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Bella Brazilian – Chirn Park

These days, an ideal Brazilian experience for me is not so much about caipirinha coconuts and colourful carnivals, as it is about finding a comfortable environment to expose my most private territory to a complete stranger.

Bella Brazilian at Chirn Park is one such destination delivering a Brazilian body escape that leaves you exuding the confidence of a South American goddess – no matter what’s on your beauty treatment itinerary. 

With a complete range of waxing services on offer, rejuvenating facials and chemical peels, eight sun-kissed shades of body bronzing, and make-up artistry and lessons tailored to your taste, this is one local beauty spot well worth the trip.

Aside from their immaculate and super spacious treatment rooms, top of the range products and knowledgeable staff, what I really loved about Bella Brazilian was their commitment to going that extra mile to make clients feel at ease when at their most vulnerable.

Salon Owner Jenna Newell said that while anxiety is commonplace when it comes to body and beauty treatments – especially those of the intimate kind – it does not have to be an experience that people dread.

"Brazilian waxing is one of those taboo things that most people already feel really nervous and shy about, so there is nothing worse than walking into a salon and everything being so serious – this just makes people more nervous and they start to wonder what their beautician is thinking about them while down in that area!” she said.

"By embracing an element of fun and rejecting a stuffy serious attitude, our team of fully qualified staff provide the most professional beauty and body services in an environment that puts anxiety at ease, and leaves clients feeling more confident then when they first arrived.”

What is so refreshing about Bella Brazilian is not only do they embrace anxiety with an understanding attitude and warm smile, but how their genuine value for customer care is seamlessly embedded into every aspect of their business.

They encourage clients to become more knowledgeable, express reservations and ask questions; they thrive on teaching the tricks of trade so you can be self sufficient in make-up application for that special occasion; and they even devote a decked-out space for the kiddies to be entertained, allowing busy parents to receive their 30 minute beauty or Brazilian fix.

Aquadiva     

In a market flooded with itsy-bitsy bikinis and barely there swimsuits that have as much practicality as a screen door on a submarine, it is refreshing to discover a locally made swimsuit range that is both functional and makes you look and feel like a glamorous beach goddess.  

Aquadiva is one home-grown swimsuit company reinventing the concept of active swimwear and inspiring a new era of beachgoers with their vibrant designs and boutique resort wear handcrafted to survive the harsh effects of summertime activities.  

With a divine range of one-piece suits and separates, an eclectic collection of vivacious prints and sexy basics, and light, easy-to-wear kaftans, swim skirts and tank tops, Aquadiva has something to compliment your bikini body no matter what your taste, shape, or size.  

Design genius and Aquadiva Owner Alison Appleby likens the investment of their products to that of a piece of art – both, beautifully crafted and guaranteed to be of value for years to come.  

“All Aquadiva designs are created by our studio artists and are sampled in our print department using techniques that transfuse the fabric fibres with ink, ensuring they are bonded for life with the most vibrant colour and design detail,” Alison said.  

“The fabrics and trimmings we use are super soft and durable and come with a genuine guarantee to last at least 1000 hours in heated, chemically-treated water and resist fading from sunlight, salt and chlorine.”  

Visiting Aquadiva’s boutique store in the exclusive Oracle building at Broadbeach not only had me drooling over the racks of glamorous garments and ever-so sweet seaside accessories, but also left me with a new appreciation for swimsuit shopping.  

The store itself is a design masterpiece and emanates the spirited, summery vibe so evident in Aquadiva’s swimsuit and resort wear products. From the digitally printed beach scene lining the entire ceiling to the bright yellow glass-blown sun chandelier; exquisite pearl shell cabinets; ornate whitewash frames; woven bamboo walls; and spacious change rooms decked out with nautical stripped cushions, Aquadiva manages transform your shopping experience into a relaxing tropical island adventure.  

Aside from their beautiful range of products and incredible store design what I also loved about visiting Aquadiva was their expert team of passionate and dedicated staff whose professional, no pressure approach put that ‘dreaded swimsuit search’ feeling effortlessly at ease.

You too can drool over Aquadiva’s entire range including their custom children’s line, guys garments and beach accessories, by visiting their online store, social media sites or simply heading down to their boutique shop for the full experience.  

With summer already here, there is no better time to dive into Aquadiva’s beautiful, comfortable, and long-lasting designs!  

Receive 10% off all online orders as a Think Gold Coast member. Please contact hello@thinkgoldcoast.com.au for your online checkout code.

Sun Studio Tanning - Parkwood

Whether you are seeking a set of luscious lashes, a sun-kissed complexion, a-grade acrylic nails, professional hair removal or a massage to simply melt the stress away, Sunstudio Tanning is one Gold Coast beauty salon guaranteed to satisfy the most fastidious femme.

Now let’s be honest, we all have at least one beauty treatment we obsess over. I, myself have an unnatural fixation for manicured nails. In fact when it comes to my nails, I have been known to drive my husband to the pinnacle of boredom, to a place where his eyes glaze over and his face involuntarily becomes a vague void staring into infinity. 

Over the years, he has not only cringed as I’ve morphed from ‘brainy’ to ‘bubble-head’ at the mention of acrylic, but also witnessed me mourn the death of my French-tips at the hands of an unskilled professional.  

However, the reality is no matter how neurotic or downright insane our other halves think we are, when it comes to beauty treatments, nothing is more important than knowing you are in the capable hands of an expert, who understands the importance of quality products and professional, friendly service.

Salon Owner Nadine said Sunstudio Tanning understands the importance good beauty therapy and takes pride in the services and products they offer clients.  

“We pride ourselves on ensuring our customers receive the best possible beauty and tanning services in a comfortable, hygienic and professional environment,” she said.

“We use only the best products on the market, our sun bed bulbs are regularly replaced and our staff are professionally trained to make you feel comfortable and at easy with your beauty requests.

“We want customers to walk away feeling special and not like they are just a ‘number’ walking in the door and we hope people walk away thinking we went over and beyond to help them with their beauty needs.”

In addition to their commitment to high quality professional services and superior products, what I found most appealing about Sun Studio Tanning Salon was their ‘one stop shop’ approach to beauty therapy.

As a busy woman, it was genuinely refreshing to be able to visit a salon and have all of my beauty needs efficiently catered for in one spot - something you simply cannot get from their competitors on the coast!

Located in Parkwood, the newly refurbished Sunstudio Tanning is spacious, clean and exudes just the right amount of ambience to make even the most beauty obsessed feel at ease while standing in paper underpants receiving a spray-tan. 

Sneak N'Destroy - Mermaid Beach

The 90’s were the wonder years of my youth. It was a time when Mario and Mortal Combat kicked-ass,  extreme sports was in its element and grunge music was revolutionary.

It was also a pivotal time in the world of fashion when the subcultures of surf, skate and hip-hop gave birth to a new brand of streetwear and kicked-off a cult following which has reached far in to the millennium.

Sneak and Destroy is one Gold Coast store inspiring a new generation of street hungry followers,  captaining the cult into the future and seamlessly re-inventing style to deliver a fresh fusion of hip-hop and skateboarding culture.

With a hybrid collection of limited edition sneakers and casual-wear, incorporating urban in-your-face graphics, killer colourways and vintage throw-back designs, Sneak and Destroy is a one modern male boutique without the preppy metro-sexual name-tag.

Store Owner Rob explains unlike your typical franchised skate shops, Sneak and Destroy is decked out with a distinctive range of worldwide brands that you won’t see every Tom, Dick and Harry rocking out. 

“Growing up on the Gold Coast as a self-confessed sneaker head, it was blaringly apparent that although the local scene was flooded with run-of-the-mill  skate and surf shops, it really lacked stores with an authentic sneaker culture,” Rob said.

“We make a point to source genuine, limited edition stock from leading brands, inspired straight from the streets of  Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, so you are unlikely to see everybody wearing the same thing as you as you can’t buy our products from your malls and franchised stores.”

With their own ever-expanding line of custom designed streetwear, SXD, and their lassie fare sales approach, Sneak and Destroy’s  genuine love for sneaker culture extends far beyond their unique range of globally sourced merchandise.

“We are hugely passionate in developing  and creating unique designs for our own line of tees, sunglasses, beanies and five panel  hats, at the moment for example, we have a custom range of t-shirts featuring pocket prints constructed from authentic vintage 80’s print fabrics,” Rob said.

“I think it is this passion that makes the Sneak and Destroy experience a success, everyone who works in-store is friends, we all grew up together, we all really believe in the brand and we all just really love our jobs, this resonates with our customers and is reflected in the general vibe of the entire store.”

There is no doubt Sneak and Destroy is one retail experience that will leave you all stitched-up! With their own fresh, flavoursome brand of merchandise; shelves stocked with globally sourced snapback caps, sneakers and threads;  impressive collection of  90’s cartoon and comic book figurines; original Smurfs wallpaper; and the gigantic transformer mural greeting each sneaker-junkie that walks through the door,  this is one Gold Coast store that embodies true sneaker and streetwear culture.

Cubic Collective | Surfers Paradise

With more and more young business owners popping onto the local scene in recent years, the Gold Coast is fast becoming a cultural hub for uber cool fashion and sauvé style.

Cubic Collective is one fashion store that is bang on trend, leading the cultural revolution, revolting against the skimp and reinventing the style stakes.

With a perfectly balanced mix of simple t-shirts, to-die for denim, silk basics, beautiful dresses and statement pieces, Cubic Collective’s range of high-end streetwear has something to offer men and women alike.

Sifting through the stocked shelves, it is apparent each pressed piece has been deliberately hand-picked and purchased to meet the strong design image, the love of easy-to-wear fashion and the desire to inspire, excite and encourage people of all ages to embrace a new breed of cool.

Cubic Collective Owner Julia says fashion is much more than the clothes you wear and has the potential to positively transform a person’s perspective and leave them feeling confident, comfortable and completely at ease.

“At Cubic Collective we aim to provide a premium grade service to help people feel comfortable with creating their own unique brand of fashion and style,” Julia said.

“We believe in taking people on a fashion journey, encouraging people to let go of their style inhibitions and embrace a willingness to try something new without compromising what they feel comfortable in.”

Cubic Collective’s expert and experienced staff and their impressive list of local and international designers, make embracing a new look or sense of style easy.

With winter just around the corner, you are bound to find endless opportunities to reinvent your wardrobe at Cubic Collective. From oh so sexy leopard print Ksubi’s for the ladies, to amazing Sunnyside Smart Kids Club stonewash suiting jackets for the men, the potential is only limited this season by your attitude.

When asked to pick her favourite piece in store, Julia cheekily replied with a strong and serious undertone - ‘That is like asking me to choose between my children!’

However she did have this final piece of advice…

“Everyone underestimates the power of a basic plain tee… I am forever dressing girls in really hot statement skirts and just a plain t-shirt and it is mind blowing just how sexy this look is… never, ever underestimate the power, beauty and wearability of a basic tee,” Julia said.  

Don't Tell Fannie  |  Nobbys Beach

In the era of department stores, shopping complexes, and ‘Made in China’ garments, it is reassuring to find an independently owned boutique with an authentic passion for chic individual style and a pure patriotic love of fashion. 

Don't Tell Fannie is leading a new and refreshing breed of fashion on the Gold Coast, with their chic boutiques that staunchly rebel against mass-produced style, say no to b-grade quality garments and genuinely support local and emerging Australian designers. 

With a beautiful eclectic collection of sweet feminine garments, fun and quirky statement pieces, edgy ‘one offs’ and to-die-for accessories, this is one store with something to satisfy your fashion passion –  no matter what your style. 

Owner Paige Lovell  believes when it comes to fashion it is important to not only look and feel sexy but to feel like you are rocking your own individual style. 

"In a market flooded with items that all look the same, we aim to create a point of difference by offering people alternative fashion choices and an individual sense of style,” Paige said. 

By supporting a large base of homemade designers, freshly replenishing their shelves each week and by only ever stocking three of the same piece, Don’t Tell Fannie are able to guarantee a unique shopping experience and provide quality, on-trend garments. 

Priding themselves on friendly ‘old school’ customer service and honest and expert style advice, creating a complete look is made easy at Don’t Tell Fannie. "We take the time to tap into what each customer wants from their fashion experience and help create a look that is flattering and reflective of their personal style,” Paige said. 

"Our main focus is for everyone to leave our store feeling confident about their purchase… and we would always rather lose a sale then send you home with something that doesn’t hit the mark!”  

With a Facebook page, BLOG and regular VIP events, Don’t Tell Fannie’s genuine love for fashion and style is not only limited to the four walls of their store.  

You can keep up-to-date with all the latest trends, upcoming promotions, incoming pieces and style tips and tricks through their Social Media platforms, or by simply attending a VIP event. 

VIP events are a great way to scourer the store, bag a beautiful bargain, mingle with special guests and simply indulge in your love for fashion, over a glass of bubbly or a delicious cupcake!

Right now you will receive 20% off storewide with your ThinkPink loyalty card. Register for your complimentary card here.