by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 6, 2011 | Beauty Salon, Inner City, North of River, Products, Reviews
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Fed up with the way many products and brands in the beauty world were either overpriced, poorly formulated, marketed in a misleading way or all three, Perth chemist, businesswoman and mother Bridget Black decided to take matters into her own hands.
Her chemistry background provided the foundation for her to create her own range of beauty products. Her absolute commitment to ethical practice means no ingredients used by the business are tested on animals and she tracks carbon footprint for everything from manufacture to distribution, as well as crediting $2 for the return of every piece of BB packaging.
I was lucky enough to be treated to a deluxe facial at Bridget’s flagship Mt Lawley boutique.
Reception / store area.
The fit-out is gorgeous. Considering the namesake of the business, black is the obvious choice, but it’s complemented with lots of bright white, chandeliers and make-up style light-bulbs around the mirrors.
I don’t know about you, but the moment I always fear most with a new beautician is the one where that lamp with the all-knowing light hangs over your face and tells of the multitude of sins: drinking too much alcohol and too little water, smoking (not that I do), spending too much time in the sun (driving a soft-top in summer doesn’t help); eating poorly or whatever other vice you have or temptation you give in to. Luckily, it appears all that drinking water and diligent application of sunscreen paid off and my skin, is, happily, free of premature aging and sun damage.
Temily, the therapist I had on the day, was an absolute professional.
After leaving me to tuck myself into the plush (black) blankets, she ran through my own skincare routine with me, having read the client details I had filled in on arrival.
The lush treatment room.
One of my pet hates is pushy therapists who try to sell you products while you’re having a treatment. Ditto for hairdressers trying to upsell serums, conditioners etc at the till.
I’m all for being informed, knowing what the therapist is using and the features and benefits, but it’s a fine line between informing a client and peddling products and Temily straddled it perfectly. It was an incredibly relaxing and soothing treatment, but also one where I felt informed and safe every step of the way, also another really important factor with a new therapist. Temily made me feel like just for that hour, there was no more important place to be than right where I was.
The jojoba buffing beads were one of my favourite products. I’ve used them since I had the facial, and have really never felt my skin so clean and clear of debris and dead skin cells.
Bridget Black Eye Gel, 30ml – RRP $35
The eye gel also felt beautiful on my skin and appeared to really make the skin around my eyes tighter and more soft and supple. The moisturiser for normal to oily skin, which is what I’ve got, was the perfect weight and I wasn’t left feeling at all greasy on a hot Perth summer morning.
One of the most delightful parts of the facial was the arm and leg exfoliation. Having a choice of scents added a personal touch, and vanilla, which is my all-time favourite, was one of them. Being able to select, when filling in client info, what level of massage you like is just one of the services that makes the Bridget Black experience more personal and far better than the average beauty salon encounter.
I left the salon feeling pampered, spoiled and like I’d been treated with products that had truly done my skin good.
The deluxe facial goes for 1 hour and costs $75.
Bridget runs a second store on St George’s Terrace in the CBD.
Follow Bridget’s movements on Facebook or on her website.
Have you tried Bridget Black, or any other local Perth brands before? Let us know in the comments!
Review by Athanae Lucev, a freelance journalist and writer with a keen eye for a pretty bargain.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 3, 2011 | Products, Reviews, Wellness Tips
The whole beGenki Serenity range!
When the beGenki Serenity products arrived in the mail, I squeezed my eyes shut and planned, in my near future, a night in the bath with lights dimmed, candles lit and Jack Johnson softly playing in the background. Finding a night off to relax was just what I needed! So why, oh why, am I two weeks post-daydream wondering what happened to this night of serene perfection?
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Before you get mad at me and think “how hard is it to fit in one hour of peace” and I bullet point the thousand reasons that make me busy, I’d like to share an epiphany:
People relax in different ways.
I was beating myself up for not having a bath because they are the grand dame of the relaxation world, when I realized most days I find a way to chill out that doen’t find me a wrinkled, sweet-smelling seal impersonator by the end.
Prior to revealing my top five tips for stress relief, I must tell you about the lovely beGenki products I had the opportunity to try. The brand advocates wellness on a physical, emotional and spiritual level and to be “genki” is to be happy, healthy, positive and in harmony with oneself on all levels.
Serenity Bath & Shower Oil – RRP $34.
The two products I tried were from the Serenity range, the bath and shower oil and the body oil. The bath and shower oil was sampled in the shower after a swim session which left my poor skin gasping for moisture. The bergamot essential oil was the most dominant which gave it a refreshing and very slightly masculine scent to me. Rubbing the oils into my legs and arms was like a quick massage pre-shower and the smell and rub did provide a calming effect. However, after the shower I found the moisturising aspect of the oils couldn’t quite handle my dry skin and I still needed to slather on Benefit’s Bathina cream (current favourite moisturizer).
Bathina by Benefit – a diversion from beGenki, but also a lovely prod!
The body oil was sensational, much lighter than other massage oils I have used in the past and I didn’t feel like a grease burger once my husband gave up on the shoulder knots. The finish was more like a moisturizer and my skin loved it. Now, I just need to convince the husband to have another shot just to make sure it was as good as I remember!
So once I was moisturized and massaged and a ball of love and serenity, I thought about what truly relaxed me.
Here are my top five ways to jump out of the rat race;
1. Create a soulful playlist on your iPod, lie on the couch and stare out the window for 15 minutes. Music has long been proven to have therapeutic qualities and when the day has been too much, it helps me zone out. My current favourite is The Black Keys’ new album, Brother which is so soulful you’ll forget all your worries.
2. Get into the kitchen and bake something amazing… this isn’t for everyone, but put me in a kitchen with an apron, butter, flour and sugar and I’ll emerge singing a happy song. Fill your house with delicious smells (no candle or perfume has the same effect), dish out a slice of something wonderful for people you love and of course, you must lick the bowl.
3. Stretch out those overworked limbs. I love exercising and my body sometimes complains, so throw out your favourite beach towel in the backyard and run through a few key stretches (hamstrings, back, calves, shoulders and hip flexors are a good start) to relax your body and allow it to recuperate from daily stresses.
He’s showing us how the downward dog is done!
4. Get thee in the downward dog position. Focused breathing, stretching and meditation time at the end… there just doesn’t seem to be a better way to calm the mind and body than a yoga class. They do make the wallet squirm though, so if you’re strapped for cash, head to Lululemon in Perth or Cottesloe for free classes. Visit in-store or check their website http://www.lululemon.com for more details.
5. Book yourself in for a pedicure. Putting your feet up and having them rubbed at the same time is the ultimate stress reliever for this busy girl. I switch my phone off, the massage chair on and allow the pedicurist to work her magic on my trotters before walking out a new gal.
beGenki can be purchased online at: http://www.begenkishop.com
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
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 2, 2011 | Other
Lumikello provide(d) Scandinavian spa treatments & wellbeing services.
I’m sad to say that Lumikello is closing down in a couple of weeks, it’s close to my apartment and I experienced a massage treatment that was very different from those I’ve tried before. It reminded me why I review in the first place, because there are so many different and unique experiences to be had… and I want to help you find the best ones!
The good news is my masseuse, Kelly, will continue to run a mobile service after the closure, so I can continue to reach cloud-9 on a regular basis.
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Massages are one of my favourite things. Love ’em. Can’t rave enough. The feeling of pure relaxation that’s experienced afterwards can’t be beaten. This one is no different and I swear I left feeling like I could float out the door on a little white cloud, and slide into bed. Unfortunately I don’t think they make personal clouds yet, maybe one day?!
Snuggling stomach down into the table and placing my head in the hole, I notice a couple of rock crystals on the ground below – a lovely touch which I haven’t seen before. This gives me something nice to focus on when I’m not almost dozing off!
This is where I’m headed…
The highlights of the treatment for me were:
♥ Warm oil drizzled onto the particular body part about to be massaged – O M G! I realise this sounds a little like a food recipe, but it was a very interesting feeling… and extremely enjoyable 🙂
♥ Again, the crystals were great.
♥ The touching at the end of the massage, now reading back that sounds sketchy, but what happens is spots like your shoulder and leg, are touched at the same time gently. It feels very grounding and it’s one of my favourite parts of massages when it happens!
♥ Not a highlight per-se, but I find it really interesting that most masseuses have well kept feet and toenails! It makes sense, cos you are face down looking at the floor, so the feet are in view. Kelly had nice feet!
After the treatment there was no way I wanted to leave the little cocoon I was in and go home, but unfortunately I had to.
I felt fantastic and if I could, I would get two of these massages a week!
Kelly suggested I try the lomi lomi massage next time, and I might do that.
My relaxation massage at Lumikello was $80, which is what Kelly also charges for a mobile massage:
Kelly Hutchinson
0438 820 015
Email: kellyhutch20@hotmail.com
I’m really disappointed that Lumikello is closing down, but am happy I got to experience it at least once.
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 1, 2011 | Food, Products, Reviews
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Hello ma petits! Welcome to another edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes!!! This is going to become a regular feature, because I love to bang on about the healthy and pretty things that are keeping me rockin’ in the free world and there is the slight possibility that you may also be interested! Win-win!
Why don’t we start with my number one current crush? Ok!
1. Ltd Edn “From Paris, With Love” Seasonal Nail Duo from Mecca Cosmetica.
I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it online,
I knew it had to be mine!
I thought it’d make my nails look damn fine.
Alright, average poems aside, this is great. I’m a little bit late on the boat with this one as I believe it was meant to be a Valentine’s day thing (Paris, love, you know the story!) but that didn’t stop me from painting my nails as soon as it arrived post-Valentines.
To me, my fingertips look more like they are channeling Provence more than Paris. The deep, yet pastelly blue gives rise to the feeling that a lavender plant could sprout from my fingertips at any moment!
The packaging when ordering online is gorgeous, arriving at my doorstep tied with a beautiful thick burgundy ribbon (scuse the mess and ‘justgothomefromwork’ camera avoidance).
The red is also a great colour and has been hanging out nicely on my toes. This pack is a good treat or gift for someone special who loves polish or needs a pick-me-up!
It’s available in-store at Mecca Cosmetica, or online, whichever you fancy.
2. Indigo Grinds – Caesars Grind.
My friend from work (and swell singer) Sian, got me onto this stuff after talking about how she liked to sprinkle / grind some onto avocado on toast. The one she uses is ‘Buddha Brew’, and there is a whole variety in the range as you can see from the above image, but the one I decided to go for was the ‘Caesars Grind’ which has: sea salt, garlic, onion, tomato, parsley and thyme.
This stuff is DELICIOUS on avo + toast and sprinkled onto roast tatoes, which is all I’ve used it for so far. You can also use it in pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, meat (if you so wish!)… pretty much anywhere.
Unfortunately I can’t seem to get the image of Julias Caesar doing the bump & grind out of my head whenever I use this, but that’s a small price to pay for this new found tastiness.
I paid $5.70 at the Subiaco Markets or you can contact Indigo Grinds to find other stockists.
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3. Presence de Bach Parfum by Le Fleurs de Bach.
I was recently sent a couple of samples of Le Fleurs de Bach from awesome Perth website Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary (check them out!). Most of us will have at least heard of Bach flower remedies, or even Rescue Remedy which just so happens to be in our first aid kit where I work!
Dr Bach was a well known physician, bacteriologist (sexy), homeopath and researcher of his time. Through his studies, Dr Bach discovered that our negative mindsets could indeed cause the onset of illness. Intent on finding a cure for the causes of illness, rather than the symptoms, he identified 38 flower remedies to help rebalance the 38 negative mindsets he identified. The flower remedies rebalance by gently kick-starting the positive emotions, and bringing them out of hiding.
Le Fleurs de Bach follow his production methods to a ‘t’. The result is some pretty phenomenal smelling scents, my favourite being ‘Presence(s)’.
Excerpt…
“The uplifting, fresh and relaxing scent of Présence(s) de Bach promotes feelings of inner reconciliation and improved communication with those around you. You will enjoy a renewed and positive outlook on your environment, leading to calm and inner peace.”
And I really do feel that it is relaxing! I love giving it a sniff throughout the day, I’m not sure if my communication with others is improved (you’d have to ask them!) but I do know that I love the smell so that’s good enough for me – anything else is a bonus! 🙂
You can grab it online at Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary (available exclusively through them!)
That’s my pick for this week lovely folk, let me know if you have any questions or comments about the above, and hopefully you’ve found something new that you might like to try!
What beauty and health crushes do you have at the moment? Share the love!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 28, 2011 | Events, Inner City, Products, Reviews
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Let me share some of my New Years Resolutions with you:
♥ Call or catch up with Mum and Dad once a week
♥ Try Omnilux and microdermabrasion
♥ Call my friends on their birthdays
♥ Finally learn, ONCE AND FOR ALL, how to apply makeup with at least a 1% degree of skill!
Last Saturday I turned up at Bella Hart in Subiaco in order to work on that final point. With my notoriously hard to match skin tone and eyes that I was certain just couldn’t ‘do’ eye makeup, the ‘Flawless and Minimalist‘ makeup workshop had found itself a tricky participant, but I was also hopeful my woes would turn out to be no match for the makeup experts.
The start of the class. The cute thing, which you can’t see very well here, is the cups! They have hearts on them 🙂 I thought it was a nice touch.
The workshops go for 2 hours, from 9:30am-11:30am, usually on a Saturday, and there were 6 of us workshop-ees in total, a mixed bunch – all with very different skintones and colourings, as well as one main makeup artist & her model / assistant.
Dani (makeup model / assistant) and Rachael, who ran the event showing us how to achieve an easy day look. I’d also like to note here that Rachael’s makeup was gorgeous, when she came up and greeted me at the start I was very impressed with how good it looked.
Armed with our sheet to write down the products we used and liked, an array of brushes, a personal mirror & our eyes and ears to watch and learn, we worked through each area of the face
As a makeup novice, I feel like I learned a lot!
Some of the highlights include:
♥ Finding a makeup shade that gives a bit more coverage than I would usually use, but looks great in photos. (Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in Porcelain Ivory (yep, I’m a ghostie!)
♥ Finding out you can apply primer using a foundation brush.
♥ BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder in Sesame. Winner.
The BECCA powder in question!
I did struggle with the eye makeup section of the class, as I literally have only the most minimal skill in that department. Another member of staff who wasn’t involved in the workshop came over and helped me by doing a great look on me with eyeshadow – unfortunately it wasn’t the one that everyone else was learning, and I have no idea how to replicate it, so I’m still lacking the basic eyeshadow skills.
Half the group!
The other half. (sorry about the pics!)
Overall I would recommend this master class for sure! It was a bit rushed towards the end so it would be nice if there was an extra half hour or additional staff member on hand to help out with the workshop, but all in all it was a success and I left with some new tools under my beauty belt.
I think the best thing about the workshops are the range of products available to try – because there is a wide range of makeup brands, you’re not going to get forced into a ‘not quite good enough’ shade like you might if you attended a brand-specific event.
I did laugh though, because the minimalist look that we did on ourselves was actually WAY more makeup than I would usually use – even for going out at night as I don’t tend to wear a lot of makeup!
I will be attending and reviewing another three workshops being run by Bella Hart in the coming months, so please stay tuned for more photos and reviews 🙂
I was invited by Bella Hart to attend the workshops.
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
