Beauty Review: Alison Jade

Hi everyone,

So today I wanted to talk to you about my visit to Alison Jade in Cottesloe. Something I have found is that while there are so many bloggers and Instagrammers out there, very few people seem to actually do posts on their experiences at beauty and hair salons. I really enjoy trying out new places, and am constantly on the lookout for great local places, but I do like to research the place before going. There's only so much an Instagram photo can tell you! This is why I thought I'd share my experience, so that others looking to try somewhere new can have a little more insight into the place before trying it out!

I called in to book an appointment, and was lucky enough to get an appointment for the following day. There is parking just across the road by the train line, but you've got to keep an eye out as those spots can fill up quickly! Having said that, an eyebrow appointment generally lasts somewhere between 15 - 30 minutes, so there is a lot of movement there.

Walking into the building was like walking into what I imagine a lobby for a fashion magazine would be like. Very chic, clean and spacious with elements of luxury here and there.

Such a gorgeous waiting area!

I arrived early to my appointment (surprise, surprise), so I was encourage to help myself to some delicious T2 iced tea. There were also macarons and even champagne available for those after something a little more glamourous.

T2 iced tea

Macarons and champagne

Soon I was greeted by my brow specialist, who led me to my room. It's more like a row of open rooms, with beaded curtains for a little privacy. As I settled into my large, plush chair, I felt more like I was having a spa appointment rather than your typical brow appointment. We chatted a little about what sort of shape I was after, how long it had been since my last appointment and how I had been maintaining them. As I have Asian brows, I am really quite particular with how I like my brows shaped, and often end up just shaping them myself. I'm not a huge fan of the arched look, preferring more of the typical Korean style straight brow, but I do like a soft, natural arch. 

First, my brows were trimmed, then a medium tint was placed to match my hair. After this, my brows were waxed and then plucked to perfection. So much attention on the brows! My specialist really knew what she was doing, and was quite a perfectionist in getting a super clean shape. The whole experience was finished with her filling in my brows.

Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take a photo of what my eyebrows looked like before to compare, however I have a photo of what it looked like straight after.

I know there are hairs sticking out! She told me to leave them to grow out more, and to use a brow gel in the meanwhile to keep them down.

Overall the experience was a lovely one, a place to feel a little bit special and have wonderful service. I do really like my brows, even though I feel like they still may be a little too arched for my taste, and perhaps drawn on a little longer than I normally would draw them. Besides that, I like how the rest of the shape and thickness ended up. At $60 for an initial appointment, and $55 thereafter, it is definitely on the pricey side, but completely worth it if you are like me and just needed a completely brow reshape. The price covers not only the actual service, which is very detailed, but also good service and yummy tea!

xo Sara

The 2015 advent calendar list (and ones you can get in Australia)

Hello lovelies,

It is finally December, which means we can finally put those textbooks aside and focus on getting ready for the festive season. A must have item for Christmas is an advent calendar because not only is it a fun way to count down to the big day but who needs an excuse to get a little treat every day? I've compiled my ultimate advent calendar list for everyone who hasn't gotten one yet, it's not too late!

The beauty advent calendars 

These usually are quite rare in Australia but this year I've noticed a lot more beauty calendars popping up in Australian stores though at slightly higher prices.

Benefit Big 12 Party Poppers ($78, valued at $93)

This calendar is the perfect treat for make up lovers, with 12 days of sample sized Benefit products including favourites such as they're real! mascara, lollitint lip and cheek tint and POREfessional pore minimiser. It also plays an original 'Bene-song'  jingle when you open it but beware it is also light sensitive so when you open the curtains in the morning don't get scared when it suddenly starts singing!


Myer beauty box ($160)

I was so excited to see Myer offering this beauty box because I think it's one of the first major Australian department stores to do so. Although, it's on the pricier side it does contain make up and skincare products from brands like YSL, Lancôme, Giorgio Armani and Kiehls as well as a few mini perfume bottles. They only have 2000 of these for the whole of Australia so I would order one as soon as possible.


Loccitane advent calendar ($70)

A more reasonably priced beauty calendar with 17 beauty products, the majority of which are foot/hand creams but also including oils and eau du toilettes. It also has 7 Provençal gifts, which are miscellaneous items like gift tags and stickers. Although I like the price of this calendar, I think I would have preferred it to contain all Loccitane products instead of the little crafty bits and pieces.


Body shop advent calendar (Standard: $129, Deluxe: $199)

Deluxe version

There are two versions of this calendar: standard or deluxe. The difference between the standard (green) and the deluxe (red) version is mainly that the deluxe calendar is much bigger in size because it contains more larger/full sized products and a few more make up products instead of skincare. The green one seems to be selling out very quickly probably because of the cheaper price. I recommend looking at the contents list on the body shop website if you don't mind the spoilers as the calendars do contain different products from each other.


12 days of Lush ($99.95)

Completely vegan with a decent haul of bath bombs, body lotions and bubble bars in popular festive scents plus two exclusive Oxford St shower creams, this is the perfect way to make the lead up to Christmas more relaxing.

Charlotte Tilbury Book of Magic

With a mix of 12 sample and full sized beauty products and featuring the new Magic Night Cream, exclusive to the advent calendar, this one is a firm favourite with make up gurus.

Adore beauty advent calendar ($199, valued at $369)

This calendar has 24 deluxe mini products from a variety of popular brands such as Benefit, Essie, Lancôme, La Roche-Posay, philosophy, SK-II and St Tropez. It's similar to the Myer Beauty box but has more types of products (nail polish, primers, moisturisers, body oils...). Note: there's free shipping to Australia :)

Chocolate advent calendars

Moo free advent calendar (Prices online are quite expensive but I got mine from Target for only $5, what a bargain!)

Organic, dairy free, gluten free, soya free and vegan. What I love about this calendar is that it contains tasty dark chocolate and doesn't give me that intense sugar rush I get after eating the chocolates from those generic grocery store advent calendars.


Lindt advent calendar ($25)
Contains classic Lindt milk and dark chocolate truffles. I cannot find an image on the Internet of this but it's white and gold and I've seen these in David Jones and Myers.


Hotel Chocolat- Advent Calendar for Two

I absolutely love this calendar because behind each window is two baby truffles so both you and a friend get a fancy chocolate at the same time. Each truffle is uniquely flavoured including Pecan Gingerbread, Cinnamon Praline and Salted Caramel Cream. They also have normal advent calendars which comes in white, milk or dark chocolate which is perfect for those with a preference to a certain type, which can be harder to find in the grocery store.

I hope this helps you score some last minute advent calendars especially to my fellow Australians where it requires some research. The calendars I've listed are still available as I'm writing this but as expected they are are disappearing off the shelves fast so go, go, go! Are there any that I'm missing from this list? If so please spread the Christmas cheer by mentioning it in the comments section below ;)

Serena

Beauty Buys: Shiseido Ibuki range

One of my little life problems has finally been solved! My skin hasn't been this clear in almost two years now, and it's thanks to the Ibuki range from Shiseido. I've never had acne prone skin, even throughout my teenage years, but for some reason I started developing little breakouts on my forehead around two years ago, and they would just keep returning. I have tried various brands, but just haven't been as satisfied as I have with this range so far.

Shiseido is a globally renowned Japanese brand, famous for their well-researched skincare products. Their Ibuki range is one of their newer ranges, and focuses on rejuvenating the skin by hydrating and increasing resistance to breakouts and visible pores.

My favourites from the range

I decided to test out a mini pack while I was holidaying in Malaysia, and I was so pleased with the results that I ended up buying the full size products once I returned home to Perth. I really like all the products, but I'd like to focus especially on the cleanser, softening concentrate and emulsion, which were standout products for me.


Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser:
This cleanser definitely lived up to its name by not irritating my sensitive skin at all! It has a light, pleasant smell, and lathers up into a dense foam very easily. It is very light and refreshing on the skin, and effectively removes impurities and excess makeup.

How to use:
After removing makeup, just squeeze a small amount into your hands, add water and lather into a rich foam.
Apply all over your face, taking care to gently massage the product in.
Rinse the product off with warm water.

My skin didn't feel dry or sticky at all afterwards, and the cleanser helps to prep the skin for the next step; the softener.

Shiseido Ibuki Softening Concentrate:
Used directly after cleansing, the softener is used to intensely hydrate the skin and helps to enhance the effects of the products that are used after. The Ibuki softener has been formulated with PhytoResist Complex, which is meant to increase skin resistance against pore infections and enlarging.

How to use:
Pat a small amount gently all over the face.

This feels like a more liquified version of moisturiser, and definitely feels extremely hydrating.

Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturiser:
The purpose of the refining moisturiser is to renew the skin's surface and reduce enlarged pores, clear blemish marks and combat breakouts.

How to use:
This should be applied straight after using the softening concentrate, even if your skin still feels a little wet, as it helps to lock in all that moisture.

It feels very hydrating on, and yet it is very light on the skin. For someone with dry skin, such as myself, my skin has never felt more moisturised than it has with this product.

What I really like about this range is that despite it being extremely moisturising, it never feels heavy or as if it is clogging your pores at all. My skin is no longer dry, my pores have decreased in size, and I no longer have any temperamental little breakouts on my face at all.

For more information on these products, and the other products in the Ibuki range, please visit the Shiseido website: https://www.shiseido.com.au/lines/ibuki/

Shiseido is available in both David Jones and Myer, and both offer the mini trial kits as well if you'd prefer to test out the range.

Sara