Courtney (Ed: Check out that glowing skin!)

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

I am a twenty four year old student, make-up artist and wanna-be photographer. I am studying Arts Management at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, working part time at Mecca and Freelancing as a makeup artist anywhere! I am born and raised in Perth and currently live in Innaloo with my sister and my amazing Cavoodle, Osca.

Dr Brandt Detoxygen Experience – $115

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

My beauty routine changes all the time because my bathroom is overloading with skincare products from Mecca!

At the moment i’m using a foaming DG Skincare (formerly MD) foaming cleanser followed by Revive Sensitiff Cellular Repair Moisturiser (oil free) during the day.

At night I am using this Amazing DG retinol serum which is called Hydra Pure Radiance Renewal. It makes my skin feel like silk! Because my skin is particularly problematic I have been doing a Dr Brandt Detoxygen mask 3 times a week as well which I absolutely love. A daily Makeup routine includes a quick application of Hourglass Veil Foundation, a touch up of Nars Concealer in custard and a lather of Loreal Volume Million Lashes. Always set with Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation.

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

I cant live without manicures. I wasn’t blessed with naturally good nails so I find the sporadic manicure does wonders! I just go to my local down at Karrinyup shops!

Another fan in the long list of people who swear by this salon.

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

Although i am not precious with my hair at all, I am very fussy! Only two places- Head Studio (King St), and I always book in with either Shane or Marie, and Daniel Bromley Couture Hair (South Perth). They have not disappointed me yet!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

A pedicure always makes me feel so polished and groomed!

Molecule 02 Fragrance – $240.

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

Such a tough one as I am completely spoilt for choice… (after much thought) I would have to say:

– Bumble and bumble hair powder
– Molecule 02 fragrance – Ed: Interestingly, it is a nature identical scent to that of an excretion from the sperm whale, said to impart a fresh, mineral smoothness!
– Kiehls Creme de Corps Body Moisturiser – a cult favorite (Available at StrawberryNET)

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

Drinking water always helps, and having just enough (but not too much) sun.

Seaweed!

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

I would absolutely love to have a seaweed wrap. I would feel so pampered.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Two pieces of toast and a glass of orange juice. Toast always must have real butter and vegemite on it!

Lunch might be soup or rice paper rolls followed by a sweet treat (possibly Tim Tam double coat), a handful of almonds in the afternoon and a big dinner. (Followed by another sweet treat!) Dinners change all the time. Last night I made chilli con carne and that was delicious. As you have probably noticed I am not the healthiest eater!

Pup!! ♥

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

I dont work out although I try to take Osca (above) for a walk every day.

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

No, but I would love to see a chinese herbalist. That is next on my agenda!

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

A face mask, a long hot shower, and a movie always do the trick! I love having massages to relax, but because I am so busy I rarely find the time during the day to make it happen.

Thanks Courtney! Any questions, leave them below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

♥

Hello ma petits! Welcome to another edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes!!! This is going to become a regular feature, because I love to bang on about the healthy and pretty things that are keeping me rockin’ in the free world and there is the slight possibility that you may also be interested! Win-win!

Why don’t we start with my number one current crush? Ok!

1. Ltd Edn “From Paris, With Love” Seasonal Nail Duo from Mecca Cosmetica.

I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it online,
I knew it had to be mine!
I thought it’d make my nails look damn fine.

Alright, average poems aside, this is great. I’m a little bit late on the boat with this one as I believe it was meant to be a Valentine’s day thing (Paris, love, you know the story!) but that didn’t stop me from painting my nails as soon as it arrived post-Valentines.

To me, my fingertips look more like they are channeling Provence more than Paris. The deep, yet pastelly blue gives rise to the feeling that a lavender plant could sprout from my fingertips at any moment!

The packaging when ordering online is gorgeous, arriving at my doorstep tied with a beautiful thick burgundy ribbon (scuse the mess and ‘justgothomefromwork’ camera avoidance).

The red is also a great colour and has been hanging out nicely on my toes. This pack is a good treat or gift for someone special who loves polish or needs a pick-me-up!

It’s available in-store at Mecca Cosmetica, or online, whichever you fancy.

2. Indigo Grinds – Caesars Grind.

My friend from work (and swell singer) Sian, got me onto this stuff after talking about how she liked to sprinkle / grind some onto avocado on toast. The one she uses is ‘Buddha Brew’, and there is a whole variety in the range as you can see from the above image, but the one I decided to go for was the ‘Caesars Grind’ which has: sea salt, garlic, onion, tomato, parsley and thyme.

This stuff is DELICIOUS on avo + toast and sprinkled onto roast tatoes, which is all I’ve used it for so far. You can also use it in pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, meat (if you so wish!)… pretty much anywhere.

Unfortunately I can’t seem to get the image of Julias Caesar doing the bump & grind out of my head whenever I use this, but that’s a small price to pay for this new found tastiness.

I paid $5.70 at the Subiaco Markets or you can contact Indigo Grinds to find other stockists.

♥

3. Presence de Bach Parfum by Le Fleurs de Bach.

I was recently sent a couple of samples of Le Fleurs de Bach from awesome Perth website Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary (check them out!). Most of us will have at least heard of Bach flower remedies, or even Rescue Remedy which just so happens to be in our first aid kit where I work!

Dr Bach was a well known physician, bacteriologist (sexy), homeopath and researcher of his time. Through his studies, Dr Bach discovered that our negative mindsets could indeed cause the onset of illness. Intent on finding a cure for the causes of illness, rather than the symptoms, he identified 38 flower remedies to help rebalance the 38 negative mindsets he identified. The flower remedies rebalance by gently kick-starting the positive emotions, and bringing them out of hiding.

Le Fleurs de Bach follow his production methods to a ‘t’. The result is some pretty phenomenal smelling scents, my favourite being ‘Presence(s)’.

Excerpt…

“The uplifting, fresh and relaxing scent of Présence(s) de Bach promotes feelings of inner reconciliation and improved communication with those around you. You will enjoy a renewed and positive outlook on your environment, leading to calm and inner peace.”

And I really do feel that it is relaxing! I love giving it a sniff throughout the day, I’m not sure if my communication with others is improved (you’d have to ask them!) but I do know that I love the smell so that’s good enough for me – anything else is a bonus! 🙂

You can grab it online at Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary (available exclusively through them!)

That’s my pick for this week lovely folk, let me know if you have any questions or comments about the above, and hopefully you’ve found something new that you might like to try!

What beauty and health crushes do you have at the moment? Share the love!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

The scents we surround ourselves with have a huge impact on how we feel, the other day I came across (for the first time in a looooong time) the earthy, metallic smell of sprinklers on a hot day and was immediately taken back to age 7, running around the backyard through sprinklers with a friend.

I’m sure you can think of some too! The smell of Mum’s moisturiser, freshly baked biscuits, the perfume of an old lover… scents are powerful little molecules!

It’s with this in mind that I propose we all need to have the most fantastic soap / body wash possible, one that makes you want to run to the shower and never leave, filling you with feelings of hope, pleasure and wellbeing.

So! I’d like to invite you into my shower to have a mosey around and check out some of the beautiful body washes that are currently rockin’ my world…

Philosophy Melon Daiquiri Shampoo, Bubble Bath & Shower Gel!

Starting out with one of my absolute faves! Melon Daiquiri means I’ve been smelling like tangy melon for months now and absolutely love it. My mouth is actually watering writing about it!

Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Bubble Bath & Shower Gel!

My 2nd Philosophy go-to makes my morning shower smell like a warm bakery (and also makes it incredibly difficult to leave!), this one is currently not available through Australian online stores, but you can find it at Sephora if you love the sound of it.

If you’re not aware of the Philosophy range of products you MUST do yourself a favour and check them out!

Coming in an amazing range of true-scents, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without smelling like your favourite fruit or dessert, I’ve previously had the Raspberry Sorbet & Strawberry Milkshake flavours and can highly reccomend them too 🙂

This Works! In the Zone.

Blending Frankincense & Eucalyptus scents, In the Zone by This Works is like a pep-talk for when you’re feeling exhausted or run down. The newest addition to my crowded shower, ITZ has carved a place among my top used products because it’s perfect for all your pre and post busy day issues.

♥ Don’t want to be awake? It helps invigorate and get your morning off to a fab start.

♥ Rough day at the office? In the Zone is there massaging your shoulders and telling you you’re a trooper.

♥ Feeling run down or just exercised your butt off? The little white bottle is smiling at you knowingly.

I adore it and I think you will too.

While these body washes may be a little more pricey than your $5 number from Woolies, (Philosophy – RRP $38 & This Works RRP $48) I believe it’s worth the price to have an amazing smell and experience that will last you long past the time you’ve hung up your towel (or in my case, left it on the floor in a heap) and I haven’t personally found a cheapie that gets me going quite like these guys!

Philosophy & This Works products available from Mecca Cosmetica, online and in store.

How about you…

What’s your favourite shower gel / body wash?
Do you like to spend up or be thrifty when it comes to cleaning yourself?

Would love to hear!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Breaking out is not hard to do.

Especially when kit kats, Vintage Cheddar and Onion Red Rock Deli chips & toasted sandwiches have been flying down your throat at hyper speed.

Whoever said that what you eat is unrelated to the state of your skin must be giving Pinocchio’s nose a run for his money by now.

So I’ve been slipping up, I admit it, I’m far from perfect! But the past week has seen a big effort to get back on track.

RRP $58 AUD, available at Mecca Cosmetica

Yesterday I tried the REN Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Scrub. I’d previously been using a cheap and cheerful teenage staple, Aapri (which is a bit rough for my skin), and felt like I finally graduated when the thousands of tiny smooth REN jojoba beads glided easily across my face and got down to work.

The scent of this product is really mild too, despite having peppermint and juniper oils doing their dance in there, which is nice.

Post-exfoliating, my skin felt VERY smooth and even a tiny bit tight, but the tightness soon passed. It really felt like a breath of fresh air and if my cells could smile, they probably would. I now realise that temporarily forgetting about the wonders of exfoliation was a grave error.

DEAD SKIN CELLS: BE GONE!

My skin still feels smooth and more glowy today!

In addition to re-discovering a great exfoliant, I’ve been smashing frozen berries in smoothies (bought a 1kg bag of blueberries – so excellent!), eating lots of avocado, drinking 2+ cups of decaff green tea a day plus heaps of water and generally trying to clean up my diet by eating more wholefoods and cutting out dairy / chippies (weaknesses!).

My skins been on the naughty mat for a while now, hopefully these changes will get it behaving again!

Do you change your diet when your skin plays up?

What’s your favourite exfoliant?

Be well!

Annette

xoxo