Kosmea Spa Treatment

I had been contemplating a spa day, just to spoil myself as my skin is getting older. How it was at 15 is totally different to today at 26. When Celeste of Becoming Beautiful and Adelaide Beauty Bloggers advised us she had organised with Kosmea for us to receive a complimentary 60 minute spa treatment, I jumped at the chance!

Although I had heard of Kosmea's Rose Hip oil before, I didn't realise they had a skin care range. I also didn't know they had a Day Spa. This only opened recently. From their website:

"Kosmea is an Australian natural skincare company and an international success story, founded on the healing properties of certified organic rose hip oil.
From the earliest days the company and its products have been developed with a strong vision, determination and commitment to integrity."

I was a bit hesitant at first to go along, as I normally don't like rose scents unless they are from the rose itself. Being of Greek and Cypriot descent, we also use rosewater occasionally in sweets, but again not a fan. I also have sensitive skin, and products like Dermalogica make me break out due to the fragrances added.

Kosmea Australia's first day spa

When I arrived, I filled out a standard questionnaire, detailing any medical conditions, allergies, etc, but I find these forms pretty standard across the board. Within seconds of handing back the form, the lovely Amy came to collect me. The treatment room was so nice, it was cozy, but definitely a friendly environment. The temperature was ambient, not too cold and not too warm. The artwork on the wall was lovely, and was definitely a nice touch.

 

The chair is another of those nice touches in the treatment room

 After losing the jewellery and putting on a robe, I hopped under the sheet. I was ready for a snooze by this stage of the day! I'm glad we weren't completely quiet, Amy and I chatted about houses, kids and my nail polish addiction.

My treatment started with the Purifying Cream Cleanser, a silky feeling cleanser which Amy applied to my skin and then rinsed off. Not like a conventional face wash, it felt lovely and rinsed off nicely, no suds up my nose! After my skin was cleaned, Amy asked me to shut my eyes and used a UV light mask to check out my skin's condition. I have dehydrated skin around my eyes, to the right and left of my lower lip and under my lower lip. I have sun damage to my chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. I don't spend a lot of time in the sun, but didn't even think that I could be doing the damage when driving to work and home!

I then had a hot cloth covering my face. Love this, I miss flying Singapore Airlines just for the hot towels! After this, my covered my face with the Daily Facial Exfoliant. I was hoping I wouldn't rash up or break out. Wow! No bad reaction to my skin at all. While it was on my skin, Amy switched on a steam machine, and that steamed my face while she used a machine similar to the Clarisonic over the exfoliant scrub. I would never in a million years have thought of this! The steam got a bit too much for me at times, but it was nice and warm, and cleared my lungs and nose. After it was switched off, it was a shame, because it felt cold in the room!

The very comfortable treatment bed, which has a sheet and blanket and is so comfy!

Now that my face had been scrubbed down, Amy applied a product which I can't remember the name of, but it had fruit acids in it. While it was settling on my skin, she gave me a massage while we chatted. After asked if I wanted a soft or hard massage, I jumped on hard. Sure, it would be painful, but worth it. At first, I thought Amy was going gentle on me, but after she got stuck into my back, neck, shoulders and all the knots, I felt the pain. And it was GOOD! It was much appreciated, and I felt like snoozing then and there on the table. Absolute bliss!

Some of the products used today

My face was then wiped off and another hot towel covered it. Amy then sprayed my face with the Hydrating Rosewater Mist which smelt so nice. Then it was time to add the Rose Hip Oil to my problem areas. Under my lip, to the sides and massaged around my eyes. This felt so nice, and was a lovely way to finish the treatment. This is applied to problem areas and then you can wear moisturiser over the top. However, instead of moisturiser, Amy applied the Moisturising Lotion SPF 30+, which was non-greasy and has a tint to it, so can be worn by itself.

The cherry blossom artwork

After the treatment, as I was getting dressed, I checked the time. For a complimentary session, I had got my full hour treatment, which I was pleased with and a little surprised. From beginning to end, I didn't feel rushed. The calming decor was a contributing relaxation factor.

Throughout the whole appointment, I didn't feel rushed, and I didn't feel pressured to buy any products. Unfortunately, I didn't purchase any products tonight, but as Kosmea is close to my work, I will be happy to return and purchase the Rose Hip Oil. I think I will visit Kosmea every so often to spoil my skin, as their pricing is reasonable, and it takes a special product to not make my skin react.

My skin after, just a glow from being pampered

I would definitely recommend the Kosmea Day Spa, and I will be going back to buy vouchers for my Mum and MIL. This is how much faith I have in the Kosmea brand and their lovely staff. I can't wait to go back for my next treatment. As a bonus, while writing this review my skin smells like turkish delight and citrus.

You can find the Kosmea Day Spa at 71 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood. Appointments can be made by calling 1300 130 320.

This service was provided free of charge but all opinions are my own.

New laptop!

So today, my lovely partner went on a recon mission to get me a new laptop. I've been looking for a while now, as my cute little Asus eee pc has just about had it. 3 years of use and abuse has been too much for it, and I've been finding what I need it for is too much for its little processor.

One thing I've been looking for in a laptop is colour. A pink Sony Vaio would have been best, buuuut money is always a thing when updating technology. So when I went to JB Hifi, I ended up falling in love with a Toshiba. In white! The problem was, it was running Windows 8 and had an i3 processor. Something that didn't bother me, but friends and family advised me against it. All good!

So while perusing the JB site today, I found this. The Toshiba C850/0G6. It is the next model up, but I have been given blessings to buy this one. I feel sorry for my Asus which is going to get wiped and sold.

The specs are everything I wanted and more, I think the 1TB HDD is a bit special, so I'm quite excited to start using it!

This is my new baby's specs - so pretty: Toshiba website

Exalt the new baby

Want it Wednesday: Oroton Emeril Handbag

Hello readers,

This week's edition of Want it Wednesday is my lemming for the Oroten Emeril Jacquard Shopper Tote. I have always loved Oroton, and as a woman, who doesn't love handbags?? I came across this one while looking at the Oroton website in their post-Christmas sale. It is beautiful, and made of love.

Currently on sale for $270, this bag only seems to be available online. The stores I have checked out have been sold out, and I haven't found an SA with any level of customer service skills to see if any other stores stock it.

There is also a matching purse, or clutch, for $115, here.

That's it for this week's episode of Want it Wednesday! This bag and purse are affordable, yes, however I always have trouble justifying expensive purchases.

This is definitely one for the wish fairy!

xo E



Want It Wednesday: XO(eco) Lunch Kit

I thought I might start a weekly thread, the "Want it Wednesday". This is where I will post about what I want, and maybe post later if I get it. Some of the future posts will be about things that I would love (want, not need), but can't afford, or can't get shipped to Australia, cause hey, nobody wants to ever send anything here!

I am in love with the Lauren Conrad XO(eco) Lunch Kit. Containing a cute lunchbox, reusable drink tumbler and hand towel. It comes in 2 patterns, black and cream tuxedo stripes, or green birds on a wire.

As someone who brings their lunch into work daily, I love the idea of a reusable lunch box, and the tumbler is too cute! I would love it to sit on my desk daily. I would probably want 2 or 3!

It is designed by Lauren Conrad for Blue Avocado, a company who have dedicated themselves to using recyclable materials to reduce environmental waste and inspire change.

There's nothing wrong with being environmentally conscious, and this would be a great way to promote recycling and upcycling.

If anyone would like to spoil me, here's where you can buy it (in green!): Blue Avocado.

x E

It's Hot (and Frizzy) in the City

Happy 44 degree weather day, everyone!! Today is not my type of weather, but even though I don't like it, doesn't mean my hair has to suffer. Today I've left my hair naturally curly, as I don't see the point of straightening my hair when I know I'll perspire. Then my hair will look disgusting, and I don't like to wash my hair daily as this is unnecessary and stresses my already bleached, fragile, fine hair.

As I said, I have really curly hair. Photos of me as a kid show I had really tight curls, and it was very bouncy. I started growing my hair longer, and then puberty hit. My curls are still there, but not as well defined. The longer it grows, I get even less definition. I find that the only time I get a true curl is when I get my period.

Anyway, so I decided before Christmas to colour my hair. Taking a natural dark brown, whacking half a head of honey blonde foils into it, was always going to stress it a bit. I haven't found THE cure, but I have worked out a way to make it look and feel as healthy as it can after being bleached.

When in the shower, I use the Evo Mane Prescription Protein Treatment after shampooing and conditioning. When you squeeze it out of its container, it looks a bit stingy and smells a bit strange. But when it goes into my hair, a little goes on a long way and it makes my hair feel so lovely and smooth, and it smells great! You can buy it here.

After washing, I use a towel turban to get the excess water off my hair. They look daggy, but they do the job! Mine is pink ;) I find this usually takes a couple of minutes, so I moisturise or something like that. Then goes in a bit of Moroccanoil, which smells amazing and makes my hair feel so soft. I then comb my hair using my (again pink!) Tangle Teezer, which I stumbled upon by mistake, and now can't get enough of. It works great on damp, curly hair or dry straight hair.

You can by Moroccanoil here and the Tangle Teezer here.

Here is where my hair goes through a decision. Do I want to straighten it, or leave it curly for the day?

If I leave it curly, after combing I'll add a drop of Tigi S Factor One Curl at a Time and leave my hair to air dry. I have tried to blow dry my hair, but can't seem to get it down pat yet. Hopefully, the use of product will aid me in this endeavour. Tigi has always been my go-to when using curl products. In fact, it was like yesterday my cousin took over my hair and used the Tigi Curl Jam in it to make my curls look as they should! The effect is a lovely, soft curl which almost smells like coming from a hairdresser. You know the smell I mean!

If the day is a straight hair day, after using the Tangle Teezer, I let my hair air dry in more than enough time to use my loved and abused GHD straightener. I think it's the second generation one, but I got rid of the box about a year ago. Before using the straightener, I make sure to spritz a healthy amount of RPR Protect My Hair Thermal Defense Spray. This smells like wildberries, and helps to give a nice shine when straightening. I find if I spray on too much, and it dries, it goes tacky and I don't get a very good straighten with it. If I want to put curls or waves in my hair, I don't use this, as it doesn't let me curl my hair properly, it kind of just sits there. I bought mine at Price Attack, but you can also buy it here.
After my hair has been straightened, I spritz on a bit of Sebastian Halo Mist, let it dry and away I go! The Halo Mist leaves a nice shine without that greasy feeling that some shine serums leave behind.

This is my daily hair. What do you do to yours?