Ilcsi AHA Spicy Organic Facial

The Skin Deep brochure states that this is “The hottest facial in town” and they weren’t kidding! I’ve been looking for a natural facial treatment that will deliver smooth glowing fresh looking skin and I think I have found exactly what I am looking for. This all natural treatment provides fruit acids to smooth the skin and spicy paprika to boost circulation and detoxify your skin.

Ilcsi is a Hungarian based natural skin care company that relies on quality hand picked herb, fruits and vegetables. Ilcsi products contain no synthetic colouring agents, paints or animal-based ingredients. According to the Spa Universe website, Australia’s stockist for Ilsci, the philosophy of the brand is simple and natural: it accommodates to the modern need that prefers natural skincare methods, but still demands results. This is possible due to the high concentration of herbs, fruits and vegetables found in Ilcsi products.

The facial started with a double cleanse of the delicious smelling Rose Petal Cleanser and a light exfoliation. Next AHA fruit pulp is smoothed over the skin, the apple and grape extracts help to smooth and retexturise. A layer of thin Hessian is then placed over the skin and the Paprika herbal treatment applied. This is when it really starts to heat up, you feel hot but not uncomfortable. You can really feel your blood pumping. While this is kicking in to action, my therapist gave me an arm exfoliation. The mask stays on for about 15 minutes or until it dries. Some light fanning by my therapist takes away any last minute tingling. After the spicy mask is removed a lovely cold Rose Hip Gel mask was applied. This instantly took any heat in my face away. Rose Hip Serum and moisturiser were then applied which further cooled and calmed my skin.

Paprika Herbal Treatment

My skin was pinkish for about an hour post treatment, which my therapist did warn me about. The results were amazing- my skin was soft, glowing and radiant. I had someone stop me at the supermarket to ask what I use on my skin! It’s an absolutely great treatment to have pre event and the best thing about it is that you can buy the products and do it all at home; you can even do it a few times a week. As someone who has used microdermabrasion, chemical peels and Omnilux I can say that this is the most effective treatment I have ever had. I can’t wait for my next appointment!

Ilcsi AHA Spicy Organic Facial

Cost: $130 (approx)

Time: Approx 90 mins

Where: Skin Deep Medi Spa Salons (Como, Floreat, Mullaloo and Perth)
http://www.skindeep.net.au

Ilcsi
http://www.spauniverse.com.au

Article by Hannah Lee!

Be well,

xoxo

♥

According to the flyer, the health studio “Bikram Yoga” (or heated yoga) provides a certain type of yoga that is conducted in a room heated to 38 degrees celcius, so that the muscles are warmed and a deeper workout can occur!

To put it simply: you’re gonna sweat.

Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute program of 26 pre-determined poses & postures, plus 2 breathing exercises. The benefits of Bikram include:

♥ Stretching and strengthening muscles, joints & more.
♥ Increased mental clarity & stress reduction.
♥ Stimulation of the organs to cleanse & provide fresh oxygenated blood to the body. This helps restore all systems to optimal working order for total health.

At this stage, the concept sounded so unappealing, what with all the talk about mass sweating.

As I entered the zenly decorated reception area of Bikram Yoga (complete with small fountains), already I could feel a slight rise in humidity. The instructors were extremely friendly as they explained to me the concept and goals of their company and they were extremely open as they answered any questions I had.

Set with a yoga mat, a beach towel and two bottles of water, I stepped into a room that was similar to a sauna minus the steam. During the briefing, the instructor urged us to try our hardest to stay in the room for the whole class, even if it was just lying down on the mat if we felt like we weren’t handling the environment well. The point of this class was to focus solely on yourself without worrying about what other classmates are doing and, contrary to regular yoga, the eyes must be open the whole time.

The class started well enough with some of the typical yoga positions such as the half moon pose. At this stage I was thinking, this isn’t so bad I can totally do this for 90 minutes! However about 30-45 minutes into the class, the room was 10 degrees hotter than when we first started and that’s when the sweating really began.

I was also thanking my mum in my mind as she convinced me to bring a beach towel instead of a tiny face towel. Around this time I started to feel a little light-headed and so I decided to sit the next few poses out, trying to gain some energy back and convincing myself not to step out of the class. A few people decided to rest around this time too, reassuring me that I wasn’t the only one struggling.

After a few minutes of resting I joined the class again, keeping up surprisingly comfortably. Going against the rules, I looked around at the class, and everyone, including myself, was sweating insane amounts! Towards the end of the class the temperature cooled mildly and before I knew it the class was finished.

The poses performed in a Bikram Yoga class.

It may seem that I didn’t enjoy myself in this class but in reality, I loved it! I felt rejuvenated and fresh walking out of the studio and I could breathe easier too. Another benefit was that my skin felt softer (after a good shower).

Overall it was a very intense 90 minutes, very very challenging but incredibly worth it as there are plenty of benefits for your body (as above).

My advice is that you have to listen to your body and take it easy if you’re doing it the first time, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. The yoga experience combined with the friendly and welcoming instructors has definitely convinced me to come back for more!

They have a special offer for newcomers who are local to Perth, $20 for unlimited Bikram Yoga over 10 days! Unbeatable value and a fantastic way to find out if it suits your lifestyle 🙂

Bikram Yoga – http://www.perthbikramyoga.com.au

Location

NOR

158a Vincent Street, NORTH PERTH
On the corner of Vincent and Fitzgerald Streets

SOR

248 Leach Highway MYAREE
(beneath REBEL Sports)

To find out more, contact Jenny Sterpini, certified Bikram Yoga Instructor on 0403 496 422.

Article by Hanna Baradja

Have you tried Bikram Yoga? Too scared? Want to know more? Leave a comment! xx

♥

Taking the Blah Out of Your Blahniks

As I gaze adoringly at a pair of emerald green Louboutin pumps with that cheeky, unmistakeable red under sole, deep down, I know that this is an unrequited love. We are not to be, those green pumps and I. But it’s not the price tag that amounts to the GDP of a small African nation, which gives me pause. It’s the heels. They’re not even really that high but I just know the consequences of flirting with these beauties will be severe.

Now I confess that I am often the first to put fashion way before comfort. I will suffer through wayward corsetry boning digging into my skin all night, just so my waist is that little bit flatter. I will wear a Nancy Gantz a size smaller, rendering me incapable of breathing, as long as all the wobbly bits are kept in place. I have even been known to tear off supportive strapping around a shoulder injury, because it didn’t look right under a dress. But I think my feet have finally cured me of my vanity.

Disturbingly, a puffy lump and some rather alarming broken capillaries have appeared on the inside of my ankle, accompanied by sharp pain through my heel.

I hobbled off to see my lovely podiatrist at Centrepod Podiatry in Mount Lawley.

A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs (http://www.podiatrywa.com.au/index.php). They must hold tertiary qualifications and be registered with their state registration boards in order to practice.

The first thing you should know about podiatrists is that they have very cool chairs.

Like dentists chairs but that go up… way up… (and without the lights and perky dental assistants). Positioned on aforementioned chair, my podiatrist examined my feet, twisting them, pressing on them and treating them with all the intrigue of a spy novel. Then he had me do a few movements, such as standing on one foot, raising and lowering, then feet apart and so on. Hmmmm…. I got an inkling that serious biomechanics are involved in manoeuvring us human beings from point A to point B.

After a bit more pressing and some frowning, the podiatrist solemnly announced that I had tibial posterior tendonitis (http://www.podantics.com.au/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction.html ). This is caused when the tendon of the foot that runs into the calf and supports the arch, is overused and start to weaken. The result is the foot begins to pronate, or roll inward.

The problem is partly due to, you guessed it, ill-fitting shoes. And in summer the problem gets worse. All those cute little strappy numbers lack sufficient instep support, so the muscles and tendons of your foot have to work double-time to hold your feet, ankles and ultimately, knees, in place. Boring and unfashionable, I know, but true… And ultimately, very painful.

♥

Treatment would involve trips to the physio for ultrasound, cold packs, anti-inflammatories and mojitos. (OK, that last bit was self-prescribed but you have to admit, it’s still a good idea). Prevention was orthotic footwear. When I bemoaned the unsightly state of most orthotic footwear, Podiatrist astutely noted “You’re just thinking about fashion now”. Damn straight, sweetie; that’s all I think about. He shrugged nonchalantly and said “Well, they’re your feet”.

And so they are. They deserve better. I then knew it was time; I wanted to make it up to my feet – to show them I was really committed and that I would no longer betray them with footwear that required scaffolding or that had more straps than backstage at a Victoria’s Secret show. I’ve reassessed my footwear and I’m thinking carefully each day about what shoes I can wear that will adequately support my instep. I invested in top-quality trainers so I can exercise pain-free, and make my calves and ankles stronger so my feet don’t have to work so hard. I’m even down to colour-coordinating my wardrobe with my growing range of Birkenstocks.

Three sessions of physio later, all that weird swelling has gone down and my feet, whilst not completely pain-free, are more mobile and well, happier. I think our relationship has begun to “heel”. (OK, groan if you must).

This whole experience has given me a new appreciation for my feet, not to mention being dazzled by my podiatrist’s metatarsal magnificence. Feet are incredibly intricate structures but every day, we take for granted all the stretching, stabilising and weight-bearing our maligned tootsies do. And it’s all down to podiatrists to understand and repair them when things go wrong. That’s no mean feet. (OK, I’m done with the foot jokes now).

Stuff Your Feet Will Love:

Feldene Gel 50g (Anti-inflammatory gel for strains and tendonitis)
$16.99

Eulactol Heel Balm (Gold) 120ml (ointment for cracked or dry heels)
$19.95

Birkenstocks Sandals and Shoes (funky footwear that support your feet in the right places)
$120.00

Mizuno “Nirvana” trainers (designed for the pronating foot and providing instep support)
$269.95

Pedicure with paraffin wax (as part of the pedicure, your feet are coated in warm paraffin; it’s very hydrating and ultra-relaxing!)
$60.00 – $80.00

Prices are approximate and may vary between retailers, sizes and styles.

Beaufort Physio and Centrepod Podiatry

777 Beaufort St (corner of Third Ave), Mount Lawley.

Phone: (08) 9473 1155

Prices

$59.00 for a standard podiatry consultation. Services may be claimable through private health insurance, through some government concessions or through certain Medicare rebates (on referral from a General Practitioner). Check with the podiatry clinic to see if you are eligible for private or public rebates.

Opening Hours

Open Monday to Saturday; by appointment only.

Article by Bron, whose feet now like her a whole lot more.

♥

I’m terribly naughty with my hair, going 6 months between cuts, nay, TRIMS even and generally throwing it back into a messy pony at every opportunity. Tsk tsk.

Not this year though! The times they are a changin’.

I contacted Jasmine from Penny Quill (Open since August 2009) on the recommendation of a darling haired friend, she offered me a complimentary hair cut & colour so I could test them out, how can a girl say no to that?

I’m nestled amongst a skull with a protruding cactus, ornate tables / mirrors and a gigantic stack of magazines in which Rolling Stone sits comfortably between Oyster & Vogue.

That’s the vibe of Penny Quill – rock & roll meets high fashion. It’s not for the faint of heart, tucked secretly away behind Holdfast Tattoo, you’re likely to run into all sorts of pierced, inked up creatures on your way through the tat studio to the tiny hair salon and your lovely hairdressers Ryan & Jasmine themselves have an array of colourful images etched about their bodies.

So if this makes you feel uncomfortable, best to pop down to your local non-confronting hair salon and listen to 94.5 (who am I kidding, I love that station).

Jas dyes my hair a deeper shade of chocolatey brown using their hair colour brand of choice, Revlon, and I look forward to lustrous locks while reading my current book of choice – Lessons of a Lipstick Queen by Poppy King.

There’s another beauty secret that lurks among the halls of Holdfast & PQ… a secret club of sorts, perhaps. Intrigued? You’re going to have to ask about it when you head down there!

Le hair is washed, cut & blowdried, leaving me with more of a fringe than I’ve had in a while, many split ends lighter and a more shiny bouncy chocolate brown colour!

I’m a fan of Penny Quill and I think it’s great that alternative places like this exist within our busy little city.

For a unique hair experience pop on down & tell them I sent you!

Prices start from $80 for a ladies cut & $70 for a tint/semi depending on the length.

Opening Hours:

Tues-Fri 10-7
Sat 10-4

(by appointment only)

Location: 626 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley, Perth 6050

Phone: (08) 9227 7740

Email: enquiry@pennyquill.com.au

Web: http://www.pennyquill.com.au

Be well,

xoxo

There’s a little salon on Preston Point road in Como which is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. It doesn’t look like much on the outside but once you’re inside you are in for a treat!

The salon offers a huge range of services and treatments from the standard waxing and massage to specialist skin treatments including IPL Photorejuventation, Omnilux Light Therapy, Microdermabrasion and Glycolic Peels. They also offer an extensive range of skincare products which include Priori, MD Formulations, Decleor , and the organic Ilcsi and Judith White range. There is a solution for every skin.

I had wanted to try Microdermabrasion for quite a while, so I bit the bullet and made an appointment for a Thursday morning. I arrived 10 minutes early as requested and filled out the necessary forms about my skin, skincare routine and health. All the staff are well trained and educated in skincare and the products that they use.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Microdermabrasion, it has a gentle suction feeling to it and the results are great. It’s best done in a course to get the full benefits. My skin felt smoother, was more even and looked more refreshed. The treatment which includes a facial takes 60mins. The rooms are relaxing and filled with gentle music. My therapist was fantastic, took me through a detailed skin analysis, and explained all the products she was using and why. I got a little hand and foot massage during the facial and walked out of the room feeling like I was walking on air.

This salon is now somewhere that I visit regularly; it fulfills all my skin and beauty needs in once place.

Where
Corner Labouchere Rd., & Preston St, Como

Phone
(08) 9368 0829

Website
http://www.skindeep.net.au

Article by Hannah Lee: “I’ve been interested in health, beauty and fitness for as long as I can remember. I’m a self confessed beauty spa addict who is always on the lookout for new things to try. I’m currently obsessed with microdermabrasion and Omnilux light therapy. I work as a nurse, which allows me to educate people about all things health and wellness, something I’m passionate about!”

Be well,

xoxo