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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 28, 2011
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A day at a day spa… the scene was set with a perfect, blue-skied, almost winter day with a latte, Johnny Cash bellowing poetry on the speakers and my GPS pointing me in the wrong direction.
When heading out to the dreamy wonderland of Brookleigh – don’t trust your Sat Nav, people! Fortunately, I knew Brookleigh was next to Belvoir Amphitheatre and a lot closer than the GPS suggested. And it’s a problem the owners of Brookleigh have dealt with a lot, so get your directions clear before you hit the road unless you want a 45-minute detour.
So, back to the blue skies, latte and Johnny Cash… I arrived feeling pretty peaced-out and ready to relax. I met the wellness consultant and personal trainer, Rachel and owner Nikki on arrival and was impressed by how healthy they both looked. Both had glowing skin, very fit bodies and huge smiles… these were happy people and I was ready to discover the secret to their sunshine.
A Brookleigh horse
My day began with a personal training session with Rachel. We jogged past the beautiful horse stables (Brookleigh started out as an equestrian centre and still is an Olympic training venue), the chateau where the spa resides and guests stay and a “roundabout” which is a gorgeous, meditation-style garden.
Roundabout
We kept on joggin’ past all of these beauties and out the back of the property where an “obstacle course” awaits. It’s also an equestrian training area but nicely doubles as a people fitness area too. The jumps were utilised as push up, dip and sit up stations while a trotting area was used for some punishing sprints (it was here the heart rate monitor I had to wear really betrayed me, sounding like a hideous alarm going off as if warning everyone I was about to drop dead).
After the PT workout, we stretched by the small lake where Brookleigh hosts weddings every weekend throughout October to May. You can see why, with a quaint gazebo overlooking the lake which is perfect for the ceremony to take place. Huge trees, the neighing of horses and the surrounding paddocks combine to make you feel as though you are far, far from civilisation.
Next up was the spa treatment. I met with the lovely consultant, Lisa, and discussed facial options and confessed my skin woes. Breakouts in certain areas were plaguing me and I definitely needed help. I was treated to a lime sugar exfoliation to start, which sloughed off any dead skin on my legs. Despite Lisa warning me it might hurt a little as the sugar did its job, the scrubbing felt just right and my skin was glowing by the time it finished. The smell of lime was delicious. The massage was next and thankfully Lisa applied just the right pressure for the knots in my muscles to be erased while sending me into a state of utter bliss. Despite trying very hard not to, I also fell asleep in the later stages but I guess it’s a sign of ultimate relaxation so I tried not to beat myself up about it too much.
Guinot Facial @ Brookleigh.
The facial did wonders for my skin. Brookleigh has either Guinot or the local, organic range Joi Pure. Despite trialling Joi Pure previously and knowing it was delicious, my skin was in need for something a little stronger and Guinot was enlisted. I had the classic facial and Lisa used a peel around the troubled areas to break up the congestion. Despite my skin glowing afterwards, it was also a tad red and it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I really noticed the benefits. My skin really cleared up and it totally confirmed what I’d suspected all along… I need to be getting regular facials.
To complete the day spa package, I had lunch at Stewart’s Restaurant which is also a part of Brookleigh. Stewart’s is one of the best restaurants in the Swan Valley and has plenty of healthy options to complement the day spas and health retreats that are on offer. I had the salmon with roasted beetroot and pumpkin with a lemon sauce and holy yum, it was sensational. And post-meal, I felt as though my body was being further nourished rather than overly-full like you might at many of the wineries boasting first class restaurants in the area.
Urban Spoon rsetaurant rating: 
Nikki and Rachel mentioned the three and five-day health retreats now on offer and I think they sound fabulous. Half a day out at Brookleigh and I felt rejuvenated and as though I’d been much further from Perth than the 45-minute drive it was.
If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend (classy hens’ weekends would be perfect there), doing something for your health or simply a getaway from the daily grind without travelling too far, Brookleigh is the place you’re looking for.
Check out their website to see enticing pics and more info, call (08) 9296 0018 or email Nikki or Rachel on info@brookleigh.com.au.
Brookleigh is located at 1235 Great Northern Highway,
Upper Swan in the Swan Valley.
Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Brookleigh’s newest devotee!
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Day Spa, Dining, Exercise, Food, Massage, North of River, Organic, Reviews | 
1 Comment »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 26, 2011
Belinda Hart!
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi, I am Belinda Hart. I founded Bella Hart – Beauty Emporium just over three years ago with the ambition of creating a comfortable environment for women to purchase cosmetics, skincare and fragrances. I have always loved beauty products but had always found it very uncomfortable and somewhat frustrating shopping in Department stores as the Beauty Advisors could only sell the brand they represented. In our store we can genuinely recommend the products that we think are best suited to your individual needs across all the brands we sell.
I am just about to have my first baby due in a few months, so life as I know is about to significantly change. I also have a new puppy arriving, which I am equally excited about.
The much loved skincare miracle: Clarisonic.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I cant live without my Clarisonic, it is an electronic cleanser for the face and it cleanses your skin so effectively and leaves your skin feeling so soft and clean. I religiously use this every morning and night and even travel with it.
I have to confess I am a bit of a skincare junkie so I use a fair few products, it seems complicated but doesn’t take me more than a few minutes.
In the morning I use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Vitamin C, Hydrating B5 Gel and Eye Balm, Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF30, then Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer before applying my foundation. In the evening I use Skinceuticals Retinol every 2nd night and alternate with Skin Firming Cream and every night the eye balm. I exfoliate once a week with the Dermalogica Agesmart thermofoliant and then use one of the Apivita express treatment masks, whichever one I think my skin needs at the particular time.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Once a month the New York facial from Bella Hart (where else…), it delivers immediate results and leaves my skin glowing. Its has the works a peel, Microdermabrasion and Vitamin C mask.
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♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Circles in Subiaco, they always do a fabulous job and are always up to date with the latest trends and product developments.
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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
The Apivita Express Masks. I love that they target every skin concern you could ever have so however your skin is feeling there is something to rectify your concern and they are just $6.90 for about four applications.
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
– Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer (with this your skin is always glowing)
– Lancome Virtuose Mascara
– Clarisonic cleanser.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
I think everyone in Australia should be protecting their skin with some form of topical Vitamin C. The benefits are significant, it promotes collagen production, its an antioxidant and protects the cells from damage, lightens pigmentation and overall gives your skin radiance.
Vitamin A or Retinol is also another secret weapon in preventing ageing and keeping the skin looking at its optimum. I have also seen great results with this reducing my pore size.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
Hypoxi is intriguing me at the moment, particularly appealing for after I have had my baby, it is supposed to be amazing for toning, which I am sure will be high on the agenda.
♥ yum!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Not a good question for me at the moment with being pregnant and all, my eating has been very odd to say the least and not in the least bit typical. Lots of “chicken in a biscuit”, banana smoothies and big cravings for seafood.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Prior to pregnancy I loved my RPM cycling and Pump classes but in the last few months I have had to modify that to Pregnancy pilates and walking. Cant wait to crank back up my exercise regime once the baby is born.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I do try and once a month have a reflexology treatment with the most amazing therapist, I feel incredibly alive after it.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Reading magazines and being anywhere surrounded by water, ideally on a boat.
Thanks for sharing your beauty and wellbeing with us Belinda, follow the link to find out more about Bella Hart Beauty Emporium.
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews, Wellness Tips, Western Suburbs | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 16, 2011
Intraceuticals Lover, Miranda Kerr!
Well, I’ll say this…Intraceuticals have no need to want for celebrity endorsement. They’ve got it in droves. Madonna, Miranda Kerr, Naomi Campbell…some heavy hitters. Specifically, our well-known friends talk about the Infusion Oxygen Facial: a procedure using hyperbaric oxygen technology combining pressure and hydration to achieve increased firmness and reduced fine lines. It’s popular to have before a big event (the next time you walk the red carpet perhaps?) because it’s non-invasive and you can put makeup on straight afterwards without ruining the results of the facial.
Oxygen facial!
The Intraceuticals line of products, therefore, is inspired by this jazzy little procedure (you can read barrels of oh-my-god-I-cant-believe-it-worked reviews online) but today we are talking about the products.
Intraceuticals products are formulated with a number of key ingredients- Hyaluronic acid (a nifty little component that can hold over 1000 times its own weight in water – very helpful indeed in keeping the skin hydrated), green tea, vitamins A, C and E and Squalene. It’s worth mentioning that Squalene is a natural oil that all plants and animals produce, no big deal there, BUT you may want to check the source of Squalene in your beauty prods, because it is most commonly taken from sharks’ livers OR olives. And maybe you don’t want Jaws being responsible for your complexion, but maybe you do want a tasty olive being responsible. We’re in the process of finding out.
Hoping for olive based squalene, fingers crossed!
Intraceuticals offer four different, very comprehensive lines in their skincare range- you have the choice of Rejuvenate to treat fine lines and wrinkles, Atoxelene – something stronger – a ‘Botox’ alternative if you will, Opulence for pigmentation and scars and Clarity to treat acne and enlarged pores.
Take away the celebrity hype for a moment and what you have is a focus on hydration and oxygen that seems to be what keeps most people coming back (apparently these products are great to use during and after flying) and I would have to agree that the Moisture Binding Cream and the Hydration Gel from the Rejuvenate range were my definite favourites. I liked using them in the morning because they were both very easily absorbed into my skin and I can see how makeup just glides over the top without a care in the world.
I am particularly interested in using these products in conjunction with the well-lauded facial to see what the true potential of these products really is. I’m going to have a search around to see where I can get one in Perth- I’m looking forward to seeing how they go, stay tuned!
Review by Adriane Daff, beauty lioness. 😉
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Products, Reviews | Comments Off on Product Reviews: Intraceuticals Range!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 14, 2011
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1. 7 day green smoothie challenge
This past week I undertook a challenge to see what difference (if any) drinking a green smoothie each day for one week would make to my life. UNFORTUNATELY! I fell off the wagon a few days in, I’m definitely not perfect and nor do I claim to be 🙂 I did however drink a lot more of them than I usually would (4-5) in one week, and I have to be honest I’m feeling pretty darn good. I recently found out about the necessity of rotating your greens when making these type of smoothies, and I have to say I am amazed that nature is so clever. Click that link and read all about why it’s best to rotate… I’m sure it will amaze you as it did me!
In light of that I’ve been flirting with cos (romaine) lettuce in lieu of spinach and kale this week, and LOVING it!
Cos lettuce, blueberry & cashew smoothie.
1 x cup of frozen blueberries
4-6 x medium sized washed cos lettuce leaves
1/2 x cup of raw cashews
2 x cups of water
Optional: 1 x banana
Blend for 1-2 minutes. Will make enough for 2-3 big cups. I find this smoothie incredibly refreshing and it’s absolutely my new favourite, mmmm! Recommended!
2. Echolife Clay Cleansers
I lurrrrve the way this clay makes my face feel. It’s very different to cleansers I’ve gotten used to, being that it’s a lump of wiggly clay in a glass jar, but I take a 10c piece sized amount, rub it into my hands with water and then massage all over my face. It’s perfect for my skin type which is combination – few dry bits, few oily bits, few pimply bits – I’m certainly not blessed in that department. After only a few days of using this I’m already addicted and I love that it’s so natural, I’m really getting back to basics with skincare at the moment, so after cleansing I press a few drops of rosehip or jojoba oil into my face while it’s still damp, for a double hit of natural goodness!
There is also another version I like to use, that contains castor oil, for when my skin is feeling a bit drier (hello winter!).
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3. Toasted cereal topping
This stuff. What can I say? It has transformed my breakfasts in the morning. I put a teaspoon of this wonder-mix, which contains organic raw linseed, sesame seeds, buckwheat, sunflower kernels, almonds and cinnamon. It’s gluten free, no added oils, sugar or salt, GMO free.
I stumbled across it one day at Farmer Jacks, Subiaco and haven’t looked back since. It gives an awesome nutty crunch and texture to my porridge in the morning and it just feels so -good- knowing that I’m getting that extra bit of easy nutrition to start my morning off the right way. I also sprinkle it into my smoothies and it gives it a really interesting flavour kick.
There are heaps of other rad products by the brand, Real Good Food, such as mixes with goji and blueberries, rice porridges, delicious looking trail mixes and MORE! Ps. I’m not getting paid to promote these! I just found them randomly and LOVE the prods, so want to share my joy!
Me at yoga… hah! Nah, it’s number one yogini babe, Kathryn Budig. Crushin’.
4. Sunday Yoga
A couple of weeks ago I took part in a generally unheard of activity… exercise, on a Sunday.
It was amazing! Admittedly, I felt a little smug as I was doing sun salutation after sun salutation when many people would still be in bed nursing a hangover from the night before. I quickly got over that and realised I was doing it for ME, not trying to be better than anyone else. It was a great note to end the week on, and I’m looking forward to it again soon.
The Yoga Company near the Subi train station (across from the road from Wagamama) do Sunday classes, if anyone knows anywhere else that does Sunday yoga, please leave a comment!
Just a couple of links for you this week… we’ve been too busy organising some excellent new competitions to browse too many other websites, but do let us know if you’ve come across anything interesting on your travels! 😉
Linkies:
♥ Foods that promote collagen production
♥ Foods that can help relieve stress
Past week n a bit:
♥ We checked out some superfoods that go ON your body, not just in!
♥ Green Smoothies: A new kind of beauty therapy – one of our most popular articles of all time!
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Ashlea Ingham, Model & Miss Universe Australia Contestant!
♥ Planet Eve Organics – another ab-fab Aussie organic brand, LOVE!
♥ Say bye bye to cranky winter skin!
♥ We reviewed Bikram Yoga in Scarborough to see if we’d survive…
♥ Beauty and wellbeing routine: Lauren, Beauty on the Grove this lass is only 26 and already owns her own salon. What a go getter!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
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Posted in Wellness Tips | 8 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on June 12, 2011
♥ Lauren ♥
♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am 26 and have worked in the Beauty industry for 9 Years. In June 2010 I started my business “Beauty on the Grove”, which is a one stop hair and beauty shop. The business is combined with Setting Trends Hair studio in Parkwood. I love making people feel pampered and offer them plenty of time to relax so they don’t feel rushed out the door and there is absolutely no hard selling. I Love dancing with Friends, family summer holidays at Rottnest and spending time with my boyfriend Tim.
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
I use Oligodermie Skin Care which is based on various ingredients such as natural plant extracts, vitamins, essential oils, enzymes and marine algae.
I moisturize my whole body daily, cleanse/tone twice a day. Use eye cream, serum and moisturiser twice a day. During the week I exfoliate and mask once or twice a week. I also love to use Invisible Zinc and Youngblood Mineral Make up.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I can’t go past a Hair treatment and Blow dry; it makes my hair feel so fresh and silky smooth. The personalised hair Alchemy Service by Wella combines two benefits in a unique treatment created by mixing a mask and an infusion related to individual hair needs. The girls at Setting Trends recommended it and now I am hooked!
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
The team of girls at Setting Trends Hair Studio know just what I like and are never harsh with my hair. They give the best scalp massages and totally relax me.
Mediterranean Charm
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
My favourite at home beauty treatment would be making sure my nails look glossy and tidy before the next day at work. I love to use OPI and China Glaze Polishes. At the moment I am wearing Mediterranean Charm by China Glaze.
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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
1. Youngblood Mineral Foundation, It’s an ultra-fine, luxurious powder that creates a flawless coverage. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t feel like I am wearing make up.
2. Youngblood Ultimate Concealer, it’s great for under the eyes, as it has light reflecting minerals to hide imperfections and it also contains vitamins C and E.
3. Oligodermie Smoothing Body Lotion, it gives lasting nourishment and hydration to the skin, which regains its softness and flexibility. I apply it daily after a shower or bath.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Plenty of sleep! It makes you feel so refreshed for the day and keeps you looking younger. Facial massage I do regularly as its great for any puffiness, it stimulates the skins circulation, lymphatic system and relaxes the muscles. To top it off I feel fantastic when I have an Aviva Labs Spray Tan as it gives such a nice glow with out being over the top!
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
I have always thought about getting eyeliner tattooed as it looks great. I am just scared of the process and the pain…
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
A big breakfast is a must for me everyday to function properly. At the moment I enjoy multigrain Weetbix heated or cold, followed by some toast with home made strawberry jam.
Lunch is usually a salad wrap with chicken, ham or turkey.
Dinner is always different as I love to try new things. I enjoy Italian, Asian, Indian, spicy foods the list goes on….
During the day I am always snacking on oranges, nuts, muesli bars, chocolate, mums homemade cake or biscuits and all types of tea! I love my tea!
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I am always on the go busy walking throughout the day in the salon and running errands. I try to do sit-ups, sometimes a work out DVD or go walking.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I regularly go and relax with some reflexology. It relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body
Every morning I take Swisse Women’s Green Ultivite it contains spirulina, green tea, pomegranate, olive leaf and St Marys thistle. All which are rich sources of green ingredients.
♥ How do you like to relax?
I de-stress with reflexology, going for a pedicure, chatting with a friend over cups of tea or playing with my niece and nephews who are very adorable!
Lauren Hartley
Beauty on the Grove
78 Vellgrove Avenue
PARKWOOD WA 6147
9354 8899
0423 149 655
Thanks Lauren for taking the time to share your beauty and wellbeing tips with us! If anyone has any questions, please leave them below! xo
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Beauty Salon, Interviews, South of River | 4 Comments »
