WA VIP Card Launch = Extravagant Weekend!

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Saturday night saw the launch of the WA VIP Card at The George in the CBD.

Wellness WA is working hand in hand with the card, we are in charge of getting all of the excellent beauty, health & wellbeing businesses on board the card so that they can provide a discount to our members! E-mail beauty@wavipcard.com.au for more information if you are interested! Also, mention Wellness WA if you purchase a card and it will help us all out!

So back to the night in question, with nothing to wear I had to run out and pick up a new dress (Cue!) and heels which set me back a bit. And then the make-up and hair, oh dear!

I picked up some Bloom nailpolish in 2 shades: Amber & Edie ($29.95 for two)

“Amber”

This is the one I chose for the evening, the Bloom polish has really stayed on my nails and I’m impressed with the consistency and look of it. There is also a BAJILLION colours to select from, so I do recommend you check em out in Myer!

Post-shopping I ventured over to my monthly massage @ Cove Spa to unwind but I had a dilemma… shonky eyebrows! This just wouldn’t do for the evening ahead so I asked / pleaded nicely and the girls accommodated me easily and I had a tidy up before the massage, which was lovely as usual. Yay!

Then it was time to sort out a wash & blow dry for my dirty, messy hair (charming, I know). I tried 3 places before actually getting in somewhere, Saturday afternoon is big for hair appointments – who knew?! Well, I probably should have!

I wasn’t 100% impressed with the service I received at the particular salon, the woman was very off with the fairies and didn’t seem to be paying that much attention to what she was doing. However it WAS late in the day, they were very busy and I was lucky to actually get an appointment… plus the result turned out okay so I dealt with it, but try not to get myself into a situation where I’d have to go there again!

After that it was time to nap & then get ready. The night was lovely and we drank champagne with strawberries and blueberries to up the “Wellness Factor” ;), watched Bob Evans rock out a little and had prom photos taken!

Today is porridge, watermelon & green tea for breakfast & a yoga class Tonight to help work out the weekends alcoholic sins.

How was your weekend?! Any beauty treats? I’d love to hear about it!

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Beauty Salon, Day Spa, Events, Hairdresser, Inner City, Reviews, South of River | 1 Comment »

Daily Wellness Routine: Nici Ward, Mum, Musician & Personal Trainer / Owner at Move for Good.

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

My name’s Nici and I’m a Mum, musician and I run my own Personal Training business – Move For Good. I started out with a trainer over 5 years ago and fell in love with feeling strong and capable! I’m a Mum of two boys so keeping up with them and being able to maintain a busy lifestyle is super important. I wanted to be able to provide a fitness and
movement service for people who, like myself, weren’t really fitting in with mainstream gym culture but wanted to train and gain strength and confidence.

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

4am and between 7 and 9 hours sleep.

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

I get up with my alarm. No snooze! Haha! I shower and get dressed for work then grab something to eat, usually Weetbix and protein powder with oat milk and a coffee. I usually have early clients so I’m always preparing the night before, kids school lunches packed and my breakfast is usually there ready to go (:

Describe a typical day of eating for you (Drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert – the whole lot!)

I’ve been working with an incredible nutritionist @cinfit_coaching to help me with an easy and accessible eating program. My struggle is always being time poor and her approach is very straight forward and no fuss. Its also realistic for a working Mum with a family as far as cost and easy to find products etc.

I don’t subscribe to diet culture and fads. Education and consistency is key for me.

I have my Weetbix and protein milk, sometimes with fresh or frozen berries for breakfast. A coffee (soy latte). Then mid morning I’ll have a piece of fruit and a yoghurt. Lunch is usually some sort of protein with a wholegrain wrap or brown rice as well as a bunch of veggies.

Afternoon snack is usually some nuts and another small piece of fruit. And dinner is genuinely some type of protein with salad and corn or potatoes or something like that. I love curry or our family favourite is nachos. I load heaps of veggies in 🙂

But that’s just for convenience. If I’m out I’ll eat whatever makes me feel good. I don’t drink any alcohol and haven’t for over two and a half years now as it doesn’t do me any good. Makes me feel garbage mentally and physically and there’s no way I could enjoy my life and all the things I’ve got going on if I did.

♥ Fenty Matchstix

Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?

I love skin care and makeup, I always have. Growing up in a show biz family I was always spending time with my mum in the bathroom watching her put her make up on and watching her routine.

I us GO-TO products and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue both from Mecca. For daily make up I use Nars natural radiant long wear foundation. Fenty Matchstix bronzer and highlighter, Nars blush & mascara.

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

I take Vitamin D, iron and Bioceuticals Ultra Muscleze Magnesium for bed which has been amazing to help me unwind and get excellent sleep.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

I usually race around like an idiot trying to get everything done before I go to bed, lots of prep for the next day, try my best to put the house back together to start fresh for the next day and go through anything I need to remember to do for tomorrow.

What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?

MIND! See a psych, look after your mind. There’s no shame in medication to help you with your mental health. I’m ADHD and on medication and its been an absolute game changer.

MOVE! Find movement that you love and that makes you feel good!

CONSISTENCY! None of these things work if you don’t put them into practice and be consistent. I think wellness is more about treating your mind and your body well and giving it a good foundation to get you through your life and get the most out of it. Fads don’t really serve me, Ive found my body feels and is at its best when Ive been consistently treating it well.

♥ Satchmo by Tori Lill

Your absolute favourite healthy cafe in Perth is?

Satchmo.

Favourite farmers market or healthy place to shop for healthy goodies.

We have a lovely place up in Mundaring, Hills Fresh, that always has really lovely produce.

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

I like weights, strength and conditioning. Ive recently tried EMS suit training which I really enjoyed and I love whole body vibration for an intense workout as well as recovery.

♥ Nu Form LS Top & Shorts!

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

Nu Form.

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

I love a good micro dermabrasion for a little pick me up. But the best beauty for me is to be moving and feeling hydrated & healthy.

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

Float tank! I have a voucher I need to use (:

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

No, I have a beautiful friend that does my tarot sometimes and its so nice, I find it really reassuring in a comforting kind of way, but Im not really into that kind of stuff usually. I ask too many questions!

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?

Move and eat well. Stay hydrated and wear something you feel rad in. I don’t subscribe to cramming or crash ANYTHING. I would just try to look after myself as best as I can.

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

I’d probably go and get a massage at Endota Spa and then lunch at Satchmo.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

Ummm a girlfriend and I dream and plot about going and staying at some fancy retreat somewhere on the central coast and getting massages and drinking yummy drinks and eating all the food and not doing any dishes. That’d make me feel pretty well!

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

Keep Moving, drink water, don’t sweat the small stuff and eat to live!

Thank you so much to sweet cutie Nici for taking part in our daily wellbeing interview – to find out more about Nici & MOVE FOR GOOD you can visit her website, Instagram, or Facebook.

Posted in Interviews | Comments Off on Daily Wellness Routine: Nici Ward, Mum, Musician & Personal Trainer / Owner at Move for Good.

The 4 Best Vegan Vitamin C Serums For Seriously Glowing Skin.

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With warm weather well on the way, there’s no better time to include a vitamin C serum (vegan, of course!) into your daily skincare routine.

The benefits of doing so are great and varied, my skin has personally never been glowier since I’ve been trialling my top picks below, but don’t just take my word for it – the OFFICIAL (read: scientifically proven) benefits list include the following…

♥ Antioxidant-rich, so can prevent free radical damage to the skin
♥ Supports collagen & elastin production / preservation
♥ Brightens and evens out skin tone

Over the past 6-12 months I have been trialling A Whole Lotta Serums and below you’ll find my absolute favourite, top 4 that stood out above the rest – come along on a glowy journey with me allow me to share my findings – your skin will thank you.

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♥ Synergie Skin Effica C Essential Vitamin C Serum – $125

This has become my go-to during Spring – the product is creamy & thick enough to spread easily across your entire face + neck + decolletage (the package says use 1 pump, but I prefer 2 to get full coverage of these 3 areas).

It’s an absolute treat to apply, and really FEELS like it’s working. It doesn’t have the tingle of the previous product, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack a punch. Effica-C has been carefully designed to have moderate to high potency, but a ‘low irritation profile’ – in simple terms, the product does its brightening thing while being ultra gentle on the skin. Perfect for those new to the Vitamin C game, but who are wanting a product that feels good, works, and is backed up by loads of science.

Recommended for all skin types. Add to cart immediately.

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♥ Mukti Vitamin Booster Vital C Elixir – $116.95

If natural, organic and absolutely DELICIOUS smelling skincare is what you’re looking for in life, then Mukti has you sorted for the rest of your days. The first time I used the Mukti Vitamin Booster Vital C Elixir I was instantly obsessed with the scent. I swear to you that this serum smells -exactly- like Sherbies. Yep, I’m talking about the little orange and blue sherbet candy that was definitely the cause of more than a few sugar highs when I was younger.

This delish scent makes applying the milky white drops an absolute delight, although it might have you craving something sweet. When I’m feeling like my skin needs something more natural, or I’m not wanting anything too intense – this candy-scented elixir is my go-to, plus, it’s certified organic, nut free, gluten free, vegan and cruelty free (always) and packaged in biophotonic glass to help the product last as long as possible.

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♥ Efani Speisialtóir Vitamin C & E Serum – $99.95

The tingly sensation experienced with Efani’s vitamin C serum lets you know that they’ve spared nothing in terms of including super active ingredients, it’s 20% pure vitamin C, and you can feel it get to work straight away. The tingling only lasts around 5-10 seconds and leaves a slightly dry feeling on my face due to the potent active ingredients, so I’d recommend applying your favourite moisturiser a few minutes after application.

For a slightly more gentle & multi-tasking application during the day – add it to your favourite SPF moisturiser and then apply – this ended up being my favourite way to use this product.

How I use it: I add 2-3 drops to Mecca’s To Save Face SPF 30+ and gently rub into my face, neck and decolletage. I can hand on heart say that when using this regularly – along with hot yoga & green smoothies, of course – my skin has a glow to it that it otherwise wouldn’t. I very often find myself rummaging in my skincare box for the little amber vial so I can get my face tingle on. Highly recommended!

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♥ Peggy Sue AM Vitamin Serum – $68

If you’re looking for a super lightweight & spreadable vitamin C serum, which I often am, then the Peggy Sue AM Vitamin Serum could just be your new bestie. I found this light & hydrating enough to use morning or night, and a much more gentle option than the more science-backed serums. No tingles here, but what you will get is a fresh glow and dewy skin which will make you feel a million bucks. There’s also added vitamin A & B for good measure, too.

Cleanse, apply the silky serum, follow with SPF in the morning (or just leave as is if applying in the evening), apply your fave vegan tinted moisturiser or foundation, a touch of blush and you’re good to glow for the rest of the day.

In conclusion…

Currently I prefer to take a ‘skin cycling’ approach to my vitamin C serums, to ensure my skin gets a bit of a break from the more active serums, and also gets to enjoy the benefits of all four products.

I’ll start my week with the Synergie Skin Effica C, followed the next day by the Mukti Vital C Elixir which is a little gentler, then give my skin one day off in between, followed up by the Efani Speisialtóir the next day & then the Peggy Sue AM Vitamin Serum the day after that. Weekends depend on what I feel my skin needs most that day – more moisture, something gentle, or something more active. I find this works a treat for my skin, and I hope this article has been helpful!

If you have any vitamin C related questions, or have any questions about any of these products – feel free to come and hang out with me on Instagram and send me a DM!

Be well,

Netty

xoxo

* All products provided for consideration, all opinions are my own.

Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews, Vegan | Comments Off on The 4 Best Vegan Vitamin C Serums For Seriously Glowing Skin.

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.

Posted in Makeup, Reviews, Wellness Tips | Comments Off on Our Favourite Vegan & Cruelty-Free Skincare and Makeup Must-Haves in 2022.

Daily Wellness Routine: Nina Gelbke / Naturally Nina, Vegan Nutritionist, Influencer, & Recipe Creator

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

My name is Nina, I am an accredited Nutritionist (from Endeavour College of Natural Health) and Sports Nutritionist, as well as CrossFit Coach and recipe developer from Western Australia with a big passion for all things food and nutrition, fitness and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

I spend most of my time training or coaching in the gym, working with clients one-on-one for their nutrition goals, and in the kitchen whipping up delicious and wholesome food, as well as sharing nutrition education, recipes and breaking down misinformation on my Instagram @naturally_nina_ and website.

What time do you go-to bed & wake up most days / how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I go to bed early and get up early, aiming for about 8 hours a night but it definitely doesn’t always happen as sleeping has always been something I’ve struggled with unfortunately!

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Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I eat a lot! I’ve learnt that this is super important to support my training and if I don’t prioritise eating enough, my performance, recovery and energy levels definitely suffer.

Before training I’ll usually have some toast with nut butter, banana and cinnamon plus a coffee.

During training I’ll drink electrolytes and sometimes have some lollies or dried fruit if needed.

Breakfast post training will be overnight oats or quinoa flake porridge with soy milk, flaxmeal, plant protein powder, plus banana, berries and nut butter.

For lunch I’ll usually have leftovers from dinner, a wrap with tofu, salad and hummus, or a sushi bowl type meal.

Afternoon snack will be a big smoothie, or a Fodbods bar with fruit.

If I’m training again I may have something extra too, like rice cakes with nut butter and banana.

Dinner really varies, but often looks like a tofu veggie stir fry with rice, falafel with sweet potato, toasted veg and hummus, chickpea pasta or bean chilli with rice and guacamole.

I always have something sweet after dinner too, maybe something I’ve baked, or some yoghurt with berries and granola!

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

I do CrossFit training and Olympic weightlifting, usually training once or twice a day for 5 days a week, plus 1 active recovery day (usually a swim!) and 1 rest day a week. I absolutely love everything about CrossFit, how much it challenges me mentally and physically, how much it helps me grow and get stronger, and the community that comes with it.

♥ Naturally Nina wearing Fortify Gear

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

I absolutely love Fortify Gear. An Australian owned branded with super comfy, well fitting activewear that I pretty much live in – in and out of the gym!

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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 a good remedial massage especially during big weeks of training when I’m feeling a bit sore! My go-to is Joyce Remedial in Dunsborough – he’s the best!

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

I would absolutely love to start incorporating regular ice baths and saunas into my recovery routine, but haven’t really found a place nearby to offer this just yet!

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

Honestly, focus on doing more of the things that make you feel good! Whatever those things are for you. Eating food that you enjoy and makes you feel your best, moving your body in a way that you love, spending time outdoors and around people that light you up – that’s the real secret to feeling great!

Another tip is keeping your brain happy with ongoing learning and education. Might seem like a strange one but I personally find this so important to my overall health and wellbeing. I’ve been loving the new short courses that Endeavour College offer for keeping up learning about nutrition and health, as well as regular professional development and educational podcasts both in the nutrition and fitness space.

Thanks to Nina for sharing her lovely wellness routine! If you’d like to keep up to date with her incredible vegan recipes & Crossfit inspo – head on over to her website & Instagram.

Be well,

xoxo

Posted in Interviews | Comments Off on Daily Wellness Routine: Nina Gelbke / Naturally Nina, Vegan Nutritionist, Influencer, & Recipe Creator