Perth Product Range Review: Serenade Organic.

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I’ve done it! I’ve FOUND it! My search is over. I’ve been on a mission to overhaul my skincare routine for some time now and now I think I’ve found the goodies I was after.
So, a little about me. Mid-30’s gal (I refuse to be more specific here), healthy, acne problems all through adulthood (not really disastrous acne, but enough to shake my confidence) and just coming to terms with the new lines and wrinkles that are appearing on my face.

I’m also at a point where I’ve started to switch over to organic and natural products, be it cleaning products, hair products, food and skin care.

So in regards to the skin care world, I wanted to switch to a certified organic range and this proved to be more difficult than I imagined.

So, ‘certified’ organic? You got it. CERTIFIED ORGANIC. There is a huge difference between an organic product and a ‘certified’ organic product and until I looked into it, I didn’t realise just how big a difference there is.

Anyone can claim to have an organic or natural product just by having one natural or organic ingredient in the product, but they can and usually still do contain a number of potentially harmful chemicals. To be ‘certified organic’ the product needs to be in its purest form, 100% chemical free, in other words no nasties and all the good stuff. How many times have you been tempted to buy a moisturiser or shampoo that has the words ‘Organic’ or ‘Natural’ plastered all over the label and snap it up believing you are doing something good for your wellbeing? We all do! It’s only now that I realise, anyone can plaster this claim over their labels, but scratch the surface and quite often you’ll find the actual organic or natural quota is miniscule, but because it exists in the product, they push it as a selling point. For the most part, we’re fooled by it!
So, in my mission to find a certified organic skin care range, I found Serenade Organic.

Yelo!

While basking in the sun, sipping a smoothie at Yelo overlooking Trigg beach, I saw a range of skin products perched on the shelf, nestled amongst the vintage aprons, organic muesli and environmentally friendly bits and bobs. They have a moisturiser (Nourish), a cleanser (Purify) and an eye cream (Restore). The packaging was lovely and was beautifully presented with testers. Being the ‘free sample’ whore that I am, I popped some of the moisturiser and eye cream on to give it a whirl.

♥ Travel Pamper Pack

I loved it instantly, but I wanted to see how my skin reacted to it over a longer period of use. To my delight, they had a travel pamper pack available which is a 10 day sample of 3 products for $29.95. 10 days was a great opportunity to trial it at a great price. So there began my new friendship with Serenade Organic. I took it home and used it that very night.

What first grabbed me, was the gorgeous fragrance. Natural fragrance, mind you! It’s like nothing else I’ve ever used. So hard to put into words, but it reminds me of being in the countryside. It smells like a flipping meadow! Not overpowering, but completely fresh and uplifting. I’ve been using Serenade for 6 months now and still it is the wonderful smell that gives me a lift every morning and every night. Friends will say, “Ooooh, you smell nice!” and the only thing I have on is Serenade.

So aside from the magical meadow smell, the texture and feel was the next thing to impress. Serenade has managed to get that perfect consistency of ‘not too gluggy’ and ‘not too runny’ with their moisturiser so it glides on beautifully and gives your face a feeling of firmness and invigoration. You don’t have to use a lot of it, so it lasts for ages.

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Then there’s the eye cream. My new best friend. I kid you not, I would marry it if only the laws would change to allow it. Every morning and every night this goes on without fail. In the morning, my eyes feel fresh and hydrated. Even after a big night! I wake up now with bright eyes that don’t resemble that of a badger.

Their cleanser is the other part to their trinity of wondrous products. Wonderfully soothing and doesn’t strip the skin like so many other cleansers can. Massaged into the skin and removed with cotton balls, removes all of the day’s impurities leaving my face fresh and clean, ready for moisturising. This cleanser has usurped all other cleansers that ever called my bathroom cabinet home.

I’ve seen on their website that they’re bringing out an Age Defy Facial Serum soon, so I’m eagerly awaiting the day that I can adopt that and give it a home. My age certainly needs defying and I love the word ‘serum’. Sounds like it has super powers!

Hailing from this gorgeous part of the world…

So there you have it! I can’t rave about this stuff more (actually I could, but you must surely get the point by now – it’s amazing!). I also love the fact it’s a W.A. product created in one of my favourite parts of the state – Yallingup. I’ve since bought the travel pamper pack for gifts for 4 of my girlfriends who are all interested in making the switch to certified organic and we are all in agreement. Jackpot!

Website: http://www.serenadeorganic.com.au
Email: hello@serenadeorganic.com.au

Review by Sheridan Crofts, music quiz master & certified organic convert!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews | 3 Comments »

Skincare Product Review: Gentle Exfoliant and Energising Conditioner – AEOS Skincare.

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Does anyone remember those fairy shops that you used to visit for birthday parties when you were little? They were such magical places, always playing calming music, they smelt incredible, everything looked all crystal-y and beautiful and you got a feeling while you were in there that a very special secret had been bestowed upon you and that you were in fact an ACTUAL fairy. And that this was the secret. The secret you must take to the grave.

Well there is now a skincare range that has bottled that special feeling. It’s called AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare) and their three phase skincare range (Renew, Rebalance, Replenish) uses ‘spagyric tinctures of crystal energies together with the waveforms of colour’ to create products that will make your outsides look good and your insides feel harmonious and nurtured. ‘Crystal energies’- that’s JUST like the fairies!!!

Random drawing of fairy for extra emphasis.

Ok, let’s put the pause on the fairies (BUT ONLY FOR A MOMENT) and talk about the nuts and bolts. Despite having an inbuilt magical aura about them, do these products work? I tried the AEOS Gentle Exfoliant and the AEOS Energising Conditioner from the Renew and Rebalance lines respectively and I am pleased to say that despite the amount of times I have mentioned the f-word in this article they really are very well researched, very seriously good products.

AEOS Gentle Exfoliant (blue) 30ml – $59

The exfoliant contains Spelt, in the form of the Aura-Soma biodynamic oil which contains a high concentration of Vitamin E and leaves your skin feeling moisturized after giving it a gentle scrub. My skin had been feeling really dry to the point where I could actually feel dry patches emerging (ew) and after three days of using this they were g-o-n-e. To my delight!

AEOS Energising Conditioner 30ml – $89

The real winner though is the Energizing Conditioner. This. Smells. Amazing. It smells purely magical and fairy-like (THEY”RE BACK) and I just can’t get enough. Putting some of this clear lightweight liquid on after washing your face feels like putting on a layer of contact, the kind you cover books with, on your face. That’s how smooth it feels. Seriously contact was the only analogy I could use that comes close to how smooth it feels. Except not plastic, of course.

These products just feel so special that you want to cherish them so it comes as no surprise to me that on the back of each bottle it says ‘made with love and intention’, it just gives you a warm feeling inside. Like the fairy shops did when I was little, at last I can have that feeling back!

Available online via http://www.begenkishop.com and from Karma Living (there is a store in the Claremont Quarter shopping mall) stores nationally.

Please also visit their website to read about their awesome bio-dynamic farm where they grow most of their ingredients. That are then handpicked by fairies. Probably.

Review by Adriane Daff.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews | 4 Comments »

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Rebecca Davis, Actor.

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

I am a professional actor and am currently based in WA. I am also a co-director in an entertainment booking agency called Big Sky Entertainment WA, representing bands, tribute bands, solo artists, duos, trios, jazz, rock, magicians, comedians, burlesque, fight performers etc etc. I am married and have two children, 6 years and 17 months.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I am pretty fastidious when it comes to a beauty routine both morning and night. Saying that, having small children I have had to make sure I get it down to 5 minutes as time is of the essence these days! For the last 5 years I have pretty much used an American line called ‘Paulas Choice‘. Paula Begoun is an incredible lady who has dedicated her life to researching beauty products and makeup lines all over the world. She is meticulous in her research and has written some wonderful books reviewing the products. She has also developed her own, amazing line of beauty products.

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

I do love a good glycolic peel…..being on the move all the time I don’t tend to stick with one particular beauty therapy, although whenever I can I do love to use Keturah Day Spas.

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

I do stick to my favourite hair salon – Lee Preston Hairdressers in South Perth. They have an incredible team who have provided me with the best cut and styles I have ever had done. They are also a very happy bunch and always seem to be on time – I have never had to wait once!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Paulas Choice BHA lotion (pictured above)

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

Paulas Choice cleansers, BHA products and night moisturiser.

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

Take the 5 min morning and night beauty routine to spend on yourself – not a long time but it makes all the difference in a hectic schedule. I also love ‘my time’ at the gym – I am addicted to spin classes!

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

One of those total spa wellness indulgence packages would be amazing one day….!

Yoghurt!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Muesli and yoghurt for breakfast, coffee and fruit/nuts for mid morning snack, tuna and salad roll for lunch, fruit in the afternoon and either fish or chicken with vegetables for dinner. I am a yoghurt freak so dessert would probably consist of one of my favourite varieties.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

An ideal week would be to speed walk 50min 3 times a week, spin classes twice a week, and body pump twice a week.

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

My husband is a professional actor as well and also a massage therapist so I try and squeeze in a massage with him when I can.

Thanks Rebecca for taking the time to share your routine with us!

Be well,

xoxo

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Alternative Therapy Review: EL8 Rhodiola Rosea Supplements.

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Cynic: A person who questions whether something will happen or is worthwhile.

When it comes to herbal supplements that definition suits me 100% from the top of my head down to my very toes. Now, I consider myself a generally enthusiastic and open minded person, albeit a little neurotic, so it doesn’t really make sense why I should feel so harshly towards something that never really did anyone any harm (that I am aware of). So what gives? Have I had too many encounters with people who insist that drinking honey and lemon and hot water and taking echinacea will cure their category 6 flu symptoms and then upon giving the flu to ME claim they feel so much better? Probably. Perhaps that’s the neurosis in me talking, so in an effort to kick that part of my personality to the curb I agreed to try EL8 Rhodiola Rosea for energy and wellbeing.

Rhodiola Rosea in it’s natural form!

Feel free to do your own research (and I encourage you to do so if you are interested) but in a nutshell I can tell you that Rhodiola Rosea hails from the mountainous regions of eastern Siberia and the North Asian territories and is supposed to help you deal with stress, give you more energy and even help battle nervous tension and anxiety. Tension and anxiety you say? Well let’s just see what you’ve got RR because on a bad day my tension and anxiety levels could put Woody Allen to shame.

Two weeks later…

I have been taking EL8 Rhodiola Rosea everyday for the past 14 days and while the cynic in me hates to admit this…it’s working. It really is. Don’t worry, I still think drinking hot water and lemon to cure tonsillitis is idiotic BUT when it comes to energy levels and feeling less tense about stupid little things I really think the Rhodiola Rosea has been doing its job. My rose-tinted glasses have gotten a little rosea-er (had to use that pun, sorry, HAD TO) and instead of falling into an afternoon slump I have found that I have been feeling really switched on all day regardless of the time. I don’t feel sloth-like in the morning and I’ve been falling straight to sleep at night (maybe due to stress reduction?) It might all just be mind over matter, and I am certainly willing to accept that theory but just in case, I’m going to keep taking Rhodiola Rosea. I just have a really good feeling about it. A feeling that it just might be responsible for.

Available for $29.95 at http://www.rhodiolarosea.com.au.

Rambles on Rhodiola Rosea by Adriane Daff.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Alternative Therapy, Products, Reviews | Comments Off on Alternative Therapy Review: EL8 Rhodiola Rosea Supplements.

Product Reviews: Yummy Tummy Oils for a Pregnancy Without Stretch Marks?

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Feeling your belly blossom with a growing baby is an indescribable privilege I’ve been granted. There isn’t a day that goes by without a zing of excitement about who that bump will turn out to be.

However, despite the wonder and excitement, my body is throwing all sorts of wicked challenges my way. Discovering an aversion to my favourite vegetables (keep sweet potato and broccoli far, far away), the now-passed morning sickness (welcome second trimester!) and watching my muscles fade as a softer look wraps around my body.

There are certain things that you can do to make yourself feel like the lady you once were; manicures and pedicures, making the most of the lustrous condition of your hair (one of the pros, less hair shedding!) and taking care of that stretching skin.

Some believe certain body types are doomed to stretch marks no matter what, but I’m not taking my chances. It’s better to prevent rather than cure, right? So I sought out a couple of reputable brands to nix those squiggly lines before they branched out across my already stretching body.

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Be Genki creator Samantha Sample developed an all-natural body oil through a new brand Be Naturallyou after pregnant friends begged for a stretch mark elixir. After extensive research, the Body Oil ($38 for 130mL) is now a blend of avocado oil, flax seed oil, apricot kernel oil, wheatgerm oil and essential oils of mandarin, lavender, neroli and frankincense. The resulting blend boasts properties that nourish skin, promote regeneration of scarred skin, helps skin retain elasticity, moisturizes and is good for eczema and psoriasis.

The smell of the oil is pure relaxation and the lavender stood most prominently. The long-necked bottle meant the oil rushed out and surprised me on the first go, resulting in my palm covered in the slightly green oil. The oil was fabulously moisturising and kept my skin well hydrated. The strong scent meant I didn’t want to wear it during the day as it was close to overpowering my perfume, but at night it was perfect for rubbing in after a warm shower and the soothing smell was lovely to fall asleep with.

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At a much higher end price bracket, L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Oil ($64.95 for 100mL) was recommended by a friend so I had to give it a go. The handy pump top means I controlled the amount a lot better and the oil was lighter in texture. The smell is delicious; sweet and a hint of almond, you could almost wear it as a light perfume but I wear it alongside my daily spritz of Bvlgari Rose. The moisturising component is also excellent although perhaps not as long lasting as the Be Genki oil.

With the combination of these two beauties, I have a day and night combo going on and am yet to see the dreaded effects of stretch marks. And let me tell you, it’s not just the belly that expands and there are a few other bumps getting vigorous attention from the body oils. But the belly rub is definitely my favourite… and I’m pretty sure it’s the baby’s too.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and super cute anti-stretch mark crusader.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews, Wellness Tips | 4 Comments »