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

I am a full-time student currently in my last semester of a double degree in Communications and Commerce at UWA. For the past 4 years I have also done some part-time modeling to help see me through my university studies. Recently I took part in the Western Australian heats for the Australian Miss Universe Competition 2011 and have been selected as 1 of 6 finalists to represent Western Australia at the national finals in Melbourne later this year.

Most recently I was fortunate enough to be able to take part in the Royal Queensbury Corporate Boxing Challenge where I got to combine my love for boxercise with a fabulous cause- raising funds and sponsorship through my fight for Toybox International; a fundraiser for sick and disadvantaged children.

I am your typical active aussie girl; i love going to the beach, exercising, living a healthy lifestyle and spending time with my family and friends.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use the Clinique 3-step skin routine where i cleanse tone and moisturise everyday.
In the mornings before I apply any make-up I will always apply a sunscreen or moisturiser with UVA and UVB protection to my face and neck as I am naturally quite fair and the Australian sun is so strong! I sometimes find that sunscreen will sweat off in summer, however I have found that Ella Bache zinc foundation (Available online at StrawberryNET) is a good product that is long-lasting with good coverage.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Being a blonde with long hair I find it essential to get good hair strengthening and softening treatments. I have found that Kerastase treatments work the best on me and I like to get them done whenever I get my hair done at the salon.

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

I have had a few hairdressers that I have tried in Perth however currently I am going to (and loving) Circles Of Subiaco Hair Salon. The team of hairdressers are all fabulous and I also love the vibe at the salon.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

When I am at home and feel like I need a bit of TLC (on a student budget) I’ll opt to do my own manicures and pedicures. I think that looking after your hands and feet is really important and they are often overlooked even though they are a body part that we use on a daily basis! My grandma and mum have always stressed the importance of having nice looking nails so my favourite at home hand and nail treatment is Dr Lewinn’s hand and and foot scrub and cuticle oil. The hand polish leaves my hands and feet feeling silky smooth and cuticle treatments keeps the skin around my nails and nails looking nice 🙂

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate -$52

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

Stila Lip and cheek stain – This product reacts with the natural pigmentation on your skin and formulates a natural and complementary colour to your own skin tone. On me it gives a natural and healthy looking glow that i love!

Nars bronzer (in Laguna): Rather than expose my face to the sun, I will opt for a (fake) bronze look which I can achieve with this product. I have found of all the bronzers that I have tried, Laguna bronzer by Nars gives a really natural glowing look.


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

Eat healthy, regular exercise, drink lots of water and ALWAYS wear sunscreen! I am a firm believer of the saying ‘we are what we eat’! If you are putting bad things into your body this will reflect on the outside. Likewise if you maintain a healthy balance in your eating habits and lifestyle this will make you glow from the inside out.

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

I have never had a facial and would absolutely love to try it!

I think I have been put off by some people who have had bad experiences, not to mention the price. However I now have a friend who has regular facials who has recently explained to me the process and the benefits. I feel more confident and curious about trying one now.

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

A typical day of eating for me incorporates at least 3 good meals and in-between snacks.
I always start my day with a hearty breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to me and my favourite and without it I can’t function. Most mornings I will have rolled oats with natural yoghurt and berries or I will make my own bircher with grated apple, nuts and cinnamon.

For lunch it is usually a good serving of protein such as chicken or tuna, with salad in a wrap or on wholegrain bread. If I am in a rush I also like to get sushi and miso soup.
The biggest habit that I try and maintain in my eating is to cut carbs out at night. Although occasionally I will enjoy gnocchi, pasta or share a pizza (I love Italian) I mostly eat fish such as salmon, chicken breast or lean cuts of beef, pork or lamb with salads, beans and steamed vegetables.

During the day I will snack on nuts, fruit, carrot sticks and muesli bars.
I limit myself to one coffee a day (usually soy as I have found that as blood type o I can be susceptible to bloating with dairy).

Although I eat quite healthily, my mum is a chef so I have been brought up around good food and do like to enjoy indulgences from time to time. If I am craving something I allow myself to have it. I love banana bread and dark chocolate!

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I am quite an active and busy person walking around campus when I am at uni and on my feet when I am at work. However I also always make time to exercise and schedule this in so I can stick to a good routine. I have always been a gym-goer, participating in a range of different classes and running.

However for my Miss Universe training i took part in 3-5 boxercise classes a week at ‘The Ring’ in Northbridge and 1-2 classes of pilates at the Pilates Fitness Institute of WA. If I’m feeling a bit tired I listen to my body and allow myself a rest. Ill either take the time to put my feet up or opt for a walk instead.

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

Currently I am not taking part in any alternative therapies, but I like to use natural remedies and supplements when I can.

I find that a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables will provide me with many of the nutrients I need, but just to make sure I take a Swisse Womans Ultivite everyday.

As I am very busy I will also take a Vitamin B supplement if I’m feeling more tired than usual. Recently I have been trying Acai berry puree because it is full of anti-oxidants and when I’m feeling stressed I’ll use Bach Flower Rescue Remedy drops.

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

To relax I cant go past a long hot bath or a massage. When I am feeling stressed having the ability to turn off and stop thinking about the things that are causing that stress makes me feel better. To do this i do stuff where i can lose myself – whether this is going for a walk along the beach, sitting down with a good book or going to have a coffee with a friend. Of course being organised by having a diary, eating healthy, doing exercise and getting enough sleep helps prevent the stress from developing in the first place.

Thank you for taking part in our interview Ashlea! Please leave any questions below!

Be well,

xoxo

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Today we’re going to get a little bit hippie on you and suggest some of our new found favourite eco and earth lovin prods! Some of them smell like nature, some of them make sure our animal friends stay safe and some of them have a low environmental impact. They’re all winners in their own way… so throw on your hemp tee, grab some used-tire sandals and follow me into the wonderful world of earthy delights.

First stop, a firm fave for many years: LUSH! They use use fruit and veggies, essential oils, and synthetic ingredients (this means minimal animal harm!) in all products. All lush products are vegetarian! In addition to not using animal fats in their prods, they are also test on people, not bunnies 🙂

Lush Cosmetics – Grass Shower Gel RRP $9.95-$34.95

Flip the cap and take a whiff, showering with this will make anyone believe you’ve spent all day rolling around in a pile of freshly mown lawn clippings. The uplifting scent gets me going in the morning, and there’s also real wheatgrass in there, so it’s almost as good as gulping a shot of the bad tasting (butohsogoodforyou) stuff. Almost.

Hottie Massage Bar – RRP $9.95

Jojoba, cocoa butter, shea butter, vanilla absolute, black pepper and ginger oil are the ingredients that make this ultra melty massage bar so good for post-workout soreness. SUPER SENSITIVE SKINS BEWARE THOUGH! While I adored having this massaged onto me thanks to an obliging boyfriend, his super sensitive eczema prone skin had other ideas and unfortunately became irritated after using it. I also have sensitive skin and was fine, so if you’re unsure, maybe test some on your skin down at your local Lush shoppe and wait a day to see if you’re safe. I hope you are, because this is a real treat.

Body Shop Earth Lovers range

Coming in delectable flavours such as pear and lemongrass, fig and rosemary and my personal favourite apricot and basil, this new range by The Body Shop is made with 100% recyclable plastic bottle, no sulphates, parabens, colourants or soap AND the gel itself is 100% biodegradable! The gorgeous scents pack a punch and that makes this one of my favourite new ‘good for the Earth’ prods 🙂 At only $14.95 you could treat yourself to a couple as well.

Echolife Macrobiotic sea salt bath crystals!

I am enjoying these baths sooooo much lately, and given we are on the edge of Autumn-Winter, it feels so lovely to slip into a warm, steamy tub. I must admit, I don’t know too much about macrobiotics, but these salts claim to be an excellent way of absorbing all the minerals the sea contains in balance.

I am not kidding when I tell you that until Yesterday I hadn’t been to the ocean in about 2 years! If you’re like me and don’t get down to the beach often enough, or are unable to due to living nowhere near one, then I think a sea salt bath is the next best thing. Just writing about this is making me want to go turn on the taps… 🙂

Endota Organic Honey & Cinnamon Lip Balm – RRP $17

Now to some organic lip smackin’ goodness. This honey and cinnamon lip balm is iiiiiiincredible! Tastes like a chai tea for the lips, or honey cinnamon toast. Perfect for this weather we are currently having! This yummy critter can be found on my lips on a daily basis. I recommend! You can check out the scent for yourself in the city David Jones 🙂

That’s all for now my loves, if you have any suggestions for great eco products we should take a look at then leave a comment!

Happy rainy Tuesday!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Francesca!

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

I’ve recently returned from living in the UK for 10 yrs, where I trained as an Acupuncturist. About a year ago I fulfilled my dream of opening a dedicated Cosmetic Acupuncture Clinic. Mi:skn Clinic was born from a desire to offer a natural and holistic alternative to more invasive cosmetic procedures, it is the first clinic in Perth to specialize in cosmetic acupuncture. I love my job and I love meeting people, there’s nothing better than going to work with a smile on my face every morning.

mi:skn range, available in-salon.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Mi:skn Clinic has its own skincare range, so it makes sense that I use Mi:skn products. All our skincare is completely natural and organic and is made in small batches here in Perth, I love to know exactly what I am putting on my face. My skin routine is very simple I do the same both day and night; firstly cleanse with Mi:skn’s Revitalizing Gel Cleanser, spray some Antioxidant Mist and then before it dries follow with a few drops of Rejuvenating Serum. I also pat a little Rescue Eye Gel under my eyes to keep dark circles at bay and sort out any morning puffiness.

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

I try to have regular back and neck massages, with my work I can get pretty sore muscles at the end of the day. I love the Aromatherapy Massage at Nature’s Hideaway in Mt Lawley.

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

I am so happy I have found Gemma at Christian James Hairdressers in Mt Lawley. She is not afraid to really chop into my hair and go short. I have recommended her to a lot of people, the other day someone stopped me to ask who cut my hair – I was very flattered – well, I assumed they were admiring my haircut and not trying to avoid the salon! aha.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I just don’t have the time to do home treatments. But I’ll let you in on a little ancient Chinese Medicine beauty secret. To reduce sun damage and discolouration simply boil some organic milk until a skin forms, store the skin on a saucer in the fridge, when cold apply the milk skin to discoloured areas for 10 minutes. Repeat weekly.

Alkoomie Organic Bloom – $78.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products? Oh that’s easy:

1. Mi:skn Rejuvenating Serum
2. Alkoomie Organic Bloom roll on perfume
3. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.

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

Eat well, limit sun exposure and always remove make-up thoroughly.

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

I have been told I should try Cranial Sacral Therapy to sort out my back. I have a recommendation for a practitioner in Fremantle, but to be honest it’s too far for me to go. Has anyone got any suggestions?

The only word that comes to mind is “yes”.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I have been put on a special diet by my naturopath, so for the time being I start the day with half a cup of organic porridge cooked in oat milk and water and sprinkled with crushed nuts. I have nuts for morning snacks.

Lunch is usually a salad with some egg or tuna and a couple of ryvita. More snacks in the afternoon (popcorn, nuts, organic cornchips) and for dinner some pasta or meat/fish with salad or veg. No sugar, no dairy, no yeast and no processed foods – all my favourite foods!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I am afraid there is no routine. I walk loads at the weekend, sometimes 2-3 hrs. Does walking up two flights of stairs three times a day count?

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

At the moment I am seeing Dr. Kitty Campion (she is awesome) she is primarily a herbalist, but also a naturopath and iridologist. I take multivitamins and probiotics, I am a strong believer in prescribed supplements, the stuff off the shelf just isn’t potent enough.

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

I love to sit in Hyde Park and watch the world go by, it has a lovely energy and really calms me.

Please leave any questions below! We also did a review of mi:skn clinic that you can find here.

Be well,

xoxo

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Despite what you may think, it’s not every day that I get to treat myself to a spa package. I made a promise with myself that when Wellness WA reached 1,000 fans on Facebook, I would book in for a bit of pampering, and lucky for me that milestone came around a couple of weeks ago – double yay! (We are now at 1,060!!!)

My treatment of choice was the ‘Retreat for One’ at Bodhi J which included a half hour of luxurious relaxation in the geisha spa (complete with fruit, choccie & champagne or juice) and then a full body aromatherapy massage afterwards… $125 for this hour and a half of bliss feels so worth it.

I love Bodhi J. I always have a great time there, the staff are a delight and all seem to be experts at their craft (making you feel amazing). Add in the little extras like fresh frangipani flowers, up to date magazines and their preference for organic product ranges and you’ve got yourself a huge winner.

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The geisha spa was divine and came complete with the expected warm, bubbly goodness as well as some Li’tya dead-sea mud, which is far more appealing than it sounds! The spa is also recommended to be experienced au naturale (!!).

After spa time was over (sad face), it was onto the next course… massage (happy face). Again, personalised treatments add that special touch and my body was most drawn to the ‘uplift’ aromatherapy oil on the day.

This treatment would be even more incredible in Winter, as I was pretty warm after the spa and it lasted throughout the massage.

The treatment room I was in had two spas and two massage tables, which makes it perfectly suited for a romantic treat or a spa day with a close friend, (or a complete stranger if you like, who am I to judge!)

My ‘Retreat for One‘ was well worth it at $125, and hopefully I can hit another milestone soon so I can book in again for some more relaxing me time 🙂

Have I made you want a retreat? I am making myself want another one just re-reading over this!

Contact Bodhi J

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

ph: (08) 9387 5152
fax: (08) 9387 4548

admin@bodhij.com.au

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Julie Quach, Owner of Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary.

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

I was born in WA, 27 years ago. I went to Curtin Business School and finished a double degree in Marketing and Communications. At the age of 21, I started my own business, and I have never looked back. I’m quite simple in the sense that I know what is important in life and I am realistic about my goals and direction. I’ve always had a passion for beauty, anyone who knows me can vouch for that! It only seemed natural that I used my degree as a base, and mixed in my passion, to help shape and create my life. Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary isn’t work for me at all, it might sound really cliché but when you do something you really love there are no boundaries, just abundance.

Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist – $28

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Ok, well as you can image my bathroom is FULL of product, and I am usually “researching” (aka testing) for new brands to put on the site. At the moment, these are the products I am using:

Both morning and evening, my skin cleansing routine consists of:

Cleanser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Wash
Toner: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Facial Mist
Serum: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Purifying Palmarosa Facial Serum
Moisturiser: Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream
Eyes: Neal’s Yard Remedies White Tea Toning Eye Gel

When I cleanse I always massage from behind the ears and down to the clavical to drain the lymph nodes.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub – $40

I also like to treat my skin at least twice a week using these two products interchangeably:

♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Honey and Orange Facial Scrub
♥ Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Face Mask

As for makeup, one of my favourite products would have to be RMS Beauty’s Un-cover Up. This product is UN-BELIEVEABLE. This product is perfect for ladies who are after natural, dewy looking skin, without having to wear too much makeup.

My current primer is Alison Raffaele’s Age Response Primer. You have to feel it to believe it – it seriously gives you the MOST silky skin.

RMS- Living Luminiser, a cult product – $53

I always use RMS LIP2CHEEK- Smile and Rapture. RMS Beauty’s MOMENT lip shine, and the Living Luminiser are great for highlighting the cheeks also.

I don’t tend to use a lot of product on my eyes unless I’m going out. When I do choose to wear some colour, I always reach for the RMS Beauty Cream Eye Shadow SEDUCE.

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without?

My weekly facial.

♥ And your favourite place to have it done?

I prefer to do them myself in my bathroom, only because I am very particular when it comes to my skin and products.

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

Hairloom in Osborne Park – Candice or Connie. They are super talented and beautiful people. They’re always traveling for work as they’re in high demand. Not many people know, but they are usually over east for fashion week, exercising their talents backstage.

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

My natural manicure for sure!

The Japanese Wash Cloth – $29

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

Not Fair, there are so many!!!

If I have to choose, I will go with these 3…

1. RMS Beauty’s Living Luminiser
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Frankincense Hydrating Cream (one of Neal’s Yard’s best selling products)
3. Japanese Wash Cloth.

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

Exercise daily – it makes such a difference to your emotional state, I feel like ME when I work out. Its empowering and you can feel confident in anything. Mediation helps me to center and focus in the mornings. My days are very busy so if I don’t take a moment to just slow down I feel a little out of whack! Before bed try thinking about 5 things that you are grateful for, from that day. It can be anything! Even the smallest thing, as long as it has elevated you, it’s important to acknowledge.

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

Kefir, a probiotic rich food made from fermented milk.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Normally, breakfast consists of kefir and oats or a Protein shake, and coffee at the office with my beloved nespresso! I eat a healthy big lunch around 1pm. I always make sure I have some protein with salad. A snack of fruit at 4pm keeps me going until my light dinner at 7pm. I really try and stay away from carbs especially at night, but I always treat myself to something sweet to cleanse the pallet!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I’m up at 6am and I usually go to the gym. I’ll do about 45mins of weight training followed by 30mins of cardio. I’ll do this about 4 times a week. Pilates on Saturday. The 3 days of the week I have off I will just go for a 1hr run with my dog Kamajii.

Remedial Massage.

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements?

I don’t take any supplements, and the only therapies I take part in are quite indulgent. This includes remedial massages (the only kind of massage I like!) and also I love Reiki, my fav place for that is up in the hills of Noosa, QLD. A Japanese couple do this treatment at their estate – amazing!

♥ How do you like to relax?

Take a bath or get a remedial massage, pedicure or read. I’m inspired by anything creative, and cooking to me is an art. Art of taste! So I love to visit subi markets and farmers markets to get my produce fresh and spend all day cooking whilst listening to music.

Thanks Julie, you were a pleasure to interview and have provided lots to look at and think about!

If you have any questions please leave a comment below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo