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Choosing a treatment at a salon or spa, is like trying to choose what flavour you want at the icecream shop. They all look so yummy, and you know they’ll all make you happy (albeit tinged with possible slight regret in the case of icecream!), so you mentally ‘taste’ them all, licking your lips and thinking about the future experience…

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It’s scenes like these that make me contemplate a Personal Icecream Assistant!

These deliberations of the most fun kind are what I experienced when I was trying to pick a ‘Spa Retreat Package’ at Ella Bache in West Perth, who kindly allowed me to trial one for review.

In the end I decided on a Mind & Body Rebalance ($230) because, like most, it’s something I’m constantly in desperate need of!

The two-hour treatment includes a full body Hot Rocks Massage (a delicious alternative to regular massage as the weather cools down) and Shirodhara Therapy, which involves a stream of oil being poured over your third eye, located between the brows and up towards the hairline.

I’m all about options and customisable treatments, we’re all so different within ourselves on a day-to-day basis, let alone different from each other, that I believe spas and salons REALLY need to make their treatments as bespoke as possible in order to best cater for their clients. With that in mind, I was pleased to be offered the choice between scented and unscented massage. I went for the earthy smelling oils, but am also keen on a scent free massage too, depending on my mood.

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My therapist Maggie did a great job of making sure the rocks were never too hot. At times I thought she might have been a magician, making hot rocks appear out of thin air as I swear her hands never left my body to be able to pick one up!

The highlight of the hot rocks experience was… having my ears massaged! Not with rocks, and just ever so lightly, but I don’t think I’ve ever had that before and my gosh was it dreamy! My little ears must have had a bit of tension pent up in them because they adored the attention.

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Next up, the Shirodhara! But first, a word of warning:

Your hair is going to resemble an oil slick afterwards, plan on being plan-less to capitalise on the goodness of nourishing sesame oil. Your scalp will love it!

During this treatment, a ceramic container is positioned over your ‘third eye’ and oil streams out continuously. It’s a unique feeling, somewhat like a fish nibbling on your forehead! Afterwards I got to take a shower and wash away all the oil (I had somewhere to be!), which was much appreciated. They even provide a hair dryer for you, nice.

The only slight negative to my experience was that it was a little noisy on the Saturday I went in, which meant I couldn’t relax to the full extent that the treatment would have allowed me to. Regardless of that, I felt amazing for the next two days afterwards – very clear and calm.

Haven’t tried a hot rock massage or shirodhara treatment? I certainly recommend it!

Ella Bache West Perth

1260 Hay Street, WEST PERTH, Western Australia, 6005
Ph: (08) 9321 0560
E: ebspa@iinet.net.au

Ella Bache products are available online at StrawberryNET!

If you have tried either of these, or want to, leave a comment!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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I guess this isn’t really a battle per se, I called it that for the sake of being dramatic – which is something I aim to do daily. The fact of the matter is, both masks set out to do entirely different things, so the best way to compare and contrast in this instance, is to break this right on down for you.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

If you’ve got dry, problematic skin that’s suffering from not enough attention or too much exposure to things that are drying it out and making you look a little haggard you want to go for the Ella Bache. It’s thick, it’s creamy and it’s dreamy. Added to this you can just focus on the areas of dryness by only placing the mask on those spots (which is great news if you have combination skin and don’t want to contribute to oiliness). Think of it as an intense moisturizer.

OR

If your skin is as clogged as the shops at Christmas, then you want to cover your face in some Rodial and quite literally draw out and then peel away those impurities that are causing your pores to block.

Pore strip!

Remember those strips you used to put over your nose to remove blackheads (above)? It works just like that, and is super effective, not only helping to remove dirt and excess sebum but contributing to making the surface of your skin feel and look clearer. See my picture below to get the idea of how it works (and how massively fun it is, you can tell by the expression on my face, right guys?)

TIME: For those that don’t have all the time in the world the Ella Bache Hydra-Revitalizing Repair Balm is great for you because you put it on and let it soak in – no rinsing required and you can use as little or as much as you like. 10 minutes tops.

OR

If you’ve got a bit more time up your sleeve, you should get friendly with the Rodial Glamoxy Snake Mask. The black gel that you put all over your face needs to completely dry to get the maximum benefit. 20 minutes total.

FINALLY– if you were mid mask and the doorbell rang do you want to answer it like this

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Or this?

*This picture was just of me with what looked like moisturizer on my face pulling stupid faces. Suffice to say, you couldn’t see anything. You could answer the door embarrassment free.*

My pick? The Rodial just because my skin requires things drawn out of it these days, for those of you that need moisture and elasticity put back into it, you have to get yourself down to the Ella Bache counter today.

And the winner (for me) is…

The Rodial Glamoxy Snake Mask, for getting rid o’ gunk!

Review by Adriane Daff, mask battle umpire.

Note: Rodials animal-testing policy is currently unknown, we are in the process of finding out.

Be well,

xoxo

Everyday Zinc 30+ 50ml rrp $49

I recently met a woman who was in her early 40s, who had the skin of a 25 year old – smooth complexion without a freckle or hardly a wrinkle on her. The woman, who lives in England, surprised me when she told me her secret.

“I never go in the sun, and when I do I use a 30+ sunscreen” she said.

Feeling slightly cheated that I have lived in the Australian sun all my life, and at age 30 my skin is now showing the signs of this with slight wrinkles and a couple of sunspots, I jumped at the chance to try Ella Bache’s Everyday 30+ Protection.

After cleansing your face, apply a small amount to your fingertips and work it to become smooth. With its thick formula, a little goes a long way – so you do get value for money.

Dab onto your face then blend in. I found I looked a little ghostly as it left a slightly white cast over my face, however about 10 minutes later it had absorbed. I did notice that less foundation was required – or could most likely be skipped as you’re left with a nice translucent glow. By the end of the day I hadnt noticed that my face appeared any oilier, as some suncreens can make that happen.

The only cons about this product is that the smell is slightly chemical, and if you don’t shake the product before use you do get a bit of oil seeping out amongst the product (most likely from the lanolin content).

He’s coming for you!

Overall I would recommend this product to anyone seeking an everyday high sun protection. I imagine I would only use it on days when I know majority will be spent outdoors, and with summer upon us – that’s more often!

Using Ella Bache Everyday 30+ Protection, I felt good knowing that I had an ‘invisible shield’ against the sun, without the oilyness you would get just using a sunscreen.

Everyday Zinc 30+ is available at all Ella Baché salons and David Jones stores nationally. For
stockists call 1800 789 234 or visit our location finder at www.ellabache.com.au (Available online at StrawberryNET)

Review by Betty C.

Be well,

xoxo

Sheridan Crofts, The One Thing Music Quiz.

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

I run a music quiz business called The One Thing Music Quiz. It’s something I started from scratch a few years ago and I’m loving it! It’s taken a lot of hard work but there is nothing more rewarding career-wise to work doing something you love and have complete passion for. I provide and host music quiz nights and music quiz activities for pubs and private functions. Sure keeps me busy, but it’s fun and challenging.

Ella Bache Special Eye Creme 30 ml RRP $73

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Well, I do the usual stuff eg. moisturise morning and night, eye cream morning and night and exfoliate twice a week.

Masks would go on once a month or so. I’ve long had an issue with hormonal acne (booooooo) so I don’t like to aggravate my skin by going overboard with what I use. I’m at a stage now (which horrifies me) where I’m moving into the world of anti-aging products so I’m changing the products I use to get the pesky fine lines under control.

Moisturiser: ROC Complete Lift Day Cream and ROC Complete Lift Night Cream
Eye Cream: Ella Bache Special Eye Creme (Available online at StrawberryNET)
Cleanser: Ella Bache Lait Exotique and when I’m lazy Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes (Available online at Ella Bache. I have dark eyelashes, but a blue/black tint makes an amazing difference. I like to go make-up free when possible, so this gives my face a little glam without having to go to the effort of laying on all of the make-up. Bit of gloss, concealer, powder and tinted-up eyelashes and I’m ready to go!

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

I’m very fortunate to have a wonderfully talented friend who does my hair privately so I haven’t visited a salon for eons. I do love the salon experience, but I love spending time with my gorgeous friend more! Colour, snip and gossip!

Ella Bache Revitalisant, 110 mls, RRP $56

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I LOVE Ella Bache’s Revitalisant. I would marry it. It’s a good price for what gets a similar result to a complete facial. It goes on like a mask and it gives your skin a jolly good exfoliation. My skin feels deliciously smooth and fresh afterwards, lovely. (Available online at StrawberryNET)

Chanel Aqualumiere Lip Gloss

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

1) Ella Bache Creme Intex No. 2: I’ve been using this since I was a teenager. For problem skin, it’s a dream. I pop it on at night and it dries up any blemishes over night.

2) Chanel Lip Gloss: I only just discovered this a year ago and I’m converted. It’s so smooth and luxurious, doesn’t taste artificial and it’s Chanel! (Available online at Calvin Klein ‘Summer’ edition One fragrances. They release a new one every summer and I’m the first in line for one. It’s perfect for day wear, smells fresh and citrusy and I always get so many lovely comments about it. Aaaaah.

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

No secrets, but I would NEVER go to bed with make-up on. Big no-no. Oh and drink loads of water. Loads and loads.

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

Yoga is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but I have a lot of trouble clearing my mind enough to get the benefits. I’d also love to spend a whole day at a day spa to unwind, but they cost so much and I can’t justify the expense. Maybe one day when I’m rich! One day…

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Oh dear. I try, I really do! First things first, I always start the day with a fruit and yoghurt smoothie. Banana, berries, orange juice, almonds, LSA, Greek yoghurt – blend, blend, blend and down the hatch. Maybe I’ll have Vegemite toast too, if I’m still hungry.

Then it’s the coffee. I like STRONG coffee, but I limit it to one cup a day. I LOVE to cook, it’s my favourite thing to do aside from my business so I bake, I eat, I bake some more and I eat some more. Sometimes healthy, sometimes indulgent. I generally eat quite well, good wholesome, home-baked food. But being in pubs 4 nights a week, I succumb to pizzas and chippies quite regularly too. I don’t like to watch what I eat to the point where life isn’t fun. You gotta live, right? I do need to cut down on my chocolate intake though. I know this. My dentist does too.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

Oh stop. I’m pathetic at the moment. I used to have a personal trainer. I used to swim. I used to go to the gym. Now? Verging on bugger all.

I walk 2 – 3 times a week, sometimes with a hound, sometimes with a friend. I’ve just bought a bike so I’m starting to ride places. I’m going to go back to swimming which is something I was once very good at. That’s the plan anyway. With having my own business, I’ve found this has been the first part of my life to really take a backseat, but I really need to make it a priority again.

Inner Health Plus!

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

I pop a Vitamin E, fish oil and Inner Health Plus tabbie every day. Vitamin E for my skin, fish oil for my Omega 3’s and Inner Health Plus for my friendly bacteria.

You can catch Sheridan at her music quizzes 5 nights a week at various pubs around town, check it out here!

Be well,

xoxo