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Hey guys, as some of you know I now write beauty pages for Xpress Magazine quarterly but was recently asked to do a fill in feature for the regular weekly issue. I decided to focus on the fact that beach and bathers weather is upon us and that it can be pretty scary!

If you’d like to download a copy of how it looks in the magazine you can do so: here (PDF version).

Otherwise read on for my top tips to beat the bikini body blues…

Summer is a comin, and with it, the promise of glorious sunny days and heat which can only be quelled by a trip down to the beach and a dip in the ocean followed by an icecream or bevvy. Sounds great right? You’ve picked out your adorable vintage inspired bikini online, stalked the postman for days and when it finally arrives somethings not quite right… suddenly you realise “I’M NOT READY FOR THIS NEAR NAKED PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FLESH!” and vow to spend summer indoors, dreaming of a snowy getaway.

But don’t give up hope just yet, if you’re in need of some guidance follow these tried and tested tips to beat the bikini body blues and reclaim the beach this summer!

IPL / SPL

Most people have heard of Intense Pulsed Light / Square Pulsed Light by now, but in a nut shell it’s a relatively quick and simple treatment that involves applying bursts of intense light to areas of the body to reduce hair growth (feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin, no worse than waxing).

It works incredibly well on bikini lines, legs and underarms and for those who are prone to ingrown hairs, is nothing short of miraculous (I used to be one of them and haven’t had an ingrown since)!

The real beauty of this treatment is in the freedom it allows you, with treatments every 6 weeks and a diminishing amount of hair each time, it gets easier and easier to slip into your bathers without any rogue hair worries. It works best on those with fair skin and dark hair, and is my number one tip for making summer easier.

There are plenty of places that offer these treatments, I’ve had great luck with: http://www.hairfree.com.au

Move Yourself

This one gets mentioned so much that it’s become more than a little redundant, there is a reason for the constant reminding though: IT WORKS! Exercising is the best way to burn calories and stress, plus get endorphins flowing around your body, all three of which will make you feel great and help you look good.

There are 54 million ways to get moving, from bikram yoga to bike riding, boxing to burlesque dancing – they will all help you get a toned tum and bum, plus improve your posture so that you stand up tall as you take your first tentative steps onto the sand this summer – just don’t burn your feet! Once you’re at the beach, you can even take it a step further by getting into some frisbee, beach volleyball, jogging along the shoreline with a pup… or you could take the unconventional approach and go for a swim.

Full Body Exfoliation

It’s time to put TLC’s “No Scrubs” out of your mind and allow yourself to enter the wonderful word of exfoliation. There’s something about having every inch of your body scrubbed that makes for feeling completely physically and mentally cleansed. It’s a great post-winter ritual that will leave your skin free of built up dead skin cells and able to get rid of toxins more efficiently. It will also make you look all smooth and glowy, which will help ease the pain of taking the majority of your clothes off. So make like a snake and shed that winter skin, you can have this done professionally at a day spa, purchase a cheap body scrub or make your own out of sugar and olive oil.

To (Fake) Tan or Not to (Fake) Tan…

So far we’re free of pesky hairs, feeling the benefits of exercising up a storm and have smooth glowing skin – so what next? The divisive topic of tan vs no tan of course!

Now I’m going to optimistically assume that everyone is onboard with me when I say: actual sun tanning is a Pretty Silly idea given we live in Australia and are unfortunately in peak hour public transport style proximity to our good friend the ozone hole, which means we are in the top four countries most at risk of skin cancer. So no sun baking okay? Yes? Great.

So now there are two choices: summery glow vs au naturale. Being of the more ghostly persuasion myself, I’m all for embracing the skin colour you born with. The advent of shows like Mad Men and all of those fancy historical films with beautiful “english rose” types has made being a fair skinned lass as equally acceptable on the beach as having naturally darker skin, so if you’re giving the colour of soy milk a run for its money then you can by all means EMBRACE IT without fear of social exclusion.

Both dark and pale skin needs to be covered up with cute hats, clothing when possible, protective sunglasses and lashings of sunscreen, or my favourite, Invisible Zinc.

If you can’t bear to get bare without a little extra colour confidence, then a spray tan is the best way to go. My pick is local brand Aussie Bombshell, who are currently taking the state (and Australia) by storm with their extremely natural looking sunless tans. You will still need to apply sunscreen though, no getting naughty and slacking off thanks. Yes miss.

These four suggestions should get you well on your way to bikini body confidence, all you need now is a warm day, your favourite beach and the all-clear from the lifeguard that there has been no shark sightings for quite some time. And that bevvy I mentioned earlier. Enjoy!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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

My name is Ashlee, I grew up in the country and started modelling while I was in high school. I spent a bit of time travelling as part of the job and enjoyed taking part in fashion weeks around the country, working with great photographers and making great friends.

I then enrolled in a journalism & public relations degree at uni which I graduated from last year. While I did most of the course in Perth, I spent six months studying in London and travelling through Europe which was the best experience of my life. I now work at WAtoday as well as modelling casually.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

In the mornings I cleanse with Cetaphil and use Estee lauder day cream, it has the best texture I’ve fallen in love with it. On my body I used QV wash and a mixture of sorboline and cocoa-butter moisturisers. I’ve also started dry body-brushing after reading about it online, it apparently does wonders for your circulation so I’m hoping to get Miranda Kerr-like results – we’ll see!

At night I cleanse with Cetaphil again and sometimes tone with witch hazel to get rid of any oil build up. I then mix it up every night with something different to help repair my skin while I sleep. I either use rosehip oil, argan oil, a serum by Estee Lauder (my favourites are the Intensive Night Repair and the new Idealist serum) or a light moisturiser. I’ve just discovered oils and serums and I think they are fantastic, I love the idea of something on your skin replenishing cells as you sleep. I also love the oils, they’re so cheap and natural and they absorb straight into your skin so they aren’t actually oily at all.

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

Boring, but waxing – I believe in upkeep! I get it done by the girls at Waxworks in the city, purely because I’ve always gone there and it’s where I feel comfortable.

Photo from Scene Models

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

Hair is an odd one for me, I am actually really pedantic about my hair because it gets hammered with heat styling at shows and shoots. But I don’t really go to the hairdresser. I used to work for Maurice Meade so they would always do my hair at the Subiaco store, but now I just get it cut by a lovely friend of mine at her home. I am trying to get it cut regularly – every six weeks – so that I can start to build on its health and help it grow longer. I don’t colour my hair at all, haven’t done so for about five years I’d say.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

On the subject of hair … my best at home treatment is my Kerastase Age Recharge hair mask, which I don’t actually use as a mask but as a normal conditioner. I wash my hair probably every 3 days so I use that and let it absorb for at least five minutes. It’s expensive for a conditioner but I find it is the only thing to nourish my very dry hair!

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

The three I can’t live without would have to be cetaphil cleanser, my Estee Lauder day cream and a good eye-brow pencil or powder like Laura Mercier, or if I’m going budget Rimmel does a good one too! If I can add a fourth it would be bronzer because I’m big on a healthy glow, but I believe brows are the most important aspect of your face. Bad eyebrows really get to me and mine aren’t naturally thick enough.

Sleep! <3

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

Its clichéd but getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. I do look like hell if I don’t get enough sleep.
Of course exercise – and I don’t do enough but the warmer weather is a great motivator to take a walk on the beach or the river. It makes you feel better and if you feel good, you look good!

But also I believe in doing something you love. Nothing is better than feeling happy and relaxed – I love reading with a cup of tea, looking at fashion blogs, chocolate and a nice wine in the sun!

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

Time is my biggest detractor from doing things. I’ve been meaning to start Reformer Pilates with a girlfriend but we can never sync our schedules. I’m not a morning person so the idea of getting to a class before work makes me cringe, plus I normally try to catch up with friends after work so it’s hard to book it in!

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Okay I’m not the best eater. I wish I did but I really don’t have much of a fondness for fruit and vegetables. I usually start the day with toast – honey if I’m in a rush and avocado with tomato if I have some time. Plus a cup of tea. Then I usually eat a big lunch of leftover stir-fry and rice which is where I get my vegetables, usually capsicum, mushroom, baby corn and broccoli. I normally eat out at night time, be it tapas, Italian, Mexican or a good steak. Plus I’m a huge sweet tooth so my day is often scattered with a touch of Cadbury or something I’ve baked at home!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Yeah this leaves little-to-be desired as well. I have always played a lot of sport like netball and basketball however I’m not in a team at the moment. I will go walking though and exercise a lot more in summer when I can go down to the beach. I really want to get a new dog, walking a dog is the best exercise motivator for me!

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

I don’t really believe in supplements because I think you should get everything you need from the food you eat. I’m sure I don’t however, but still if I crave something I let myself have it because I believe that’s the body’s way of saying you need it. The only thing I do take is Inner-Health Plus, and I love a good herbal tea.

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

My absolute favourite way to de-stress is with a good glass of wine!
I don’t think I’m a very stressed out person, I get busy but I try not to let any issues get to me too much. Mind over matter!

Thanks to Ashlee for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her beauty & wellbeing routine with us! Any questions, please leave a comment 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

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Hi guys! Here is a bumper bunch of links to hopefully inspire and delight you, it’s been a while since we’ve done the wellness links, some exciting projects and plans have been taking up a bit of time – but never fear! The links are back. Hope you love them ♥

♥ 5 Easy Steps to an Alkaline Diet

♥ Mango Avocado Herbed Baby Spinach Salad – YUM!!!

♥ 10 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success Every Day – some good ideas in here.

♥ Vegan Cheesy Hummus with Dill – now I’m getting hungry.

♥ My Spa Guide wrote up a little post about Wellness WA!

♥ Top Tips for Skin Fitness

♥ The Nutritionists Grocery Bag – see what those who are paid to tell us what to eat, shop for!

♥ Healthy Cherry Ripe – oh yes, it’s true. SO good.

♥ How Meditation Benefits Your Fitness Plan – even more reasons to meditate.

♥ Why Eat Organic? – this short video is AMAZING and everyone who is or isn’t interested in eating organic should watch it.

♥ Kris Carr: Crazy Sexy Entrepreneur – a great article about an amazing woman who kicked cancer’s ass, and is now helping others do the same.

One of my favourite yoga-babes, Tara Stiles, chats a little about yoga x

♥ 92 Year Old Yogi!!! “I’m still a beginner” – very inspiring.

♥ – Galadarling – How to Live a Beautiful Life

Hope you enjoy! And as always let me know if you find any amazing links throughout the week. xo

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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Hello hello! It’s that time again where I get to share with you my top crushes for the week in the hopes of inspiring you to maybe develop a lil crush all of your own. This week it’s a mixed bag with some yummy, healthy treats, Perth born beauty prods and a bit of a spruik of our latest comp. Let me know if you have any questions, as always I’m happy to chat 😀

♥ Stove Cooked Porridge

My love of porridge is well known (to me), but would you believe that for all these years I’ve been microwaving it? Every morning, into the microwave for a quick, hot and tasty breaky. Last week I decided to do something I’d never done before… cook the porridge on the stove. Now I realise this might sound a bit lame to any domestic kitchen goddess babes, but for me it was a revelation. The porridge turned out so much thicker and creamier and about 2.5 x more delicious! I threw in some frozen blueberries and stirred in some nut butter – dreamy.

Porridge is really good for calming your nerves, beating stress and providing you with sustained energy to take on the day! Porridge lovers put yo hand UP!

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♥ Home Roasted Almonds

Here’s another one that makes me feel a bit silly. I only just discovered how flippin good roasted almonds are. After spouting my love to all and sundry, a work colleague of mine suggested I roast my own at home. Mind blown, again. I just don’t think of these things! She recommended popping a tray of almonds w/skins into the oven at 180 degrees, just when cooking something else or on their own if you want.

I roasted my nut babes for about 12 minutes until the skin came out looking split, as in the above picture. It was all I could do to stop myself scoffing the whole tray. I am now totally converted and have been cooking up a small tray each week to take to work as a trail mix with dried cranberries. Super delicioso. Have you tried roasted almonds?

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♥ AEOS Crystal Nail File

If you’re tired of those scrappy emery boards and the rough powdery feeling they leave on your nails, you’re going to rejoice at these new crystal nail files from AEOS!

“Metal files and emery boards tear the nail as they file, leaving rough, sharp edges. The crystal file glides across the nail tip so you can quickly and easily shape your nail to a flawless, smooth finish. Crystal files seal the nail tip as you file, preventing water, dirt and debris from seeping into the nail tip.”

The files will last you a lifetime due to the crystal not being able to harbour any bacteria. I find that pretty amazing! So long as you don’t lose it, you’ll never have to buy another nail file again. I’m a bit of a slacker when it comes to my nails, but I’ve been using this file whenever I spot a jagged edge and it’s been serving me very well indeed.

The AEOS Crystal Nail files are available for $22 from the beGenki online shop, and come in an AMAZING array of beautiful colours that you’ll want to whip out everywhere you go!

♥ Becca Butter Balm SPF 20 – $40

♥ Becca – Halcyon Days

Two of the new Becca products from the Halcyon Days Collection have been making a big impact on me these past few weeks. The Butter Balm (pictured above) immediately transported me to summery, beachy days when I first tried it – I was honestly in the best mood all afternoon after applying!

Perhaps it’s that the balm is brimming with nourishing ingredients such as shea, cocoa, avocado and jojoba butters and vitamin e, or maybe it’s the tahitian vanilla and honey mixed with the subtle scent of “the beach” that makes this product so appealing. The SPF 20 doesn’t hurt either, and guess what? It’s paraben free too!

Beach dreaming – this is the water down at Freo.

At $40 this is a seriously luxe purchase. Upon opening the gorgeous silver container (which also locks so that the lid doesn’t slip off in your bag, genius!) the amount of product looks rather small, however since using it I’ve found that it lasts for ages and ages and you only need a tiny slick to get moist, supple lips. This is the perfect summer purchase, or Christmas gift (yup, it’s nearly here again) for the beach babe who has everything!

I’m historically not a beachy girl, growing up 400+ kilometres inland will do that, but the Butter Balm has me wanting to hit the sand almost daily. Loving it.

♥ Zoe Foster ‘Amazing Face’ Competition

This ones a plug for our latest competition to win one of two copies of ‘Amazing Face’ by Zoe Foster RRP $39.95!

Enter the competition and you could soon be swooning as much as I did whilst exponentially improving your beauty knowledge. Worth it!

Bon appetit my loves. What do you think of my crushes this week? I would love to hear your crushes! Do share x.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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I feel so lucky to now be writing the beauty page for the quarterly editions of X-Press Fashion Magazine! Some of you may remember my Warm and Toasty Beauty article from last season, if not check it out, though some of the advice is more relevant for chilly days. (How beautiful was the weather this weekend!!)

This time around I decided to focus on Spring Cleaning Your Routine 🙂 There are lots of tips in there on how to get you on track to having your best skin yet, have a read and let me know what you think. I would love to know your thoughts!

Click here to download the PDF, or scout around wherever X-Press weekly editions are usually stocked and you should be able to find a hard copy version.

I hope you enjoy reading it!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo