Posted on August 23, 2019 in Skincare Articles

Men’s skincare tips for a healthy and happy Father’s Day

In celebration of Father’s Day and the males in our lives, our co-founder Jacqueline Johnston has shared some simple skincare tips just for men!

Use a gentle facial cleanser

Are you guilty of washing your face with body wash? We know from our spa & clinic visitors that many of you are treating the skin on your face the same as your body. However, skin is far more sensitive on our face and requires specially designed products. Try an appropriate gentle facial cleanser that works with men’s facial hair. It’s important to make washing your face a part of your daily routine.

As most men shave almost every day, we’d recommend trying Hunter Lab’s Cleansing Shave Foam, which helps cleanse your skin while preparing and softening facial hair to protect the face.

Exfoliate every few days

Men’s skin tends to be thicker and produces more oil than female skin. It’s also prone to ingrown hairs due to shaving, meaning it needs a regular exfoliating regime to keep it clean, healthy and blemish free. Exfoliating regularly can assist facial hair growth in the correct way and minimise any ingrown hairs.

We know most men prefer their skincare routine to be as simple as possible and we recommend Hunter Lab’s Cleansing Facial Scrub as good starting point. A 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator, the facial scrub is quick and easy to use in the shower.

Protect with a daily moisturiser and SPF

Statistically, more men work outside than women and are prone to sun exposure on the tops of their heads and ears. To protect your skin, an SPF should be applied daily. OCosmedics Mineral Pro SPF30+ is a non-greasy, physical broad-spectrum SPF and can be easily applied every day to protect you from the sun’s harsh rays.

You can also try Hunter Lab’s Peptide Anti-Ageing Elixir, which is a concentrated and readily absorbed serum that delivers maximum nutrient nourishment. As the name mentions, it also helps prevents the physical signs of ageing.

Try a cleansing mask when possible

If you want to take extra special care of your skin, Hunter Lab offers a Charcoal Mask, a deep cleansing treatment to hydrate, soothe and nourish skin. The mask deep cleanses the skin and pores and removes impurities to prevent build up and leave your skin smooth.

For the ultimate introduction to skincare at home, there’s always Hunter Lab’s World’s Greatest Dad kit, which includes the Cleansing Shave Foam and Peptide Anti-Ageing Elixir.

Pop into our store to find out more and browse our array of men’s skincare products, including Hunter Lab, it’s World’s Greatest Dad kit and OCosmedics. We also offer specialised men’s treatments, so you’ll be sure to find something suitable this Father’s Day . Father’s Day Spa vouchers can be purchased online for immediate delivery.

Posted on August 12, 2019 in Pregnancy

Bubba Organics Interview with Body Freedom

A recent article from Bubba Organics.

It’s no secret we love our stockists! So it’s a pleasure to introduce our lovely customers to Body Freedom Urban Spa & Clinic. Located in the gorgeous and vibrant inner-city suburb of South Melbourne, owner Jacqueline and her dedicated team go above and beyond to create a truly luxurious and personalised experience for every client.

We took a moment to chat with Jacqueline about Body Freedom, their decision to stock Bubba Organics products, and why they’ve made treatments for expecting and post-partum mums such a focus.

What made you decide to stock our natural baby skin care?

We stock and recommend Bubba Organics because I used the range on my baby and was so impressed with its results. My daughter has sensitive skin and the Bubba Organics range has always worked beautifully for her – the formula is kind and gentle on her skin without any added nasties.

We also always try to stock Australian Made products that are locally made where possible, focusing on products that are natural and kind to skin and the planet. Bubba Organics ticks all these boxes.

Lastly, the team at Bubba Organics are so passionate about what they do, they are also kind and generous and a delight to work with!

Along with offering the standard body and beauty treatments, Body Freedom has a real focus on treatments designed for women during and after pregnancy. Why was this important to you?

Pregnancy is a very special time in a woman’s life, it is a time of great change to the body, mind and lifestyle. Being a registered nurse and a mother, I am aware of the changes that take place in a woman’s body during and after pregnancy and especially aware of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to body work pre and post pregnancy.

When I first studied massage and beauty therapy in the 90’s, I was very surprised by the lack of education and training available to students studying in specialty areas in relation to treating pregnant women. I took it upon myself to seek out further specialist education and training to ensure I was equipped with the knowledge required to treat women safely and therapeutically before and after pregnancy.

What are the benefits of pregnancy massage? And how do you accommodate a growing belly?

There are a whole range of benefits experienced as a result of pregnancy massages, including:

• Increased relaxation

• Relief from the aches and pains of pregnancy

• Balancing hormones

• Increased health of the lymphatic system by relieving swollen and painful limbs from extra fluid carried

• Assistance with body changes

• Increased sleep

We follow the teaching and recommendations of world-renowned pregnancy massage and shiatsu specialist, Suzanne Yates. Suzanne advocates side lying during pregnancy massages as it is the safest, most comfortable and therapeutic way to perform pregnancy massage. To accommodate a growing belly, a woman should lay on her side during a pregnancy massage and use body pillows for comfort and support.

As the pregnancy advances, we recommend a pregnancy massage on the futon, rather than a regular massage table, as the futon is the most comfortable and enables pure relaxation and therapeutic benefits.

Is it safe? How are your staff trained? Is there anyone who shouldn’t have a pregnancy massage?

Women have been massaged during their pregnancy for thousands of years by women in their family and communities. A professional massage is very safe when performed by educated and experienced massage therapists who have the required knowledge.

The team at Body Freedom are all fully qualified and experienced professionals. When joining Body Freedom, the therapists undergo further education and training in pregnancy massage and are personally assessed by myself before treating our clients.

Most pregnant women are able to have pregnancy massages however there are some medical conditions (that are deemed high risk) where a massage would not be performed. This includes uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe oedema, pre-eclampsia or high risk of miscarriage. If there are concerns, simply chat to your doctor and always be open with your therapist during the consultation before receiving a pregnancy massage.

“A SANCTUARY FROM CITY LIFE, OUR FUSION OF HOLISTIC TREATMENTS BACKED WITH CLINICAL EXPERTISE WILL BRING HARMONY TO THE BODY AND MIND.”

Pregnancy can be hard on our skin with hormonal break outs and pigmentation issues. Are there facial treatments designed to deal with skin issues specific to pregnancy?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and post-birth can be challenging for the skin and can lead to skin hydration changes, pigmentation and acne. At Body Freedom, we offer a specialised Pregnancy Clinical Facial and home care routine prescriptions for pregnant women. The best advice is a comprehensive morning and evening homecare routine coupled with a regular professional facial.

On top of this, we also recommend staying very well hydrated, eating a diet full of clean, fresh foods and getting around 8hrs of sound sleep, which will further assist with overall skin complexion.

Do you offer treatments for couples who are expecting a baby? Why are shared treatments useful to couples?

The treatment we have designed especially for couples to share during pregnancy is our Baby Moon Package. The Baby Moon includes a massage (a specialist pregnancy massage for mums-to-be and a relaxation massage for their non-pregnant partner), a botanical facial and a leg and foot pamper. Shared treatments are useful to couples as it enables people to bond and relax during what can be a challenging time. Self-care is so important!

And what about new mums? What services do you offer and why?

We always recommend massages for new mums. All of our therapists are well trained in how best to support and position women who may be breastfeeding or receiving a massage post-caesarean. A personal favourite treatment Body Freedom offers is the Detox Scrub and Wrap, as it is designed to therapeutically stimulate the lymphatic system helping to eliminate excess fluid. It is not only a full body scrub but also a shower, full body tailored massage and a refreshing facial. This treatment is profoundly relaxing, therapeutic and uplifting.

Have you really treated Megan Gale and Bec Judd? Are they as gorgeous in real life as they seem?

We have had the privilege and honour of meeting and treating these two very inspiring women! We treated Bec throughout her three pregnancies and she even mentioned Body Freedom in her book the ‘Baby Bible, A Guide To Taking Care Of Your Bump, Your Baby And Yourself,’ where she promotes the importance of self-care and massage. Bec is such a breath of fresh air – she is always delightfully gracious and thankful.

Megan also visited Body Freedom during her pregnancy and thoroughly enjoyed our pregnancy massages. Megan is so lovely, calm and friendly. They are both gorgeous women on the inside and out and, as with all our pregnant woman, are always so thankful for us sharing our expertise with them.

Our Ultimate Body Prep Guide for Spring Racing

By Sue Homewood

Beauty is 70% internal wellbeing, which is made up of diet, rest and a variety of exercise and 30% external features we like to call the “finishing touches”.

The 30% are the parts of us people see every day: hair, skin, face and feet. Here are our top tips for getting your external beauty in tip top shape for Spring Racing.

1. Hair:

Get rid of product build up by using 1 or 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water. Dry hair likes less, and oily hair likes more. This is a fantastic way to bring back your natural shine and body – apply in the shower directly after your shampoo, leave on for a few minutes and rinse lightly. For dry hair that needs that hydrating boost for volume, use a coconut oil mask. Pure coconut oil from the super market massaged into scalp and hair. Remember to wash out before bed to save your pillow.

2. Skin:

If you’re not in the habit of body brushing you should be! Just as you brush your teeth, take a few minutes, to brush your body. It exfoliates the skin so its smooth, soft and can breathe, and stimulates the lymphatic system so your immunity is boosted, your metabolism gets a kick start for the day and you help to detox your system. Body brush every morning, you will be glowing! As the weather gets warmer, exfoliating and moisturising daily is a great routine. Keep a regular eye on Facebook for more tips for body brushing or visit us in store for advice.

If you are planning a fake tan, do so with caution. Firstly make certain that your skin is well exfoliated of any dry patches and well moisturised all over. If you have sun spots, they love fake tan more than your skin. So if you are like me and have enjoyed a sun filled youth, you may look a little splotchy on the legs and arms. If that’s the case opt for a body bronzer over the spray tan. Also if getting a fake tan, be careful of the application on a really warm day as sweat and rubbing can lead to some interesting design patterns!

View Body Freedom Body Scrubs

3. Face:

Winter is harsh on our skin. Get rid of the winter build up and hydrate and plump like crazy to take years off and reduce those crow’s feet. A peel or multi-layer treatments like the Image 4 layer peel (one of our specialist consultation facials) is a real treat for your skin. For even greater results, refine your homecare products for the season, because as the weather changes so should your skincare regime. Working with your existing products we can tailor a program for maximum results. Ask when booking in with one of our skin specialists.

View Body Freedom Skin Treatments

4. Feet:

Did you know that your foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, and a whopping 250,000 sweat glands? And the feet are often the last parts of us we look after and show some love. Treat your feet and give them the TLC they deserve with a foot treatment and pedicure before they head out for the season. Start scrubbing and exfoliating your heals before the summer and remember, open shoes lead to cracked heals and dry skin. Grab a good pedicure brush paddle to use in the shower regularly.

Enjoy the change of season and bringing those fantastic frocks out of the cupboard.

Remember to use sunscreen which is right for your skin everyday this summer and that there is always a reason to wear a great hat!