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You know those times when all you and your skin crave is just a little nurture and comfort – enter ‘Franc Essential’.

Franc are a West Australian company based in Darlington. They make stunning face and body care products without any chemicals or any other yukky harsh stuff. This is why not only are they treatments for your skin, but also work like aromatherapy and are good for the soul.

I live a very busy life and get up at 4am for my current gig and often go to bed late. My poor face was in need of a bit of TLC, hello ‘Franc Serum’! RRP $72

It’s an intense skin rescue that hydrates and helps to stave off the introduction of those pesky fine lines. Silky and indulgent, it goes a long way so you only need to use the smallest amount. From the first use my skin was glowing and my nerves calmed. In its all consuming aroma I can smell lavender, rose & geranium. It’s calming, healing and just beautiful.

The list of ingredients is like a gorgeous summer menu, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, carrot & macadamia oils and more! It’s got to be jammed packed of vitamins! However as this product is made of oils if your skin is more on the oily side this is not for you.

Now on to my next point – are times when you feel yourself flagging? Well crumple no more my lovelies! These days I just reach for my ‘Lemongrass Balancing Mist’ RRP $18 and give myself a big ol’ pickup!

Reminiscent of day spa’s I’ve visited in Asia this uplifting spray is best carried around in your handbag or the top drawer of your desk. It would also be a skin life saver when flying, making you the envy of the other passengers! On top of being a great pick me up it also prepares your skin to make your moisturiser more effective – clever little thing!

So give your skin and your soul a lift and support a fabulous West Australian company – Franc Essential.

Review by Kristy Mollica freelance TV and radio presenter, lover of girl power, farmers markets & things that are so totally not beige!

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♥ Avocado and Danish Fetta on Toast

Confession time: I. LOVE. AVOCADOS. Maybe not as much as the person above, who clearly wants to take their avocado obsession to the grave – which is cool – but definitely enough to want to eat them every single day.

And what’s not to love? They’re teaming with carotenoids (People consuming diets rich in carotenoids from natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are healthier and have lower mortality from a number of chronic illnesses – source, wikipedia), known to be highly anti-inflammatory (good for arthritis and skin conditions), promote a healthy heart, help prevent against cancer, regulate blood sugar AND taste delicious.

One of my favourite super quick and easy avocado “recipes” is as follows:

♥ 2 slices of Abbott’s light rye
♥ 1/2 an avocado
♥ Small bit of slice-able danish fetta
♥ Indigo Grinds – Caesar Salt

Bread into the toaster, slice up the avo and the danish fetta, when toast is done, spread on the avocado (or place slices, your call), place some sliced danish fetta on top, garnish with the salt grind.

DELICIOUS! Eat and bask in the deliciousness of my favourite snack.

Are you an avocado fiend like me? Let me know if you try this ‘recipe’!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

I think I’ve said before that being spoilt by natural and organic beauty prods is on the top of my non-guilty pleasures list. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been lucky enough to come across 5 new products that have made me swoon/spend many hours locked in my bathroom in beauty heaven. Please allow me to share them with you!

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1. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil – from $21.95

While being excellent for scars, stretch marks and wrinkles, rosehip oil is also the BEST hydration remedy. Like many of us find in the winter months, I’m accustomed to red, tight skin after my nightly shower. I find that rosehip oil over my normal moisturiser before bed restores some of that moisture and I wake up with plump, smoother skin. Handy hint: Pull your hair back off your face so you don’t wake up looking like someone smeared your locks with grease.

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2. Trilogy Face Care Vital Moisturising Cream – $40.95

Another Trilogy love! I’ve recently begun a new job where I’m confined to an office – much to my skin’s disgust. This is causing my skin to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration caused by artificial heating (clever body huh?). This moisturiser has been perfect for everyday use – super hydrating but also light enough for the morning.

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3. Joi Pure Recovery Eye Serum – $35

This product hails from our very own Swan Valley, is 95% certified organic and made from so many yummy ingredients including rose water, rosehip oil, shea butter, green tea and ginseng. If I apply before bed, I wake up and don’t look tired even if I’ve only had 5 hours sleep. Need I say more?

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4. Rejuvenate Beautifying Organic Night Cream – $69.85

This little night cream is incredibly deceiving. At first glance it could be just another organic face cream. However, I’ve been taking this product EVERYWHERE – the texture is beautiful and it’s in a pump bottle that makes it easy for girls on the go. It comes with a little info lanyard that sits around the neck of the bottle with pictures of the ingredients – such a unique idea!

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5. Herbfarmacy Organic Mallow Beauty Balm

Thanks to the lovely Perth organic beauty website Bathing Beauty, this beauty balm has become my new lip balm. I’ve previously been using a popular lip ointment that never really sank in, so didn’t combat dryness and cracking. This beauty balm is made from natural oils that absorb with ease. Use it like Vaseline – on your eyes, lips, cracked elbows…anywhere! I’ve even got my parents hooked.

Written by Ellie Swift, a new graduate in PR and journalism and loving less study/more money.

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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hi, I’m Fallon Jones and I’m a fashion and beauty photographer. I have always been a creative person and so a little over 4 years ago I started my business, Poise Photography. I am a Fully Accredited Member of the AIPP (Australian Institute Of Professional Photography) and I specialise in fashion editorial, model & designer look-books, high-end beauty and fashion advertising. I am also Creative Director at a new luxury Perth-based fashion publication, Èmergent Magazine.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine. 

I use a tinted moisturiser every day to keep my skin hydrated. (a recent favourite is Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion). I like to use a light coverage foundation – Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation with SPF18 sunscreen – because I don’t like anything to heavy on my face. I usually just use a little Ben Nye blush, Napoleon ‘Whole Lotta Lash’ Mascara and Chanel ‘Brilliant Lèvres’ Lipgloss (available at StrawberryNET). Once a week I use an exfoliating glove all over my body.

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

I can’t live without my monthly manicure. Beautiful, flawless nails make you feel like a whole new woman! I go to Jodi Gittos Beauty (0423 763 598), she always does an amazing job.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why? 

I have had the pleasure to work with amazingly talented people in the fashion industry and I’d have to recommend a friend of mine, Zoe, who works at Sachi for Hair. She can make anyone look and feel amazing!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?  

Every week I use Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask on my hair. I use the hairdryer and hair straightener frequently so its a great way to get the moisture back into my hair and keep it shiny and healthy.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Neutrogena Cleansing Wipes, Garnier Ambre Solaire Moisturising Bronzer and my Nivea Repair & Protect Lip Balm.

♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great? 

It sounds cliché, but getting lots of sleep and drinking lots of water really does wonders for your mind and body. A steaming hot shower and full body scrub ensures a comfortable and relaxed night’s sleep!

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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!) 

I’d love to try a hot stone massage. It looks amazing so its definitely on my must-try list.

Ed: Check out our reviews of hot stone massages – one, two & three!

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I don’t really have much of an appetite in the morning so sometimes I skip breakfast (very bad I know!), but most days I have a bowl of oats or avocado on toast with a cup of tea. No two days are the same so I’ll grab some lunch wherever I am, mostly something like Subway or sushi, so I can eat on the run. I always make sure I have a good dinner eg. Chicken, fish or steak with lots of veggies and drink plenty of water.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I used to be a real gym junkie but my hectic schedule threw me off for a while. I’m now starting to get back into going to the gym 2 to 3 days a week. I’ve done all sorts of routines with personal trainers, but I’ve found that I really love cardio work-outs. Spinning is amazing!

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss. 

No, I try to eat healthily so I don’t take supplements but when I’ve been ill I like to take Ethical Nutrients: Inner Health Plus to restore good bacteria and get me feeling good again.

♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

My favourite way to de-stress is shopping! I’ve become an online shopping addict! I also love to curl up in bed with the latest Vogue or Harpers Bazaar and, of course, a good dose of Sex & The City never fails to make me smile!

Many thanks to Fallon for taking the time to share her answers with us!

If you have any questions for her, leave them below!

Be well,

xoxo

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Hello! Did we all enjoy the past week? I hope so 🙂 I’m finding that beauty & wellbeing crushes keep flying at me from all angles… which I guess can only be a good thing, lets jump into this weeks loves shall we?

1. Wonderful Makeup Artists

I find it can be a bit intimidating going up to a gorgeous looking makeup artist in a department store, when you’ve just been working all day, not a speck of makeup left on your face and a fresh zit popping out to say hello to the world. Not to mention the hard sell. Lately I’ve had two fantastic experiences that I’d love to share.

♥ MAC Makeup Counter, David Jones Perth City – I went in here looking for a red lippy that I’d seen my friend pull off beautifully the weekend prior, a lovely girl happily tried on a few colours on me to find the most suitable one and then when I mentioned I was looking for a new foundation too, she tested those and then provided me with two generous sized samples (each lasted about 5 full face applications!). I will DEFINITELY be going back and picking up my new best-match liquid foundation (MAC Studio Sculpt NW 15).

♥ Jane Iredale Makeup, Skin Resus Floreat – a mineral makeup virgin, I went in not sure what to expect. I had such a great experience which you can read more about here! It’s so nice when you find one place you love, let alone two!

2. Hairfree Centre

Having IPL/SPL is definitely one of the best things I’ve done to lower the amount of time I spend on grooming maintenance. While so far I’ve only had my abdomen, bikini line & underarms intense pulse light-ed, I would love to have my upper legs done too! It’s just so convenient! Tell me, have you had it done? I have a bunch of $50 off for your first session vouchers to giveaway for Hairfree Centre in Subiaco, so email me with your address if you’d like one sent out to you, I’d love to share the joy!

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3. The Jojoba Company Prods

I lurve jojoba! I think I have been quite vocal about this in the past. Most nights after a shower I will massage a few drops into my face and wake up with supple skin, however if I use too much, suppleness quickly becomes oiliness. The great thing about these products is the gorgeous packaging design, besides looking like a little like a giant pear drop, the pump is such that you can really control how much product comes out and therefore tread the tender line between glowing and greasy. A big fav of mine!

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4. Benefit Positetint

Alright, I almost can’t rave about this one enough. This is one of the most excellent cheek tint products I’ve come across to suit pale skins, aka, moi. The container/application technique is initially bizarre, you paint a couple of thin lines of fluoro pink nailpolish-esque liquid onto each cheek, then blend.

Unique application aside, this baby has earned itself a position in my “must always own” list due to it’s ability to last all day without reapplication. Even if you only apply a little like I do, one line, the subtle pink will be there when you come home at night, even when the rest of your makeup has long since packed up and left home (your face).

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5. Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm

I have been loving these sweet slicks of colour which contain an abundance of fab ingredients, including olive oil, coconut oil & vege oil. They come in the dreamiest range of shades, my current faves are hibiscus and rose (pictured above) and they are perfecto for everyday use, when you don’t want something TOO over the top, but you still want a lil sumin sumin on your lips. My only qualm with this crush is that it unfortunately contains lanolin (fat from sheeps wool) which I personally prefer to avoid due to lamb love, so Burt’s Bees, you lose a couple of points there – nix the lanolin and you’ll have me as a lifetime devotee of this product!

Be well my cuties!

Annette

xoxo