Aussie beauty brands tend to reflect the local lifestyle; clean, green and nature based. A lot of time is spent outdoors, enjoying the sun and surf. There’s also an incredible range of natural ingredients on offer, which means many local beauty brands have gone down the green or organic road. From all-natural skin soothers to makeup must-haves, here’s our pick of the bunch.
Jurlique
If you’re a lover of quality skincare, it’s hard to beat Jurlique, an all-natural brand that’s been going strong for over twenty years. It was the brainchild of a chemist and a horticulturalist, a husband and wife team fascinated by alchemy and herbology. As a result, every product is infused with a living energy blend extracted from biodynamic herbs and botanicals.
Top picks: Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist, $23, will prevent foundation from looking cakey if you follow application with a spritz. Use it as a toner or keep it in your bag to refresh your face on hot summer days. The scent is divine.
Shop 33, Ground Floor, Strand Arcade, 193 Pitt Street Mall, Sydney. Tel: 9231 0626. Also available from Myer and David Jones. www.jurlique.com.au
Grown
Grown is another fabulous family brand doing quality yet affordable organic skincare. Two brothers, Jeremy and Keston Muijs, were motivated to launch their own range after a close friend was diagnosed with cancer and endured terrible reactions to everything she put on her skin. The range is highly covetable, if only for the chic, Art Noveau style packaging. But even better is the stuff inside. It’s free from parabens, artifical fragrance, petrochemicals, lauryl sulphate, silicones and animal derivatives and won’t irritate sensitive skins.
Top picks: Vanilla & Orange Peel Hand Cream, $24, is ultra hydrating yet non-greasy. The Geranium Leaf, Bergamot & Rose Bud Facial Cleanser, $39, is another must. It has a beautiful, garden fresh scent and gently washes away grime without stripping your skin.
Available from Myer and David Jones. www.grown.net.au
Model Co
Shelley Barrett, a former model agent, parlayed her years of understanding model’s beauty needs into a multi-million dollar cosmetic company. Model Co products are renowned for being unique, clever multi-taskers. The brand boasts a big celebrity following: Britney Spears requested Tan in a Can and Disco Lights & Shimmer Airbrush Illuminser while on the Australian leg of her Circus tour while Cameron Diaz swears by Blush Lights in Cosmopolitan Pink, $42, for her healthy glow.
Top Pick: Try the new Sunsponge, it delivers a coat of fake tan via a long handled sponge applicator, so you won’t end up with tell-tale brown palms.
Available from David Jones, 86-108 Castlereagh Steet, Sydney. www.modelco.com.au
Model pick! Lucas Pawpaw Ointment
Aussie model Catherine McNeil has strut countless catwalks in Pairs and Milan and always carries Lucas Papaw Ointment with her. “It’s a does-it-all wonder balm that reminds me of home,” said the model. And the best bit? It’s a bargain at $3.95. Use it to sooth chapped lips, cuts, burns and irritated skin.
Available from most pharmacies.
Mecca Cosmetica
Hours can be wiled away enjoying the offerings of Mecca, a one-stop beauty shop that brings together cult brands from across the globe. Sure, not all the products are Australian but it’s a must for beauty fans.
Top picks: Frederic Malle Editions de Parfum, a selection of sophisticated scents. Mr Malle gave the world’s best ‘noses’ free reign to concoct whatever fragrance they fancied, Editions de Parfums is the result. Pure magic.
Flagship store in The Galeries Victoria, 500 George Street. Also available from Myer. www.meccacosmetica.com.au