Dear readers: this may well be the Mecca for acrylics! Could this be where my search for the perfect nails ends?

Studio One

U2, 1004A Beaufort St, BEDFORD, WA, 6052

Ph: 9370 2000

What: Permanent French acrylic refills, after 6 weeks’ growth.

This salon came recommended by a friend who has other beauty treatments done here. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and found one of my very first nail techs, who’s now running her own salon. I’d been somewhat lax about booking in to have my refills so by the time I actually went to Studio One, my nails were looking the worse for wear. Emma, ever the consummate professional, was very diplomatic and made a lot of sympathetic noises, like how hard it must have been to wash my hair. (Other acrylic-lovers will know what that’s like when your nails start to lift. They catch in everything!). I felt right at ease.

Service

Between us we had managed to mix up our first appointment but Emma quickly found an alternative spot on what must have been a busy Saturday. The salon itself is comfortable, sunny and faces out onto Beaufort St. (If you’re peckish, there’s a fantastic Indian restaurant next door!). Emma is charming and personable, so there’s no shortage of conversation!

Nail form

The shape was spot on – square without sharp edges. The nails look like a sheet of glass – thin and flat. The proportion of pink to white was also exactly right; that is, about two-thirds pink to a third white. The curve of the crescent is oval – which takes some getting used to, if you’re used to a more round shape – but nevertheless effective.

Technique

The application of the acrylic and creation of the shape is all done with a brush. Electric drills and emery boards are used (your own board is kept in a separate envelope for hygiene). Gel was applied to create a glossy look.

Time

1 hour.

Cost

$70.00 for refills. That’s double the price of some salons. However the products are high quality and non-toxic. (If you haven’t already done so, it’s worth researching the various health risks of the cheaper products. Ultimately, you pay for what you get).

Overall Rating

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ + 1/2 a heart! (4.5)

Review by Bron, whittling down the nail salons til she finds the pinnacle of acrylics.

Be well,

xoxo

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This update is coming to you live from San Francisco, California! Unfortunately I am sick with a cold right now (for the first time in forever!) and have to undertake a 20+ hour flying journey Tomorrow, so I’m not exactly looking forward to it.

What I am looking forward to however is all the amazing things that are going to be happening with Wellness WA when I return!! There’s only so many things you can do with a website about Perth, when you aren’t in Perth!

Here’s a sneak peek of a few upcoming website treats…

– Competitions!
– New contributors!
– Lots of new review articles, including: laser hair removal and a super cute new hairdresser!
– Plus plenty more action on the site in general 🙂

Tonight I dined at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in America, Millennium Restaurant and by golly was it amazing. I have been privileged enough to eat there once before and it was equally great this time around.

Dinner =

A bottle of biodynamic organic grape juice, olive platter, very untraditional spiced pumpkin soup, wilted spinach salad with smoked tofu, apple and potato fingers, a very fancy and devastatingly delicious cherry & mushroom roulade, bread with green lentil spread, trio of sorbets and a huge mug of chamomile-ginger-lemon tonic that I swear is valiantly fighting my illness as I write this.

While it’s not in W.A, if you ever get the chance I most certainly recommend Millennium Restaurant, San Francisco.

The other matter on the agenda is that Wellness WA now has a TWITTER account, yes indeedy! So if you are twit-addicted and would love to get some extra wellness flowing through your life be sure to follow me!

http://www.twitter.com/wellnesswa

Time for a big sleep now to prompt my body to get well for the journey.

I look forward to speaking with you all soon!

Be well,

xo

As previously mentioned, Raw Food is slowly starting to make it big, even in our little city more and more people are discovering the health and beauty benefits of eating a non-processed, fresh and organic based diet.

One company that I’ve happened upon recently is The Raw Kitchen, run by Heath and Emma, and after e-mailing with Emma for a while, it’s hard not to get excited about their business because she is so full of information and passion for all the different and healthy ways of eating and existing.

Taken from their website:

“The raw kitchen is a Perth based company offering community classes and workshops teaching the benefits and power of raw, whole, real, nourishing food. In addition, we also offer raw catering, kids and school parties and raw health product supply.
Our classes offer simple, practical, hands-on, applicable ways to incorporate raw food, to whatever degree, into your lifestyle.”

Their cooking, or un-cooking as it’s commonly referred to as, classes include something for everyone!

From an “Intro to Raw” class to find out what the heck Raw Food is, how a meal made just of fruit and vegetables can be filling and ways to incorporate more fresh foods into your diet, with tastings of raw goodies in a non-judgemental setting – you aren’t going to be crucified for being an omnivore. It’s not about being militant and critical of your diet, but showing you how to slowly increase your intake of healthful, wellbeing inducing, life-giving foods!

Other workshops include such treats as; Mains Made Easy (plenty of ideas for delicious dinners), Raw Lunchbox (tips on making great food to bring to school or the office), Decadent Desserts (need I say anything else?) and more!

Photo borrowed from Hold the Beef

Aside from the un-cooking classes, they also have a cute smoothie stall every week at the brand new Subiaco Farmers Market!

There are a few types of smoothies available, all at the reasonable price of $6:

Green Smoothie – baby spinach, frozen banana and water. Great introductory smoothie as it’s a classic and there’s an option to add mango or strawberry for $1.

Strawberry Sip – strawberry, banana, almond milk, vanilla. YUM! Can’t wait to try this!

Choc It To Me – cacao (raw chocolate), agave, almond milk.

King Hit: Choc Chilli – cacao, cayenne pepper, almond milk. A real kick!

There’s also a range of supplements you can add too and they use 100% biodegradable and compostable cups and straws. Very eco-friendly.

They also stock many, many raw essentials such as food stuffs, blenders, books and dvds.

In summary, if you can get down to see these guys and try a smoothie then you wont be disappointed! You can find out more information about the classes and catering there, or you can join the Raw Kitchen Mailing List: em.gilbert@hotmail.com!

Three cheers for innovative companies who are bringing us new ways to be happy, healthy & leave our taste buds satisfied.

Ps. Here is a fabulous book on raw smoothies (which I admittedly haven’t read but would love to): Green Smoothie Revolution: The Radical Leap Toward Natural Health

Urban Spoon rating:

Be well,

xoxo

While for years many have deemed Perth slower to catch on, less trendy and dare I say it, boring, in comparison to our hyper-cool sibling cities of Melbourne and Sydney, seemingly lately the quality of life, art and culture are taking a turn for the exponentially greater.

More bands and festivals visit us, more art galleries and trendy boutiques are popping up and we even seem to be progressing enough that many of our restaurants now have more than zero to one vegetarian options for our animal loving friends.

Taking this a step further though are Raw Foodists. To those of you who this idea is new to, please read ahead with an open mind, I’m not trying to convert or make you do anything you don’t want to, just providing alternate ideas and ways to access health and wellness!

Raw Diet: A raw vegan diet consists of unprocessed, raw plant foods that have not been heated above 46 °C (115 °F). “Raw foodists” believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost much of their enzymes and nutrients and are less healthy or even harmful to the body. Typical foods include fruit, vegetables, smoothies, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains and legumes.

Most people would think the idea of no cooked food to be somewhat ridiculous, however take a look at some of the widely documented benefits of people who eat a high raw diet report:

<3 Decreased need for sleep & greater energy throughout the day <3 Improved skin; healthy glow & reduction in acne / wrinkles <3 Weight loss <3 Bouts of euphoria (seriously), consistent feelings of wellbeing and positivity <3 Healing of many old "aches & pains" <3 And so many, many more! It's different for everyone, basically whatever you have issue with within your body can be helped by eating more fresh, raw foods. Here is a great quote: “Really, when you look at it logically, it makes sense. How could it possibly be bad for your body to subsist on lots of fresh, healthy produce from the earth?” – Source

There’s so much info out there about eating raw, but the best rundown I’ve found is: The Living and Raw Foods F.A.Q! They explain it all very clearly and concisely!

I can personally attest to the benefits of raw smoothies, my favourite is a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach, one banana, cupful of frozen berries, tsp wheatgerm and tbsp flaxseed oil with half a cup of apple juice and one cup of water. Whizz that up in a blender, and you will have your very own delicious liquid sludge that I can ASSURE YOU will make you feel sooooo amazing. I always feel so full of energy, positive and healthy when I drink these delights. I honestly never feel better.

If what you’ve always been eating and doing isn’t making you feel amazing, then maybe it is time to try something new, because it IS possible to feel happy, energetic and full of vitality every day. What you put into your body, is what you get out of it!

Some of my favourite Raw Food Blogs that will give you some fantastic ideas about recipes and living raw! AND you’ll see how gorgeous and healthy these ladies and their children look, it really is quite amazing: Choosing Raw, Kristen’s Raw, Green & Crunchy.

For hard-copy reading pleasure, here is one of the most popular books on raw right now, check out the testimonials: Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People!

Next, I’ll give you some information on raw food in Perth! Yes, there are some innovative, health conscious companies bringing this new way of thinking to our little city! Stay tuned…

Be well,

xoxo

Today feels like one of those potentially historical moments in time, when you discover something amazing that could knock you out of your skincare rut and maybe even change your life.

This may sound dramatic, but I have high hopes for my newest finding: Omnilux Therapy!

After reading a great article by the lovely Ms. Zoe Foster of PRIMPED fame (click here), my brain cells have been tingling with anticipation of trying this somewhat miraculous sounding beauty treatment.

There are two types of light treatments available:

Omnilux Revive – “It is a non-surgical light therapy to help combat visible signs of ageing, plumping visible fine lines and wrinkles and maximising the benefits of your skincare.”

Omnilux Blue – “Omnilux Blue led light therapy is a special frequency of light that penetrates the dermis to kill the bacteria that that lie deep in the follicles causing infection and acne. Omnilux treatments allow the skin to heal naturally improving the skin texture and clarity.”

(source)

In lay(wo)mans terms, the Omnilux safely recreates specific wavelengths of light which when applied to the skin work a variety of different voodoo magic tricks by regenerating cells and killing bacteria to give you: a) clear, plump, healthy skin with minimal lines and/or b) greatly diminished signs of acne and redness, depending on which type of light you choose to use.

Here’s an example of a girl who has used the acne-specific Omnilux light:

(sorry everyone, the photo seems to have disappeared off the internet for now… I’ll work on getting another one asap!)

That is a very exciting before & after series for anyone who has ever suffered bad skin, which includes myself.

It’s been approved by the FDA as completely safe!

Beauty editors the world over are swearing by it as their new holy grail for a gorgeous complexion!

And my interest has most certainly been piqued.

So while this information is all well and good, what you really want to know is where you can possibly get such space-age sounding, too-good-to-be-true technology in our little town of Perth, yes?

Well as always, I’m here to help!

My favourite place to have an LED light treatment done is at mi:skn, they are also some of the most affordable in Perth!

307 Lord Street (cnr Court Street)
Highgate WA 6003

Absolutely Beautiful Skin Care and Body Treatment Centre

Shop 22,
Noranda Palms Shopping Centre
58 Benara Road
Noranda or phone us 08 9275 7577

Shop 4, Marmion Village Shopping Centre
19 Sheppard Way
Marmion or phone us 08 9448 8300

Offering Omnilux Revive and Omnilux Blue.

Advanced Beauty Concepts

Claremont – Platinum

Shop 11 Bayview Centre
(upstairs next to Country Road)
1 Leura Street, Claremont 6201

Ph. 9385 5500
Fax. 9385 5522
e. abcplatinum@bigpond.com

Mosman Park

Shop 2 Mosman Park Shopping Centre
50 Harvey Street. Mosman Park

Ph. 9384 0011
Fax. 9384 0511
e. abcmedispa@bigpond.com

Offering Omnilux Revive.

Bayview Day Spa
Phone +61 (08) 9384 8106
Address Shop G18
Bayview Shopping Centre
Claremont, Western Australia 6010
Email info@bayviewspa.com.au

Offering Omnilux Revive and Omnilux Blue.

Duncraig Beauty Centre
Phone 08 9447 8860
Email info@duncraigbeauty.com.au
Address Shop 16B/50 Marri Rd, Duncraig 6023, Perth, Western Australia

Offering Omnilux Revive and Omnilux Blue.

Fresh Therapy
Shop 163, Garden City Shopping Centre
125 Riseley Street
Booragoon, Western Australia, 6154
Phone: 08 9315 2060
Email: belen@iinet.net.au

Currently waiting on confirmation of which Omnilux service they provide.

Julie’s Frangipanis Beauty Salon & Reflexology
43 Rockingham Beach Road
Rockingham, Western Australia, 6168
Phone: 08 9527 2622

Currently waiting on confirmation of which Omnilux service they provide.

Luire Claremont
Times Square
Shop 20 Avion Way
Claremont
Western Australia 6010

Phone 9383 3352
Fax 9383 3356
Email sbg@luire.com.au

Offering Omnilux Revive.

Luscious Therapy
51 Scarborough Beach Road
North Perth
Western Australia 6006
Phone: +61 8 9444 0029
E-mail: info@luscioustherapy.com.au

Offering Omnilux Revive.

Serene Day Spa
82 Scarborough Beach Road
Scarborough
Western Australia 6019
Bookings and Information (08) 9245 8188
Fax (08) 9245 8338
Email reception@serenedayspa.com.au

Offering Omnilux Revive.

Skin Deep Salons (Note: You will need a PDF reader to use this website as all their information is contained within PDF files)

MULLALOO
Skindeep Medi-Spas
Shop 5 Mullaloo Plaza
Koorana Road, Mullaloo
Western Australia 6027
T. (08) 9307 6998

PERTH
Skindeep Medi-Spas
Shop 4 Central Park Building
777 Hay Street, Perth
Western Australia 6000
T. (08) 9226 2997

FLOREAT
Skindeep Medi-Spas
117 Birkdale Road
Floreat
Western Australia 6014
T. (08) 9387 5414

COMO
Skindeep Medi-Spas
Cnr Labouchere Rd., & Preston St.
Como
Western Australia 6152
T. (08) 9368 0829

All offering Omnilux Revive and Omnilux Blue.

Skin Evolution @ Cosmetic Studio
327 Rokeby Road
Subiaco, Western Australia, 6008
Phone: 08 9388 8818
Email: admin@skinevolution.com.au

Currently waiting on confirmation of which Omnilux service they provide.

You may also be interested in your own personal Omnilux which can be used in the comfort of your own home: Procyte – Omnilux new-U LED Light Techonology to treat wrinkles!

I cannot wait to try Omnilux Therapy and report my findings. In the meantime, if you have or are thinking of undergoing treatment with Omnilux somewhere in Perth, send me an e-mail or leave a comment and let me know how it went / your thoughts! I’d love to hear 🙂

Be well,

xoxo