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Beauty lovers confession time, if you rifled through the contents of my Harrods make-up bag you would emerge horrified.

Clinque foundation bottles with only the smallest dregs of thick liquid left, Natio blushes circa when I rocked pedal pushers (so at least 5 years ago I promise!), crushed powders two shades too light for my summer tan and mascaras which probably should find a new home in my bathroom bin. After too many disappointed raised eyebrows from my sister after asking to borrow a product, and too many jealous trips to her make-up bags overflowing with bronze Mac eyes-shadows, vibrant Nars lip crayons and “I-really-really-really-want it” Chanel mascara, I decided it was time to make a few investments.

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For anyone who wants to update their make-up collection (whatever impressive or depressing state they may be in) I recommend adding Benefit Watts Up to your make-up family. I’ve always found it difficult to replicate the luminous ‘natural’ glow that the Miranda Kerrs or Lara  Bingles of Australia flaunt, I’ll either apply a clowns amount of blush or too little which leaves me looking like I just woke up from a nana nap. Now with a face several shades darker post Australia Day beach party, I’ve been finding it difficult to make anything highlight my face. Watt’s Up was the answer to my make-up bags’ prayers!

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In a cute silver container (definitely no disappointed raised eyebrows here) Watt’s Up is a soft focus highlighter which you easily apply across your cheek or brow for a luminous sheen. With a cream-to-powder finish it can be worn by ladies whose faces change colour after seconds in the sun, to those who have the complexions of a vampire (which is very sexy right now!). 

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After applying then blending Watt’s Up in with the handy sponge (fingers also work better I found) I realised I could finally stop my journey to find the Kerr-esque glow. Like silk, you can glide the highlighter across your cheeks or over your eyelids to brighten your complexion in all the right places. For me personally I loved that it isn’t a highlighter which looks like a shimmering mess across your cheeks as many of it’s competitors do, instead it looks natural and understated. Watt’s Up has definitely become a welcome member of my make-up bag! So it looks as though I’ve finally made my first step to creating an impressive make-up collection. Next step; purchasing a Chanel mascara to keep it company!

♥ Voila, before and after shot.

What do you think? Do you like the look of the Benefit Watts Up? What is your favourite highlighter?

Reviewed by Jade, illumination specialist.

Be well,

xoxo

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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

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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

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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

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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