Our Favourite Vegan & Cruelty-Free Skincare and Makeup Must-Haves in 2022.

I’ve been wanting to make the move to natural, cruelty free makeup for quite some time now, and I very fortunately had Annette with me to ‘show me the way’ (yep, that was for you Star Wars fans)! I have been using natural skincare for a few years now, but I always love exploring and discovering new brands. In this article I take you through the best of the best cruelty free makeup & skincare that 2022 has to offer… lets go!

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♥ Cleanser

The Gentle Foaming Cleanser by Natio is one of my fav natural cleansers! It feels nourishing whilst deeply cleansing at the same time. It also smells good and is a beautiful pearly white colour. Containing sandalwood, shea butter, calendula, jojoba, rosewood and lemon, the cleanser is designed to help neutralise your skin’s natural pH as well as support natural moisture balance.

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♥ Serums

If you’re looking for a deeply hydrating and regenerating serum, as well as one that targets pigmentation, fine lines, scars, then the Sabbia Co Antioxidant Repair Oil has you covered. Containing avocado oil, sea buckthorn oil and blueberry seed oil, this serum is the perfect blend of natural remedies. I love this serum because it makes my skin FEEL so GOOD! And if it makes you FEEL good, it’s doing something right. Pair it with the Jade Gua Sha tool for some extra loving.

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For my acne prone friends (me included) looking for a serum that soothes irritation, de congests your skin, with all the anti-acne ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn oil, Calendula extract and Rosehip oil, then the Bondi Sands Wonder Potion Hero Oil is your new AM & pm go to. The packaging is also SO cute.

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♥ Sunscreen

Let me let you in on a little secret… when I’m in a rush to get out the door, I love to apply a tinted sunscreen because, not only am I applying sunscreen (oh so important living in sunny Perth!), I also get a little bit of colour & coverage – its like 2 products in 1 and I am here for it wholeheartedly. Well formulated tinted sunscreens are really hard to find (or maybe I’m just a tough critic), but ones that have a nice coverage, the right SPF rating and one that will last… it can be like finding a needle in a sunny haystack.

This is where Bondi Sands comes to play again. Not only do we love a good Bondi Sands tan but their tinted sunscreen is amazing! Its the Sunny Daze SPF 50 Moisturiser. First up, SPF 50 is a must, I will literally never wear anything less than SPF 50, so tick to Bondi. Its also hydrating, another tick, and contains vitamin E, wild hibiscus extract & zinc oxide. Plump and protected is this products slogan and I f*ck with that.

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♥ Makeup Brushes

A makeup brush that is interchangeable and also small enough to fit inside your tiny bag which was quite literally invented just to look cute – thanks to ecotools, this is now possible.

The Daily Essentials Face Kit is the brush kit every beginner to guru needs. It includes an angled crease brush, an angled brush, a spoolie, base buffer and an airbrush concealer brush. They are also made with recycled materials, renewable bamboo, are cruelty-free and 100% vegan. I’m obsessed. If you want an indepth tutorial of how to use these bad boys – head over to our insta @wellnesswa! SO, go get your JACQUEMUS ‘Le Chiquito’ bag. I support you Queen.

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♥ Glowy Makeup Oil

When I’m wanting a no-makeup makeup day, I find this product mixed with my sunscreen gives me the ultimate glow and just the right amount of colour I need. It’s the Endota Spa Organics Jojoba & Coconut Dry Shimmer Oil. You can use this product on your too, but I find mixing 3 drops with my sunscreen to put on my face is the perfect match. I love it and you need it – it’s especially perfect for dialing up the glow in winter.

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If you’re wanting a milder glow than the option above, then opt for the Grown Alchemist Tinted Hydra Repair Day Cream. This cream is extremely hydrating and smoothing as well as giving darker & more tanned skintones that sun-kissed sparkle. The stars of the show are Camellia and Geranium Blossom, and they are what make this cream smell SO good. Unfortunately for me, this colour is too deep, so for my other fair skin toned friends maybe leave this one. But for those blessed with a deep complexion, this would be a perfect everyday cream for you. Don’t forget to apply your sunscreen underneath!

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♥ Bonza Bronzer

Everyone needs a good bronzer in their lyf (stay tuned for our bronzing/contouring article dropping soon!), especially heading into winter – we’ve gotta add some colour to those chilly cheekbones!!

One of the best natural bronzers I’ve tried is the Mineral Bronzing Powder by Endota. I love how its a pressed powder because it doesn’t go everywhere when you open it – it’s easy to use and easy to take with you on the go (probably not in your Le Chiquito bag tho)! The colour ‘Sunkissed’ is gorgeous, it provides a natural sun kissed look (who would have thought?!) to your face, making you look like you’ve just spent 6 weeks in Paros. We won’t tell if you wont.

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♥ Mascara

A good mascara is hard to come by, especially when you’re adding vegan & cruelty-free into the mix. Natio have just come out with a brand new range of 3 x mascaras which are: tubing (say bye-bye to panda eyes), cruelty-free, vegan & are great for sensitive eyes.

For a more natural look that works wonders on both upper & lower lashes, we can’t go past the Precision Tubing Mascara in both Brown & Black. If you like a little more va-va-voom, the Infinite Tubing Mascara (pictured above) in Black has you covered – this one has been my go-to for nights out & days when I’m feeling in the mood for looking a little extra fancy / awake, and at the price point of $17.95, picking some up is a no-brainer.

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♥ BROWS. BROWS. BROWS.

Alright so a tip I learnt quite a bit ago was that if you’re in a rush, a brow gel is your best friend to tame, and tint your brows. My absolute favourite brow gel is the Flower Beauty Fiber Fix brow gel. What makes this product even better is that its cruelty free, vegan and gluten free (although don’t try eating it). Its also only $9… thats some serious bang for your buck.

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♥ Spritz ‘n Mist

Wanting to freshen your makeup during the day? Or just feeling like you need a little pick me up? The Grown Alchemist Hydra-Mist is my go to product just for this. It also pairs perfectly with the day cream I mentioned earlier. Why is it so good? It contains peptides which protect your skin from environmental damage, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to visibly smooth, soothe and boost your skin’s glow. It also smells so calming and refreshing, which makes it perfect for a quick breather when you’re feeling frazzle-dazzled in the middle of your day – a little bit of relaxin’, a little bit of glowin’. Perfect.

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&Hearts; The Best Gosh-Darn Face Mask this Side of Pluto

The face mask I’ve been using to prep mine and my clients skin before makeup application for YEARSSS is the go to Go-To Skincare Transformazing Sheet Mask. Honestly, you wont ever want to worry about trying another mask again (kidding, but it’s SERIOUSLY good and deserves a permanent spot in all makeup/skincare cabinets). It instantly hydrates and plumps your skin, makes you look (& feel – equally important) like you’ve spent 8 hours at a lush spa being pampered, and gives you a flawless makeup base for any special occasion or just BECAUSE. This is all thanks to lashings of Kakadu plum, finger lime, Tasmanian pepper leaf & niacinamide. It also only takes 10 minutes – everyone has time for that. Run, don’t walk.

So… I’d love to know, which products are ticking all your boxes right now – head on over to our Instagram and let me know!

Article by Olivia, local natural makeup artist, Leo, content creator & beauty editor in training – follow along for more beauty tips & tricks.

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Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes: Dunsborough Living, La Mav Skincare, Apteka Haircare & Cookbooks!

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A new year, a new home in sunny Dunsborough (yes Samudra calls my name even more regularly now), a new favourite coffee place (that know my name and coffee already, yes local status!), a new beachside jogging track and a new list of crushes that are at the top of my lust list. I’ve found these goodies not only look after the outside of my body but their ingredients are making my insides happy too.

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♥ La Mav Omega-3 Advanced Nightly Repair Crème

As women, at a young age we begin our beauty rituals, and whilst the products may change in bottle size, price and effects – we will always go back to what works for us. I feel that this crème is one of those products. In its stylish white and silver bottle La Mav Nightly Repair Crème (OFC certified organic and Australian made and owned I must add) is wonderfully thick and absorbing and has been leaving my skin feeling nourished and smooth from night to morning. It’s list of organic and delicious sounding ingredients (Raspberry Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice) is endless, and they all work together to support the skins barrier function and enhance it’s repairing action. Available from Organic Glow for $59.95.

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♥ Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo

In our ritual, whilst we want our products to feel nice and make us look nice, we also want them to smell lovely too. Apteka Relief Scalp Shampoo has no parabens, sulphates or artificial fragrances and smells like fresh peppermint, that means yummy smelling hair. I would recommend this product to anyone with a sensitive scalp, especially in these warm summer months. Their healing blend of organic rosemary, organic pepperming and organic tea tree will cleanse and refresh the scalp after all your time playing mermaid at the beach and frolicking in the sunshine. Available from Organic Glow for $29.95.

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♥ Cookbooks

I know we all wish that the vibrant photographs in the pages of our favourite cookbooks would just magically materialise into the bowls in front of us without the necessary food shopping, prep and cooking time. Alas, this only happens in dreams (and if we are talking dreams the food would also have no calories and be followed by a very chocolately dessert). However I have found with my two new favourite cookbooks that cooking can be quick, easy, colourful, healthy and delicious.

Now who doesn’t have a Donna Hay cookbook or 5 in their bookshelf? I’ve found with her newest edition Fresh and Light that her recipes have taken a healthier, lighter and more exciting turn. Still using her signature few ingredients and easy to follow cooking techniques, but she has introduced favourites like quinoa, light but flavoursome salads and less of the heavy carbohydrate focused meals.

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Jamie Oliver's 15-Minute Meals
has followed a similar path too and after flicking through the pages I found myself wanting to re-creating the majority of the meals featured. And whilst there has been much debate over if these meals really take 15 minutes (take it from me, they don’t!) they are simple, so tasty and will impress anyone you whip them up for. Yum!

Do any of these beauty products or books take your fancy? What skincare and haircare are you loving at the moment? And what cookbooks? Would love your recommendations! 🙂

Written by Jade, new down south local and mermaid.

Be well,

xoxo

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Inner & Outer Beauty Review: Q-Silica Capsules, Face Mist, Hand Cream & Makeup and Grime Cleansing Gel!

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We are lucky to live in an age where so many of the world’s natural secrets have been revealed. With super foods, unique vitamins and minerals, an abundance of yoga and fitness possibilities, luxurious hair treatments and tasty facial scrubs we are now able to incorporate these secrets into our lives to help us become the best possible version of ourselves. Silica is a secret I’ll pass on to you. It is a scientifically researched ingredient for healthy skin, hair, nails and connective tissue and I was lucky enough to try it in many different forms over the past month.

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♥ QSilica Capsules (Vegetarian)

I started taking these capsules during a warm and wonderful trip to Bali. A month later my skin still feels smooth, with no blemishes and has a tanned glow. It is difficult to say whether this is completely due to the benefits of the QSilica capsules, or a little owing to my normal skin care routine, however I have definitely noticed that my skin is smoother and more resilient to the changing weather. In the hair and nails department I haven’t observed a drastic difference (this could be to only taking them for a month so far), but my nails and hair still feel healthy and strong (hair perhaps a little frizzy due to wind, but sadly Silica can’t fix this ladies!).

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♥ REHYDRATE Energising Facial Mist

I recommend this product as a must have this summer. The light energising facial mist contains silica and aloe vera to aid in calming the skin. I used this in Bali and it became part of my group’s routine to spray this on our faces as we collapsed in our seats after a long day and ordered a fresh mixed juice. Just like the juice it will help refresh and cool you down on a scorching day!

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♥ REPAIR Strengthening Hand and Nail Cream

This is a fantastic hand cream to smother on your hands at night and massage into your well-deserving cuticles.

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I found it perhaps a little too thick to use as an everyday hand cream as it left my hands feeling slightly sticky (only slightly!) but after I used it for the week my hands did feel smoother and cuticles much healthier.

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♥ REMOVE Makeup and Grime Cleansing Gel

This light gel was the perfect end to a long day and maximised the results of taking the Silica capsules for my skin! As I don’t wear a lot of make-up, this light gel worked wonders to cleanse, tone and freshen my skin leaving it feeling clean and smooth. After massaging in rose hip oil and settling down with a herbal tea (Spiced Red Fruits by The English Teashop is my current fav, tastes like hot jelly crystals) my skin has been the best it has in years.

Tell me… have you tried silica for skincare before? I would love to hear anyone else’s experience with this wonder mineral, so leave a comment below!

Written by Jade Jurewicz, new lululemon educator and summer daydreamer (bring back sunshine, mango smoothies and the beach!)

Be well,

xoxo

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Day Spa Review: Waitaha Day Spa, Hillarys, Perth (Including Vichy Shower Review).

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Imagine the feeling of complete relaxation after a yoga class, the happiness felt as you eat a piece of your favourite dark chocolate (and knowing there is a whole block left), and the feeling of contentment after you’ve given your best friend an amazingly thoughtful birthday present she loved.

Combine these emotions and you will feel like I did as I left Waitaha Day Spa after my Body Renewal and Skin Rescue Massage spa treatments. Being pampered at this beautiful day spa was a blissful two hours and something my body, mind and soul would definitely recommend – it truly is the ultimate relaxation experience.

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After weaving my way along the sparkling coast up to Hillary’s I arrived at Waitaha and was introduced to Clare who was my beauty therapist for the afternoon. The absolutely lovely and knowledgeable Clare led me to the relaxation room, where my feet were treated to a nourishing foot massage and soak.

I then entered the romantically lit treatment room for the Body Renewal Treatment, which instantly relaxed me with its soothing music and fresh aromas. This pampering treat included a scrub, wrap, steam and Vichy Shower in the hydrospa.

♥ Me, excited before the treatments begun!

Clare’s gentle hands first exfoliated me with a delicious coconut, salt, orange and lime exfoliant (good enough to eat!) which was then gently washed off and the green coffee wrap began. This wrap stimulates your body’s ability to break down fat, increases the metabolism and eliminates water retention.

I would recommend this treatment to all ladies (and men) who are wanting to get their body back to last summers toned and smooth glory, or just wanting to start the process of losing winter’s hearty meals and yummy cakes.

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The top of the hydrospa (the big space-like contraption) was then lowered, and I experienced a nice warm steam – which aided in the wrap being absorbed to work it’s magic. At the same time I also received an Argan Oil hair treatment and head massage (it smelt and felt amazing – an incredible experience). After 20 minutes, the Vichy Shower began! Water jets rained warm water from the roof of the hydrospa and washed the wrap from my body – pure luxury!

♥ A pile of fresh towels is one of the more blissful things in the world!

After I’d dried off and popped on my white robe and slippers on (have I mentioned how luxurious this was yet?) I moved into another treatment room for my Skin Rescue Massage. This started with a full Body Brush which has plentiful benefits, including; exfoliating the skin, stimulating cellular turnover and boosting lymphatic drainage (these magic brushes are sold at Waitaha for $20). The full body massage was just what my body needed, Clare worked out some knots in my back and massaged hydro-oil deep into every part of my legs, torso and arms. Perfection. The hydro-oil is so nourishing and contains jojoba oil to deeply hydrate the skin and doesn’t stain clothes which was good news for the new knit I’d worn into the spa!

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During this time of massage zen and relaxation, Clare also treated me to a Pevonia Enzymospherides Peeling cream. Smelling of summer, the pineapple and papaya enzymes in the cream are activated and remove impurities.

Last was a Pevonia Lumafirm Lift and Glow Mask which Clare let me know (I had to reconfirm later because I was in such a happy and dream-like state) that this mask renders skin ultra-luminous with a firmer, tighter and more youthful defined appearance. It’s highly recommended for aging skin or for ladies who are seeking an instant repair boost for a special day, or because they simply deserve it!

♥ The ring!

Last year on my birthday I got engaged and did not think a birthday could ever be topped by that moment. This year on my birthday I was exfoliated, wrapped, massaged, showered from head to toe at Waitaha Day Spa and while this didn’t quite top my handsome boy’s words and my emerald engagement ring, it came pretty darn close!

Whether you’re looking for a bit of love and attention coming into summer, or want to buy a thoughtful gift for your mum or a beloved friend, I’m a firm believer that Waitaha Day Spa should definitely be at the top of your list.

t: 08 9403 3633
e: relax@waitahadayspa.com.au

address:
Shop 15, Hillarys Shopping Centre
110 Flinders Avenue
Hillarys
Western Australia

Have you been to Waitaha before? What are your favourite spas in Perth? Lets chat in the comments below!

Reviewed by very relaxed and smooth skinned Jade!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Day Spa, Massage, North of River, Reviews | 2 Comments »

Beauty Product Review: Benefit High Beam Illuminator and High Brow Glow Pencil!

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Who likes drawing?

HAHA THAT’S A TRICK QUESTION- everyone loves drawing! I love drawing. And I love drawing on my face, that’s part of the reason why I love makeup so much. Because, if you feel like so inclined, it’s your way of showing the world that pink and green and red and freckles and glitter can co exist in a peaceful harmony of lines and lashes. Drawing on my own face satisfies some deep childhood, primal need.

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Some months ago I purchased Benefit’s High Beam Illuminator, which is a kind of pearly paint that you put on your face with a mini paint brush to make yourself look awesome. And I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvve it (I’d put like a million vs in there if it wasn’t so obnoxious), oh my goodness I wear it practically every day.

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So imagine my giddy heights of excitement when I learnt that Benefit are now releasing another product which is the same principle of High Beam but in a pencil AND in a different color. Woah, woah, woah did you say PENCIL? Where do I sign up? Whereas High Beam gives you a Snow Queen chilling vibrancy, the new benefit High Brow Glow pencil gives you a champagne pink glow, like some sort of Studio 54 goddess. Yeahhhhhhhhh (with a million more hs). So here’s what I thought.

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The High Beam paint (lets call it that for ease) will always have a place in my makeup bag because of the doll-like non-greasy sheen it gives my skin. I usually use it on my brow bone, top my cheekbones and sometimes even the inner corners of my eyes.

The beauty of the new pencil is that you get a different color therefore a warmer look- I’m quite pale so the frostiness of High Beam works for me but I’m imagining when we came back into summer or for the more olive toned ladies amongst us, this new color in the High Beam Glow pencil, will be like all your Christmases have come in June.

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Also, being a pencil, I found I had greater precision and control, for example the pencil meant the inner corners of my eyes were a lot easier to get to. I also must point out, because this is kind of cool, you can use this nifty pencil on the sides of your nose and other places on your face for contouring!!! I don’t know a lot about contouring but I wish to know more, are you someone who knows a lot about this? Or would you like to know? Do you want your face to have the smooth plains and contours of the Swiss Alps? Yeah same. You should get the pencil.

Actually, can you get both? You should. Wonderful products that are not just for eyebrows, that have filled a big hole in my makeup routine, nice work benefit!

Available at Adore Beauty!

Also Check out Jade’s review of Benefit’s Watts Up illuminator on this very website, these guys have something for everyone!! <3
What do you think of the High Beam Illuminator and High Brow Glow Pencil? Do you like drawing? Lets talk about these things in the comments!

Review by Adriane Daff, glow enthusiast, drawing lover, excitable human being.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Makeup, Products, Reviews | 6 Comments »