by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 2, 2012 | Products, Reviews
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Clarins, huh? I’ll admit to considering their counter far too stylish for my grubby mitts and therefore haven’t tried much (any) of their stuff. So given the opportunity to review one of their products (and wonder of wonders, actually having some input as to which one might be best for my skin), I went for the oily/combination skin treatment, and thus received a rather lovely 30ml dropper bottle of Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil on my doorstep.
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What I’ve found is key to the application is patting it into your face and not rubbing it – I’ve had bad experiences with products before because I’ve smoodged it into my face without thinking and the friction has caused inflammation 🙁
The jury was still out for me in terms of using oil to combat oily skin, so I was hoping this might be the product that would swing it around for me. Certainly there’s a whole internet full of positive experiences with this product, and MANY people who were adamant that this was a vital summertime treatment.
A lot of people also suggested that misting your face with rosewater or something similar before and after the oil helped it sink in, and I would happily agree with this idea. I spritzed my face with the Echolife Rosewater Mist and it made the oil spread further and sink in faster.
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So in the morning the scent was completely gone, I wasn’t shiny anymore and my skin was soft. Like, freakishly soft. The blackheads on my nose had shrunken and I had nowhere near the amount of pressure lines on my face that I usually have after peeling the CPAP machine off my face. And this was all the benefits of one night.
Having used for a little while, I don’t experience continual quality jumps like I did that first night, but it’s kept me on a similar level. I most notice it on my forehead, which is plagued by frown lines and has smoothed out a lot. Definitely going to continue to use this – as completely strange as putting oil onto my oily mug feels!
Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil is $49 for 30ml, and available at Adore Beauty.
What do you think? Have you tried and loved any Clarins prods before? Got an oily mug too? Lets talk, comment below.
Review by Suzanne: has an incurable allergy to exercise and can only be cured with cake. And blogging.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 1, 2012 | Exercise, Reviews, Western Suburbs
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After a pretty mundane day at work, I was looking forward to nothing more than my Monday evening Pilates class at Pure Moves Cottesloe. I jumped online in the morning to book and pay for the 5.30pm Pilates Mat class with Chantelle. It was super easy and quick and I was emailed a receipt straight away. I pay for casual classes, $22 per visit, but there are packages available too.
I arrived early to the light, bright and fresh studio and had a quick chat to the instructors before setting myself up for the intense core workout to follow.
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Pilates is nothing like Yoga. I’ve been a Yogi for about 3 years and love it for a good stretch and to relax and calm my mind. Pilates is more focused on core strength and developing lean muscle tone. But both hark back to the importance of breathing and its place within the exercises.
Chantelle led us through some breathing and neck roll downs to start before we moved on to work our glutes, abdominals, triceps and quadriceps. We worked these major muscle groups with a series of ab curls, squats, leg raises etc. We used toning balls to add resistance to most of the exercises, in other classes we’ve used resistance bands (rubber bands that help with strengthening exercises).
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What I love about these Pilates classes is the fluidity, the only rest we have is to stretch between tough exercises – into my favourite position, child’s pose 🙂 It really is a great workout as we keep our heart rate up with the continuous movement.
Pure Moves check your health and injury history and are able to tailor any exercises to your needs – a lady had sore knees in one of my classes and the instructor showed her alternative exercises for when we were doing squats etc.
I walk out of Pilates every week feeling lighter than air and totally refreshed and re-energised. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must!
Have you tried Pilates before? Share your experience below in the comments section!
Review by Lucy, pilates enthusiast!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 29, 2012 | Food, Reviews, Wellness Tips
I love eating sushi! But sometimes I crave something more nutritious and wholesome than polished white rice. Let’s jazz it up! So when I saw this recipe from Janella Purcell on Good Chef, Bad Chef recently, I knew I would be making it oh-so very soon. You see, instead of rice she adds a mixture of quinoa and millet. Both wholegrains are gluten-free and are great sources of protein, especially in a vegetarian diet.
Recipe (adapted from Janella Purcell)
Ingredients
♥ 1 cup firm tofu, julienned
♥ 1/2 cup tamari
♥ 1 tsp sesame oil
♥ 1 cup quinoa
♥ 1 cup millet
♥ 1/2 avocado, sliced
♥ 4 spring onions, sliced lengthways
♥ 1 carrot, julienned
♥ 1 cucumber, julienned
♥ 1 tbls wasabi
♥ 2 tbls soy mayo
♥ 2 tbls black sesame seeds
4 toasted nori sheets (you may need more)
Dipping sauce
♥ 1/2 cup tamari, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp umeboshi vinegar
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Method
1. Cook the quinoa and millet together, using 4.5 cups of water. To do this, simply bring both grains to the boil, then let simmer until the water absorbs. This takes about 15 minutes.
2. To prepare the tofu, place it in a pan and add the tamari (tamari is just a wheat-free soy sauce, but feel free to use whatever soy sauce you have) and sesame oil. Then add enough water so the tofu is just covered. Let it simmer until the water has been absorbed by the tofu. Set aside.
3. To make the rolls, place the nori sheets on a dry surface, shiny side down. Press about 1/2 cup of the grains on the sheet.
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4. Scrape a little wasabi on top, then some mayo and sesame seeds.
5. Now top with a few slices of avocado, half a spring onion, some carrot, cucumber and then some tofu.
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6. Roll up, then cut into 3cm slices. Serve with the dipping sauce.
7. …….don’t forget to eat them!
These sushi rolls were amazingly tasty! My friend, expecting white rice sushi with chicken, still thought they were delicious! I didn’t have any spring onions, wasabi, mayonnaise or black sesame seeds. But hey! Next time I might add some grated or pickled ginger. Yum 🙂
Foodie review by Hannah from Dear Asparagus.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 28, 2012 | Day Spa, Inner City, Massage, North of River, Reviews
** Please note, this business is now closed. We have made the decision to leave the review up to remember the lovely services on offer in the past.
One of my Chrissie presents from my extremely thoughtful/obedient husband was a 1 hour pregnancy massage. It was at Yummy Mummy Day Spa in Perth;
I was looking forward to it for weeks and especially because they have the special bed with the gigantic hole for the belly so you get to lie on your stomach. I have been doing the same thing on the beach by digging a hole for my belly and boobs for a bit of sun and relaxation. To add the massage aspect also was too exciting.
It was magical. The therapist was super friendly, skilled and very attentive. I was asked to tell her exactly what I wanted to have extra time on- upper back, pecs, and feet!! I wouldn’t say she was a sports masseuse and she wasn’t working hard to get rid of trigger points or anything like that, but it was very relaxing. A very deep massage probably isn’t the best for pregnancy anyway and I was happy with the pressure.
The bed itself was really comfy. I was told that a few women’s bellies don’t fit into the hole and I was crossing my fingers I would as I really didn’t want to have to lay on my side (like every night for the last 7 months!!). I have a super long body and just barely fit in. My boobs were not in the hole, so I put an extra pillow under my DD’s to reduce the tenderness of them. I was happy on my back too, inclined for a tiny belly rub and some brilliant time spent on my poor feet.
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They served some yummy tea afterwards, and the whole experience was lovely. I know a lot of spa’s offer pregnancy massage, but I would definitely recommend one where they have the special beds and trained therapists for peace of mind and ultimate relaxation!!
Another awesome result was revealed when I went to a pilates class the next day and my colleague said that my chest, neck and shoulders were very relaxed and settled when I was doing upper body exercises. This was great news as I have been ultra tense and unable to broaden and open as easily due to the extra weight everywhere.
I have booked in for my second massage as a birthday treat and cannot wait.
Yummy Mummy Pregnancy Day Spa
253 Oxford Street
Leederville WA 6007
Ph: 08 9201 1077
Have you had a pregnancy massage before? If you’ve never been pregnant, do you know someone who is who could use something like this?
Review by Sarah Devlin, personal trainer & mama to be.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 27, 2012 | Alternative Therapy, Interviews
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
35 years ago I embarked on a life long journey of being a medical herbalist, initially diagnosing with iridology and over the years to the extensive training in six different styles of bodywork as well as training in further diagnostic methods using bio-resonance in Germany. During that time I have had the privilege of working with more than 30,000 patients and it was 20 years into this journey when I began further training in emotional intelligence and metaphysical law. I came to Australia 2 years ago on a permanent Distinguished Talent Visa in order to teach Emotional Intelligence, a 28 module course which is filling up quickly. My next class starts on 9th June. I’ve also just submitted my 10th book ‘The Handbook of Mind/Body Healing’ to a publisher in Sydney and am embarked on my 11th ‘A Revolutionary Guide to Healing Depression’.
Kitty works at Perth Natural Medical Clinic (PNMC).
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine. (please include specifics about brands/products used)
Five minutes dry skin brushing followed by a brief hot then icy cold shower. Ren moisturiser (Ren products available on Strawberry NET) and Green People deodorant, together with Dr Organic aloe vera moisturiser.
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I attend mi:skn salon in Lord Street, Mt Lawley for weekly facial acupuncture. Francesca Perino is a fantastic therapist trained in five element acupuncture so the treatment is holistic and she only uses natural products on the skin.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
To date I have not yet found a hairdresser to suit me and I am still searching.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
I use a Korean Chi machine which increases oxygen throughout the body and aids in relaxation.
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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
• Ecover shower gel
• Ren Global Protection Moisturiser (available on Strawberry NET)
• Yves St Laurent Fuchsia lipstick
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♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Daily meditation, a guaranteed way of emptying out all stress in the body and mind.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Eco friendly spa retreat for weekend
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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Morning liver flush – consisting of freshly pressed carrot, celery, lemon and ginger juiced with a couple of tablespoons of hempseed oil blended in.
Lunch – Fish/Meat and mixed green salad with balsamic dressing.
Afternoon Tea – Goji berries and nuts
Dinner – Meat/Fish and six seasonal vegetables plus 2 squares of Green & Black 85% organic chocolate. Sometimes half a bar! Lots of filtered water,the odd soy late or Rooibos tea.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
About to embark on a recently purchased aero pilates reformer bench. Hoping to do 3-4 times a week.
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♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I am a natural therapist and therefore take full advantage of weekly treatments of acupuncture and various bodywork.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Art House Movies, British Detective Series, eating out with friends and enjoying fine wines.
Thanks so much to Kitty for taking time out of her extremely busy schedule to participate in our wellbeing routine! If you’re interested in reading more about her, I found this great article on the Perth Natural Medical Clinic website.
Be well,
xoxo
