Disclaimer: Talk about knickers & bikini lines ahead. You have been warned!

So! I’ve wanted to try permanent hair reduction/removal for quite some time now, I’m tired of shaving, & waxing is a recipe for ingrown hairs! I was lucky enough to organise a complimentary bikini line SPL (Square Pulsed Light) session at my local Hairfree Centre in Booragoon & if you read on, there’s a special deal in it for you too if you decide to try it out!

There’s a lot of information about IPL / SPL hair removal, which I wont go into here as I’m not an expert, but I recommend you read the following information if you are interested in exactly what goes on during permanent hair reduction:

♥ What is SPL?
♥ FAQ’S

I’m asked to fill out a fairly detailed form on my medical history & skin type, as well as sign a disclaimer. Marissa Pica, the owner of Hairfree Booragoon, is my qualified therapist and shows me into the room where the treatment will take place.

She runs through how the machine works, the life cycle of the hair and why it takes a series of treatments to become ‘hair free’, as well as answering any questions I have & leaves me to prepare (ie. get down to my knickers!)

The treatment room is pleasant enough, with a radio playing (for distraction from the imminent pain, or so I thought), lots of towels and very clean – with a sheet of soft paper on the bed to keep things hygienic.

There is a lolly to be enjoyed & a pair of protective glasses as the Square Pulsed Light can damage eyesight, I close my eyes during the treatment as well to be safe!

The machine hums pretty loudly and I have to admit it makes me a bit nervous.

Marissa draws some lines in white chalk on my body to indicate the boundaries of where we will be removing hair, applies a cool gel all over the areas to be treated (the same stuff they use for ultrasounds) & I prepare myself for my first ‘shot’ of the SPL machine…

It is so much less painful than I expected! In fact, it really only feels like the slightest ‘prickle’ for each shot, 30 seconds on each side of the bikini line and it’s all over! I’m lucky as I have very fair skin & dark hair, which is optimal for SPL, so I think this added to the ease of the treatment.

Afterwards I’m shown the baby wipes, tea tree moisturiser & tissues if I need them & left to re-dress.

I’m booked in again for 6 weeks time, the hairs should begin to fall out within 3-14 days and it’s recommended that you shave any area you’re having treated the day before you come in. No waxing or sun exposure prior / after the treatment either.

I’m really excited about the prospect of being bikini ready with no effort during Summer & the thought of banishing ingrowns forever fills me with COMPLETE JOY!

Now, back to you!

If you’d like to try SPL on ANY area of the body at Hairfree Centre Booragoon, mention ‘Wellness WA’ to receive 50% off your first treatment!!

That’s a pretty special offer, if you’re interested in the extended bikini treatment which I had, it is $95, so you’d receive 50% off that.

Please note the offer is available at the Booragoon centre only 🙂

SPL is suitable for use on almost all areas including: lip, chin, neck, underarms, brazilian, bikini line, legs, back, abdomen, chest, buttocks & about 1/3 of their clients are men.

I’ll continue updating about my experiences as I have more sessions, in the meantime if you have any questions please leave them in the comments & I’ll do my best to help you!

Hairfree Garden City

Riseley Corporate Centre
Suite 7/135 RIseley Street
Booragoon WA

Ph: 1300 669 767

E: gardencityhairfree@gmail.com

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Look, I know we’ve been banging on about the Luxe Aveda Concept Salon, Booragoon like our lives depend on it, but when you’re onto a good thing… can’t help but share the love, y’know?!

I decided to tame my scruffy brows last week as they were getting very upset with me and threatening to call Eyebrow Protective Services. My underarms were in a similarly dismal state as I’ve been growing them out in order to be able to wax ’em. Hate shaving. Love having smooth underarms for weeks on end.

A friendly phone convo later and I was booked in for that night. Upon arrival I was given an Aveda Comforting Tea, a warm, sweet licorice beverage, and told I’d either love it or hate it due to its strong taste! The jury is still out on this one, while I didn’t hate it, I’m not a big licorice fan.

The tea in question!

Once in the treatment room, which was pleasantly lit (not too bright, not too dark), my amiable therapist asked me how I wanted my brows (just a tidy up, thanks!) and got to work.

This salon uses hot wax for both the eyebrows & the underarms, which is a personal absolute must, my sensitive skin threatens to disown me if strip wax / a wax roller comes within 50 metres.

I’ve previously had my eyebrows burned at many salons and I have to confess I was initially a little worried, as she left the wax on my brows a considerable time longer than is usually appropriate for aforementioned sensitive skin. Not to worry however, the wax they are using must be very gentle as there was no post-wax trauma. Yay!

Plucking to remove any missed hairs is always appreciated and I was pleased with the attention to detail.

A bit of tinted moisturiser was applied to counter any mild redness, always a winner since no-one wants to walk around with their “Hay guys, whats up?! Just been waxed lol!” bare face on show to the world.

To the underarms we go! This was painful as I’d been shaving for a while between waxes, an absolute no-no if you want to minimise teeth gritting & cursing. That said though, I am a wholehearted advocate of underarm waxing. Do it, it will change your life!

My therapist was knowledgeable and answered many questions I had about Aveda products & gave me advice for the pesky beginnings of an ingrown hair that was casually hanging out under my arm (all fixed now thanks to her exfoliation suggestions).

After all this, I was given a scalp, shoulder, back & mini arm aromatherapy massage… I believe this is complimentary with all treatments. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Does your salon offer this type of freebie? If not you should seriously reconsider your loyalty as it ended my experience on a high-note and all I did was get some pretty standard waxing.

Aveda Blue Balancing Oil was inhaled during the mini-massage

When it came time to leave, I had an embarrassing incident where I realised I’d lost my ATM card & had no way of paying. The staff handled it with ease, looking after my purse as I ran to my car to search for it and happily taking a credit card payment over the phone (THANKS MUM) when that search proved fruitless.

I was also given a $20 voucher to use on my next treatment valued over $70 within the next 6-weeks, as a part of signing up as a new customer.

I really enjoyed my time here and my eyebrows & underarms are at peace with me once more.

Aveda products are available for purchase in-store, or online at StrawberryNET!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

When offered the chance to experience a 90 minute indulgent massage involving hot ancient stones, Australian native botanicals & the opportunity to “leave my body’s energies dancing with joy” at Bodhi J Health + Beauty Spa, I reluctantly accepted 😉

Bodhi J is located in Wembley, a short drive past the picturesque Herdsman Lake – driving past is a lovely precursor to a spa treatment.

Quick Warning: This review might get a bit lengthy, I had a lot of interesting (I hope!) observations about this particular spa that I’d like to share with you.

First up the welcome area is spacious, which immediately makes for a relaxed feel. There are a stack of neatly presented and CURRENT (A+, such a rarity in any setting) magazines to browse through whilst waiting & filling in the client form.

The treatment I’m having is called the “Li’tya Marta Kodo Rock Massage” and it lasts for 90 minutes (dreamy), here is the excerpt from the Bodhi J website:

These magical Ancient Primordial Stones from North Western Australia are integrated into a treatment that is aligned with the rhythmic Kodo body massage that is inspired by traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques which tone and re-align energy flow, enhancing mind and body balance and wellness. The therapist skilfully integrates the rocks with pressure points and spiralling movements that work to ground and uplift, leaving the body’s energies dancing with joy.

A quick bathroom stop before the treatment begins reveals a well thought out addition to the spa, large enough to accommodate any disabilities and complete with hand rails. That really struck me, as I haven’t seen such facilities in all spas I’ve been to – but why should feeling and looking good be limited only to the completely able bodied? It shouldn’t, so I really commend Bodhi J for being a spa suitable for those with disabilities.

Beginning with a ‘foot bath ritual’ where my feet are dipped into water (complete with floating orchids!) and massaged, I’m then asked to close my eyes and choose from 3 scented essential oils that are presented to my curious nose. The “Reharmonise Oil” was the one that sang to me.

Next, I was asked to choose 4 rocks (out of 9-ish) I felt drawn to, that I’d like to be used in my massage!

I love customisable treatments!

Rocks chosen, my therapist got down to business. As I lay on the bed, a ‘smoking ritual’ was performed – leaves were lit, which I then inhaled through the hole where the face rests in the massage bed, then the smoke was wafted over my body. Interesting experience!

The full body massage itself was great and the hot rocks were a real treat on a cool morning, although the room was heated to a very pleasant temperature.

A word of warning to the demure, this treatment involves the therapist massaging down the middle of and around the chest (ooh la la) so if you are uncomfortable with this perhaps mention it prior to commencement!

One of my favourite parts was when tiny warm stones were placed between each of my toes, it felt really unique & special. The head massage was also blissful.

Some products from the Li’Tya range

Other things of note:

♥ The Aboriginal music & light chanting played throughout the treatment set the mood.

♥ Mid-way through the treatment some grainy rocks were softly rubbed over my back and it felt amazing.

♥ There were tealight candles in the room (real, not fake).

♥ Bodhi J use iPods in all of their rooms, I thought this was really cool.

Afterwards I had some gorgeous fresh fruit (kiwi, strawberries & pineapple) & a delicious cup of caffeine free ‘Yulu Tea’ to complete the experience.

Highly, highly recommended! If you decide to go based on my review, let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me in the comments!

Li’tya Marta Kodo Rock Massage (90 min) $160

Contact Bodhi J Health + Beauty Spa

42C Grantham St (Cnr Nanson St)
Wembley, Western Australia 6014

Ph: (08) 9387 5152
Fax: (08) 9387 4548

Email: admin@bodhij.com.au

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

Welcome to April my darlings! To celebrate the changing of the seasons, the impending skin imperfections from copious egg devouring and just to spread some love to our fabulous readers, Wellness WA has teamed up with Ella Express to give away some very special prizes throughout April!

Entering is so easy!

♥ All you need to do, is visit the ELLA EXPRESS website.

♥ Pick your dream treatment from the list that you’d choose to put your $100 voucher towards! (so hard to choose!)

♥ Leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address & your treatment choice!

♥ VOILA! You are in the running to win one of these indulgent vouchers!!

Only one entry per person, winners drawn at random on the 30th of April.

Ella Express has salons in the City, Joondalup, Warwick, Floreat, Whitford City & Dunsborough!

Enter now for your chance to win!!

Be well,

xoxo

Beauty school dropout…♥

There is nothing I love more than beauty treatments. Now, I don’t mean the unfortunate necessities of waxing, I’m talking about facials, pedicures, manicures, massage… the fun stuff! Treatments that make you feel amazing as well as look good.

The only problem is, they are pricey. When an average facial or treatment these days is around $70 – $150 it’s no wonder I have blocked pores, unkempt feet and problem cuticles!

But gather round girls (and boys!)… What if I told you a deluxe 90 minute facial cost only $40? Or a deluxe pedicure $35? How about a two hour pampering package for only $60?

Welcome to Central Tafe’s Beauty Therapy Skincare Clinic. A place for students to perfect their technique and gain practice to complete their qualifications.

After a week of frivolous spending, and in need of a little pampering I decided to give the Tafe beauty clinic a go. In the waiting room, I was asked to fill out a form outlining any medications I was on, what my current concerns with my skin are, current skin care regime etc. I saw some ladies come out and re-book straight away. One lady, who must be a regular, booked manicure & pedicure sessions for the next three months!

Now this is a no frills premises. Located in the Mount Lawley campus, the clinic is a large room, shared by all, separated by room dividers. There are change rooms to undress if needed and you are provided with a robe.

I had a deluxe Dermalogica facial which lasted around an hour. Even though there were other people in the room, everyone was super quiet, and so I didn’t find it hard to relax. The student I had was excellent. She explained everything, including all the products she was using and why, and what was about to happen. She used Dermalogica products on me – so you know they are being taught with good products.

Dermalogica Facial Mapping.

I had a crème cleanser, a facial steaming procedure, a mask and a neck,shoulder and hand massage. The student I got said she was very interested in remedial massage and it showed. She had a very firm technique which was great. When she massaged my face it was obviously lighter – but perhaps a touch too firm for the face area.

All in all my experience was great and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. When I went to reception to pay it was filled with people re booking. So my advice is get in quick, as this clinic books up weeks in advance.

The Beauty Therapy Skin Care Clinic is located at the Mt Lawley Campus on the corner Lord and Harold Streets, Mt Lawley, in Room W202 (upstairs, West Wing).

The Clinic is open Friday 10:30am – 3:30pm and Saturday 9:30am – 12:00pm during term time only.

For further information and booking enquiries please
phone (08) 9427 3770.

More information about Dermalogica products can be found here .

Article by Yvette Coyne, helping your beauty dollar go further!