Julie Quach, Owner of Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary.

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

I was born in WA, 27 years ago. I went to Curtin Business School and finished a double degree in Marketing and Communications. At the age of 21, I started my own business, and I have never looked back. I’m quite simple in the sense that I know what is important in life and I am realistic about my goals and direction. I’ve always had a passion for beauty, anyone who knows me can vouch for that! It only seemed natural that I used my degree as a base, and mixed in my passion, to help shape and create my life. Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary isn’t work for me at all, it might sound really cliché but when you do something you really love there are no boundaries, just abundance.

Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist – $28

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Ok, well as you can image my bathroom is FULL of product, and I am usually “researching” (aka testing) for new brands to put on the site. At the moment, these are the products I am using:

Both morning and evening, my skin cleansing routine consists of:

Cleanser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Wash
Toner: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist
Serum: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Purifying Palmarosa Facial Serum
Moisturiser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream
Eyes: Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel

When I cleanse I always massage from behind the ears and down to the clavical to drain the lymph nodes.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub – $40

I also like to treat my skin at least twice a week using these two products interchangeably:

♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub
♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Face Mask

As for makeup, one of my favourite products would have to be RMS Beauty’s Un-cover Up. This product is UN-BELIEVEABLE. This product is perfect for ladies who are after natural, dewy looking skin, without having to wear too much makeup.

My current primer is Alison Raffaele’s Age Response Primer. You have to feel it to believe it – it seriously gives you the MOST silky skin.

RMS- Living Luminiser, a cult product – $53

I always use RMS LIP2CHEEK- Smile and Rapture. RMS Beauty’s MOMENT lip shine, and the Living Luminiser are great for highlighting the cheeks also.

I don’t tend to use a lot of product on my eyes unless I’m going out. When I do choose to wear some colour, I always reach for the RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow SEDUCE.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without?

My weekly facial.

♥ And your favourite place to have it done?

I prefer to do them myself in my bathroom, only because I am very particular when it comes to my skin and products.

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

Hairloom in Osborne Park – Candice or Connie. They are super talented and beautiful people. They’re always traveling for work as they’re in high demand. Not many people know, but they are usually over east for fashion week, exercising their talents backstage.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My natural manicure for sure!

The Japanese Wash Cloth – $29

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

Not Fair, there are so many!!!

If I have to choose, I will go with these 3…

1. RMS Beauty’s Living Luminiser
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream (one of Neal’s Yard’s best selling products)
3. Japanese Wash Cloth.

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

Exercise daily – it makes such a difference to your emotional state, I feel like ME when I work out. Its empowering and you can feel confident in anything. Mediation helps me to center and focus in the mornings. My days are very busy so if I don’t take a moment to just slow down I feel a little out of whack! Before bed try thinking about 5 things that you are grateful for, from that day. It can be anything! Even the smallest thing, as long as it has elevated you, it’s important to acknowledge.

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

Kefir, a probiotic rich food made from fermented milk.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Normally, breakfast consists of kefir and oats or a Protein shake, and coffee at the office with my beloved nespresso! I eat a healthy big lunch around 1pm. I always make sure I have some protein with salad. A snack of fruit at 4pm keeps me going until my light dinner at 7pm. I really try and stay away from carbs especially at night, but I always treat myself to something sweet to cleanse the pallet!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I’m up at 6am and I usually go to the gym. I’ll do about 45mins of weight training followed by 30mins of cardio. I’ll do this about 4 times a week. Pilates on Saturday. The 3 days of the week I have off I will just go for a 1hr run with my dog Kamajii.

Remedial Massage.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements?

I don’t take any supplements, and the only therapies I take part in are quite indulgent. This includes remedial massages (the only kind of massage I like!) and also I love Reiki, my fav place for that is up in the hills of Noosa, QLD. A Japanese couple do this treatment at their estate – amazing!

♥ How do you like to relax?

Take a bath or get a remedial massage, pedicure or read. I’m inspired by anything creative, and cooking to me is an art. Art of taste! So I love to visit subi markets and farmers markets to get my produce fresh and spend all day cooking whilst listening to music.

Thanks Julie, you were a pleasure to interview and have provided lots to look at and think about!

If you have any questions please leave a comment below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

♥

From the outside, it’s not clear whether the Jurlique Store in the newly developed Claremont Quarter provides treatments or not. It’s a cute little shop, which evokes a sense of being atop a snowy Swiss mountain, nestled in a wooden lodge. Only instead of hot chocolate and moose-heads, you’re surrounded by all the organic, biodynamic Australian-made skincare you could ever need! It’s a good feeling.

Jurlique, Claremont Quarter store.

Luckily for you (and me), this quaint little space does indeed provide treatments and they are indulgent ones at that. Here you wont find any of your standard waxing fare, but what you will find is an incredible array of facial and body treatments that will have your mind abuzz with confusion as to which one to pick!

I chose the Jurlique Aromatherapy Facial which is described as:

“This classic facial provides holistic benefits essential for radiant healthy skin. Using aromatherapy preparations, this cleansing and relaxing facial is personalised to suit your skin’s individual rebalancing needs. An uplifting sensory experience of natural skin care and total pampering.”

The treatment room.

Both the girls at the Claremont Quarter store were lovely and welcoming! I filled in a card, was asked a lot of questions about my skin and then taken into the treatment room for the fun to begin…

I should mention that they were playing really good music, cue Death Cab for Cutie, The Album Leaf and more soft folky sounds.

Lemon-Lime Hydrating Essence – $45.

I love personalised treatments, from a choice of three scents I chose this one, Lemon-Lime. Yum. This hydrating essence is compressed onto the face with hot towels, complete bliss, and apparently it plumps up the dead skin cells and makes it easier for them to be exfoliated off!

Balancing Cleansing Lotion – $45.

It should really be called a face-neck-chest-ial, as all three of these areas are joining in the party, starting with the cleanse.

Next comes one of the best bits of getting a facial…. the steamer!

My face is steamed for about 5 minutes to open up the pores and then a mask is applied (although I forgot which one, oh dear!)

While it dries my arms are exfoliated, massaged and moisturised, I could get used to this.

Some soft hot towels later and my face is bare again, ready to be introduced to the final products to complete my experience…

Herbal Recovery Eye Cream – $52.

♥ (Above) Applied under the eyes, this cream helps to de-puff and reduce dark circles!
♥ Balancing Day Cream – an everyday moisturiser that smells great.
♥ Herbal Recovery Gel – this is a potent little mix of good for you anti-aging ingredients, I found it made my skin pretty sticky afterwards though, so beware!

♥ Love Balm! ♥

Last but not least this super-cute balm is applied to my lips. My therapist offered me some tea and water, and then sadly it was time to leave.

To check out the other treatments available on the menu, head here.

I loved my treatment and the staff were super sweet, make sure you head down to Claremont Quarter soon – it is incredible! When you’re finished with Jurlique you can duck over to the T2 shop across the road as well – for a post-spa tea! Can’t beat it 🙂

The aromatherapy facial is $105 and takes 60 minutes.

Contact the Claremont Quarter girls on: 08 9284 2325

I received this facial gratis, but as always would like to remind you that we will only write about something if we loved it and think you’d love it too. This one made the cut!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥ Aggie Hong ♥

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

I love to dream big and every experience along the journey is always a blessing!

I’ve just recently opened Moi Moi Fine Jewellery in Carillon City. So it’s all very exciting right now. Because it is so new, I’m currently running complimentary Jewellery Appreciation Workshops which educate people on how to choose the right jewellery to suit their face shapes, what to look for when purchasing fine jewellery and most importantly just to have some fun and enjoy champagne and canapés!

We also stock bright coloured MiABELLE enamel jewellery, my current favourite piece is the Faberge inspired enamel egg pendants (above) which are hand-painted and set with white topaz, they start from just $135 and you can’t get it anywhere else in WA!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Well it all depends on my mood and weather! When it’s hot and sticky, the lesser the better.

Step 1: Cleansing

I would always start with removing my eye make up with Lancome (fab to remove water resistant and water proof mascara) and then with Shiseido’s cleansing cream, as I do wear make up so that is a good way to remove them before using my Clarins gentle exfoliating cleanser. I would never skip a single step here even when I’m dead tired! Without cleansing properly you might as well not bother putting anything else on your face.

Shiseido Concentrated Balancing Softener – RRP $150

Step 2: Softening & Eye Cream

LOVE Shiseido Future Solution LX Softener!! It’s instant hydration to your skin and smells divine. Currently I’m using La Mer Eye Concentrate, expensive ($350) little pot of eye cream but you really to get what you pay for! Never skip eye cream! First signs of aging begin around your eyes. In summer, I usually stop here without moisturizer on top as this softener is rich enough.

Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum – RRP $89

Step 3: Moisturise & Treatments

I like Loccitane Olive tree organic moisturiser which feels very comfortable and light. When I feel in need of boost, I would use Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum and Crème De La Mer for a bit of pampering as well.

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

Visage and Shiatsu are great ways to relax and pamper myself. I get it done once every few months at Shiseido in David Jones on Hay Street. Not only on my face, I even get my neck, shoulders and hands massaged too. All I have to do is purchase 2 products and I get to enjoy 1 hour of complimentary facial – absolutely great deal!

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

St James Hair Salon in Northbridge – my stylist always meets my expectations when styling my hair. I am very picky with colouring but they always have a can do attitude even when I come up with a hard and tricky colour request. Great service, friendly atmosphere and superbly priced!

Aesop Three Acts Kit – RRP $69

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

A relaxing massage from my partner! Body oil from Aesop is beautiful, rich with Vitamin E and botanical extracts.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – RRP $24-39

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

This is a hard question! Coming from a beauty background, I’ve tried many amazing products, so this will be a hard one but I managed to pull out 3.

1. Lancome Hypnose – good mascara that will work magic on your look. For the budget alternative try Maybelline volume express, works just as good!
2. Jurlique Rose Face Mist – it comes in a mini 30ml and I always carry one in my handbag. It’s my quick fix for an instant pick me up when I feel tired or dry in air conditioning and in winter. Spray on with or without makeup and you will sure get a radiant glow.
3. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle – need I say more? (Available online at StrawberryNET)

♥

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

Drink lots of tea, especially green tea. I hardly ever drink anything with sugar or anything fizzy. I like to sing as it helps me to relieve stress and always think positive!
Last but not least, lots of beauty sleep of course!

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

Pilates – seems hard but would like to try it someday.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Talking about food I’m actually craving sushi right now!
Well this morning I had a cup of Twining lady grey and honey on multigrain toast.
As I’m opening the shop I made myself Dilmah Rose with French vanilla milk tea.
Then its tuna and avocado sandwich for lunch with green tea. By late afternoon it’s time for my coffee fix, I love Chai tea latte from Gloria Jeans and sometimes I snack with carrot cake. For dinner I love my fish, especially salmon and other food I love eating are mushrooms, beans, roast lamb, salad especially with balsamic dressing and things with vinegar and a bit of chilli.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Does walking 20mins everyday while getting to the bus stop and back count?
And if I’m not too tired by the end of the day I try to go for a swim in my backyard.

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

I like to drink warm honey and apple cider vinegar at least 2 to 3 times a week in the morning.

♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

Listen to soothing music and lie down with a mask.
Watch chick flick or comedy with a bunch of girlfriends.
Get away from the city completely for a retreat in the nature, somewhere that’s not too hot.

Thanks so much Aggie! We hope you enjoyed delving into her beauty & wellbeing routine, if you have someone in mind you’d love us to interview, leave a comment below!

Be well,

xoxo

♥

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

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?

♥

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:

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