Naturally Good Skincare

With so many skin and beauty brands on shelf and online, how do you choose a new product? Let me help you narrow your choices.
Go with natural and organic products where possible.
What you put on your skin is absorbed by the body - if you read through the ingredients and you can't pronounce most of the ingredients, let alone know what they are, do you really want to layer it all over your skin?
Antipodes has no artificial colours or fragrances, no mineral oils, no petrochemicals, and they don't test on animals. Natural ingredients in their products include New Zealand’s world-famous manuka, totara, kowhai and mamaku black fern, avocado oil, deeply moisturising Australian macadamia nut oil and China's Reishi mushroom of immortality. I use their Grace Gentle Cleanser and Rejoice Light Day cream (smells like sweet almond, delicious!)
Antipodes Website
Antipodes Facebook

The Jojoba Company use 100% natural Australian jojoba oil, in addition to Quandong and Kakadu plum extracts to nourish and moisturise skin. Like Antipodes, their products are gentle, naturally derived and smell divine. The Jojoba Company was founded in 2008 by Ian Turner, who planted his first crop of jojoba on the family estate in New­ South Wales.
I added to my haul of BB and CC creams with the latest Jojoba Company cleansing product, The EE Cream (a jojoba oil-based exfoliant that isn't harsh and drying!)
The Jojoba Company Website
The Jojoba Company Facebook

Brazil does it Better - pilates butt, thighs and abs workout

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you will know that I am a nail-polish-aholic. I can claim it as work-related though! There is much finger and toenail looking throughout Ballet Sculpt. The planks, the reaching, the balance work. Looking at chipped, flaky nails would just be depressing!
So!
This post is inspired by OPI's Brazil Collection. And the beautiful Brazilian body. I haven't been, mind you, but it's common knowledge that the Brazilian bikini is the skimpiest outfit there is and while a perfectly taut torso isn't required, a whole lot of confidence in what you have IS.
Here's your checklist for what really matters:

• Do you know roughly how much protein you require daily and do you meet it?
• Can you touch your toes?
• Can you exercise moderately at least 3 times a week?
• Do you vary your activities?
• Do you do some form of weight/resistance training (using bands, dumbbells, bars or cables)?
• Could you run 50 metres to catch a bus without being out of breath?

If you answered no to any of these questions, that's your challenge for the coming two weeks. Make exercise a priority. Think of where your weaknesses are and try to challenge them through your training choices.

I LOVE dancing and I love yoga. I haven't been doing either for over 12 months! So my challenge looks like this:

• Take dance classes
• Take yoga classes
• Paint nails "Don't Bossa Nova Me Around"

In 25 minutes, you can do this quick "Brazilian Butt" workout - you just need a mat. Great pilates techniques given at the start - watch, listen and learn!

www.opi.net.au/brazil.html

Solow Style Ambassador

I mentioned a while back that I am an ambassador for amazing activewear brand, Solow Style. I am very fussy about the quality and cut of activewear since I wear it 99% of the time!
I do my own training - cardio and weights - plus teach Ballet Sculpt and Pump - wearing Solow gear. It is so flattering too - don't ever underestimate the power of feeling confident in how you look to actually performing at your best.

My profile is here and while you're there, check out the other ambassadors. There's some amazing women and their fitness/health websites to get inspired by.
http://www.facebook.com/solowstyle
https://twitter.com/solowstyle
http://pinterest.com/solowstyle/
http://instagram.com/solowstyle

Get The Ballet Look

It's easy. With some select products and having mastered a top knot hairdo, you'll be up, scrubbed, made up and out the door in time for a coffee pre-workout!
Loving the Digital Romance collection from Lady Jayne - pinks, bobby pins and bow-adorned hairties and headband - gorgeous!

Australis CC Cream & Highlights in Pearl

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in #2

Manicare glameyes

Rimmel ScandalEyes liquid eyeliner pen

Lady Jayne Digital Romance hair accessories

Whittle Your Waist in an Ad-Break!

Yes, you can. The abdominal muscles should be getting a workout throughout your day just by stabilising your hips, when you twist, bend, lift or stretch. You don't need to go spending 30 - 40 minutes specifically doing abdominal exercises. Especially crunching for long periods.

The following moves will target rectus abdominus and your obliques particularly. These run in a cross-hatch pattern down the side of your torso. Shamelessly indicating this in the image to the left. Stop staring, get to work!

Focus on gentle anchoring your belly button back towards your spine - not sucking in like you'll turn blue in the face, just feeling a 'brace' so that you can sense your tummy muscles are switched on. This is your first step - THEN start moving.
Side Step: ensure your full foot steps up to the bench before you extend - this can be done without weights if you prefer - keep your hips aligned beneath your shoulders so they don't tilt to the side.

Side Plank: you can do this on your knees - think about raising your hips to the roof.

Twist: you can use a rolled up towel or elastic strap - only lean back as far as you can keep your abs braced and DO NOT HUNCH YOUR BACK!

Side Step and Lateral Extension

Side Plank

Twist

Australis: Giveaway!

My first ever makeup was a very pale pink lipstick my mum left wrapped on my pillow when I was
10. It was labelled "Australis" and I wore it until it was just a pink speck in the tube! I have loved lipstick every since. Fortunately, just as I am still getting excited over new colours and formulas, Australis are still innovating and they have also labelled their products animal friendly. Some are vegan too.
I am proud and thrilled to celebrate the awesome Velourlips Matte Cream range by giving away four shades.

All you need to do is head to the website and pick your favourite shade. Let me know on Facebook which one you want and first in, best dressed! You MUST Like Australis on Facebook!

I'm also loving the pink/purple colours - incomparable. Not easy to make purple wearable! Loving Gangsta Rap and pale, lilac-hued Lick The Icing.

ghd Pastel Collection - get jealous over Jade!

If you are, like me, a regular gym-goer, yogi, pilates princess or runner, you will know the frustration of frizzy hair post-workout. Or FHPW.

You will also know the deep frustration of never getting your hair to be perfectly straight and smooth in the same way your hairdresser does. But I have discovered the answer! Just in time for my newly tender, blonded locks.

This is the beauty of having a friend who is a fabulous hairdresser. You must, must, must invest in a ghd straightener. They are salon-quality, perfectly and evenly heated ceramic plates and able to create straight and curled looks.

Think of it like cost-per-wear. Not to mention that you won't have to constantly cut off your fried, split ends because they won't be fried!

I have to admit, it is the ghd Pastel Collection that sold me. Lavender (pale purple), Periwinkle (pale blue) or Jade (pale green) are your options ($249). Free delivery from the website - just register!

For stockists, call 1300 443 424 or go to www.ghdhair.com/au
You can find hair inspiration from ghd on their Pinterest and Facebook

Still lightening my stubborn locks but the goal is pastel pinky-purple. Love your tips and advice if you have achieved the pastel colour look. Get over to my Facebook and leave me your comment!

If you're keen to achieve a bright colour, I recommend Fudge Paint Box!