Temporary Website at http://carmelrose.protalentsites.com

Happy New Year Everyone! Just wanted to let you know that my current domain and website are under construction so my temporary website will be http://carmelrose.protalentsites.com

Much Love

Carmel Rose

GREAT Start Grant Commercial

QLD Government Great Start First Home Owners Grant Commercial

Short Version

Full Length Commercial

SBS TV SERIES "BETTER MAN"

• Exactly how much risk would you take to save your brother? For Van Nguyen the answer was whatever it takes and the devastating consequence of his attempt to traffic heroin from Cambodia to Australia via a change of planes in Singapore was that the 396 grams of drugs that he was discovered carrying was enough to incur the death penalty - 26 times over.
  - Written by Producer Stephen Corvini

Rachel

When I first read the script it made me quite emotional, I really empathized for Van and his family. I instantly connected with the Character Rachel and I am so proud that I was a part of telling Van Nguyen's story. 

I played Rachel, who at the beginning are still teenagers and is Van's Girlfriend/ Love of his life. You see Rachel when she first meets Van and she's this sweet girl with a slight hint of rebellion in her. She's drawn to Van because of his vibrant, outgoing and caring personality. For Rachel being around him is exciting and they are very much in love.

They begin to drift apart when Rachel is ready to go University and Van can't because of the burden of his responsibilities he believes he has to fulfill to look after his Mother and troublesome Brother. His entrepreneurial attempts to make money fails and puts more pressure on himself and his relationship with Rachel. She wants to help but he just shuts her out and ends their relationship leaving her devastated and heart broken.It's at this point where Van spirals down the wrong path to save his family.

When Kelly seeks Rachel's help to lift Van's spirit, she shuts down and doesn't know how to deal with it. It's incredibly overwhelming for her and she is reluctant to get involved because she doesn't want to be hurt again.
  
Deep down she still loved Van and found the courage to visit him in Prison and support him through this ordeal. Both hoping that they could once again be together. She becomes a strong advocate in the campaign to Save his life.

Here is a snippet of the scene where Rachel surprises Van by coming to see him in Changi Prison in Singapore.

Reigniting the Debate of Capital Punishment 

It's not a black and white case; Better Man brings to light the struggles Van encounters throughout his early childhood that continues on and never got any easier and you can some what understand how he got to this point.  Van's desperation and what he felt was an obligation to look after his brother and mother who were in dire straits, blinded his logic and in turn made a catastrophic mistake. Of which he later was remorseful for. This was Van's first criminal offense and was by no means a seasoned "drug trafficker" he was merely young and dumb. There are murderers and pedophiles who are sentenced to less than that so I believe that his sentence of Capital Punishment did not fit his crime. His crime is one where he could be rehabilitated from and be safely let back into society. 

I personally do not believe in Capital Punishment as I think it is inhumane in this day and age.Better Man evokes what people feel about Capital Punishment and hopefully acts as a strong deterrent for Drug Smuggling. 

Filming

Better Man is so effecting in that the show is educational as well as entertaining - a gripping drama that was written and shot beautifully by Writer/ Director Khoa Do. Khoa was an amazing director to work with, I loved his passion, dedication he brought to set. There was a lot of preparation for our characters, he spent a lot of time with Remy and I developing our characters and their relationships. I stayed in Melbourne for the duration of the shoot and did extensive research and we had rehearsals that I thoroughly enjoyed. Khoa is an exceptionally talented and very intuitive director and has an innate ability to bring out the best in Actors. I had highly emotional scenes as well as my first ever partially nude "love scene" that both he and the crew dealt with sensitively and respectfully. Working with Khoa as well as the legendary David Wenham and Bryan Brown was an incredible experience that gave me a wealth of knowledge and unforgettable moments.

 Bryan Brown & I

If you missed watching Better Man on SBS it is now available on DVD to purchase online at http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/DVDs/9982/Better-Man as well as in JB HI FI Stores around Australia. It truly is Australian Drama at its finest and I am so proud to have been a part of it.

How I Care For My Hair

Being an Actress my hair is constantly being coloured, blowdryed, teased, back combed, curled and straightened sometimes a culmination of all this in one day! Thankfully I have worked with some incredible hairdressers/ stylists who have been able to give me industry tips along the way to ensure my hair is in good condition to keep styling.
I have had quite a few people over the last few months ask me what I do to keep my hair healthy so I thought I would share with you what I do and what products I use to keep my hair gleaming.

Regularly Cut your Tresses!
Rapunzel its time to cut your hair!! I have a few girl friends of mine who hate getting their hair cut because they love their long hair but If you regularly get your hair chopped (try not to leave it more than 8 weeks) it prevents your hair from getting dead and split ends which in turn makes your hair grow long and beautiful. I get my hair cut every 4 - 6 weeks as I have fine hair that splits easy. 

 Ammonia, PPD & Resorcinol Free Hair Dye 
to put less stress on your hair when changing colour. I only allow Clean Color Technology when my hair is being coloured. Brands like Zen Therapy & Original Mineral deliver professional grade organic based systems. Henna is also a great option for colouring hair. 
ACCORDING TO ORIGINAL MINERAL:
PPD

Paraphenylenediamine is a chemical substance that is widely and traditionally used as a permanent hair dye. People who are highly allergic to PPD have not been able to dye their hair with traditional hair color.

• Known as a possible carcinogen
• Allergies to PPD are common and reactions include dermatitis, reddening and swelling of the scalp and face.
• In some severe allergy cases the eyelids may completely close and can result in contact urticaria and anaphylaxis.

RESORCINOL

Used as a coloring agent and is also commonly found in topical acne treatments.

• Suspected to be an endocrine toxicity hazard
• Suspected to be a human immune system toxicant
• Suspected to be toxic to wildlife and the environment

AMMONIA

A chemical that swells the hair cuticle so that color can be absorbed all the way through the hair.

• Unpleasant odor
• Many people become allergic due to exposure and suffer from itchy scalps and watery/red eyes while getting their hair colored.

Use a Paddle Brush for Frizz Free Hair. The Aveda Paddle Brush is classic. Brush your hair throughout the day to distribute the natural oils from your scalp all the way down through your hair. 

I have to wash my hair just about every day and I have 2 Natural Shampoo's that I alternate between. The first one is a cleansing shampoo to remove excess oil and product - Aveda Shampure Shampoo and a volumizing shampoo O&M Fine Intellect. Both Aveda and O&M have amazing products depending on your hair type.

I also condition my hair every time after I shampoo. Be sure to only condition mid to end lengths of your hair so you don't get an oily head of hair. My Favourite Color Conserving Conditioner is Original Mineral O&M Hydrate and Conquer Conditioner.

My hair is so fine and is always Knotty :( but I have found that detangling spray like O&M Know Knott Detangler works wonders. This gorgeous product has cold pressed organic argan and macadamia oils that leave my hair glossy and knot free.

Invest in a hydrating serum to create a barrier from the elements and when heat styling always use a heat protectant like Aveda Damage Remedy or Color Conserve Daily Hair Repair. 

 Use a treatment/ mask once a week to nourish your hair. I love using Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - the same one that's in my pantry to cook with haha! I just decant some into a dispenser and I also use it as a body oil and make up remover. COCONUT OIL is a MUST HAVE!

*PLEASE NOTE: Before you use any of the above hair care products - Read the labels, use only as they direct and Consult with your Doctor First. I am just sharing products that have personally worked for me. If you are not able to use or take these products due to allergies or any other reasons, please DO NOT. 

I have not been endorsed or paid by anyone to promote these products, I am simply sharing how I care for my hair.

Travel Tips

I have just returned from traveling through the US, so I thought I would let you in on some of my travel tips :)

TRAVEL BAG ESSENTIALS

(Other than a bucket load of Cash, your travel money card your trusty Phone)

 TRAVEL DOCUMENT WALLET

This way all your itineraries, tickets and Passport are organized in one easy to locate place. Also make sure you bring your Passport everywhere with you because most places don’t accept any form of foreign ID other than your Passport. I have a red leather Kikki K one but I wish I found this pink one!

BIG SUNGLASSES

If you don’t feel like wearing make up all the time, Big Sunnies are the answer to covering your eyes and still looking Fab! I got these Versace sunnies last year and they are my favourite.

EARPLANE PLUGS (for severe flight ear pain sufferers like me lol)
When I fly my ears get so sore and blocked on the descent. I used to be person chewing gum whilst drinking water and manually pressurizing my ears all the same time. So if you are like me this brand “Earplane Plugs” work wonders!! I don’t fly without them now. Basically if you are on a flight that is less than 2 hours wear them as soon as the cabin door is closed before you take off. If it is a longer flight you pop can them in either when the plane is at highest altitude. You can also wear them for take off then take them out and pop them back in an hour before landing.

SPARE BATTERY FOR CAMERA

When I travel I take sooo many photos that the battery is drained just about everyday. Sometimes you can forget or not have time to recharge so it’s great to have a spare to use whilst you recharge the other.

BLACK OR BEIGE PASHMINA

Doubles up as a scarf or shawl to keep warm on the plane or if it gets a bit nippy outside.

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

You are on the go so you need a little kit in your bag so that you can stay Fabulous any time of day or night.

1. SUVANA PAW PAW BALM $6

There is nothing worse than dry, cracked lips anytime any place and Suvana Paw Paw Balm is the perfect lip balm. It is one of my favourite products and you won’t see me without it. I used to use one that came in a red tube without realizing it actually had petroleum jelly in it due to sneaky wording on the packaging! Suvana is certified organic, 100% Australian Made and Owned and is Cruelty Free. Make sure you bring this with you because you can use it for most other ailments on your skin too.

2. MIESSENCE ROSE MIST $18.35

So you feel refreshed and it keeps your skin hydrated and dewy all day especially when you are in air conditioned environments. The Miessence Rose Monsoon Mist is only 30ml so it can go on the plan with you.

3. YSL TOUCH ECLAT CONCEALER $50

To cover dark circles from jet lag and late nights.

4. MINI BLUSH COMPACT WITH MIRROR $40

Just to add a bit of colour so you don’t look washed out then you can use the mirror for touch ups. Stila Convertible Color in Petunia is a creme blush that you can apply with your fingertips so no need to carry a blush brush. (I find that a flat foundation brush works best for blending if need be) this blush makes your cheeks look rosy and dewy. 

5. CHANTECAILLE FAUX CILS MASCARA $58

Instant eye opener and smells divine. 

KEEPING HEALTHY ON HOLIDAYS

Eating out and at restaurants is pretty much your only option when you are travelling.  So here are my tips to stay as relatively healthy as possible whilst still enjoying your meals

·      Try to have your largest meal at Breakfast or Lunch and the lightest at Dinner

·      Skip the bread/ the entrée

·      Choose Side Salad or Veges instead of Chips or deep fried sides (this one tends to be hard for me as my food weakness is crispy hot chips!!)

·      Opt for Wholemeal or flat bread instead of white bread if you can't refuse bread

·      Drink Water instead of soft drink, bottled juices or alcohol

As for exercise –I know from my recent experience you don’t often have the urge to hit the gym every morning. It was funny my partner and I were planning on going to the Gym at least every second day whilst we were on holiday- this didn’t go according to plan! We had leave early everyday to make sure we could see and do all the touristy things and ended up staying out late most nights as well to go to all the nightspots. So we made sure that we walked or jogged to places as much as we could. Morning Yoga in the hotel room then 'Briskly Walking Whilst Exploring' became our form exercise when travelling. 

I hope these tips are useful for you on your next Travelling Adventure 

xoxo

Carmel's Skin Care Secrets

As per my Top 10 Beauty Tips, the most vital step in your beauty regime is to Establish a Daily Skin Care Routine - Cleanse, Tone, Serum, Moisturise and apply Eye Gel Everyday Morning and Night. Exfoliate 2 times a week and use a purifying or hydrating mask once a fortnight depending on what your skin needs to soothe and comfort the ravages of modern life on the skin. Pollution, sun damage, air conditioning, diet and food additives, stress, anxiety and the pressure of modern living greatly impacts the condition and look of our skin. The skin is your largest organ and 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. Moreover, 89% of 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have NOT been evaluated for safety. You don’t want nasty chemicals getting into your body through your skincare routine so go as natural and organic as possible. I am sharing with you the products I currently use and that have worked wonders for me! I hope they will for you too xoxo

Cleanser-  La Mav Hydra Calm Cleansing Creme 100ml 3.4 fl.oz $27
This organic cleanser is Award Winning and is designed for dry skin to wash away impurities and pollutants whilst deeply hydrating and conditioning the skin. It  makes my skin feel hydrated and supple but not stripped or squeeky.  It's formulated with Bio-Flavonoids, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to moisturise and cleanse the skin to reveal a clear, bright, smooth surface.  I love La Mav because they are organic products that feel and smell amazing that are an affordable price.

Toner-  La Mav Rosa Damascena Hydrating Mist 100ml $25

I use the La Mav Hydrating Mist as a toner by spraying it onto organic cotton pads first, this way you are able to wipe off any cleanser or exfoliator residue. 

This gentle alcohol-free a certified organic toner is designed to rebalance skin’s pH and stimulate the natural radiance with its refreshing and revitalizing properties. Formulated with Rosa Damascena, Jasmine and Geranium essential oils to calm and soothe skin. Bisabolol and Pro-Vitamin B5 help moisturise and hydrate while removing surface impurities and toxins.

Day Moisturiser -  La Mav Bio VA5 Daily Smoothing Creme 50ml $39.95 

A highly concentrated organic day moisturiser that helps to maintain elasticity and firmness. Formulated with the restorative powers of Acai Pulp and Kakadu Plum to revitalise dry and dull skin. Hibiscus gently relaxes skin to smooth expression lines and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Delivers a long-lasting moisture barrier leaving skin soft and radiant.

Night Creme- La Mav Omega-3 Advanced Nightly Repair Creme 50ml 1.7 fl.oz $44.95

An advanced organic nightly repair crème designed to revitalize, hydrate and recharge the skin all night. Formulated with Raspberry Seed Oil and Chlorella Vulgaris Extract to support and boost the skin’s barrier function. This  smells divine and feels amazing its not greasy yet makes my skin feel nourished. I wake up with skin so soft and hydrated. 

Eye Gel -  Rationale Eye Specialist Gel  15g $130

An organic based luxurious gel-cream formula designed to deliver a megadose of moisture to the delicate eye area. Infused with skin-firming Vitamin A and biopeptides, micro-circulatory actives and nourishing ceramides to target the key areas of under eye stress; fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, dryness and sensitivity. Soft focus, light responsive illuminating pigments deliver immediate optical luminosity and conceal dark shadows for an instantly brighter and fresher eye contour.

Exfoliator- Organi Manuka Honey Peel $150

Your skin naturally sheds dry skin cells to be replaced with new skin cells as they come to the surface. In our 20's we have a healthy cell turnover of 28 days and by the time you are in your 30's this rate reduces considerably and your skin needs more help to resurface. As every skin has different concerns it's best to consult with your professional skin therapist to see whether you need just a scrub or an enzyme exfoliant, along with how often you need to use it to reveal radiant skin!

Being in my early 20's, at the moment I use a very gentle exfoliant 2 times a week, This Organic Manuka Honey Peel works like magic. It is a totally un-abrasive formula using honey enzyme extract to exfoliate the skin without damaging the skin matrix. When I feel like a deep cleansing exfoliation La Mav Jojoba beads & Argan Oil Exfoliating scrub is great.

Sunscreen - Rationale Nutrify SPF 30 100mL $85

An organic based super lightweight hydrogel rich in precious lipids and natural moisturisers. Helps neutralise both UVA + UVB. Enriched with antioxidant Vitamins A, B, C, D + E and soothing botanical extracts. Feels like air.
 Completely transparent finish. 20% Micronised Zinc Oxide
. Hypoallergenic – contains no chemical blockers or Titanium Dioxide that Hydrates, calms and protects even the most sensitive skin like mine.

Body Sunscreen - DeVita Solar Protective Moisturiser $52

All natural, sheer, non-comedogenic  moisturizer sun screen is a deeply moisturizing daytime cream and sun block all in one. Broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection with a USFDA Monograph Sun Protection Factor Determination test level of 32. Safe for adults and children. Titanium Dioxide Free. NO NANO TECHNOLOGY! (average particle size is 240 nm)

*PLEASE NOTE: Before you use any of the above skincare products - Read the labels, use only as they direct and Consult with your Doctor First. I am just sharing my routine that has personally worked for me. If you are not able to use or take these products due to allergies or any other reasons, please DO NOT. 

I have not been endorsed or paid by anyone to promote these products, I am simply sharing my skin care routine :)