Local Loves
Australia is a country full of beauty lovers - which is not surprising, really, given the abundance of beautifying botanicals on offer, and the many clever minds that transform them into best-selling products that wow the world. Here, our edit of the best of A-Beauty…
Flannel Flower Absolute
This dreamy absolute (think of it as sitting somewhere between a serum and essence) is composed of 99% flannel flower extract – a native Australian botanical that boasts seriously hydrating and antioxidant properties. It slots neatly into your existing routine to give a boost of extra moisture pre-makeup, or to quench tired skins at the end of the day.
Face Cheat Moisturiser + Glow
For hydration on the run (or for those who’d like to streamline their skincare to one quick step), this moisturiser-in-a-mist is for you. Applied under makeup, it moisturises and primes skin like a dream; it can also be spritzed over a finished face to add a dose of pretty dewiness. We love to use it to top up hydration levels mid-flight, too.
Activating Water Essence
For the unfamiliar, essences elevate every other step in your skincare routine by thoroughly hydrating the skin, allowing it to absorb subsequent products even deeper. This beauty from biodynamic Australian brand Jurlique harnesses the moisturising and revitalising properties of marshmallow root for a gorgeously plump and glowing complexion. Which in turn makes the rest of your regime work even harder – who wouldn’t want that?
Charcoal Cleansing Stick
We all know how fab charcoal is at purifying and clarifying skin – but there’s no need to wait for your weekly face mask to reap its benefits. Hunter Lab’s clever offering – housed in a very convenient stick – cleanses skin like a dream, while keeping things soft and hydrated, thanks to the addition of nourishing almond, coconut and argan oils. Its minty scent is gorgeously refreshing, too.
Exfoliating Swipeys
When it comes to our beauty products, we love things to be convenient and efficacious – so you can see why we’re obsessed with Go-To’s handy pre-soaked exfoliating pads, that also deliver serious glow. They use lactic acid (a gentle but highly effective AHA) to slough away dead skin cells, while also soothing and hydrating, thanks to the inclusion of aloe vera.
Micro Stroke Pencil
No matter whether you love a sleek, sharp and defined brow, or prefer the natural, brushed up look, every brow can benefit from some extra volume. Enter Amy Jean’s Micro Stroke Pencil – its superfine tip helps create seriously realistic looking hair strokes, so you can cheat your way to naturally full brows. You’ll have everyone fooled.
Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash
Treating yourself to a mini spa experience everytime you wash your hands? Sounds pretty good to us. Aesop’s cult hand wash is spiked with exfoliating milled pumice, leaving hands feeling smooth and baby soft. Its delicious woody scent (thanks to vetiver root and bright bergamot) is totally addictive, too.
Nail Polish
Turns out when it comes to nail polish, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Kester Black’s kaleidoscopic range of shades all apply opaquely and resist chips, but the formulations are cruelty free, vegan, and 10-Free – i.e., they don’t contain a bunch of ingredients we (and are nails) are happy to live without.
Wild Rosella Body Lotion
Crafted with the fragrant wild rosella flowers that bloom across northern Australia and lush Damascan roses, it’s easy to see why we’re head over heels for this divinely scented body lotion. It’s rich in skin-quenching sweet almond oil and aloe vera, delivering beautifully hydrated and perfumed skin.
Sheer Glow BB Cream
Want skin that looks foundation-free but still glowy, even-toned and polished? We’ve found the product for you. This BB Cream subtly perfects your skin, while also bringing a dose of skin-loving antioxidants, thanks to beautiful Australian botanticals, Kakadu plum and quandong.