Colonic Hydrotherapy. Ha.

Sooo, a Colonic Detox haaay? Yuuupp, I went there. And boy, am I glad I did! Now I’ve just got to figure out how to make this post readable and try to not give you the shits (I’m sorry, I had to). Colonics is a very hard topic to write about. Some people hate it, some people love it, some people are confused by it, some just would rather not think about it and some people are just plain against it. I used to fall into the “confused/not-really-sure-about-it-would-rather-not” category but I now fall into the “love-it-in-a-strange-way” category. Haaaah.

Let me get some background info out of the way first before I launch into some serious poo talk. I’ve always found colonic hydrotherapy interesting. Always wanted to know more about it, what it does, how it does it, other people’s experiences and what they thought of it. Not to mention what actually comes floating out. Eww haha, too much? I’m sorry! You’ve been warned though, this post is not for the faint hearted or poo averted. It will also contain a whole heap of really bad puns. Even though I was really interested in finding out what it does and how, I found that no-one really wanted to talk about it or even confess that they’d done it. Hm, strange I know. Colonic cleansing not a popular dinner party conversation? Strange, I know! So I thought I’d do my own little investigating online and came across these (1, 2, 3) little gems written by Yasmin Turker and Zoe Foster from PRIMPED.com.au. They pretty much convinced me that I needed to get onto the colonics stat.

image via Colon Care Clinic website

POP Tip: Scrub it off!

Summer is just around the corner which means long days at the beach, sipping cocktails by the pool and awesome music festivals which all involve showing a LOT of skin. If your skin is still in denial that summer is approaching and you need to whip it into summer-goddess mode, then keep reading! These few tips will make you look like that chick <—– (ha, I wish.)

Get ready to scrub. I never buy body scrubs or polishes cos you can make them yourself at home for a fraction of the cost with twice the added nutrients! Double win! A quick and easy one I made up and like to use which also helps get rid of fake tan is an oil based one.

Heat half a cup of olive or almond oil with 2 tablespoons of honey in the microwave for about 30 to 40 seconds. Add in roughly half a cup of salt (table, sea or Epsom it doesn’t matter) and about half a cup of sugar. Mix in until it’s all combined to form a paste. Add more or less sugar/salt depending on how runny it is, it’s up to you how you’d like it really.

Time to scrub it in! Rub in a circular motion working from your feet up. Focus on dry areas like your elbows, knees and heels. For extra smooth hands scrub it in vigorously after you’re done.

Rinse off and pat dry. Whilst skin is still damp use an light but ultra moisturising moisturiser all over. I love the L’occitane Organic Olive Tree Body Lotion.

This scrub is super easy to make and even better at removing dead skin. The olive oil or almond oil will help slough off the dead skin and any fake tan you may have on while the honey will work in conjunction with the oil to keep skin hydrated and fresh and prevent drying. Honey is also a natural antioxidant and has anti-microbial properties that help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun’s rays, supports the skin’s ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin to leave it feeling silky soft and supple.

I like to mix both sugar and salt so there’s a combination of both fine and course exfoliators and both sugar and salt are anti-oxidents as well as anti-bacterial.

How many body scrubs do you buy pack this much punch for $0?

Try this out next time you feel like a good scrub and let me know how it goes!

Ps, remember to enter yourself into my POP Comp to win a “Benefit Valley of the Stars” kit!

Current Beauty Routine

Inspired by Jessica over at the lovely the belle lumiere, I’ve decided to post up my current beauty routine. My skin care does change frequently though as I’m always on the hunt for the ‘next best thing’ and love trailing new products. Actually, that pretty much applies to all my beauty, bath and body prodz. Get comfy cos we’re going to be here for a while…

Face
1. Cleanser: APIVITA Creamy Face & Eye Foam Cleanser w/ lavender & olive
2. Toner: Decleor Tonifying Lotion
3. Serum: Trilogy Rosehip Oil
4. Moisturiser:  Biotherm AQUASOURCE  for Normal/Combination Skin (Summer), L’occitane Ultra Comforting Cream (Winter)
5. Exfoliator: APIVITA Intensive Exfoliating Cream w/ olive
6. Treatment: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate (currently using this and not the rosehip oil)
7. Sunscreen: Bloom Daily Shield Face SPF 30+

Body
8. Shower gel: APIVITA Relaxing Bath & Shower Gel w/ honey & vanilla
9. Body oil: Bloom Organics Nourishing Body Oil -Uplifting Blend
10. Body lotion: L’occitane Organic Olive Tree Body Lotion
11. Hand cream: APIVITA Intensive Moisturizing Hand Cream w/ cocoa butter & olive
12. Lip balm: Lanolips Lanolin Lip Balm
13. Perfume: swap between Missoni Acqua and DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom

Hair
14. Shampoo: APIVITA PROPOLINE Shampoo for Dry Scalp w/ honey & tea tree
15. Conditioner: Alchemy Macadamia & Wheat Conditioner
16. Treatment: REDKEN Extreme Rescue Force

Make-up
17. Primer: Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer
18. Foundation: Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser -Natural Radiance, mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation -#53
19. Concealer- under eye: L’Oreal True Match Touche Magique -Natural Beige
20. Concealer -face: Benefit Cosmetics You’re Bluffing (on my cheeks, I get really red!)
21. Powder: Cargo Blu_Ray  Pressed Powder (to set make up)
22. Bronzer: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola
23. Mascara -lengthening: Max Factor Masterpiece
24. Mascara -volume: Benefit Cosmetics BAD Gal Black
25. Illuminator: Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder -Starlight OR Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Shimmer Brick -Copper Diamond (both on cheekbones/cheeks)
26. Eyeliner: Bloom Shadow Liner -Charcoal Grey
27. Brow gel: Benefit Cosmetics Speed Brow

Oh my, I sure do use a lot of stuff… And this doesn’t even include my “whenever I feel like it” products! Eg, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, assorted lipsticks/lip glosses that rotate on a daily basis, random face masks by APIVITA…

I just realised I use a lot of APIVITA and nearly all of my skincare/body/haircare products are either organic or ‘natural’. How interesting, I’ve never actually actively sought out organic products only! I guess my beauty subconscious is on the right track then 🙂

Anyway, leave me a comment with what you use or post your own version of what you use and let me know! I love reading about other people’s routines! Yes, I am a bit of a sticky beak…