven’t really found a place nearby to offer this just yet!
And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Honestly, focus on doing more of the things that make you feel good! Whatever those things are for you. Eating food that you enjoy and makes you feel your best, moving your body in a way that you love, spending time outdoors and around people that light you up – that’s the real secret to feeling great!
Another tip is keeping your brain happy with ongoing learning and education. Might seem like a strange one but I personally find this so important to my overall health and wellbeing. I’ve been loving the new short courses that Endeavour College offer for keeping up learning about nutrition and health, as well as regular professional development and educational podcasts both in the nutrition and fitness space.
Thanks to Nina for sharing her lovely wellness routine! If you’d like to keep up to date with her incredible vegan recipes & Crossfit inspo – head on over to her website & Instagram.
Be well,
xoxo
