We hear a lot about mineral make-up, so why should we make the switch?

No nasties
In a quest for all things natural, mineral make-up comes up trumps. “Mineral make-up contains no added chemicals, synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances or parabens – the additives that can make your skin itchy and irritated” says Krystal Morcombe, an Australian make-up artist who specialises in mineral make-up. 

Colour in
The natural pigment of minerals, which are mined straight from the earth, such as ultramarine (which is blue in colour) or rose quartz (pink in colour) allows for their use as eyeshadows and blush. “They also contain natural light-reflecting agents that gives skin a glamorous glow” explains Krystal.

Gentle on the skin
The finely milled powders won’t clog pores or cause irritation. “What’s great is that it’s not thick or heavy like many other make-ups.  It allows you to look naturally beautiful. It feels great putting it on each day and knowing that it’s not bad for your skin like other cosmetics”.

Sun smart
Minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide contain natural sun-protection qualities, making them the perfect alternative to chemical sunscreens in make-up. Krystal explains “titanium dioxide in particular supplies broad spectrum UVA protection”.

Two birds with one mineral stone
A mineral powder can do the job of both a foundation and translucent powder, “and because ingredients such as zinc salts have natural adhesive properties, the make-up is long lasting” says Krystal. Mineral powder can even double as a concealer.

To use the powder as a concealer on problem areas or around the eyes, Krystal applies powder using a small brush or eyeshadow brush. “All of our mineral products have multiple uses; eyeshadows for example work great as blushes or lipstains. Even the lunar dust (bronzer) can be added to moisturiser and used as a fake tan.”  Saving you money as well!

Brush up
Krystal recommends buying a new brush for applying mineral make-up. “You should use a coarser brush such as a sable brush (goat’s hair) that allows you to buff the product and won’t allow mineral particles to get caught in the brush”.

Krystal Morcombe is the Founder of Joli Body (meaning ‘beautiful body’) and uses the 100% pure mineral make-up of Youngblood. For more information please call: 03 5442 7711 or visit www.youngbloodmineralcosmetics.com.au

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We all know that when something is certified organic we can trust that they are the best and most natural products for our bodies. But when a little stranger is welcomed into your life, we should extend these skincare values to our most precious of skins.

While they are cute as a button and you love them unconditionally, between snotty noses and impossibly full nappies, sometimes bubs can get a little on the nose.

We at Luscious absolutely adore the certified organic and completely Australian creations by Milk Baby.

The range was developed by the stunningly beautiful Lindy Klim (wife of Australian swimmer Michael) while she was pregnant with her second child. 

As a new mother she was faced with the frustration of trying to find a range of baby skincare products that she could trust to be safe to use on her little ones.

As her husband was developing his own range of men’s skincare, she decided to create a truly unique range just for babies.

Her website not only provides a full description of products, but also contains a wealth of knowledge from one mother to others about how to best settle your little baby into their new surrounds.

Milk Baby’s oh-so-cutely names products such as snotty grotty room spray, stinky winky odour neutralisers,  spotty bots moisturising creams and sleepy bubs massage oils are all available to online.

Each bottle is simple, yet stylishly designed so as to blend in easily in our Luscious homes.

Her full range is available to purchase from the website, as well as through various stockists around Australia. They are not only the perfect way to bond with your baby, but a beautiful gift for first-time yummy mummies. 

For more yummy mummy lusciousness, check out our Yummy mummy, Awesome aunty page.

If money was no option...(and if I could surf) I would definitely be purchasing...

the Chanel surfboard at $4000.

To make me eternally jealous, visit www.chanel.com for stockist details.

Learn more about Gidget on Wikipedia and IMDB.
 

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Forget spin class, do your bit for the environment, your funds and your calf muscles at the same time by getting on your bike.

Raising the profile for the two-wheeled mode of transport is model Agyness Deyn who during New York Fashion Week cycled her retro bicycle from show to show.

Agyness, who rides an old Pashley Princess Classic, an old-fashioned black-framed bike with a straw basket, apparently also likes riding for shopping convenience.

She stated in the Sunday Mirror that “When I am on the bike and see a good shop I can jump off and go in and have a look around”.

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My diet often changes with the wind, one week I will decide to be super healthy, eating lots of salads and cutting out processed foods, and then I will get bored, give into temptation, and tuck into something laden with sugar, salt and fat, oh my!

Throughout the good and the bad times, there is one thing I continue to do that helps me to no end, which is drinking green tea.

Without fail, every morning I will make a cup of green tea and drink it with my breakfast, then in the evening after dinner I like to end the day with one as well. I have been drinking green tea for the past eight years and enjoy the cleansing, revitalising feelings it gives me.

Here are some of the health benefits associated with drinking green tea:

• helps to detoxify and cleanse the body by eliminating free radicals with powerful antioxidants
• boosts the metabolism and assists in weight loss and slow the ageing process
• absorbs and blocks cholesterol in the blood, increases fat oxidation and normalise blood pressure levels
• helps to fight bacteria and viruses, and strengthen the immune system and treat impaired immune function
• improves condition of the intestines by blocking bad bacteria and increasing levels of good bacteria
• may help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria, which causes dental plaque.

Green tea may also be helpful to prevent and fight the following diseases:

• cardiovascular diseases
• autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes
• cancer by inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells
• Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

For the best green tea, you should buy loose tea leaves, not tea bags. Specialty Chinese shops will sell green tea, as will your local supermarket, or you can try my favourite place, T2, which has a large assortment of loose green tea varieties that will keep you interested, with so many different types to taste.

If you find the taste of green tea unappealing, try a mix of green tea and mint. This is a common combination that has a beautiful minty taste that is wonderful for digestion.

Interested in learning more? Check out these websites:

• naturaltherapypages.com.au
• chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly
• t2tea.com.au

See our Tea time photo gallery.

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Rediscover the Hula Hoop

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to strengthen your core muscles and you want a change from pilates or yoga, why not rediscover this childhood staple as an exhilerating exercise tool.

The hula hoop can effectively trim your waist, hips, and thighs, build abdominal and lower back muscles, and give your cardiovascular system a work out.

Grace Jones showed us how at her Roadhouse concerts earlier this year, hypnotising crowds with her continuous hooping during her rendition of “Slave to The Rhythm”.  www.youtube.com/watch

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Street Latin dance

Looking for a new foray into the fitness world? Why not try a street Latin dance class: a combination of Salsa, Tango and Cha-Cha.

Not only will it work your calves and core muscles, but the sensual moves that involve some serious swaying of the hips are guaranteed to give you an instant boost in feeling confidant, sexy and womanly. It also allows to get in some practice dancing in heels!

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Skip to it!

Skipping not only improves bone-density, co-ordination, cardiovascular health and weight loss; but works almost every muscle in your body.

Singer Katy Perry is a fan of the skipping rope, and even uses the exercise in a bid to prevent wardrobe malfunctions. She jumps rope for ten minutes before going on stage to road test her costumes.

The best thing about the skipping rope: it’s portable! And there’s no excuse when it can tucked away into your handbag!  

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Some ways to find time to exercise

• Park the car a block away from your destination, and try to make it 2 blocks next time
• Find a friend to share the time with - not much different than meeting them for a coffee
• Listen to a talking book, music or the radio, or simply use the time as "thinking time" to get things sorted in your head before you take action
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes so there is no excuse not to drive a couple of blocks out of your way on the way to walk for even just 20 minutes
• Take your dog for the daily walk they need - they will be so much better behaved and you will feel less guilty about telling them off for eating your pot plants when they are bored
• Keep a pair of walking shoes and bottle of water in the car at all times
• Invest in WiiFit and play games such as tennis with a friend in the comfort of your own living room
• Pretend that an appointment is earlier than scheduled so force you to get there and go for a walk beforegand
• Stop at a park and throw a ball or frisbee around with your kids on the way home from school (or find some kids if you don't have any of your own)
• Catch up with your partner or best friend after work by going for a walk together as soon as you are both home (if you don't do it straight away, you probably won't do it)
• Have 2-3 exercise outfits so that one is always clean and ready to go (no excuses about not having anything to wear!)
• Give yourself a list of jobs to do at lunchtime which requires you to walk there and back for one item, one day at a time
• Organise a bunch of friends to have a communal game, such as soccer or cricket, which ends with a BBQ  at the end
• Have individual lessons so there is a regularly, paid commitment.

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Let’s get physical

It can be hard with our luscious lifestyles to find the time to dedicate to keeping ourselves fit. Fitness however, does not necessarily mean having to make time to book into the gym; here are some ways to add exercise into your daily regime:


Shop into shape
Walking can burn up to 250 calories per hour so why not do some window shopping on your lunch break or take a stroll around the local markets on a Sunday afternoon. Also try parking further away from the shops and walk a little extra.

Do a dance
Dancing not only improves your mood but you can burn up to 180 calories per hour. So hit the dance floor with your ladies this Saturday night or consider signing up for salsa, hip-hop or ballroom dancing classes. It’s a great way to spend time with friends, learn something new and tone up those calf muscles.

Control the calories for charity
Not only can you get fit, but you can also help a charity! Consider a fun run/walk or bike ride. Once you have signed up and committed yourself, you will find yourself more motivated and will know deep down that you must see it through. Search for charity events in your state online and get your friends involved!

Garden for good health
Gardening not only gets you out in the fresh air and help reduce stress, but can also help you get fit. Pruning works your shoulders, back and pectorals; raking works your back, arms and legs; watering works your deltoid muscle; and weeding works your back legs and arms. Just remember to take a rest in the shade and drink plenty of water. 

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Amy Adams was truly a spangled star in her Fred Leighton necklace at the Oscars this year.

Featuring 630 carrots of emeralds, rubies and sapphires and 39 carrots of diamonds she was pretty pricey.

But for us other luscious women who can’t afford exclusive jewels in our state of financial readjustment, we can now console ourselves with jewel inspired beauty products.

In what is becoming quite the blushing trend, these bejewelled products are guaranteed to bling up your cheeks and your bathroom cupboard:

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact is enriched with ground with rubies for a jaw-dropping pout of perfection.

1.75 carrots of pure diamond dust is placed in each tube of Crème de La Mer The Body Refiner to gently exfoliate the skin. Visit www.cremedelamer.com.au for more.

Stila: The Precious Pearl Palette is infused with Mother of Pearl. A natural wonder, pearl also minimizes the appearance of fine lines and leaves skin radiant glow for a shimmery flutter of the eyes.

Up to 50% off skincare, cosmetics, and fragrances at StrawberryNET.com!

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Avoiding work and looking for ways to divert yourself? Then have a flick through our luscious photo galleries on our Luscious on Facebook page. Here's a taster...

Luscious style icons1	David Downton	Guest rooms

 Whilst you're at it, why not become a fan of our FB page and get daily Luscious updates!