Beauty & Wellness Routine with Grady Wulff, Presenter & Model.

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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

Hi! I am Grady Wulff. I recently graduated from the Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting at WAAPA/ECU Perth. I won the Fox Sports News award in my course that lead to a 3-month internship at FSN in Sydney where I relocated in February this year. I have worked in many different industries over the years from events, to technology, fashion and more, having also completed a Marketing and Advertising degree. I am a very bubbly, outgoing person who loves to keep myself overly busy (have a problem with saying no to things). I love to keep fit and am always looking to challenge myself in new ways.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I like to wake up at 6am to make the most of my days. It has been difficult to maintain this of late as I have been working night shift, however I am trying to get back onto this routine now that I have moved to Melbourne. I am guilty of running off 5 hours sleep many times but I like to get at least 7 hours to make the most of my day and ensure I have adequate energy levels to get the most out of my days.

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

I like to exercise first thing in the morning to start my day on the right note – I wake up and pop on my exercise kit and get out the door for either a 10km run or 15km walk. I follow this up with a lemon tea, water bottle, coffee and eggs or a banana.

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I don’t eat a lot but I like to eat very healthy of late. I start my day with scrambled eggs with mushroom, goats cheese, onion, kale, or if I am in a rush just a banana and a coffee. For lunch I like to have salads with some meat in summer and soups in winter. Dinners I like to explore my newfound love of cooking!

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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!

I take Bioceuticals Armaforce and the JS Health Hair Vitamins every morning.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

Have a bath, listen to a podcast (Serial, Cold Case Files, The Claremont Trial and the Teachers Pet are all my favourites!), and have a peppermint tea.

Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?

I have just moved to Melbourne so am yet to try any green juices however I was introduced to Green Cup for acai bowls and boy oh boy am I addicted! In Perth my favourite green juice is from Yelo.

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What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

I love to go for 10-15km walks and runs every day. I find running or walking is the best way to clear my mind and centralise my thought process. Exercise for me is more of a mental release than physical but I obviously love the feeling of satisfaction after a great workout. I also do Zoom workouts with my PT Aian from The Clubhouse in Perth – I love that i have found a trainer who pushes me and doesn’t tolerate my excuses for not pushing myself harder!

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If you could only wear one brand of activewear for the rest of your life it would be…

JAGGAD – I love the support and tight fit of their ranges. The leggings always have a pocket on the high waist band which is perfect for keys when running and the quality of the product is second to none.

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

I love getting Hydrafacials at Youth Lab in Perth. I haven’t had one in the three months I have been gone from Perth so I definitely miss them but they have set me up with the Ultraceuticals MD range as a replacement while I am away.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t got around to yet?

I would love to try the Ella Bache Instant Glow Mask that a lot of influencers post about on Instagram – I love the look of the mask and the results look incredible.

Are you into any woo-woo wellness trends? (think crystals, sageing, tarot cards etc)

I can’t say that I am but I am always willing to try new things!

You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

Great question! I up the amount of water I have everyday to ensure my skin is looking very well hydrated and I feel great, I increase the amount of sleep I get every night, if I am presenting I will be researching the topics I am to talk about everyday and ensure I am very well prepared for any question thrown at me, I increase my exercise for mental and physical well-being and I will make sure I have had a Hydrafacial in the lead up.

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If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness in Melbourne / Perth what would it involve and where would you go?

I went to the Japanese Mountain Spa in Melbourne last year and promised myself to make it a yearly visit. It was the most surreal experience mixing both Japanese culture and tranquility in our own little isolated spa. I would recommend it to anyone.

My ultimate relaxation and day spa experience in Perth is definitely at the Crown Towers – I was fortunate enough to have the massage at the towers and the experience was second to none.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

A week in the Maldives to completely relax and unwind – spending most days at a day spa and treating myself to the ultimate relaxation vacation. I would also like to do a yoga retreat in Bali – I have always wanted to escape the craziness of my daily life to just stop and spend a week focusing on myself through yoga.

And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Wake up everyday and read one positive affirmation! I know it sounds cliche but it really works. I always look to start my day on the right note mentally and physically. For the physical start to my day I always wake up and have lemon tea.

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Where to Find Local Honey in Perth.

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The bee is one of the most important creatures on the planet: we rely on bees to pollinate around one third of the plants we eat, with ecosystems around the world depending on them for balance and survival.

One Perth local, Blaine Campbell, experienced their magic first hand. She cultivated a beautiful vegetable garden at home with one problem, there were no veggies! Her husband Tristan suggested a beehive for pollination, sending Blaine into a two year spiral of researching and reading beekeeping books before she ordered her first hive in 2010. Fast forward a year and her garden was laden with veggies and the pair launched Honey I’m Home, selling raw honey from their own and other Western Australian apiaries.

Honey possesses naturally occurring antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that promote healing and can reduce infections. This is measured on what’s called a Total Activity Scale, with high TA rated honey excellent for sore throats, mouth ulcers and even used for topical medicinal use. There is also evidence to show that consuming honey from your local area can help prevent hayfever (and that’s a big win in my ever-watering eyes!)

Honey is influenced by the surrounding flora, meaning not only that honey flavour can vary greatly depending on where it has come from, but the honey produced by a single hive can have a different taste from one harvest to another. “Being an apiarist makes you look up. Literally,” says Blaine. “You notice the flowers, how many there are, and where they are flowering. You look at the clouds and consider how that will affect your beekeeping day, the bees and the honeys they will make.”

Whilst global bee populations are being threatened by colony collapse disorder, thanks to our strict bio-security laws the Western Australian bee population is the healthiest in the world. It’s vital that we protect it, and one way to do so is to support our local apiarists. Imported honey is often not 100% honey, despite being marketed as such. It can include antibiotics, be mixed with corn syrup or other fillers. If you want to know exactly what you’re getting, as well as keeping those food miles to a minimum, nothing beats buying from the source!

“However the bees make the honey is how you will get it,” explains Blaine; the Campbells’ honey is 100% pure, cold extracted honey, without being homogenised, pasteurised, micro-filtered or blended.

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You might also have seen Postcode Honey at your local gourmet supermarket. With the hive’s location apparent from the postcode emblazoned on the front of the jar, it’s clear how few food miles this honey has clocked. Postcode Honey was launched by John Faherty back in 2014 when he quit his day job to set up the business with a goal to represent every postcode in and around Perth. Though the number fluctuates seasonally, 75 different postcodes are currently represented. Head here for a full list of stockists.

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I first discovered Small Batch Honey by chance – I parked my car out the front of their residence and saw someone rounding the corner in full beekeeping get-up. How could I resist grabbing one of the jars for sale on their doorstep? It’s worth a detour past their Mt Lawley abode, but make sure you bring cash to leave in exchange for your jar. Get in touch with Small Batch and request their address through their Facebook page.

For me, a trip to the Swan Valley is not complete without stopping in at The House of Honey. If I am hosting visitors to Perth then all the better – local honey makes an ideal souvenir or gift for them to take home! The House of Honey is an experience: you’re invited to taste a raft of different honey types, check out bees in action at their observation hive, as well as take a seat at the Sticky Spoon Café and refuel with afternoon tea where the honey ice cream comes highly recommended. You can even participate in a mead tasting, to spice up your valley wine tour.

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Beautiful honeycomb is the specialty of Bayswater based business, Pure Naked Honey. As well as the goodness of the magnificent raw honey inside the comb, the actual comb part is highly nutritious itself – not to mention it looks great on a grazing board! Locate Pure Naked Honey products through their stockist map.

If you’re heading out of town, West Coast Honey in Gingin will delight you with free honey tastings and a live bee display. Take time out with a coffee and a slice of their layered honey cake, and if you are lucky enough to drop by when the plant is in action, you can watch the honey extraction process too!

Want more? Try More than Honey for honeycomb sections and raw honey jars, Sticky Goodness for unique products like honey jar wedding favours, and head to Bee the Cure Honey Map to browse your area for more small producers.

Got any local / organic honey recommendations or any burning bee questions? Let us know in the comments!

Article lovingly written by Claire Trolio. She sells nice things at her shop Ruck Rover General Store in Northbridge – check it out 🙂

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How a Cult Skincare Company Transitioned to Being a Fully Vegan Brand.

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Medik8 is a brand I’ve known about for some time now, having first come across them at Mi:skn Clinic, where their products are used post-Omnilux (you can read more about my experience with that here!). Having always been a high-end, cosmeceutical brand since inception, I assumed that Medik8 being 100% vegan was probably out of the question, however they have always been cruelty free which is hugely important to me.

Recently, Medik8 made the transition to becoming fully vegan – and I wanted to dig in and find out more behind the decision & what exactly was involved, so we spoke to Director of Research at Medik8, Daniel Isaacs. Read on to discover more about the brand’s fascinating journey!

Can you share a little bit about how Medik8 started and the story behind the decision to create the business?

Medik8 was born out of a passion to deliver the benefits of serious skincare science without needing to compromise on the demand for ethics, transparency, sustainability and beautiful textures and fragrances found in natural brands. Elliot Isaac’s mission (founder of Medik8) was, and still is, to demystify the anti-ageing skincare industry with his trademark CSA Philosophy of ‘vitamin C plus sunscreen by day, and vitamin A by night’. This simplicity plus the end of choosing between results or experience is the secret to Medik8’s success.

What was behind your decision to transition to a 100% vegan skincare company?

Over the last 5 years, veganism has become a growing movement. This lifestyle extends way beyond just a diet. It involves what cosmetics you use, what household products you buy or the clothes you wear, to name but a few. In the UK alone, the number of vegans has quadrupled over the last four years. The reasons why are clear; according to The Vegan Society if the world went vegan, it could save 8 million human lives by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds, and avoid climate damages of $1.5 trillion.[1]

With consumers becoming increasingly conscious of whether a product has been derived from an animal byproduct or not, vegan beauty products make it simple and provide a guilt-free moment of indulgence. You can also rest assured that Medik8 do not test on animals nor ask others to test for us. This includes finished products and products within development or production, as well as ingredients used within our products. We are animal lovers and look forward to the day when animal testing is banned worldwide forever.

Vegan beauty is a no-brainer. Better for the planet, 100% cruelty free and often of higher quality, vegan products are exceptionally easy to swap to and you don’t lose any efficacy with the product.

Were you driven by your customers / social media to make the change?

We have always had a huge Vegan following and always listen to our fans, but ultimately this is something close to our hearts and at Medik8 we wanted to take full responsibility for our actions. We understand that having a beauty regime filled with vegan skincare is beneficial for the planet and your skin.

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What is the process involved for Medik8 in transitioning to being a fully vegan brand?

We conducted a full audit of all our products in 2018 and discovered that only 5 of our products were not vegan. This was due to some legacy formulas containing ingredients like yoghurt. We then set ourselves the goal of making every single Medik8 product completely vegan by the end of 2019, which we have achieved.

Our Ultimate Recovery Intense is a rich, restorative cream for dry, compromised and post-treatment skin. It used to contain silk serica (derived from the silkworm), which we replaced for allantoin. Allantoin is a natural component in comfrey root, which helps to support natural wound healing, speeding up skin renewal and softening the skin.

Advanced Night Restore is a deeply hydrating cream that works while you sleep, featuring an intelligent moisturisation complex of ceramide, fatty acids and (non-vegan) cholesterol. We now use a combination of synthetic cholesterol and a plant-derived form of cholesterol called phytosterol. Phytosterol gives structure to the plant’s cell membrane the same way cholesterol does for our skin. They both function similarly in enhancing the skin’s natural lipid barrier to lock in hydration.

Balance Moisturiser uses a high-performance blend of prebiotics and probiotics to rebalance the skin’s natural microbiome, promoting a healthy-looking, radiant complexion. While the probiotics were previously based on fermented milk-derived lactobacillus, they are now obtained from the fermentation of plant-based lactobacillus extracts – 100% vegan!

We also removed beeswax from our White Balance Overnight Repair and replacing it with vegan emulsifiers, plus removing non-vegan yoghurt extract from our Surface Radiance Cleanse.

What would you say to other businesses considering making the switch?

As a brand we have a responsibility to our planet and our customers, we believe everyone should be taking the steps to better themselves and be transparent with their consumers.

Thanks to Daniel for taking part in this interview with us! If you’d like to find out more about Medik8, hop on over to their website, Facebook or Instagram.

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Perth’s Latest & Greatest Healthy Date Night Ideas!

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It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of unhealthy (but still fun!) habits when you are in a relationship – Netflix, Uber Eats & a bottle of wine every weekend… sound familiar?
That’s why we’re here to shake things up and make date night a health-boosting experience again, at least every once in a while!

We have compiled some of our favourite fun, healthy and unique date ideas that might have you considering cancelling your Netflix subscription. (Oh who are we kidding, we could never give up Queer Eye!)

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Recipe for Love

So you’ve heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? I think that definitely goes for ladies too! So why not improve your culinary skills together by taking a cooking class?

There are a few excellent options around Perth, but some of our favourites are Taste Budds Cooking School in Highgate who offer Sophie’s Seafood Cooking School (non-vego – if that wasn’t obvious!) where Chef Sophie Budd will teach you to cook healthy pescetarian recipes like ‘Thai Fish Cakes’ and ‘Goan Fish Curry’.

If plant-based is more your style like it is ours, why not bump the health factor up a notch and try a Vegan cooking class at Salt and Company in West Perth? Even if you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, plant-based cooking is a great way to incorporate more variety into your repertoire, perfect for #meatfreemonday!

Cute and healthy date where you get to learn a new skill, get a little competitive over who can cook the tastiest Jackfruit taco, AND enjoy some delicious food at the end of it? Sign us up!

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Axe me on a date!

What could be more romantic than axe-throwing? Ok hear us out, this one is a little unconventional, but there is nothing like a little bit of friendly, flirty competition! Axe throwing isn’t just a sport for bearded men in flannos, it’s actually the newest trend to hit the streets of Perth, perfect for a fun night out!

And it’s the dream date night combo, whether it’s to help break you out of your relationship rut or break the ice with a new bae (#swiperight), you can enjoy a special Date Night package with the team at Maniax. Running every Friday from 8-10pm, it includes a 2-hour axe throwing session, plus 1 on 1 coaching, target practice and a tournament against other couples, all for only $100!

Plus, since it is conveniently located in Northbridge, you are only a short stroll away from bars and restaurants for when you have worked up your appetites.
For more information on Maniax Date Night, visit their website.

Bleeding Love

There is no greater feeling than being able to help people, apart from the feeling of being in love, of course! So why not combine the two and have a date night where you can truly make a difference, by making an appointment to donate blood?

You need to check whether you are able to of course (visit their website here to see the requirements!) but Australia is in desperate need of donor blood and it literally takes less than 30 minutes, and barely hurts at all! Plus, the warm, fuzzy feeling, and the great karma you will receive make it all worth it.

The Perth CBD donor centre is centrally located in 140 Perth (just behind the Perth Underground train station) and is surrounded by great food options, so you can truly make a date of it and head out for a bite to eat after you donate (just make sure you skip the drinks!).

Make an appointment here.

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Be More Flexible

Whether you’re a regular yogi, or you don’t know your downward dog from your Warrior II , there are a million reason why you should try yoga on your next date! Okay, so we don’t have time to list the full million reasons, but we have three very good reasons why practicing yoga with your significant other can help improve your relationship.

♥ Stress less – Yoga has been proven to help ease stress and lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It has also been proven to help relieve anxiety.
♥ Smarten up – Studies have shown that yoga can actually improve your brain’s ability to think more quickly and accurately – meaning you might be less likely to say the wrong thing when your partner is grumpy!
♥ Flexibility – Yoga can increase your flexibility… ummm… need we say more?! 😉

Our favourite new spot for yoga classes is Yab Yum Yoga studio, located in Victoria Park and their brand new inner city studio! Choose from a range of classes including Slow Flow, Deep House Vinyasa, or Restore and Align. Check out their website and timetables to book in your next class!

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

If you are after something that is a bit more low-key, then strap on your runners and slap on some sunscreen because we know the most romantic hiking trail in Perth.
Ellis Brook Valley is located in Martin, just minutes from Gosnells town centre and is one of the richest wildflower locations in Perth. What could be more romantic than spending your day wandering through stunning wildflowers and amazing views? There is also a huge array of wildlife in the area, so you might even spot an eagle or kangaroo!



There are a couple of easy trails to choose from, ranging from 430 meters to 2.8 km’s, but for those after a bit more of a challenge, try the Sixty Foot Falls Circuit which is a 2 kilometre loop that reaches to top of the stunning Sixty Foot Falls waterfall, giving a jaw-dropping view of the valley and Perth City beyond.

Click here for directions.

So not matter if you have chosen to follow some of our ideas, or if this has sparked your own idea for a fun activity for your next date, we know that you can wave bye-bye to Netflix for a while! (At least until the next season of Queer Eye drops!)

If you do follow any of our ideas, make sure you tell us! Tag #wellnesswa on your social pics or leave us a comment!

Be well,

xoxo

Leah is a freelance content creator from Perth who loves her dog, trying weird fitness trends, beach days and avocado toast. Follow her Instagram @leahonthedoor

Posted in Cheap / Free, Exercise, Food, Inner City, Other, Wellness Tips, Yoga | 1 Comment »

Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes: Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost, QSilica Cleanser, Exfoliating Swipeys + Kosmea Rosehip Oil.

Lately I’ve been getting into a whole range of new skincare products which have been rocking my world, so this edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes is solely dedicated to all things skin!

♥ @thebeautychef

♥ Carla Oates Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost

I’m a HUGE fan of the concept of ‘internal skincare’, and Carla Oates is all about it too. Her catchphrase “beauty begins in the belly” resonates with me, and is a nod to the exciting new research into the effect of probiotics and gut health on all systems of the body – including the quality of our skin.

Antioxidant Inner Beauty Boost tastes fantastic and is PACKED full of probiotics, antioxidants and other goodies. I’ve just started to include a tablespoon per day in a glass of filtered water. I definitely feel that when I take this beauty elixir I’m helping to give my skin & body what it needs to thrive and can’t wait to see the long term results of taking it daily! As an added bonus it’s really good for your digestion too.

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♥ Qsilica Naturally Clear Skin Cleanser

I’ve been using this product for a couple months now and I have to say, this is a really good cleanser! My skin never feels too dry / too oily / stripped afterwards. It just feels soft, dewy and perfectly cleansed. For me, this cleanser doesn’t stop most breakouts, my skin is mostly affected by what I eat and drink – so it wont prevent a breakout if I’ve “accidentally” consumed half a block of Whittakers Coconut Chocolate and 3 ciders, but it does stop any pesky little spots caused by “accidentally” falling asleep in my makeup. And it makes my skin feel amazing regardless, so I will continue to use it while I pray that coconut chocolate becomes a thing of the past so that I’m not regularly tempted by it (probably not going to happen).

♥ @gotoskincare

♥ Exfoliating Swipeys by Go-to-Skincare

This product. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! I’ve been following skincare saviour and all round quirky gal Zoe Foster Blake since her days penning her first blog, Fruity Beauty. She’s the ultimate “it’s totally okay to be kinda weird but also cool girl”, and for a while now she’s been killing it with her own beauty range, Go-to-Skincare.

There are a number of pretty special products, but the Exfoliating Swipeys are my DEAD SET FAVOURITE!

First, the name. Very good. Next, the results. Also very good. Each swipey, which is a little cotton pad, is full to the brim with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s) and gently dissolves dead skin cells, unclogs pores, refines skin and generally just makes your skin totally ace. I like to use mine in the shower after cleansing, I get swipey on my face and then do other showery things for a minute while keeping my face away from the water so the AHA’s don’t wash off. After 60 seconds you can rinse away to your hearts content.

The best thing to do afterwards is massage 4 drops of rosehip oil – Kosmea is my current favourite – into your skin, wait 10 minutes and then apply Very Useful Face Cream, which is another Go-to-Skincare prod. My best advice is to do this right before bed, get a long snooze in, and then wake up to incredible, glowy skin that you’ll really want to touch (but you shouldn’t!)

SO! Those are my current recommendations. Like it? Lump it? Leave a comment below and let me know! Xo

Be well,

Annette

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