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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Howdy, I’m Sarah a 28 year old free-lance personal fitness trainer. Newly married to my best pal Patrick an Aussie, we moved to Perth in June and are planning on staying for the foreseeable future. I love my job and I’m stoked to bring my business to this gorgeous city.

I am also teaching Powerplate Classes on Monday nights over at the Perth Pilates Studio in North Perth.

Savi Body Cream.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I guess you could call it no-fuss?? I am up early and am constantly on the move. I like my hair long so I don’t have to “do” it (it’s wavy, so the longer the straighter).

I have always been a massive believer in not putting lots of stuff on your face or the skin ends up not doing its job properly. The whole cleanse, tone, day/night cream etc. etc. just isn’t me. I have never had problem with my skin which I know is the result of a combo of eating well and exercising daily.

I always wear SPF 30 on my face though (Olay Complete Defence SPF 30, but only because its well priced and at the local super market), and always take my makeup off at night. Moisturizer daily on my body has been important in WA too, as my skin needs to get used to the dry weather and sunshine. I’m currently using a body cream by Savi, an organic company from Margaret River, which I received for Christmas.

I’ve also been using the Wotnot Wipes and am LOVING them!

An example of Indian Head Massage!

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

I still have a lot to discover in Perth, but I did have a brilliant Indian head massage from Louise Perkins at Four Essence last week.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

Jodi from Scissor Sister in Mount Lawley recently fixed a nasty cut and highlights I had at a place in Cottesloe (I won’t name it but email me and I’ll tell you). I will be going back to her for sure as I love the space, massage chairs, good coffee, and is reasonably priced.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment? 

I am a natural blonde with blonde eyelashes and brows so I tint my own once in a while. I bought this stuff in London last year for at home tinting (didn’t keep the packaging when I moved over though so not sure of the name sorry) and it has lasted ages. I’m sure there is an equivalent here??

Diorshow Mascara – a fave among many!

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products? 

My Mom has encouraged me to wear Mineral makeup and sent me this RMS BEAUTY “uncover-up” to use. It is pretty special stuff and she swears by it which is an intense endorsement by a lady who knows her products.

I wear Diorshow mascara as it doesn’t clump.

I love Malin and Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant which is aluminum free and fantastic. My sister in law turned me on to it.

Cottesloe Beach

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

My gorgeous, slim and stylish mother has always emphasized everything in moderation in life. I try not to deny myself anything; however I find that when I eat well, drink tons of water and exercise a lot I am the happiest and the cycle continues as I then crave this euphoric healthiness everyday.

After a long stretch of English “Summers” I went over board on the beach when I first moved to Perth. I need to keep my face out of the sun to stave off excessive wrinkles and freckles. A naturally pale face is my new mission, although it’s not a secret and you all probably live by that mantra now anyway.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I would love to book in for metabolic or nutrition type testing at a reputable clinic soon. A knowledgeable nutritionist I used to train in London recommends Dr. Mercola and his methods and website.

I don’t believe in all the hype around diets out there. I preach proven methods of eating unprocessed and moderate portions of all sorts of foods in your diet and expending more calories than you take in daily to my clients.

However, there have been a lot of studies recently (and more and more doctors and naturopaths are jumping on board) about how different foods that many of us think are healthy, might not be the best for us long-term. There is so much information out there and it is hard to decipher fact from fiction.

♥

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I try to mix it up a bit as I think it’s important not to eat the same thing everyday but yesterday I had;

* Brekkie was whole oat porridge made with almond milk, cinnamon, banana, chia seeds and natural peanut butter

* Coffee with a dash of full fat milk

* Lunch was a large salad of spinach, tomatoes, seeds, feta, cucumber and avocado

* I had some blueberries and almonds in a small bowl of full fat vanilla gelatin free yogurt as a snack before evening teaching

* Dinner I made a homemade prawn pad thai kind of thing with steamed broccoli on the side.

*Few squares of dark chocolate for dessert

I love cooking and constantly look for new and different recipes, but always add extra veggies and use less meat than called for.

Powerplate

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

It changes depending on my schedule, but lately I have been running 2-3x’s a week (along the West coast is such a treat), going to one yoga class that fits in with my ever-changing appointment schedule, and one powerplate session. I stretch daily and go for many beach walks. I love trying new classes of any type of exercise and different instructors. By doing this, I can expand my exercise library and use what I think works well for my clients.

I love cycling, swimming and pilates too. I used to dance professionally so I am keen to get back into some regular classes in 2011. I am active with clients all day too which I am ever grateful for.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

Nope.

Any questions for Sarah? Leave ’em below!

Be well,

xoxo

Tammi Ireland, Coveted Canvas.

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m a mag-loving, journalist working in newspapers full-time while also free-lancing for other newspapers and online sites. Thus, my ‘fluffy’ writing had to be directed elsewhere, so I founded Coveted Canvas in March 2010. It’s a beauty website with tips and tricks, product and salon reviews, trend reports, holistic tips, competitions and more. I put all the info I’ve learnt from years working in the modelling industry and behind the scenes at mag shoots onto the web for girls like me who love experimenting with their look.

In my spare time, I write letters to myself, read books, watch Mad Men and sample Perth’s restaurants.

Bloom Organics Rosehip Oil

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Reviewing countless products means no day is the same. That being said there are some steadfast rules I stick to. I cleanse with Dermalogica’s Pre Cleanse twice (once to remove impurities, once to actually cleanse), followed by scrubbing my face and neck with their Daily Microfoliant. If I skip this step, my skin is really dull – the movement of exfoliation brings blood to the surface. Next I’ll apply a serum or moisturiser (always with SPF), depending on my plans for the day and follow with makeup.

At night I either repeat the Pre-Cleanse process or remove makeup with WotNot wipes (amazing!) before applying Bloom Organics Rosehip Oil over my face and neck, and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye to prevent premature wrinkles. Vaseline keeps my lips from drying out during sleep.

♥ Hidden Valley ♥

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

Working six and a half days a week means I don’t get to the salon that much, which makes me extremely sad. When I do, it’s more a time-saving thing than an experience. Eyebrow waxing at Lovely Lady in Midland is great for those weeks I just can’t be bothered plucking my own brows.

That being said, I actually had my very first professional massage in June at Hidden Valley Eco Retreat, which was amazing. I’ve got vouchers for those on every one of my distributed Christmas lists.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

Head Studio in King Street. I used to get around when it came to hairdressers but the guys at Head Studio were great when I went in to get balayage and a new style. There’s nothing more reassuring than having your stylist listen to your wants before they take to your hair with scissors! Plus the salon’s décor and coffee alone, is worth going back for.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

An at-home manicure. When I went to LA last December, I stocked up on OPI nail polishes (they’re only $7 there!) so I’m quite enjoying working my way through them all. A slick of colour on your nails can completely change your mood.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

1. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (see above)

2. Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara for everyday because I can easily take it off and wake up without looking like a panda

3. Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Açai Berry to keep my lips hydrated under the office aircon.

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Not really secret, but I like to drink a lot of water and use concealer religiously. I can definitely feel the difference when I eat better, too, so I try to avoid bad foods and (recently) caffeine.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

There are so many! When I started Coveted Canvas, I had no idea about some of the amazing treatments out there.

I would love to say goodbye to unwanted hair permanently with laser removal but find it hard to justify the price, I want to try meditation and more yoga, and after reading your Sodashi Chakra balance review I’d like to try that too.

ED: Check out our IPL/SPL review!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

No day’s the same but I always like a high-fibre breakfast with a few glasses of water to kick off the day. I try to eat a healthy lunch – salad roll or left-over stir-fry – but the problems come in around 3.30pm when I’ve been at my desk all day. Here I’ll have endless amounts of tea to get me through to dinner. Usually that’s protein and veggies. I snack on cashews, summer fruits and some health bars throughout.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

It’s definitely not as good as I’d like it to be! I try and do some stretching or yoga in the morning to get my blood pumping, then walk throughout the day where I can (parking the car far from the office entrance, for example). I recently tried Zumba and plan on doing that a lot more.

Otherwise, I try to walk and use the family Ab-Swing and rower where possible. If I had more time, I would be all over the Bikram yoga and salsa dancing again. Sadly, I just can’t find time to get to the classes.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

When I’ve had a few hard days, I’ll pop a women’s multivitamin and if I’m feeling iffy, I’ll try Inner Health Plus but really I prefer to just ride it out and get the nutrients from my diet. I’m a big believer in mind over matter and that if you think you’re well, you’ll be well.

Thanks Tammi 🙂

If anyone has any comments or questions please leave them below!

Be well,

xoxo

Stuart Watkins, photo by Natasja Kremers Photography

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I absolutely love what I get to do each day. Helping people live to their fullest potential is something that brings me so much joy. As well as my line of work I love surfing, the outdoors, travel, photography and live music.

Over the summer I am teaching Akhanda Yoga at various outdoor locations. They are donation based classes so you can pay as little or as much as you like per class. It’s all about getting back to nature and letting your true nature shine.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Hmmm, very simple routine. Beauty starts from the inside so I just make sure I’m eating a nice natural, organic diet. Lots of greens, lots of omega oils and plenty of variety in the diet. As well as that I make sure I’m hydrated, more so for my energy, but it helps to keep the skin stay healthy too. When the inner body is in harmony and the mind is relaxed our natural beauty shines.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I don’t really get beauty treatments done, but I do get regular ayurvedic massages at K.A.L.M Wellness Centre with Kate Morris.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

Angelina at Guy’s Grooming in the city. In the past, every time I’d get my hair cut it would take about a week or 2 for my hair to look ok. After Angelina cuts my hair I’m happy with it straight away. She gives an amazing head massage too.

Navratna Oil

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Pranayama or yogic breath work and meditation. Everyone after practicing breath work in yoga and meditation just glows incredibly. The eyes are clearer, the skin glows and this inner peace just shines from the person. Occasionally I’ll do a bit of a face and body scrub using ground up flaxseeds with a bit of water. After washing that off with cool water I massage Navratna Oil into any muscles that feel like they need some love.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

I don’t really use any external products apart from what I just mentioned.

I always make sure I have CHYAWANPRASH at home. It’s an ancient Indian herbal tonic that’s loaded with vitamin C.

I always make sure I have Vitamin C food complex, B food complex, magnesium and Vitamin E from an amazing brand called New Chapter.

Young baby coconuts!

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Coconut water every day. Fresh from a young coconut. So healing, energising and hydrating.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

Everything I have been curious about trying I’ve already tried. I’m willing to give anything a go, if it makes sense to me.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I eat lots of raw foods throughout the day. I have about 5-6 meals spread throughout the day. Lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Lunch is usually my biggest meal. Each day of eating varies depending on how much energy I’m using, so I just listen to my body and give it the natural fuel that it needs.

Stuart Watkins, photo by Natasja Kremers Photography

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I usually cycle to and from work and if I’m in different locations throughout the day I can end up cycling quite a bit. I love cycling around Perth! I practice yoga for an hour to an hour and half 6 days a week. I also do strength and conditioning twice a week as well as surfing whenever possible and catching up with friends to play different sports.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

Yes, I do regular chakra meditation, and get regular ayurvedic massages. I sometimes get reflexology and flower essence massages too. I take a quite a few supplements. Here they are; Yellow pea protein, cell food, the vitamins I listed above from New Chapter, Chywanprash, spirulina, maca, ashwaganda, triphala, Udo’s Oil and chia seed.

Heath & Emma

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I’m Em – I’m a 22 year old uni student and co-owner of The Raw Kitchen. The key aim of the The Raw Kitchen is to share and teach people about not only the incredible benefits of including raw living foods into our diets, but also how delicious they can be!

We currently run a raw food and smoothie bar down at The Fremantle Markets, where we also stock a wide variety of products, books, and appliances. We run raw food workshops and events and now have a RAW catering trailer out on the roads also hitting the local festivals and events!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Fast and simple due to necessity! In the mornings I rinse my face with fresh water, while my evening shower is my main opportunity to cleanse my face and body using a natural, organic body wash or soap. I’m not too fussy with anything beyond chemical-free ingredients so I alternate between brands like Suki and Natural Instincts that offer great value, affordable hair and body products.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

I’m not sure if a massage technically classes as a beauty treatment, but this is certainly the one indulgence I pick first every time! Perth’s best kept secret has got be the training colleges – I’ve had many a wonderful massage from students at Endeavour College of Natural Health for $20-$30!

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

I very rarely get my hair cut professionally – in fact I quite enjoy snipping away at my ends on my balcony!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Coconut oil and/or cacao butter – these natural oils are such amazing moisturisers! I use them on my body, hair, lips and face (as well as in my food!) and they leave you feeling so beautiful and soft and without any fear or additives or chemicals, just pure, natural goodness.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

– Good quality essential oils for when I feel like wearing a scent
– Mineral makeup – I’ve tried a few, currently I’m using an Australian brand – Claytime.
– Neem Leaf Extract – excellent for irritations, blemishes, itches. (ED: Neem leaf is also an ingredient in some La Mer products!)

Em lives on lots of whole, fresh, raw foods to keep her looking lovely!

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

As the saying goes, it’s about what you put inside your body and I’ve certainly found this to be true. Plenty of clean, pure water, ensuring the largest part of my diet is fresh, raw, living wholefoods, daily movement, and daily activities that I love.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

A facial from Cherry Blossoms Organic Beauty Salon in Subiaco – they use the most divine, high quality organic products from Europe.

An example of some chia porridge!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Breakfast is often light – either a smoothie, juice, fruit, a salad, chia porridge or similar.

For lunch/dinner we very rarely go without a big salad packed with greens, sprouts, avocado, seaweeds and then whatever other veg is in season and colourful!

For snacks I might have some flax crackers and dip or vege sticks, nuts, nori rolls, fruit, or a blended soup.

And of course desserts! At the moment I’m really into frozen berries and mango, but I’m fortunate to live in a house where there is often some wonderful raw creations being experimented with so there’s often something delicious in the freezer to finish the day.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Time is of the essence so I have to try to fit exercise into my day wherever I can. This often means walking/riding to uni, early morning walks, walks to the shops, stretches on the bedroom floor…and just in the last few weeks my partner and I have started attending classes as casuals at the local gym which has offered a great bit of variety and motivation.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

We alternate a large range of different superfoods and minerals in our smoothies and daily intake. Seaweeds (spirulina, chlorella, modifilan etc) are something I make sure to get in one way or another everyday. Chia is another being such an excellent source of omega 3s, calcium and more. As far as alternative therapies go, I’m lucky that my partner Heath is a naturopath so he takes care of my health needs!

Emma & Heath can be found at their food stall, The Raw Kitchen, at the Fremantle Markets on the weekends! x

Any questions please leave them below!!

Be well,

xoxo

Sheridan Crofts, The One Thing Music Quiz.

♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I run a music quiz business called The One Thing Music Quiz. It’s something I started from scratch a few years ago and I’m loving it! It’s taken a lot of hard work but there is nothing more rewarding career-wise to work doing something you love and have complete passion for. I provide and host music quiz nights and music quiz activities for pubs and private functions. Sure keeps me busy, but it’s fun and challenging.

Ella Bache Special Eye Creme 30 ml RRP $73

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Well, I do the usual stuff eg. moisturise morning and night, eye cream morning and night and exfoliate twice a week.

Masks would go on once a month or so. I’ve long had an issue with hormonal acne (booooooo) so I don’t like to aggravate my skin by going overboard with what I use. I’m at a stage now (which horrifies me) where I’m moving into the world of anti-aging products so I’m changing the products I use to get the pesky fine lines under control.

Moisturiser: ROC Complete Lift Day Cream and ROC Complete Lift Night Cream
Eye Cream: Ella Bache Special Eye Creme (Available online at StrawberryNET)
Cleanser: Ella Bache Lait Exotique and when I’m lazy Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes (Available online at Ella Bache. I have dark eyelashes, but a blue/black tint makes an amazing difference. I like to go make-up free when possible, so this gives my face a little glam without having to go to the effort of laying on all of the make-up. Bit of gloss, concealer, powder and tinted-up eyelashes and I’m ready to go!

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

I’m very fortunate to have a wonderfully talented friend who does my hair privately so I haven’t visited a salon for eons. I do love the salon experience, but I love spending time with my gorgeous friend more! Colour, snip and gossip!

Ella Bache Revitalisant, 110 mls, RRP $56

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I LOVE Ella Bache’s Revitalisant. I would marry it. It’s a good price for what gets a similar result to a complete facial. It goes on like a mask and it gives your skin a jolly good exfoliation. My skin feels deliciously smooth and fresh afterwards, lovely. (Available online at StrawberryNET)

Chanel Aqualumiere Lip Gloss

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

1) Ella Bache Creme Intex No. 2: I’ve been using this since I was a teenager. For problem skin, it’s a dream. I pop it on at night and it dries up any blemishes over night.

2) Chanel Lip Gloss: I only just discovered this a year ago and I’m converted. It’s so smooth and luxurious, doesn’t taste artificial and it’s Chanel! (Available online at Calvin Klein ‘Summer’ edition One fragrances. They release a new one every summer and I’m the first in line for one. It’s perfect for day wear, smells fresh and citrusy and I always get so many lovely comments about it. Aaaaah.

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

No secrets, but I would NEVER go to bed with make-up on. Big no-no. Oh and drink loads of water. Loads and loads.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

Yoga is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but I have a lot of trouble clearing my mind enough to get the benefits. I’d also love to spend a whole day at a day spa to unwind, but they cost so much and I can’t justify the expense. Maybe one day when I’m rich! One day…

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Oh dear. I try, I really do! First things first, I always start the day with a fruit and yoghurt smoothie. Banana, berries, orange juice, almonds, LSA, Greek yoghurt – blend, blend, blend and down the hatch. Maybe I’ll have Vegemite toast too, if I’m still hungry.

Then it’s the coffee. I like STRONG coffee, but I limit it to one cup a day. I LOVE to cook, it’s my favourite thing to do aside from my business so I bake, I eat, I bake some more and I eat some more. Sometimes healthy, sometimes indulgent. I generally eat quite well, good wholesome, home-baked food. But being in pubs 4 nights a week, I succumb to pizzas and chippies quite regularly too. I don’t like to watch what I eat to the point where life isn’t fun. You gotta live, right? I do need to cut down on my chocolate intake though. I know this. My dentist does too.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Oh stop. I’m pathetic at the moment. I used to have a personal trainer. I used to swim. I used to go to the gym. Now? Verging on bugger all.

I walk 2 – 3 times a week, sometimes with a hound, sometimes with a friend. I’ve just bought a bike so I’m starting to ride places. I’m going to go back to swimming which is something I was once very good at. That’s the plan anyway. With having my own business, I’ve found this has been the first part of my life to really take a backseat, but I really need to make it a priority again.

Inner Health Plus!

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

I pop a Vitamin E, fish oil and Inner Health Plus tabbie every day. Vitamin E for my skin, fish oil for my Omega 3’s and Inner Health Plus for my friendly bacteria.

You can catch Sheridan at her music quizzes 5 nights a week at various pubs around town, check it out here!

Be well,

xoxo