With new beauty brands popping up everyday it seems, it is sometimes hard to know what to use for our skin and which brands are worth the investment.
I always normally recommend a brand by one’s concerns and then the price point they can afford for them. I also always love recommending a good quality Aussie brand as I love seeing home-grown talent have success and there are many top brands that come from our shores.
From skincare to makeup, Australians are creating some beautiful products, many of which are making waves internationally.
Here are some of my top Australian beauty brands…
Jurlique
Jurlique is no stranger to the masses and a brand that most would recognise.
For over 25 years, with its farm based in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, the brand has been all about Nature + Science = Beauty!
I like this concept as it gives a great balance into research and technologies available in today’s world with a healthier approach to the skin.
Today, Jurlique operates over 154 acres, growing a wide variety of plants and flowers including lavender, rose, marshmallow, liquorice and calendula.
Jurlique has planted over 7,500 native trees on their farm, both to assist with the biodynamic accreditation and to improve the environment, which the brand is highly in favour of protecting. You can even have a tour at the famous Jurlique Herb Farm; visit www.Jurliquefarm.com.au for details on how to book.
With so many products and the famous Lavender scents, it’s hard to choose one product as my fave, but I would have to go with the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum (RRP $75).
The Herbal Recovery entire range is one to look out for and I love the mist – great for my makeup kit — but the serum has been amazing for my skin. I love the hydration, radiance that I get, great for reducing my dehydration lines and the anti-oxidants give me all the protection I need from further ageing = winning!
Kora Organics
We all know the stunning, Aussie Supermodel Miranda Kerr, but do we all know her skincare brand Kora?
Kora Organics is a reflection of Miranda’s passion for living a healthy, organic lifestyle – www.koraorganics.com and the entire family are now involved in this amazing skincare journey.
Working with many models over the years, I know how their skin can get treated. It can get irritated quite a lot, especially as they may have several shoots a week, occasionally in one day, meaning their skin is subject to so many products and removal of different types of makeup, often leaving them with redness or dry skin.
Miranda’s Organic lifestyle meant she wanted this inside and out, only using natural and organic formulas in her skincare routine and goes by this mission statement –“Remember: What you put on your skin, soaks in, only use Organic!”
Hydration and replenishment, two areas of concern for many Australian women with our environment, Kora Organics does just that – giving moisture back to the skin with a natural element, leaving no toxins absorbed into your skin.
I love the ‘mists’ in this range. Toners are often filled with alcohol, or seen as a step that can be missed, as well as being hard for the time poor… A mist is so easy to use, rather than the typical toner application. Skipping this step means your skin may not become balanced after cleansing, then your moisturiser may not be absorbed fully to its potential into your skin.
The Kora Energising Citrus Mist (RRP $39.95), is my fave as it awakens the skin, generally used after cleansing, but great for the handbag or the office to boost hydration during the day.
Miranda’s Tip is to inhale slightly as you spray to maximise the benefits of the essential oils.
Milk & Co
Another name we may recognise is Michael Klim, Olympic Swimmer and Gold Medalist for Australia.
Michael and lovely wife Lindy have a company called Milk & Co – www.milkandco.com.au — and in 2008 Michael launched his men’s skincare line.
Michael’s no fuss attitude towards men’s skincare, the great packaging and the marine, natural based properties of his range has been a huge success, but most of all, affordable – big plus!
Now Lindy has come on board and created her own range especially for women, I must say, I was impressed!
Inspired by Bali with 95% natural ingredients and scents to match, Lindy followed suit for look and feel of the popular Milk & Co for Men, adding a pink touch and soft textures – it feels like you are on holiday when applying these babies!
As a busy mum with three children, Lindy was constantly, like every mum, time poor and wanted convenience in purchasing skincare from the supermarket, but also wanted a certain look and feel – just because a range is affordable, doesn’t mean it can’t look luxury
These light textures are perfect for someone wanting a light, fresh feel and the Milk and Co brand is now in over 15 countries, now with Men’s and Women’s as well as a Baby range – way too cute!
The smell and feel of the Milk and Co for Her Face Cleanser (RRP$ 16.95), with Goji Fruit Extract, Ylang Ylang oil and Hibiscus Flower Extract is so lovely on your skin and one of my favorites in the range. The face wipes are amazing too as they are double sided, one smooth and one textured for a little exfoliation and makeup removal – good thinking!
ModelCo
For me skincare is the base for any good makeup, but when it comes to makeup, one Australian Brand is taking the world by storm – ModelCo.
CEO and Founder of ModelCo, Shelley Barrett, former Model Agent, who constantly saw models and makeup artists frustrated with quick beauty solutions not available in the market, Shelley saw an opportunity to fix these beauty problems and in 2002 launched the Turbo Lashwand Heated Eyelash Curler, followed by the world first, Airbrush Tan in a can!
The demand was set from these two product success stories and now a worldwide brand with Ambassadors such as Danni Minogue, and the recent addition the Model Co family, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, ModelCo prides itself on ‘Creating something women want, before they even know they need it’!
Multi-use products are in high demand in the market, with so many women being time poor and the ModelCo range is designed just for that purpose, but being a makeup artist, it is perfect for me as too many products can mean a very heavy makeup bag – ain’t nobody got time for that!
There are over 150 products in the range, and some have become iconic. For example, who loves the in-built LED lights in the Lip Lights range? Thought so!
But, I would say my most used products to date are the fabulous ModelCo Party Proof lipsticks (RRP$16.95)
With 24 shades in either cream or matte textures, I was so impressed when first applying these to clients because of the great, instant pigment – so important for a makeup artist — but they also feel great.
A little snapshot of some of the shades;
Lash Republic by Milan and Co
Last but not least, my last fave Aussie brand featured is all about lashes!
I love a good lash, and in my line of work, it is an everyday love affair.
I am one for natural looking false lashes… Yes, I want the lashes of my clients to look bigger and fuller, but when it starts looking spidery and plastic, I get turned off.
I love Lash Republic by Milan and Co – www.lashrepublic.com.au
They are 100% human hair lashes and look and feel like your own, but with a little extra!
I am not a fan of a lash that you can see the base line. Who has time to constantly re-line the eyes once you have applied them, with Lash Republic; I never have to do that, as the base is so invisible.
The handcrafted, different shapes and styles from full, half and individual lashes will suit everyone and I am sure you will love the natural effect of fake lashes just like me – they are even launching in the UK this month!
My faves are Lash Republic’s Lash Caviar (RRP $18)
In saying that, I use so many for all different reasons, so best to see what could suit you and your eye shapes.
Don’t forget when buying lashes for yourself, they will 99% of the time need to be trimmed to fit your eye shape perfectly, don’t be afraid to cut even the tiniest amount for that perfect match.
So ladies, support our Aussie and very successful brands, these are just a small few of my faves, what are yours?