Beauty and Wellbeing Routine: Ashlee Crabbe, Perth Model.

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

My name is Ashlee, I grew up in the country and started modelling while I was in high school. I spent a bit of time travelling as part of the job and enjoyed taking part in fashion weeks around the country, working with great photographers and making great friends.

I then enrolled in a journalism & public relations degree at uni which I graduated from last year. While I did most of the course in Perth, I spent six months studying in London and travelling through Europe which was the best experience of my life. I now work at WAtoday as well as modelling casually.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

In the mornings I cleanse with Cetaphil and use Estee lauder day cream, it has the best texture I’ve fallen in love with it. On my body I used QV wash and a mixture of sorboline and cocoa-butter moisturisers. I’ve also started dry body-brushing after reading about it online, it apparently does wonders for your circulation so I’m hoping to get Miranda Kerr-like results – we’ll see!

At night I cleanse with Cetaphil again and sometimes tone with witch hazel to get rid of any oil build up. I then mix it up every night with something different to help repair my skin while I sleep. I either use rosehip oil, argan oil, a serum by Estee Lauder (my favourites are the Intensive Night Repair and the new Idealist serum) or a light moisturiser. I’ve just discovered oils and serums and I think they are fantastic, I love the idea of something on your skin replenishing cells as you sleep. I also love the oils, they’re so cheap and natural and they absorb straight into your skin so they aren’t actually oily at all.

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

Boring, but waxing – I believe in upkeep! I get it done by the girls at Waxworks in the city, purely because I’ve always gone there and it’s where I feel comfortable.

Photo from Scene Models

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

Hair is an odd one for me, I am actually really pedantic about my hair because it gets hammered with heat styling at shows and shoots. But I don’t really go to the hairdresser. I used to work for Maurice Meade so they would always do my hair at the Subiaco store, but now I just get it cut by a lovely friend of mine at her home. I am trying to get it cut regularly – every six weeks – so that I can start to build on its health and help it grow longer. I don’t colour my hair at all, haven’t done so for about five years I’d say.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

On the subject of hair … my best at home treatment is my Kerastase Age Recharge hair mask, which I don’t actually use as a mask but as a normal conditioner. I wash my hair probably every 3 days so I use that and let it absorb for at least five minutes. It’s expensive for a conditioner but I find it is the only thing to nourish my very dry hair!

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

The three I can’t live without would have to be cetaphil cleanser, my Estee Lauder day cream and a good eye-brow pencil or powder like Laura Mercier, or if I’m going budget Rimmel does a good one too! If I can add a fourth it would be bronzer because I’m big on a healthy glow, but I believe brows are the most important aspect of your face. Bad eyebrows really get to me and mine aren’t naturally thick enough.

Sleep! <3

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

Its clichéd but getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. I do look like hell if I don’t get enough sleep.
Of course exercise – and I don’t do enough but the warmer weather is a great motivator to take a walk on the beach or the river. It makes you feel better and if you feel good, you look good!

But also I believe in doing something you love. Nothing is better than feeling happy and relaxed – I love reading with a cup of tea, looking at fashion blogs, chocolate and a nice wine in the sun!

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

Time is my biggest detractor from doing things. I’ve been meaning to start Reformer Pilates with a girlfriend but we can never sync our schedules. I’m not a morning person so the idea of getting to a class before work makes me cringe, plus I normally try to catch up with friends after work so it’s hard to book it in!


Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Okay I’m not the best eater. I wish I did but I really don’t have much of a fondness for fruit and vegetables. I usually start the day with toast – honey if I’m in a rush and avocado with tomato if I have some time. Plus a cup of tea. Then I usually eat a big lunch of leftover stir-fry and rice which is where I get my vegetables, usually capsicum, mushroom, baby corn and broccoli. I normally eat out at night time, be it tapas, Italian, Mexican or a good steak. Plus I’m a huge sweet tooth so my day is often scattered with a touch of Cadbury or something I’ve baked at home!

Describe your fitness routine.

Yeah this leaves little-to-be desired as well. I have always played a lot of sport like netball and basketball however I’m not in a team at the moment. I will go walking though and exercise a lot more in summer when I can go down to the beach. I really want to get a new dog, walking a dog is the best exercise motivator for me!

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

I don’t really believe in supplements because I think you should get everything you need from the food you eat. I’m sure I don’t however, but still if I crave something I let myself have it because I believe that’s the body’s way of saying you need it. The only thing I do take is Inner-Health Plus, and I love a good herbal tea.

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

My absolute favourite way to de-stress is with a good glass of wine!
I don’t think I’m a very stressed out person, I get busy but I try not to let any issues get to me too much. Mind over matter!

Thanks to Ashlee for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her beauty & wellbeing routine with us! Any questions, please leave a comment 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Product Reviews: Get Your Glow On!

As any self-respecting gal knows, showing just the right amount of skin can make or break an outfit. So you want to make sure that what is on show, looks smokin’ hot right? I trialled a couple of select body lotions designed to make your skin radiate and smell delicious, the best way to complete a fab look.

Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Body Cream, $25.95 (above)

Trilogy’s rosehip oil is a hit in my beauty cabinet. After trialling it a couple of years ago, it’s now a mainstay for the nourishing loving it provides my skin with.

I was excited to see one of Trilogy’s products in the glowy, showy skin line up. The cream’s scent was another yummy one, but completely different to Sasy n Savy. The combination of Evening Primrose, Jojoba and Rosehip oils created a mellow, calming scent. The cream provided a far more subtle sheen but was the best moisturiser of all the products, making them perfect for the pins. It didn’t scream night on the town, rather sang lunch with the girls or shopping day out and I’ve been lathering up the legs in this delicious cream nearly every day. My moisture-hungry legs are loving it and yours will too.

Sasy n Savy Silk Shimmer Body Lotion, $40

If it’s made it’s way into the hallowed halls of Harrods, it’s got to be good. This Australian owned and made brand has just launched into England’s ritziest store and uses plenty of Aussie goodies. The Silk Shimmer Body Lotion is action-packed with Kakadu Plum, Wild Rosella and Grass Lily but the most over-powering smell is the Rose-Geranium oil. The shimmer is a yellowy-gold and was the boldest of all I tested. The fragrance was elegant and subtle enough to not overpower your favourite perfume, making the lotion the perfect choice for a glamorous gown or party frock. Rub this into your shoulders and décolletage for a gorgeous glow on a big night out.

What are your favourite glowy products? Share them below, we’d love to hear!

Review by Lisa O’Neill, a freelance journalist and part-time triathlete who loves to squeeze in as much pampering as possible in her free time.

Be well,

xoxo

Wellness WA & Echolife Competition: Win 3 x Jojoba or Rosehip Oils!

Three lucky winners will be sent their choice of either jojoba or rosehip oil!

It’s time to rejoice 🙂 Wellness WA have teamed up with the wonderful folks at Echolife (they offer the purest and best quality yet affordable products to maintain health and well-being!) to offer three very lucky readers their choice of a bottle of jojoba or rosehip oil.

Both of these oils are organic and have a huge list of benefits, so take a look, then leave a comment with which one you’d choose and why! Who knows… you could be finding a bottle of Echolife oil on your doorstep very soon!

Jojoba Oil

♥ Naturally fights wrinkles
♥ Contains powerful antioxidants, Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E
♥ Similar molecular structure to skin, so easily absorbs and nourishes
♥ Helps treat acne, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, cradle cap, nappy rash and other skin conditions
♥ An excellent hair treatment, applying a few drops after washing imparts a great shine.

Rosehip Oil

♥ Excellent natural source of vitamin C
♥ Packed full of antioxidants and other goodies like Omega 3, Omega 6 & Omega 9
♥ Helps minimise uneven skin tone and acne scars
♥ Rich in vitamin A, which is good for oil skin, sun damaged skin & signs of premature ageing.

Basically, both of these oils are FABULOUS, and you’ll have a hard time choosing which one you’d like! When you do, leave a comment below indicating your preference, and a winner will be drawn on 15 April 2011.

BONUS ROUND: Echolife have organised a special discount code for Wellness WA readers to receive $5 off any order until the end of the year! All you have to do is enter the words ‘wellness wa’ (without quotes) during checkout, and $5 will be taken off automatically. There is no limit per person per use so anyone can use it as much as they like for the rest of the year!

GOOD LUCK 🙂 x

Be well,

xoxo

The Wonders of Rosehips: A Five Way Rosehip Ritual!

Rosehip Buds ♥

Rosehips are good guys, let me persuade you with a few quick facts about these high performing little cuties:

♥ Very high in vitamin C (an excellent antioxidant).
♥ Rose hips contain some vitamin A and B, essential fatty acids and antioxidant flavonoids.
♥ Can be used to help prevent / treat colds and flu.

The other thing they are great for?

Plumping up your skin and giving you an incredible glow.

My skin is temperamental, dry in some spots, breakout prone in others – it’s very frustrating and makes it difficult to find products that will gently pat my skin into relaxed, glowy submission.

Rosehip prods are one of the very few that I’ve found that can accomplish this task of making my skin happy.

SO! What are my favourite picks and how do you go about getting your own little Rosehip Routine going? Well, I’m glad you asked…

1. A Clean Start

First up we want to remove all traces of makeup, dirt and midnight pizza snack grease to get the skin back to its natural state.

♥ ♥ ♥

Wotnot Natural Wipes contain heaps of goodies that are fantastic for the skin, one of them being our current hero Mr. Rosehip. My skin always feels great after using these, I highly recommend them and have turned quite a few people into fans. They can be tricky to source, but the Wotnot Website has free shipping so if you like your wipes all natural, organic & good for you then look no further!

2. Time for a Cuppa

♥ ♥ ♥

Next up, it’s time to get the rosehips working some magic from the inside. Packed with Vitamin C, this type of tea is a powerful ally in the quest for great skin.

Vitamin C has been proven to help our skin out in the following ways:

♥ Key ingredient in the production of collagen, which keeps skin firm & strong.
♥ Being an antioxidant, it stops pesky free-radicals, which destroy collagen leading to fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin.
♥ Antioxidants also help in the fight against UV rays.

Enough reasons to put tea cup to mouth? If not, it’s a very refreshing drink in Summer, served chilled. It has a tart taste (which I love), but if it’s a bit much pop some honey in and away you go!

I use a random supermarket brand called ‘Tasty’, but T2 Tea have some great varieties depending on how fancy you want to get. 🙂

3. Gonna Get Gooey

♥ ♥ ♥

So your face is clean, sippin’ on tea. Now it’s time to get masky. This Endota Honey & Rosehip Mask is ROCKING MY WORLD right now by making my skin dewy and ultra hydrated.

Apply to clean skin, it’s pretty goopy due to the honey, and jump in the shower after 10 minutes to rinse off. Emerge and be amazed at how soft and transformed your skin has become!

This green tube has now become a staple for me. CANT.GET.ENOUGH!

Update! Unfortunately, my one and only has been discontinued!!! In it’s place is the Rosehip & Myrrh Facemask which I’m told is also excellent, but I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet. If it’s good enough for the Three Wise Men however…

4. Oils aint Oils

♥ ♥ ♥

This organic rosehip oil claims to reduce wrinkles, blemishes and to maintain your most succulent skin and I can’t help but agree with the good Endota folk. As I’m currently out of both moisturiser and primer (scandalous, I know) I massage a drop of this into my skin post-shower in the morning before applying makeup, and rub a larger amount in post-shower-pre-bed at night.

My skin is noticeably more prone to blemishes and dryness when I’m not using it – I really do notice the difference. It also feels wonderful to be using a certified organic skincare product that contains heaps of NATURAL goodies for my skin to gobble up.

5. Don’t Forget the Lips!

♥♥♥

Rosehip is good for your lippies too! Packed full of natural ingredients, I’ve found the Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream just a little bit dreamy. It leaves my lips soooo soft after using it, and it’s the perfect ending to the Rosehip Ritual! I’ve found it works best to apply at night and wake up in the morning to soft, lush lips.

I hope you enjoyed the Rosehip Ritual and possibly feel inspired to get some of these hips of roses into your life as well!

Let me know if you have any questions or have tried any of the above products! Rosy kisses.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo