With the new season here, I felt inspired to create a new Kindred facial ritual that incorporated our signature facial ritual with something special to bring us out of hibernation. 

Spring, a time of renewal and revitalisation, seemed the perfect time to introduce Bloom. 

I've designed Bloom to lift your mood, renew your spirit and skin with a nourishing and stimulating ritual combining our bespoke signature facial ritual (including microdermabrasion or enzyme peel depending on your skin’s needs on the day) with back massage using our made-exclusively-for-Kindred Bloom body oil. Infused with selenite and with notes of mandarin, grapefruit and vanilla, this softly scented body oil has been crafted with care to support your total relaxation, create clarity and support you through Spring.

Undo the effects of winter overindulging and sluggish systems as your lymphatics are reignited and drained of toxins. Your muscles relaxed, your skin softer and soul restored, this is a ritual to help you set new intentions for the season, let go of old thoughts and start fresh. Each ritual is complete with our guided meditation using selenite crystals to help give you clarity and shed negative energy, organic kombucha and Love Loco chocolate.  

The Kindred Bloom Ritual is $179 including 30ml of Kindred’s exclusive Bloom Body Oil (infused with selenite, mandarin, grapefruit and vanilla) to take home. 

Appointments now available online here. 

You’ll feel bloomin’ marvellous.

Natalie  x

Here at Kindred Toxin Free Facials, Lily and I are crazy about the benefits of lymphatic drainage. By incorporating these simple massage techniques into your rituals we have seen proven results in the overall texture and tone of our client’s skin.

In fact that’s why we created an entire ritual based on its benefits. Lymph drainage massage stimulates the natural healing process of your skin. By introducing light massage to your face, you are helping your skin to detoxify by allowing the natural fluids that build up under the surface of your skin to flow to back into the system. The results? Increased cellular turnover, which results in healthier, more youthful and glowing skin. And who doesn’t love the sound of that?

So if you’re looking to introduce a light lymphatic drainage massage into your daily routine, we’ve popped together a handy guide below to get you started.

2. How to use Gua Sha Full with Overlays from Deane and Co on Vimeo.

How to perform lymphatic drainage at home:

1.Beginning at the centre of your forehead, pull your fingers (or Gua Sha wands)  firmly from the middle to your temples. Repeat process three times.

2. Now moving your fingers to under the eyes (where those nasty bags form) start at the inner corner of your eye and use gentle strokes to pull in a half moon motion out towards your temples. Repeat this 3-5 times.
3. Using either the tip of your Gua Sha wands or your index finger, apply pressure to your eyelid starting from the inner cavity beneath your eyebrow and slide out along the eyebone to your temples. Repeat 3 times.
4. Starting from the sides of your nose, take four fingers or your wands and move firmly outwards towards the base of your ears. Repeat this three times.
5. Moving on towards your chin, starting at the centre, scoop the massage in a slight semi circle curving up towards your earlobes. Repeat three times.
6. Finish the process by placing your fingers or wands beneath your chin and running them downwards in smooth strokes towards your collarbones. This will release any blockages in your lymph nodes.

For optimum results, repeat the process every 2 - 3 days.

Love your lymphatic drainage? Why not take our Empress Ritual for a test run? Click here to book your appointment now.

Welcome to a new blog series that our newest Kindred team member Lily will be penning for us each month. With a background in nutrition, Lily knows that getting your skin to glow is just as much about what you put in your body as what you apply to your skin. And with that in mind, welcome to Lily's first recipe that you can try at home to help keep you nourished inside and out. 

Lily says, "This salad is the perfect balance of healthy fats, antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy glowing skin. And it is a great salad for work lunches or at home on the weekend if you're having friends around - perfect for the warmer weather we're having, too!" 

Glowing Skin Salad 

Mix Together: 

• 2 handfuls of organic salad mix (this one was a combination of mizuna, tatsoi, chard)
• 1 handful blueberries
• ½ diced avocado
• Small handful of chopped cucumber
• Cooked sustainably caught salmon (either canned or fillet)
• Small handful pumpkin seeds
• Handful of pea sprouts
• 1 tbsp sauerkraut
• Dress with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Why this is a great salad combo? 

• Avocado is rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects the skin against free radical damage.
• Salmon is a lean source of protein rich in omega 3 fatty acids, it is anti-inflammatory and helps to keep the skin supple and dewy
• Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of zinc. Zinc plays a massive role in our immune system and wound healing, helping to repair cells efficiently
• Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins - an antioxidant compound that gives them the dark blue/purple colour. Blueberries protect against oxidative stress, working to eliminate free radicals from the skin
• Sauerkraut is our gut loving, fermented cabbage. When made with red/purple cabbage, it also contains anthocyanins – increasing antioxidant status as well as providing the gut with probiotic bacteria for a happy healthy tummy.
• Lemon is a potent source of vitamin C, it stimulates the production of collagen, and increases the absorption of iron – hello healthy glowing oxygenated skin!

Lily here. Our skin health and glow is reliant on more than great skincare and regular facial treatments. In this blog I delve into what probiotics are, why they're essential and where you can most easily find them in the foods you might eat every day!

What are probiotics?

Probiotics (derived from the Greek words – Pro Life) are defined as live organisms such as bacteria or yeasts that are essential for optimal gastrointestinal health and functioning. To put it in perspective, our cells are outnumbered by microbial cells with their total weight coming close to 1-2kg – roughly the same weight as our brain.

Why are they so essential?

Gut health is fundamental to our overall wellbeing. The first step to healthy glowing skin is a happy tummy.  If there is an imbalance or dysfunction happening within the gut, first place it is likely to show is in our skin, and this is because our skin is our largest organ of elimination. Medications, in particular – antibiotics, stress and poor diet choices can all impact the functioning of our gut. Antibiotics for example, are unable to differentiate between good and bad bacteria, therefore eliminating all bacteria. Probiotics help to restore our good bacteria, and by doing so they assist with the breakdown and digestion of the foods we eat, helping the body to utilize nutrients and facilitate the elimination of toxic substances.

What are probiotics used for?

Whilst probiotics are typically used for gastrointestinal related conditions, growing research (1) is supporting their benefits for a variety of health conditions. Here’s some just to name a few:

• IBS
• IBD
• Constipation
• Lactose intolerance
• Gut dysbiosis
• GIT infections
• Mastitis
• Anxiety and depression
• Low immunity
• Prevention of UTI’s
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Atopic eczema.

Do I need to be taking a probiotic?

If you have a history of antibiotic use, experience skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or gastrointestinal upsets such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, then it may be useful to check in with a nutritionist or naturopath to determine whether it is right for you. It is not advisable to put yourself straight onto a probiotic supplement with any of the above-mentioned conditions, as if there are any intestinal permeability issues, it could potentially create more problems for you.

Probiotic sources

Probiotics can be obtained either through supplementation or through the diet. The benefit of taking a supplement is knowing the exact strains and amounts of bacteria per bottle. It’s also a lot easier to obtain a therapeutic dose this way, however it’s best to check in with a health professional before doing so. Probiotic foods have generally undergone some form of fermentation including things like kombucha, kefir and sauerkraut. Incorporating these foods into your daily meals is a great way to support a happy, healthy functioning gut. Prebioitic food sources (fibrous foods that serve as fuel/food for probiotic bacteria) will also help to keep our gut environment balanced and thriving. Prebiotic food sources include stewed apples, legumes, vegetables like asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, onion and garlic.

Another important thing to note is our microflora loves diversity especially when it comes to the foods we eat. By having a diverse diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and eating aligned with what is available seasonally and locally (where possible), this encourages a diverse environment for our good bacteria to thrive in.

It’s like the saying goes, you are what you eat. If you have a wholesome diet that is full of variety, your tummy and skin will reflect this with a luminous healthy glow, likewise if your diet lacks diversity, is heavily processed and refined, your gut is more than likely not going to be working at its optimal best, and skin will appear dull, congested and lacklustre. Incorporate at least 1 probiotic and prebiotic food source into your daily diet and notice the improvement in your skin and gut functioning.

I work with lots of brides-to-be before their big day to calm, nourish and soothe their skin (and emotions!) ensuring it looks the absolute best it can. As with all thing weddings, you have to do what is right for you and this is only my guide for a routine to lead you into the big day.

Working with a skincare professional

I recommended that my brides booking in monthly skincare rituals a minimum of six months out from the wedding – 12 is perfect, as it allows you to start getting into a good routine and the right state to remember what is important and making decisions that are right for you. If you don’t have that long before your big day just start incorporating good skin care practices as soon as you can. Something is better than nothing!

The month prior to the wedding, I suggest coming in weekly to keep you calm and on top of any breakouts, and because Kindred rituals include a lymphatic massage this ensures you are ready to glow as you walk down the aisle.

We've created our exclusive bridal skincare packages to ensure you've got one less thing to worry about in the lead up to your big day. We have created two options for our brides-to-be (or mothers of the bride!): 

The Kindred Bridal 6 Months of Rituals

This includes nine signature 60-minute Kindred Facials. One treatment every month and then transitioning to one treatment a week in the month prior to your big day. Because we want your skin to keep glowing in between appointments, this package also includes a $150 credit to spend on recommended products at your first appointment. This must be spent at the time of your first treatment. 

Investment: $1440 Senior Therapist / $1215 Junior Therapist 

- Book Now - 

The Kindred Bridal 3 Months of Rituals

This includes six signature 60 minute Kindred Facials. One treatment every month for two months and one every week in the month before your big day. This package also includes a $100 credit to spend on recommended products at your first appointment. This must be spent at the time of your first treatment. 

Investment $960 Senior Therapist / $810 Junior Therapist 

- Book Now - 

You can select Afterpay for these packages which means you can budget out the package price and keep your wedding budget on track!

The packages also allow me to see how your skin reacts and target any of your concerns with gusto before your wedding. Some people get a post-facial glow straight away – meaning you would want one 2-3 days prior to wedding – and some people take 7 days for their skin to become it's best. By working with a professional therapist in the lead up to your big day, you can plan your appointments in advance to minimise stress and ensure you have the best results when you most want them. If you’d like to book one of the bridal packages, please email us. 

What you can do in between sessions?

Of course, regular facials can only do so much. As with any skincare routine, almost equally important is looking after yourself from the inside out.  My golden rules are:

• Up water intake and consider including a few key supplements to boost your efforts (which you can read more about here)
• Include super hydrating products into your morning and night skincare ritual including a Rose Mist after you cleanse and before you moisturise, or a serum like the Emerald Elixir
• Reduce redness with the Gold Balm, which will also ensure your skin is smooth. I also recommend using it underneath make up on the day for flawless skin.
• I love infrared saunas. They are amazing for detoxing, purifying and boosting your immune system. Read more about my favourite one in Brisbane here. 
• Get moving. Not just to look amazing in your dress, but to feel amazing in the lead-up. Don’t become a stressed out Bridezilla – maintain your cool by nurturing your body with your favourite exercise.