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

I’m 26 years old and am a freelance makeup artist, you can check out my Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/GabriellaSidhuMakeUp and am also in my 3rd year of studying architecture at UWA. I love being creative!

Gabi at work

I have an amazing fiance and 2 gorgeous cats who act more like people! I have a pretty mixed background. I was born in Malaysia to an Irish mum (who spent a lot of her childhood in Kuwait) and an Indian/English Dad. We moved to Australia when I was 9.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine. (please include specifics about brands/products used)

It changes all the time but at the moment I am using:

1. MOKOSH Face Cleansing Powder (amazing Fremantle- based brand which is organic and fair trade) followed by
2. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
3. Clarins Hydraquench Cooling Cream-Gel. (I use this in Summer and in Winter change to a thicker moisturiser)

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

I have an auto-immune disease called Lupus which prevents me from staying out in the sun for more than 5 minutes at a time (if I do I get dizzy, sick, nauseous and fatigued) so I tend to get spray-tans quite a bit! I go to Beaute in Paris in Gwelup.

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

My amazing hairdresser Sharon who now works from home and whom I’ve been seeing since I was 19. She is just amazing at hair and is so intuitive. My mum, sister, fiance, brother-in-law, 3 good friends, good friend’s mother and sister-in-law ALL go to her. I’m too selfish to give out her details because she is so busy already!!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

After going to Beauty College this summer, I now give myself manicures and pedicures which saves so much! I always make sure I take time out to do them and include a mask, exfoliation scrub and moisturiser. If anyone would like a mani or pedi I also do appointments so feel free to contact me!

♥ Moroccan Oil – RRP $49.50

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

1. The first one is actually a perfume! The Eau de Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez (Available from StrawberryNET for cheaps!). I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve purchased this!

2. St Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Face Tan (Can they count as one?). I’m not a tanorexic I promise, I just like to have a bit of colour. If anyone would like any hints for applying self tan:

♥ Wear gloves (I buy the bulk latex ones from the chemist)
♥ Make sure to exfoliate beforehand and don’t shave your legs (if you do) until AFTER you’ve applied the fake tan – for example the next morning. That way the tan doesn’t get into the hair follicle and you don’t have that “dotty” leg look!

3. Lastly, Moroccan Oil for my hair. I apply it to the tips everytime I wash my hair and it really does wonders for dryness and split ends.

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

Fake tan? Haha, I’m kidding!
They’re not really secret but drinking loads of water really does make you feel wonderful and your skin glows!
Getting regular massages also not only leaves you feeling amazing and relaxed but your skin looks great afterwards due to the increased circulation. I always get one where they use oils and try to leave the oil on for as long as possible afterwards so it soaks in and leaves the skin feeling moisturised and soft.

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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’ve ALWAYS wanted to go on a spa weekend! The kind where you have every type of beauty treatment imaginable, eat only clean, fresh, detoxing food and spend it with great friends.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

It is about to change as I have just started an Ayurvedic diet but it is normally:

Breakfast: Swiss muesli with greek yoghurt, berries, honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I drink a tall glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar added in the mornings. Sounds disgusting but you get used to it!

Lunch: Generally a sandwich with a protein either chicken or fish and veggies.

Afternoon Snack: A smoothie – either a green smoothie or if I’m feeling like something heavier I will use banana, almond milk, oats, honey, cinnamon, ginger or along those lines.

Dinner: Usually an asian meal like a stir-fry or a curry/dahl.

I also tend to have something sweet after dinner like chocolate. I have such a sweet tooth!

I finish my night off with a calming cup of chamomile tea which is the only tea/coffee I drink throughout the day I’ve just realised!

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I don’t have a specific routine but again due to my Lupus I have to take it quite easy as my joints are quite arthritic. I stick to low-impact stuff like yoga, walking, cycling and swimming. I just need to make sure I do some everyday.

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

As mentioned I’ve just started seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner so have been given some herbal concoctions to drink and oils to use externally so I can’t comment on how they work just yet! Up till now I have been taking Fish Oil and Glucosamine everyday (but have learnt that flaxseed oil would be a much better alternative for me), iron supplements, apple cider vinegar and valerian root, which helps allow you to have a good nights sleep.

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

Definitely a massage! Spending time with my fiance and cats also de-stresses me. I think being around people you love helps so much.

Thanks to Gabriella for taking the time to share her beauty & wellness routine with us! You can find her makeup services on Facebook!

Be well,

xoxo