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Archive for 2012|Yearly archive page
Salon Review: Sloans, Lane Cove
In Beauty Q&A, Colour, Curls, Dry Shampoo, Fringe, Frizz, Glamour, Hair, Hairspray, How To, Industry Insiders, Volume on November 17, 2012 at 6:00 amSince moving to Sydney, I’ve been on the hunt for a fantastic hairdresser who can turn my thick, curly hair into a manageable, ‘looks like I didn’t even try’ ‘do. I’d also love for that place to come with some cool staff, a wealth of experience and be in a good location. Last month, Sloans ticked all the boxes.
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The salon is located in a quaint street surrounded by cafes and flooded with natural light. The team is fun and a nice mix of classic and contemporary with their own style, making the salon a great fit for families and fashion forwards, alike.
My hair was cut by salon owner and creative director, Scott Sloan. Scott is also an international creative artist for Schwarzkopf, so he knows his stuff. He cut my hair into layers underneath, leaving a veil of long hair on top, meaning I didn’t lose length but I did lose a lot of that weight that was keeping me from styling anything other than a ponytail pre-cut.
A Natural Summer
In Acne, Complexion, Face, Organic, Packaging on November 14, 2012 at 6:00 amSummer is well and truly on its way, and with that comes everyone’s promise to themselves to put less processed foods in their bodies. But what about on your body?
My lovely housemates and I are on a health kick, rising at 6am every morning for a self-run Bondi Bootcamp in a bid to have a healthier Summer and make use of the sunshine. Now – with thanks to Endota Spa – we also have a more natural pre-summer skincare routine.
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Endota are known for their delightfully-scented organic skincare products and spa offerings. Our favourites? The Rosehip & Myrrh Face Mask and Kakadu Plum Face Mask (both RRP$35).
Beauty Q&A: Samantha Powell
In Acne, Affordable, Beauty Q&A, Breakouts, Complexion, Natural on November 11, 2012 at 12:43 amSimple Skincare has just recruited Samantha Powell as their make-up and skincare expert. Sam has a wealth of knowledge having worked as a make-up artist for 15+ years with celebs such as Jen Hawkins, Rebecca Gibney and Miranda Otto. We asked Sam a few questions on how to get clear, perfect skin, the simple way…
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Samantha Powell, 40, Hair & Makeup Artist
Why join forces with Simple Skincare?
I joined forces with Simple Skincare because their philosophy on skin and beauty is synonymous with my own. I believe beauty starts from within and I always strive to live a clean, simple, healthy lifestyle and the products that I choose to work with and use myself adhere to these principles. Read the rest of this entry »
Beauty Q&A: Sarah Ayoub
In Beauty Q&A, Paris, Travel, Wellbeing, Wellness, Women on November 4, 2012 at 6:00 amI began writing for Sarah Ayoub’s blog, Chasing Aphrodite, last year in a bid to spread my wings from beauty and wellness writing to relationship columnist as well. Through this position, I came to know Sarah quite well – know her heart and her passion for writing, family, friends and Paris. A constant inspiration when I held dreams of being a writer, Sarah has become a great friend since I moved to Sydney and I could not be more thrilled that she has realised her dream and signed a two-book deal with Harper Collins. Let me introduce to you, the next big thing in young adult writing…
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Sarah Ayoub, 26, Journalist / Blogger / Soon-to-be Author
How did you get into writing? I studied Journalism and PR at uni. It was something I knew I wanted to do since the age of 10. By third year, despite numerous work experience placements, I still didn’t have a job so I applied for my Masters. It was the best year of my tertiary education, and inspired me to get into Feature Writing. At the time, I was writing the events column for The Sunday Telegraph’s Sunday Magazine, so I was getting some basic experience, but when one of my assessments was to write a pitch letter, I took it as an opportunity to test it in the real world. I sent it to Girlfriend and they commissioned me for the story. That was my first paid byline and I have not looked back since. Read the rest of this entry »
Beyond The Norm
In Exfoliation, Face on October 31, 2012 at 6:00 amCoconut water is still having its moment as the best post-run hydrator and low-cal energy booster, especially for after a big night out. However, while we’re quick to drink the stuff, few know it also makes for a great natural facial.
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The great people at Beyond Coconut Water were nice enough to send me a pack of the juice, many of which I drank as a 3.30pm pick me up at work. The rest, however, I warmed in the microwave before soaking a muslin cloth in them. Then – after squeezing away the excess – I put the cloth over my face and held for a few minutes. When the temperature of the cloth hit that of the room, off it came and what was left was clean, open skin that glowed. Read the rest of this entry »
Wild Inspiration
In America, Books, Fitness, Inspiration, Mental Health, Recommended, Wellbeing, Wellness on October 28, 2012 at 6:51 amThis year has been a big one for me in terms of ticking off goals I’ve had for a very long time, the most thrilling of which was completing the Blackmores Sydney Half Marathon back in September. I couldn’t believe I did it, and a week after I crossed that finish line (once all the pain had subsided) I was looking at what was next. Bigger, better… I needed to push myself harder. Tough Mudder 2013 is booked in.
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I’m giving you this background because of the parallels it shows between myself and the lead author of my new favourite book, Cheryl Strayed. Wild (Allen & Unwin, RRP$29.95) is a story about a 25-year-old woman who finds her life at a cross-roads after her mother passes, ends her marriage, does drugs and then decides to hike eleven hundred miles across the west of America. Obviously, I only identify with that last part…
Lessons on Sexuality, with Tom Ford
In Designer, Makeup, Sex, Sexy, Uncategorized, Women on October 14, 2012 at 3:02 pmTom Ford is a designer unlike any other. Sleek, sophisticated and damn sexy, he gets it right every time. Known for his controversial advertising campaigns (which I’ve gratuitously included for you throughout this post), Ford’s latest beauty offering doesn’t deviate – it’s dark, broody and forbidden. The Fall 2012 is for every woman’s alter ego.
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Ford says, “This collection lets a woman express her romantic, ingenue side, or her temptress, femme fatale side, with a kind of indulgent, forbidden pleasure. These colours have a twist of the perverse to them.” The colour story is made of rose, wine and fur (ingenue) or exotic jewel and voluptious fruit shades (temptress). Of course, the wine and jewel shades are our favourite.
Cleanse Without Dry Skin Afterward
In Acne, Cleanse, Complexion, Everyday Essentials, Face on October 6, 2012 at 1:37 pmOne of the side effects to using some cleansers is dry skin. However this isn’t just because of the types of cleansers you use, but also the amount. Clearasil have done extensive research to discover exactly what the perfect amount of cleanser for maximum results is. All well and great for them, but it’s not as though we’re going to measure our cleanser each time we use it – in fact, cleanser use is probably the fastest step in a skincare routine because we just want to get that makeup off and move on to the skin serums and treatments.
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So it’s a good thing, then, that Clearasil have made a no-touch automatic dispenser that hands out the exact amount of cleanser required for optimum results – no less (for the skin not yet to be clean) and no more (for the skin to be dry afterward). Introducing Clearasil PerfectaWash Automatic Face Wash Dispenser. Working via sensor, the machine dispenses the appropriate amount of cleanser. My skin was visibly clearer within 24 hours, too – so you know the product inside stays true to Clearasil’s great reputation. Available from all Clearasil stockists.
Summer Mani’s, happen at last!
In Feet, Nails, Sun, Weather on September 29, 2012 at 2:55 pmToday I can feel the first signs of summer… I woke up with my doona kicked off, I wore sandals to the store, and I saw sundresses galore when I arrived. Which of these three excites me the most? Sandals, of course! Sandals mean toes on show, which means it’s time to play with all the nail polish colours in the land. Yay!
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There are many nail polish brands on the market, so we’re spoilt for choice. However, it must be said some are better than others, and those some are often more expensive. So when Natio released their Little Treasures mini polishes for only $5.95 each, I was pretty excited.
Natio polishes are great quality and the cheaper price point means we can buy more and switch them around throughout the season. I’m LOVING the bright red ‘Scarlett’, sorbet ‘Lemon’ and bright Summer-must-have coral ‘Tangerine’.
RRP$5.95, from all Natio stockists.
