by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 1, 2011 | Food, Products, Reviews
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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.
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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
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 28, 2011 | Events, Inner City, Products, Reviews
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Let me share some of my New Years Resolutions with you:
♥ Call or catch up with Mum and Dad once a week
♥ Try Omnilux and microdermabrasion
♥ Call my friends on their birthdays
♥ Finally learn, ONCE AND FOR ALL, how to apply makeup with at least a 1% degree of skill!
Last Saturday I turned up at Bella Hart in Subiaco in order to work on that final point. With my notoriously hard to match skin tone and eyes that I was certain just couldn’t ‘do’ eye makeup, the ‘Flawless and Minimalist‘ makeup workshop had found itself a tricky participant, but I was also hopeful my woes would turn out to be no match for the makeup experts.
The start of the class. The cute thing, which you can’t see very well here, is the cups! They have hearts on them 🙂 I thought it was a nice touch.
The workshops go for 2 hours, from 9:30am-11:30am, usually on a Saturday, and there were 6 of us workshop-ees in total, a mixed bunch – all with very different skintones and colourings, as well as one main makeup artist & her model / assistant.
Dani (makeup model / assistant) and Rachael, who ran the event showing us how to achieve an easy day look. I’d also like to note here that Rachael’s makeup was gorgeous, when she came up and greeted me at the start I was very impressed with how good it looked.
Armed with our sheet to write down the products we used and liked, an array of brushes, a personal mirror & our eyes and ears to watch and learn, we worked through each area of the face
As a makeup novice, I feel like I learned a lot!
Some of the highlights include:
♥ Finding a makeup shade that gives a bit more coverage than I would usually use, but looks great in photos. (Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in Porcelain Ivory (yep, I’m a ghostie!)
♥ Finding out you can apply primer using a foundation brush.
♥ BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder in Sesame. Winner.
The BECCA powder in question!
I did struggle with the eye makeup section of the class, as I literally have only the most minimal skill in that department. Another member of staff who wasn’t involved in the workshop came over and helped me by doing a great look on me with eyeshadow – unfortunately it wasn’t the one that everyone else was learning, and I have no idea how to replicate it, so I’m still lacking the basic eyeshadow skills.
Half the group!
The other half. (sorry about the pics!)
Overall I would recommend this master class for sure! It was a bit rushed towards the end so it would be nice if there was an extra half hour or additional staff member on hand to help out with the workshop, but all in all it was a success and I left with some new tools under my beauty belt.
I think the best thing about the workshops are the range of products available to try – because there is a wide range of makeup brands, you’re not going to get forced into a ‘not quite good enough’ shade like you might if you attended a brand-specific event.
I did laugh though, because the minimalist look that we did on ourselves was actually WAY more makeup than I would usually use – even for going out at night as I don’t tend to wear a lot of makeup!
I will be attending and reviewing another three workshops being run by Bella Hart in the coming months, so please stay tuned for more photos and reviews 🙂
I was invited by Bella Hart to attend the workshops.
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 25, 2011 | Beauty Salon, North of River, Reviews
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I’m not a facial girl by nature. If I have time, cash, and feel like treating myself then I am all over a full body massage. So when I was given a gift certificate for a facial for Xmas, I was hoping I could exchange it for something more my style.
The voucher was for Be Ba Beau in Highgate. A quick Google and I learned that they do not have a website (which always frustrates me), so I couldn’t see the price list for treatments and possible other options. After a few phone calls, messages, and finally a trip down to the actual salon – I had a hard copy of my options as well as the knowledge that the Beauty part of the hairdressers is a separate business- Beauty by Rayne, though the treatments take place by Rayne in the same super cute house as her Mum’s salon.
My previous hatred of facials is only based on 2 experiences to be fair. The first one in London where for the full hour the therapist repeatedly put various smelling stuff on and then immediately off of my face and then in China at a crazy 24 hour spa which was just wholly bizarre in so many ways (email me and I will tell you why) and was a waste of my face’s time.
The anatomy of microdermabrasion.
Rayne listened to my facial concerns and suggested the microdermabrasion was the way to go, as it would be effective in reducing some of my zillions of newly acquired Perth freckles!! I had never heard of this sort of thing and thought that a voucher was a great time to do something I would not usually go for, especially when it would be of great benefit.
Now, there were a few teething problems booking in for my treatment, so when the day finally came I was excited to finally get in there!!
The facial itself was brilliant and worth the initial hassle. It contained all of the nice rituals that one would expect (exfoliation, face and neck massage, hot towel and mask) all done by Rayne who is gorgeous and so good at what she does. The best bit was the actual microdermabrasion which is “a mechanical medium for exfoliation along with adjustable suction to remove away the outermost layer of dead skin cells”. It is a non-invasive procedure and wasn’t painful, nor pleasurable but boy did I see results quickly.
The exfoliation part has evolved from rocks, stones and shells, to crystals, particle-free diamond tips and particle-free bristle tips. Rayne uses a machine with diamond tips as she feels it goes deeper than most, without being too abrasive, she likes to go as deep as she can to decrease the amount of times a client has to come in for treatments. I was told that 1-2 more times would be most effective at this stage for me to really get at those pesky freckles but then I wouldn’t need constant treatments as my skin is in quite good shape.
A lot of women get it every week or fortnight and apparently it is very good for wrinkle reduction, as well as freckles.
This is a different kind of ‘freckle reduction’ hehe..
In terms of my own results… it worked a treat. My husband noticed immediately (a great feat in itself) and my skin looked like it had done during a Canadian winter!! I will now be staying out of the sun religiously and get top ups once in a while as a treat. I think it is not only great for older ladies as wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation, but also for us fairer sun babies who are sick of too many dark freckles and sun spots. I can think of a few friends with weddings coming up that may be interested too.
Rayne also informed me that they are in the process of getting a website up too, hooray!!
(But for now you can check out their Facebook if you are interested)
Microdermabrasion and decolletage and full facial: $130.
Be Ba beau Hair and Beauty
455 Beaufort Street, Highgate, 6003
Ph: 93282888
Review by Sarah Devlin, my personal trainer of choice and super cute freckly gal.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jan 17, 2011 | Other
SWIM!
WEAR!
HELL!
YEAH!
Alright, it’s that time of year to get your gear off and get into a swimsuit. There is nothing quite like a summer in Australia and it is by far my favourite time of year. I’m the kind of girl that prides herself on her swimwear collection and looks forward every year to adding to her menagerie to accommodate for ALL your different swimwear occasions. Yes, that’s right- ONE pair may not do if you like to make the most of the summer season and all of the splendors that it has to offer. Maybe you hadn’t thought about this…but I have…so let’s run through some scenarios together shall we?
You’re going down to your local beach for a lay out (covered in sunscreen, naturally) and a bit of a swim:
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Tigerlily – Bright pattern and a nice design that’s not going to wash off you if the waves are getting up to a bit of rough stuff.
You’re going to the pool for a splash around:
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Zimmermann Vertigo Floating Bikini
(Now on sale for $165!)
Great colour, flattering design and you’re in the calm wave free waters of a pool so you can afford to go sans straps.
You’re going for a surf because you are one of those co-coordinated, sporty types:
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Lover swimsuit from their ‘Untitled’ Spring Summer 2010/11 range.
These togs are cute as a button and perfect for your more active water pursuits.
You’re going on holiday to a tropical climate/Southern coast of France/St Barts etc:
I think that Zimmermann is really good at this type of thing so let’s look at three styles from them…
(Note: I know I’m harping on about Zimmermann but they really have one of the largest ranges of styles out there, you can buy online, the shipping is amazingly fast and they are Australian)
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Zimmermann Posy Scallop Fringe Triangle $230
Photo courtesy of http://www.zimmermannwear.com
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Zimmerman Lyre Lyre Chain Link Bikini – $195
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Zimmermann Labyrinth Wrap Bandeau Bikini – $220
You are invited to spend the day on a yacht with a mysterious/attractive millionaire (what? It could happen):
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Zimmermann Bonded Cross Front One Piece – $330.
Crisp colour, unusual design and pret-ty damn classy.
You want to turn some heads:
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Nothing says Phwoooooar like a lion on your butt.
Or if you want to tone it down (just a little)
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Label – We Are Handsome
The one piece is now $190 available here!
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Lover swimsuit from their ‘Untitled’ Spring Summer 2010/11 range.
I don’t know what it is about this bikini (maybe it’s the fact it looks a little bit like underwear) but I find it sexy as hell.
Let us know if you have any suggestions for cute swimmers to get out and about in this Summer!
Article by Adriane Daff, the girl is a swimsuit FIEND!
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jan 13, 2011 | Products, Reviews
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I once joined a Facebook group called ‘Pale ‘n’ Proud’. The group’s poster child was Keira Knightley. I later left this group because, let’s all admit it, joining a group called ‘Pale ‘n’ Proud’ (not even Pale AND Proud) is kind of lame and the other reason was because the poster child was Keira Knightley. But I think the other OTHER reason, deep down, was that I didn’t want to commit to being one thing (and proud of it) for the rest of my Facebook days.
Ms. Knightly, flying the ‘English Rose’ flag.
In the same way that sometimes as a brunette I get really curious about being blonde, as a pale person I sometimes just really want to be tanned. Especially in summer. Pretty much every year. Like clockwork this same curiosity rises and I don’t see any particularly good reason that I shouldn’t indulge it (I know I should be comfortable in my own skin but who said I couldn’t dye the skin first? RIGHT GUYS?!) So, of course, going out and attempting the mega burn aint no good for you and is going to have you looking like an old boot age 29 so this article is going to be about one of your fake options.
I decided to try out the Rodial Brazilian Tan (Light) a tinted medium strength self-tanning gel for the face and body pretty much because I have liked Rodial products when I’ve used them before and because this was specifically light and medium strength. When you have pale skin (as I’m sure even non-palers would know) you cant roll in guns-a-blazin with your full strength guy because that kind of behavior is going to leave you streaky, patchy and all kinds of orange.
Mmmm.
Straight out of the bottle I knew me and Rodial Brazilian Tan Light were going to be mates because of one simple fact- this product is neither orange nor brown but the colour of PURE CARAMEL I TELL YOU. Literally the colour of caramel topping, go down to McDonalds right now- get a sundae- that’s what you are putting on your skin. Secondly as a gel it hydrates as it tans so you don’t feel stiff as a board and it leaves a slight tint on your skin so you can see where you’ve been thus eliminating streaks!
It didn’t leave any marks on my clothes or my sheets (although I did wait for it to dry properly) and better yet it didn’t leave my hands discoloured! And this is huge because normally I have to wear gloves to apply fake tan (this includes the ever popular St Tropez) so this time I was worried because gloves were not available to me (read: I was too lazy to walk down to the 24 hour chemist to get some) but never fear, after thoroughly washing my hands with warm water and soap I was on Easy street.
So there’s a number of wins for this product (and look I’m not going to lie I really do think the people at Rodial are fighting a good fight- the actual tan doesn’t even SMELL tan-y!) but the biggest thing I would take away from this is that the colour of this is so perfect that it’s letting even the palest amongst us girls (me, Keira, all the gang in ‘Pale ‘n’ Proud) have a little go at getting a tan.
Available at Myer stores and online at <Adore Beauty.
Review by Rodial fanatic & porcelain to tanned chameleon, Adriane Daff.
Be well,
xoxo
