Salon Review: Nvmen, Fremantle.

Being a guy I haven’t really given much thought to “a proper salon” treatment for my quarterly haircut. It’s always been a “whilst I’m here” type thing. But maybe it’s the fact that I’m getting older or that I keep getting condemned for my bad haircuts. (Always relying on the excuse that the apprentice cut my hair, when really the blonde and pink strips should have been a giveaway that this would be a dire haircut). This brings me to the opposite end of the spectrum and a little salon in Fremantle called Nvmen.

It is nestled on the corner with an old blue/red/white striped pole out the front. Obviously a homage to the ol’ days of barber shop standards. With open doors I was told that my stylist would be a moment and to please take a seat. This place was charming with wooden floors and decor that actually matched. These were nice seats too by the way. The coffee table was littered with everything a man desires, to a certain PG rating of course. James May’s rather luscious hair put second thoughts in my head about the trim I was to receive, but regrettably the hippie era is over.

Photo of James May for reference ;)!

I was first taken to the wash basins. I had my hair washed and my head massaged. The head massages are quite superior and with the added bonus of being in a massage chair, I was on my way to tinsel town. After which I just wanted to go back to bed, but that would defeat my Saturday morning trip. The lovely hairdresser led me to an old school looking barber chair. The only thing I can reference here is like the one in Sweeney Todd. Together we conversed on what style I would like and with the American Crew style guide book in front of me I spun around 10 times, closed my eyes and pointed at a picture that would shape peoples opinion of me for the next 6 months.

After conversations about travel to Vietnam and Cambodia we built some common ground, stabilised confidence in our rapport and the hair cut was finished. She then showed me the best way to style it when leaving the crib. All through the hair cut little seeds were planted at the wash, cut and style session – it prompted me to buy some product which I haven’t used in, oh my, at least 7 years and some shampoo. To be fair I had just run out of shampoo so I wasn’t just a sucker for blue eyes and a nice smile.

I guess the greatest confidence I have about the salon is after I finished I was quite surprised at how little the hair cut costs juxtaposed against the likes of some carbon copy salons. Please for the love of god don’t go to these chain built hairdressers, they smell of underpaid workers and pessimism.

All in all a new and good experience from one of WA’s oldest but still remaining modern barber shops. Indeed the NV of men. Gone are my days of taking tickets sitting down and wondering whether the Italian grease ball or the lop sided, multi-coloured rather flamboyant Avril Lavigne will be cutting my hair.

To get your hands on the nvmen brochure, click here!

NV Men Complete Grooming
33 Market Street
Fremantle WA 6160

Tel: (08) 9336 7171

Review by David, feeling the hair grow back by the minute.

Posted in Hairdresser, Reviews, South of River | 9 Comments »

A Mini Ritual : Sodashi Clay Lime Cleanser & Brightening Face Drops.

I’ve long been a fan of Sodashi, everything about the brand sings to me. From their lack of animal testing & animal ingredients, 100% recyclable packaging, deluxe products and the fact that a little company based in North Freo has made it big the world over – being housed in some of the top spas in New York, Paris & beyond.

A treasure-box of Sodashi goodies made its way to me many months ago and I haven’t stopped using the products since, so today I’m going to share the tiniest of rituals I like to indulge in and also quickly chat about the other bits I received.

Start with one pump worth of this creamy white cleanser in the palm of your hand, massage into the face with a bit of warm water and focus on any trouble spots as this is a great cleanser for those with acne prone-combination skin (like me!)

Use a muslin cloth or face washer to help get rid of any impurities / gently exfoliate the skin & rinse with warm water. I generally tend to do this step in the shower, but just make sure the water isn’t too hot or it will dry out your skin and irritate any pimples.

Sodashi Brightening Face Drops (RRP $89)

Next up, fill a basin / bowl with warm water and add 10 drops of Brightening Face Drops, this stuff is magic for imparting radiance to the skin & it also helps with scarring and pigmentation! Zoe Foster is also a huge fan, can’t go wrong.

Soak a fresh muslin cloth / face cloth with the solution, squeeze out and apply to the skin. Repeat this step again & you’re ready to go!

So that’s my little ritual 🙂 Depending on your skins current needs, you can then apply moisturiser if you wish, the one that is suitable for me (combination / acne prone skin) is the Balancing Face & Neck Moisturiser (RRP $147) and I really like it, not too heavy, not too sticky. Very nice for day time use!

The last of my goodies is the Blemish Treatment (RRP $105), this stuff is a bit sticky and squirts out of the bottle in a rush, so take care! I find it very calming for my pimples and it’s suitable for use under makeup as well, but I prefer to use it at night before bed so it can do its thing while I rest 🙂

I hope you enjoyed my little write-up! Do let me know if you have any questions about these products & I’ll do my best to help you out!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Products, Reviews | 4 Comments »

Day Spa Review: Lemongrass Body Glow at Bodhi J, Wembley.

I received a gift voucher for a treatment of choice at Bodhi J Day Spa in Wembley as a birthday present. My friend has recently had the Indian Head Massage there and said it was excellent, however I felt like something more indulgent. I decided on a full body scrub, the Lemongrass Body Glow.

Bodhi J is a piece of paradise set unassumingly on Grantham street in Wembley. Entering into the foyer, I had no idea of the beautiful décor that was behind these doors.

I was led into a large room which had nice subdued lighting, two round spas and two tables. I felt like I had been transported to the finest day spa in Bali. The little touches the room like the frangipanis, the aromatherapy oils burning along with the dim lighting made you feel instantly calm. I was left to undress, given some lovely green disposable underwear and a sarong, and got ready for the treatment.

Laying face down I was asked to inhale a scent from aromatherapy oil to relax me. I was then given a firm soothing massage with a scented oil. My therapist knew what she was doing – long firm massage strokes on the back of my legs, at just the right pressure. After the oil, the lemongrass salt was rubbed into my body. The smell was amazing. Once my legs, back and shoulders were done, I turned over to have my stomach, the front of my legs and feet as well as my décolletage oiled, massaged and scrubbed.

Then it was time to be rinsed. I was expecting I would have to go to another room to shower, but the bed I was on was actually under a bath and I was rinsed off with a shower head that was attached to the wall. That part was a littler surreal – I felt like a big baby being hosed down, but none the less it was still all very professional.

The therapist left me to dry off and lie on the table next to me. I was then moisturised from neck to toe whilst getting a nice soothing massage at the same time . I got dressed and was then led to a waiting area. There was a herbal tea, some fruit and a chocolate were waiting for me. Here the therapist spoke to me about some of the products that were used on me during the treatment. They did have these for sale at the spa, but I was not felt at all pressured into buying something – I simply got an explanation and a price list and was left to enjoy my tea and strawberries in peace.

After that it was back to reality unfortunately. The whole process took just over an hour and a half and it was harsh to walk out of this beautiful oasis back onto old Grantham street.

Bodhi J is definitely worth a visit for absolute indulgence and an escape to paradise – if only for an hour.

Lemongrass Body Glow is $95 for 60 mins.

42C Grantham St (Cnr Nanson St)
Wembley
Western Australia 6014

Phone: (08) 9387 5152
Fax: (08) 9387 4548
Email: admin@bodhij.com.au

Review by Yvette Coyne.

Posted in Beauty Salon, Day Spa, Inner City, North of River, Reviews | Comments Off on Day Spa Review: Lemongrass Body Glow at Bodhi J, Wembley.

Pre-Weekend Procrastination!

♥ hehe ♥

Roll up, roll up (they were pretty tasty snacks yes? albeit terrible for young teeth!) welcome to my array of interesting beauty & health related links that I have dutifully collected over the past week so that I can share them with you, my loving reader, just in time for the countdown to the weekend!

♥ Beauty Q&A with Annette of Wellness WA – that would be me 😉

♥ OPI’s revolutionary iPhone application! – ever wondered what a particular shade would look like on your nails, but found those plastic nail doo-dads in the beauty section too difficult? ME TOO. With this iPhone application, while it doesn’t use a picture of your actual hand, you can adjust the skin tone and nail of the image & test out every single OPI colour to determine whether or not it’s what you’re looking for, before forking out for it!!! How great is that?! A: Prettydamngreat.

♥ Iz you a salon playa? – musings on the pros & cons of being non-monogamous with your salon.

♥ Healthy Tipping Point– okay, I love this blog. An American 25 year old documents her marathon bike riding adventures & vegetarian cooking. Very inspiring stuff.

♥ Be Genki May Ritual – Be Genki is a wonderful product company / website / blog / inspiration station & this ‘May Ritual’ has some great advice, make sure you check this one.

♥ Warm Sunny Salad – our friend Heather puts together a visually magnificent salad to nourish you & your tastebuds.

♥ Additive Free Kids Parties! – psychotic children no more, calm them down without compromising on taste with this handy cookbook by two local mums.

♥ Blush Day Spa Facebook Page – these guys have been known to give away free treatments and incredible specials on Facebook at random times during the week!! Last week they were offering free massages to the first few commenters!

♥ White Bean Bruschetta – can’t wait to make this yummy variation on a definite favourite.

♥ How much to spend on keeping up appearances? – an interesting look at how much & why we spend on looking good for our careers.

It’s a wrap! Have wonderful Friday’s everyone 🙂

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Posted in Food, Wellness Tips | 3 Comments »

Alternative Review: Mi:Skn Cosmetic Acupuncture, Highgate.

Acupuncture doesn’t really have great connotations for those who don’t know about it. It contains the word “puncture”, who would willingly put themselves through that?!

I would. This week I visited mi:skn for a complimentary Facial Rejuvenation Treatment. The idea of having needles stuck in my face wasn’t my idea of fun. However, I have to say, I’m converted.

Francesca owns and runs mi:skn, the first Perth clinic to focus purely on cosmetic acupuncture. Other clinics may provide these treatments, but they’re not specialised. Having studied in the UK for four years to get her acupuncture qualification, she then went on to study for another two years to become a specialist in the field.

Forever learning, Francesca has developed her own unique approach and she’s been working in cosmetic acupuncture ever since.

The Facial Rejuvenation Treatment works to break up the natural collagen structures in your face. This process causes the body to try to fix it, and over the course of several treatments, plumps up those “life lines”. Now it won’t be as drastic as Botox, however, it will be more natural and more gradual. Research shows that Botox can cause other areas to become more susceptible to “life lines”.

Now, don’t be mistaken, cosmetic acupuncture doesn’t just work to fill in those lines, it also works with acne, headaches and cellulite. Francesca told me of one young lady who had a rather bad case of acne. The purple colour had reduced in just one session. It can also address headaches for those who are prone to them regularly. There is also a non-acupuncture option for Facial Rejuvenation if you’re not so sure about the needles.

Of course, you don’t have to be older to get these treatments; it’s a preventative approach to aging. It’s natural to age; we’re just slowing it down a little.

Your medical condition will be taken into account and if you have very sensitive skin you can rest assured that only natural essential oils are used in the treatment. If you’re not one for needles, you don’t have to worry, they are very fine and flexible enough to bend without snapping.

The music is relaxing and Francesca talks you through the process. The treatment starts with a hot towel on the face to open pores and extract impurities. A facial massage wakes it up and prepares the skin for the treatment. Jade is used to start smoothing some of those lines and cool the face down.

Francesca took my pulse before starting the acupuncture. She could tell a lot more than just whether or not my heart was beating. On the left, she picked up that I’m susceptible to back pain during my cycle. On the right, she could tell that my body wasn’t processing fluids properly. Correct on both accounts.

Needles are also placed in the lower leg to balance your natural energies and make sure not all your blood and energy rushes to your head.

Everyone is different, but for me, the needles didn’t hurt. I could still move my face and legs while the needles were in, without hurting myself, or even feeling them most of the time.

You’re left for twenty minutes before the needles come out. You can use the time to meditate or just relax. I tried to meditate, but my mind kept wandering, so I just relaxed and had some “me” time. After the treatment, I felt more awake; I could already feel that my face had more tone and it felt a lot fresher. Even if you just want something different to a facial, I would recommend this treatment.

A Facial Rejuvenation Treatment is $120, and for the best results it is good to go once a week for ten weeks. There is a discount for purchasing all ten treatments. They also have a member’s option which is cheaper again.

Mi:skn is located at 307 Lord St, Highgate, on the corner of Court St.
http://www.miskn.com
Ph: 0414 277 761

Review by Liv Bambola, pretty in punctured.

Posted in Alternative Therapy, Inner City, North of River, Other, Reviews | Comments Off on Alternative Review: Mi:Skn Cosmetic Acupuncture, Highgate.