The Jojoba Company’s Clarifying Range is a saviour for those who are after deep hydration and oil control all in one. Featuring elements of Jojoba, combined with natural active ingredients, this range is clinically proven to rebalance oil, shrink pores and increase hydration in the skin.
Featuring a delightful citrus scent, the Clarifying Range is the perfect 3-step skincare routine for those who prefer their skincare lightweight, fresh and quick-absorbing.
Start your skincare routine with the Citrus Gel Cleanser, containing plant-based Niacinamide and Canadian Willow Herb™ to calm redness and boost skin vibrancy as you wash away impurities.
Follow by lightly pressing the new Clarifying Pore Control Serum into damp skin. This serum contains innovative pore minimising ingredients Miniporyl™ and Willow Bark to refine skin texture in 15 days* and reduce visible pores by up to 80%*.
Lastly, seal in moisture with the cooling Jojoba Water Gel Cream. Containing Niacinamide, Lemon Myrtle & Seaweed, this quick-absorbing gel cream will reduce sebum production by up to 34% in 28 days**, keeping your skin balanced and soothed.
“This range is for normal skin, oily skin, combination skin and even those breakout and blemish-prone skin types,” says co-founder Vicki Engsall. “The Clarifying Range will give those more oily skin types the hydration it needs, while keeping the skin’s oil under control. This is just another one of the many benefits of incorporating Jojoba into your routine.”
With a brand that has Jojoba at the heart, cofounder Vicki Engsall was inspired to create the Clarifying Range for those who prefer more lightweight textures as part of their skincare routine. Utilising the more water-based elements of Jojoba, including Jojoba Leaf Extract, the Clarifying Range is incredibly soothing on the skin with a barely-there feel - the perfect skin regimen for warmer weather.
For any enquiries, contact The Jojoba Company on (02) 9651 3030 or orders@thejojobacompany.com.au
*Results based on test on 20 men & women (21 to 55 years old) using Miniporyl™ for 30 days. **Study based on 31 Millennials, multi-ethnic origin men and women volunteers (37% Caucasian, 37% Asian, 26% African-American) using OiLESS’city™.
This is just another one of the many benefits of incorporating Jojoba into your routine.
Dear reader, welcome to the Summer issue of Retail Beauty. Summer is my absolute favourite time of year. I just can’t get enough sun, surf and sand – slathered head to toe with SPF 50+ of course.
Perhaps you are reading this issue while laying on the sand, but chances are you, you’re flicking through it while on a quick break as the chaos of Christmas shopping and Boxing Day sales surrounds you.
The good news is that retail performance this year continues to be strong, despite a drop in consumer confidence due to interest rate hikes and inflation.
Sales are well up on pre-pandemic levels as shoppers flock to the shops for some retail therapy.
More and more we are seeing fun, immersive and informative types of retail experiences being executed that keep customers coming back. In the last few weeks alone, I was lucky enough to visit a number of pop-ups in Sydney by brands including L’Occitane, Clinique, Trinny London, ghd, Prada Beauty and more.
I also had a tour of the three-storey Lotte Duty Free flagship store in Sydney. Beauty is a huge part of the mix with more than 100 brands available and many of them offering personalised treatments or services, as well as limited edition exclusives, all contributing to an elevated engaging customer experience that can’t be enjoyed online (or when you’re rushing to catch a plane).
Aside from in-store personalisation and activations, shoppers are also looking to shop more sustainably.
Research from the Mintel Consulting 2022 Sustainability Barometer shows that with our extreme and more frequent climate events in recent years – from droughts to bushfires and floods –consumer engagement in sustainability has deepened.
Aussie shoppers are doing more to protect the environment and expect brands to do the same. Read more on page 36.
But as Australian consumers flock to products made with the environment in mind, the skincare and cosmetic sector has become an increasingly confusing space, with countless claims now made on product labels. Niki Ford, CEO of Australian Organic Limited, talks to Retail Beauty about how the term ‘organic’ is commonly misused in the beauty industry, which has had damaging effects in the market and eroded consumer trust. See page 32.
This jam-packed issue also features interviews with industry heavyweights such as Steven Chaur, managing director and CEO of Hiro Brands (page 16), Cheryl Ross, founder of Minenssey (page 38) Jeanne Chavez, founder and chief innovation officer at about-face beauty (page 60) and Gabrielle Tully, head of marketing at Priceline Pharmacy (page 52).
In keeping with the summer theme, Jodie Phillips, managing director of Chemcorp, sits down with Elisabeth King to talk about pureTAN’s new sustainable packaging and formulas (page 14) while Michael Marzano, Agence de Parfum national education manager, shares what’s hot, and what’s not, when it comes to fragrance this summer, see page 46.
I’d like to wrap up by thanking you for your support throughout 2022. It has been a promising year for the retail beauty industry, and I hope you continue to read and share the magazine with your colleagues, jump onto our website for the latest news and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Clinique held an interactive pop-up Hydration Station in Sydney complete with claw machine and ‘skin conductors’.“More and more we are seeing fun, immersive and informative types of retail experiences being executed that keep customers coming back.”
Your skin is precious, protect it year-round. Made in Australia for Australian conditions, Natio Sun has a formula for every skin type.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Sunscreens are only one component of sun protection. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided. Frequent use and re-application in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection.
Environmental
PureTAN is Australian made from locally sourced, natural and organic ingredients, including certified organic DHA, organic coconut oil, vitamin C and E, aloe vera and green tea, to intensively hydrate and nurture the skin; and promises no parabens, no sulphates, no GMOs and no animal testing.
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Winner of the beautydirectory Star Award for Outstanding Contribution to Beauty Journalism 2012, Elisabeth is one of Australia’s leading lifestyle and business journalists and contributes regularly to newspapers and magazines in Australia and the UK. She has an economics honours degree from University College London and is a three-time winner of the CTFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association) annual beauty writing award on ‘The Business of Beauty’, and has also won a CTFA award for writing about men’s grooming. In November 2001, Elisabeth co-wrote the best-selling book Secrets and Lies - All You Ever Wanted to Know About Beauty
Clayton works in communication and evaluation for Fragrances of the World where he assists industry guru Michael Edwards with the collection and evaluation of fragrance data from around the world. He is responsible for the communication of data insights and trends from the company’s award-winning database. Clayton has over 10 years’ experience in fragrance journalism, learning and development and luxury retail. He has completed numerous summer schools at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery and has a passion for creative perfumery.
Tashi Jade Bell is a self-taught MUA with a passion for colour, who first discovered the magic of makeup and skincare in 2010 when she visited Sephora in NYC. She began creating beauty and fashion content in 2013, beginning on YouTube, and it wasn’t long before she was a part-time content creator. Beauty has also worked as a form of therapy for the former lawyer, who previously specialised in private equity and venture capital for over 10 years, but was forced to retire from her stressful career due to treatment resistant depression and anxiety. Tashi Jade Bell now uses her social media presence, which currently has over 75,000 followers on Instagram @paint_ bytashijadebell, as a form of art therapy. Tashi Jade Bell is also a co-host of @thebeautybusinesspodcast.
Growing up as a dancer, Michael Brown was quick to learn the ‘art’ of make-up artistry. His career as a travelling make-up artist for some of the industry’s biggest brands saw him leave Perth for Sydney where he became a national makeup artist and trainer. His creative flair and great communication skills gave him exposure within the Australian celebrity and media scene. Michael is now not only a celebrity makeup artist, but also presenter, educator and brand ambassador with regular appearances on Channel 9’s Today Extra. Michael is also co-host of the Nova podcast Skinfluence.
An established PR and Communications Director, Nikita Papas has garnered 15+ years of experience within the beauty, fashion, advertising, and publishing arenas. As a qualified and experienced business marketer, he understands how both media and consumers digest and share content, and the value of creating an addictive brand journey. A visionary content producer, Nikita is renowned for creating persuasive copy, and seamless visual narratives that ignite desire, engagement, and ultimate brand success.
He connects with the most enviable beauty and fashion brands, media tastemakers, influencers, and creative agencies.
Accord is the national industry association for the Australasian hygiene, cosmetic and specialty products industry representing the full range of products from luxury cosmetics and fragrances to industrial specialties. In keeping with the strong scientific basis of this industry, Accord also adopts a principled, evidence-based approach to policy inputs and representation with governments.
Sales of self-tanning products were hard hit by worldwide Covid-19 restrictions. But the tide has turned over the past 12 months and the global market for sunless tanning products reached US$1 billion in 2021, reports Fortune Business Insights. Major brands are focusing on the launch of innovative products and more sustainable packaging and formulas to attract customers and re-boot strong market growth and worldwide sales are expected to reach US$1.6 billion over the next five years.
Prior to the pandemic, annual sales of premium self-tan products in Australia reached close to $50 million. As the market picked up speed again, consumers again reached for self-tan products to protect themselves from the dangers of sun exposure, boost selfconfidence, disguise skin imperfections and achieve the best looks for selfies. Special occasions such as weddings, parties and festivals also fueled sales as more people looked for perfectly tanned skin in minutes.
A major growth area for self-tanners is organic formulas, as more consumers globally opt for products made from natural or plantbased ingredients, which are regarded as safer to use than their chemical-based counterparts. Self-tan mousses, which have the ability to control the depth of a tan, are another growing sector. Women are still the dominant gender in the worldwide self-tanning market with a market share of 63.3 per cent in 2021, says Grand View Research, but men are catching up fast. With a current global market share of 37.7 per cent, the male segment is expected to achieve the fastest CAGR from 2022 to the end of the decade.
Few brands have kept a closer eye on market trends than pureTAN in readiness for this summer’s surge in sales. Acquired in late 2019 by Chemcorp International, one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and distributors of consumer and professional beauty products, pureTAN’s heritage, expertise and popularity dates back 20 years.
Whilst the timing of the acquisition seemed inopportune as Covid hit our shores and natural disasters filled the news, Chemcorp was also faced with back-end dilemmas including sourcing raw ingredients, manufacturing and shipping, says Jodie Phillips, Managing Director of Chemcorp International. “But the setbacks provided a period to press the pause button. Not only to fully assess the current state of the brand, but also to re-design it with a forwardfocused approach. Having the breathing space to deep dive into the brand, work out what we liked and didn’t like and then re-build to take advantage of a resurgent market was a fantastic opportunity, which has enabled us to market a brand we are extremely proud of.”
PureTAN was Phillips’ first brand acquisition since taking on the role of Managing Director at Chemcorp and there was plenty to work with and build on. PureTAN is Australia’s golden glow in a bottle, says Phillips. “Our national image of ourselves and internationally is synonymous with an endless summer, beaches and lush rainforests. An outdoor lifestyle that almost demands sunkissed skin.”
pureTAN debuts new sustainable packaging and formulas for a natural Australian glow.
PureTAN is still Australian-made from locally sourced natural and organic ingredients, where possible, such as Certified Organic DHA (dihydroxyacetone, the active ingredient in tanning products), organic coconut oil, Vitamin C and E, aloe vera and green tea to intensely hydrate and nurture the skin, adds Phillips. “Products are formulated with Base Blend Technology, which takes the guesswork out of finding the right tan match, developing with individual skin tones to ensure a beautiful, more personalised glow. In keeping with the rising demand for more natural products, pureTan’s promise isfree from parabens, sulphates, GMOs and animal testing.”
The biggest and most unmissable difference in pureTAN’s renaissance is how the brand looks and its commitment to sustainable packaging. According to a recent survey from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), nearly 70 per cent of Australians believe that a company or brand should have social and environmental policies.
We have refreshed the visual identity to better reflect the pureTAN name and attributes, says Phillips. “But the new look is more than skin deep. Changing packaging provided the perfect opportunity to ensure pureTAN was completely aligned with our sustainability ambitions as members of the APCO (Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation) and growing consumer expectations, as we all move toward more responsible product design.”
PureTAN’s foamer bottles (excluding pump) are made from 100 per cent post-recycled consumer plastic and are 100 per cent recyclable. The tubes are now made from 75 per cent post-consumer recycled material and are also 100 per cent recyclable.
• pureTAN’s hero product is XPRESS TAN FOAM DARKEST ($29.95 for 150ml). A deep golden tanning option, it activates in just 30 minutes for a light tan or can be left on for up to 4 hours for a deeper bronze.
• The hydrating foam glides across the skin and is formulated with EcoCert Certified Organic DHA and the following ingredients to leave the skin glowing:
• Organic Coconut Oil - 100 per cent organic and high in vitamins and antioxidants to nourish the skin.
• Hibiscus - hailed as the “Botox” plant because it is known to support the skin’s natural collagen.
• Hyaluronic Acid - to boost hydration and help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
• Aloe Vera - a rich source of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.
• Green Tea - shown to improve skin elasticity.
• Vitamin C - brightens and improves the appearance of dull skin.
• The pureTAN range features eight products, including a gradual tan, face tan, a tan eraser and luxurious body creme to keep skin nourished and extend the life of every tan. Plus accessories to prep skin and make application easier. Prices range from $8.95 for tanning accessories, $19.95 for the body creme and face tan to $29.95 for the self-tan products.
• pureTAN was one of the leading Australian professional salon-tanning brands to enter the retail/consumer market in 2003 with its Face and Body Tanning Spray, which promised a “salon tan in your hands”.
• The brand, developed by Australian husband and wife team, Michael and Danielle Fletcher, who had been in the tanning industry for 15 years, was built around the ethos of providing consumers with a salon quality product that worked at home.
• The original formulations were developed to provide a natural, Australian-style bronzed tan, without leaving behind a tell-tale “fake tan” smell or dry, scaly skin associated with many consumer self-tanning products at the time.
• The brand heritage and ethos completely aligned with Chemcorp International’s established portfolio of products. The buyout of pureTAN in late 2019 was a natural fit and the first acquisition since Jodie Phillips became Managing Director of Chemcorp.
While the foundation of the formulation remained, we were able to adjust and improve, to create a better product, notes Phillips. “Organic DHA certified by EcoCert, one of the world’s most trusted organic certification organisations, is the tanning active ingredient in all of our self-tan products. We also added a blend of pro-youth ingredients to provide luminous and glowing skin and hydrating and nourishing ingredients to leave skin looking soft and smooth, not flaky or dry. Also in the mix is a new natural, tropic scent to uplift the senses.”
Good-for-you ingredients and easy application aren’t the only major benefits of pureTAN products. They are also streak-free and provide an even tan finish with every application. There’s no fake tan smell and the formulations are fast-drying, so there is no transfer onto clothes, she adds.
We are really excited about pureTAN and its potential for growth, says Phillips. “We’ve created a brand we love, and want to use, which means we can be very confident others will, too.” ■
Hiro Brands pitches itself as a “mini Procter & Gamble” and the claim is based on fact, not hope. Born last year of an amalgam between Aware, a leading manufacturer of household products, and the Heat Group, the well-known distributor and marketer of beauty and care products, the name is Japanese for generosity, tolerance and prosperity. An on-the-money moniker which reflects the consumer goods company’s commitment to sustainability and local success.
Steven Chaur was appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Hiro Brands in January 2022. A proven leader across the FMCG sector, consumer marketing, distribution and financial governance, he helms a company already in the box seat. “We have relationships with more than 7000 retail outlets, including leading pharmacy chains such as Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart and Priceline, and we have a library of more than 800 existing and new formulations, from premium cosmetics, shampoos and skin care through to organic air fresheners and household cleaners from which to build our Hiro consumer business.”
Hiro reached revenues of close to $100 million in the 2020-2021 financial year and plans to achieve a turnover of $300 million over the next few years. Chaur believes it’s a realistic goal. “The sectors we compete in are worth a combined $6.8 billion - $5.1 billion for toiletries, cosmetics and personal care and $1.7 billion for household cleaning. Close to 50 per cent of the market in which we operate is imported and we are looking to significantly increase our market share.”
Numerous studies and surveys have revealed that Australians prefer to buy quality Australian-made products. Hiro already has over 75 per cent of its product ingredients sourced locally, adds
Chaur. A strategy that not only taps into the increased demand for Made in Australia products, but also recognises current concerns about global supply chains and international tensions. Operating out of a huge manufacturing and distribution facility in Melbourne’s Dandenong South, formerly operated by multinational Cussons, Hiro’s position as a leading contract manufacturer has also attracted interest from other major FMCG companies looking to on-shore their production and retail private label owners. The company also has large Therapeutic Goods Aust-L and Aust-R production facility.
Hiro’s other great strength is its eco-friendly policies, which appeal strongly to Australian consumers. “Our raison d’etre is to create strong brands which offer good sustainable products that are biodegradable or kind to the environment ranging from Organic Choice laundry liquid to Billie Goat shampoo,” adds Chaur. “Over the past year, we have done a lot of re-building and consolidating in our R&D to ensure we are equipped to deliver our growth ambitions. From a zero baseline, we now have 200 new products, as well as exciting new company brands, set to launch over the next 12 months with a focus on the pharmacy, health and beauty segments.”
Currently, the big two supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, account for 30 per cent of Hiro’s business, but pharmacy and beauty channels are also two of the company’s top priorities. The company already services 4500 pharmacies through direct-to-store delivery and many are increasingly looking at replacing overseas brands with Aussie ones.
“Our ulta3 brand, for example, is a youth brand in pharmacy and we have been working on a total range refresh to ensure we stay relevant. The brand is now all vegan and we are working on having less packaging and moving to natural ingredients as a priority,” says Chaur. “But we also want to target older demographics who are looking for more natural, cosmeceutical products, notably in skin care, where we are looking to launch a new range of premium Australian made cosmetics in the new year for the pharmacy and beauty channel.
“We also offer MUD Makeup Design as an entry level brand in grocery that we are relaunching, and we nationally distribute the growing essence brand, Europe’s number 1 cosmetics brand, which has always said no to animal testing and yes to quality at an affordable price. There is definitely lots happening at Hiro.”
Hiro is currently stepping up its digital engagement with B2B retailers and consumers, especially with its beauty and personal care brands. We are already on several online shopping platforms, says Chaur. “But we are looking at developing a Hello Fresh-style online strategy for Hiro across our laundry, cosmetics, TGA, grooming and personal care ranges. We have so many great products, so consumers and B2B retailers should be able to buy them all in one place. We are a business that talks to consumers personal and household needs, so we are looking to engage them through all touchpoints with relevant products.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic there was an increased customer focus on sanitising and well-being products which has continued. “We are increasingly taking our Aware brands such as Organic Choice, Trix antibacterial and Aware Sensitive into pharmacy through their environmental, dermatological and aromatherapy benefits from dishwashing liquid with lemongrass and green tea to shower, tile and bathroom cleaner with spearmint and Tasman pepper or our fragrance, enzyme and phosphorus-free laundry powder endorsed by the Asthma Foundation. This side of the
Personal Grooming - Bodytools, Windsor, Canterbury Rose, Fleurique and Billie Goat
Colour Cosmetics - MUD Makeup Design, ulta3 and essence
Health and Wellness - Medi Manager
Household - Organic Choice, Orange Power, Aware Sensitive, Actizyme and Trix
Exclusive Distributor - essence, Mason Pearson, Mr Bright, The Wheat Bag, OZK.O, Mack’s and Chuckies
business continues to grow as we invest in more R&D and value propositions in our product development pipeline. Organic Choice has very high brand loyalty and we are unlimited with the potential to expand the brand into more grooming, body and aromatherapy products.”
More and more beauty players are premiumising their ranges from L’Oréal Paris to Maybelline New York. Hiro Brands is also looking to premiumise its value brands like MUD Makeup Design and ulta3 to appeal to a wider market and increase channel volume. “The brands are already some of Australia’s most affordable cosmetics brands and we plan to build that position further with new premium, all natural products with less packaging,
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personal care and speciality products.
leveraging our strong customer loyalty,” adds Chaur.
Therapeutic goods are another area where Hiro wants to create a stronger presence, leveraging its in-house manufacturing for sunscreens, gels, ointments and lotions. Topical skincare treatments are in high demand and we already make products for some of the best brands in the country, says Chaur.
“We have a new topical skin care range launching in the new year in our own brand, which I believe will stand out from the shelf with contemporary packaging and again supports the Australian made, local ingredients and affordable price positioning. We’ve also been talking to many retailers and customers wanting to onshore production of such products.”
Chaur acknowledges that brands such as essence, ulta3, Organic Choice, Billie Goat and Mason Pearson already have broad reach in the Australian market, but Hiro is on track to expand its product portfolio and retail partner network.
“We are investing in capital equipment to increase manufacturing across beauty, skin cosmetics, TGA products and household care to maintain our mission to provide ‘better for you’ products. We are not limited to one sales channel or retailer type, which is exciting because our business focus in purely on innovation and opening new customers,” adds Chaur. “Because our products are made in Australia, we also have a better ability to read local demand and cyclical trends. Speed to market is critical and because we are a local manufacturer, we can also ensure consumers have affordable products and retailers also benefit in the margin opportunity.” ■
Steven Chaur has more than 25 years experience in FMCG, including multi-channel sales, marketing, operations and global supply chains. During his career, he has led organisations operating in Pacific and global markets, including New Zealand, Europe, China, UAE, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and the US. Key managing director and CEO roles over the past 10 years include Castlegate James Australasia, Nutrano Produce Group, Patties Food Limited and Saint-Gobain Pacific. Chaur has also held senior executive positions at George Weston Foods, Findus Australia and Unilever. He is past a non-executive director of Wingara Ag Ltd and a past nonexecutive director of Meat & Livestock Australia and Davies Bakeries. Last June, he became a board member of Accord Australasia, the peak national industry association representing manufacturers and marketers of hygiene,
Almost every quarterly financial report from the world’s leading beauty players sounds a note of caution about future prospects, even when the results exceed market expectations. Market volatility and inflation fears are the main reasons behind the guarded comments. But the future is looking very bright, reports Research Dive. According to the international research firm, the global cosmetics and personal care market is expected to reach US$457.8 billion by 2027 - a CAGR of 5.1 per cent. As usual, women represent the lion’s share of sales in the beauty and personal care category, and are on track to surpass US$233.4 billion in sales over the next five years. Skincare and suncare products are expected to be the bullet performers, reaching revenues of US$164.2 billion during the forecast period. One of the main drivers will be the increasing adoption of skincare routines in developing countries. The rising use of dermocosmetic skincare to relieve common skin issues and increased use of suncare to mitigate sun damage in developed markets will also be a potent growth force. Grocery channels such as hypermarkets and supermarkets are expected to enjoy strong growth over the next five years, says Research Dive. With revenues expected to top US$171.4 billion by 2027, the leading drivers of growth will be anchored by the convenience of a large selection of products in one place, discounts and offers and the more widespread use of samples and testers. The Asia/Pacific region, including Australia,
will experience continued growth to reach revenues of US$181.3 billion over the next five years, adds Research Dive. In addition to skincare and makeup, leading sectors of growth will be sunscreens, hair gel, wipes and hair styling products.
ELC has acquired Tom Ford for US$2.3 billion ($3.4 billion), edging out Kering, the French-based multinational and owner of Balenciaga, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, and other competitors. It’s the biggest acquisition ever for ELC. In 2021, the multinational took complete control of Deciem, the parent company of The Ordinary, for US$1 billion - a new record purchase for the company at the time. Lauder has held the license for Tom Ford Beauty, the fragrance and makeup brand, since 2011. The fast-growing brand generates worldwide revenues of US$275 million and has posted record growth in China in recent years. The new acquisition is a major pivot for Estée Lauder and marks its first foray into luxury fashion
and accessories. The Tom Ford brand has a turnover of US$800 million and the new deal values the total business at US$2.8 billion. The Ermenegildo
Zegna Group and Marcolin will enter long-term license agreements for Tom Ford fashion and eyewear. Following the closing of the deal, Tom Ford will stay on as his eponymous brand’s creative director through to the end of 2023. Domenico De Sole, chairman of Tom Ford International, will also remain a consultant for the same timeframe. We are incredibly proud of the success Tom Ford Beauty has achieved in luxury fragrance and makeup and its dedication to creating desirable, highquality products for discerning consumers around the world, said Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO of Estée Lauder. “As an owned brand, this strategic acquisition will unlock new opportunities and fortify our growth plans for Tom Ford Beauty. It will also further help to propel our momentum in the promising category of luxury beauty for the long-term, while re-affirming our commitment to being the leading pure player in global prestige beauty.”
Tom Ford. Photo by Adam Katz Sinding.
Mark March 23-26 in your diary. The Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference and Trade Exhibition (APP2023) which is to be held on the Gold Coast. With a conference theme of ‘evolve, engage and explore’, Conference Convenor, Kos Sclavos AM, said that next year’s program focuses on the future of community pharmacy in Australia. “In recent years the APP program has focused on community pharmacy’s role in the Covid-19 pandemic and managing the ever-changing health environment,” he said. “Now, our thoughts turn to what is next, with the program addressing key issues such as pharmacists’ scope of practice, preparation for the 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement and the future pharmacy workforce.” The Opening Plenary will showcase and recognise awards of excellence including The Pharmacy of the Year Award, the MIMS/Guild Intern of the Year and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year. “Friday morning’s State of the Industry Panel is always a highlight –
hearing from the industry’s main players about what has been happening and what is on the radar,” he said. The inspiring Ann Dalton Address will be presented by athlete, author and mum, Turia Pitt while businessman, elite sportsman and bestselling author, Michael Crossland, will be presenting in the business, innovation and leadership stream on Friday morning
Australian-based tech skincare brand ZitSticka has become a cult favourite in the acne patch category in the US, the UK and Australia. Founded by two brothers-in-law, Danny Kaplan and Robbie Miller, in 2018, the brand’s debut product KILLA features dissolving micro-darts filled with blemish-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid. The digital native brand signed its largest retail partnership deal in February, rolling out in 1800 Target doors in the US. It is also stocked at Ulta Beauty, the largest specialist beauty chain in the US. in Australia, ZitSticka is available from its own dedicated website – www.zitsticka.com.au – Priceline and other leading DTC sites such as Lookfantastic, RY.com.au, Amazon and Oz Hair & Beauty. Heyday, the San Francisco-based DTC company, has acquired ZitSticka for an undisclosed sum in a bid to become a market leader in acne patches, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the US$4.13 billion global anti-acne market. Over the past three years, ZitSticka has grown from a single product to a range of supplements, body washes and topicals. It has also become a firm TikTok favourite and acquired celebrity fans such as Kelly Rowland, Chrissy Teigen and US actress/model Yara Shahidi. Heyday is committed to buying and developing brands, accumulating a war chest of US$800 million over the past year from key investors such as The Raine Group and General Catalyst. We are the perfect partner to build ZitSticka into a household brand name, thanks to our platform capabilities in omnichannel distribution, product innovation and brand marketing, said Griffin Gordon, Chief Business Officer at Heyday.
about defying the odds of surviving. Pharmacy assistants can meet Terri Bakker, 2022 Pharmacy Guild of Australia / Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year during the Pharmacy Assistant Networking Lunch on Saturday, March 25. Visit the website appconference.com to view the APP2023 program and book your early bird registration.
Terri Bakker from Terry White Chemmart Rosny Park in Tasmania, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia / Maxigesic 2022 Pharmacy Assistant of Year (PATY).
The Pure Beauty UK Awards rightly claim that even brands short-listed for the prestigious gongs gain global recognition. First launched in 2001, this year’s awards were held in central London in late October and the regal-themed event attracted the who’s who of the UK’s leading beauty retailers, buyers suppliers, brands, marketing professionals and distributors to applaud the winners of the 48 awards across 11 categories. Pure Beauty is the leading
Back in 2016 when Dyson, famed for its vacuum cleaners, launched its Supersonic hair dryer costing hundreds of dollars, many industry observers expected a major fail. But two years later, the UK technology company followed up with the Dyson Airwrap, an all-in-one styler to curl, wave and smooth, and the naysayers were silenced. In spite of the hefty price tag, the revolutionary product sold out in leading markets worldwide. Bolstered by its huge success in the haircare space, Dyson debuted its high-tech take on the hair straightener – the Dyson Corrale – in 2020. The company itself wasn’t surprised. Before the launch of the Supersonic, Dyson had invested AUD$180 million and 10 years of research into making its haircare tools among the most coveted in the world. But we’ve seen nothing yet. Dyson has announced it is investing an eye-watering $903.8 million to extend its haircare ambitions. Some of the funding will go to opening beauty research labs to produce even more advanced technologies. But the lion’s share will be earmarked for the launch of 20 new hair and beauty products over the next four years. According to the company – “Across Dyson’s five technology campuses, 6000 engineers and scientists have access to hundreds of laboratories. These spaces allow for rigorous testing of new ideas and technologies 24 hours a day.” This year, Dyson has opened three Demo Stores in Sydney – George Street in the CBD, Moore Park and Castle Hill. In addition to its iconic vacuum cleaners, the stores offer hair analytics, complimentary style demonstrations and
independent information source for the beauty industry in the UK and constantly reviews the criteria for the awards. “That is why this year we introduced Best New Sleep Product and Best New Sexual or Intimate Care Product to reflect the increasingly holistic nature of beauty,” said Sarah Parsons, Editor of Pure Beauty. Australian and New Zealand brands performed very well against competition from all over the world. The most awarded Aussie brand was Boost Lab, which took out four awards. A gold in the Best New Mass Skin Care Product category for its Brightening Serum and a silver in the Best New Exfoliator category for AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum. The brand was also awarded a bronze in the Best New Skincare Brand category and a highly recommended in the Best New Serum lineup for 2-D Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum. Australia’s other gold Winner was Penny Black Organic Vitalising Shampoo in the Best New Certified Organic Product category. Mokosh Kakadu Plum Revival Mask rated a highly recommended for the same award. Inika Organic won bronze in the Best New Design and Packaging Product category. Kiwi brand Raaie topped the winners list from across The Ditch with a gold in the Best New Serum category for its Morning Dew Vitamin C Serum. Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream scooped a bronze in the Best New Moisturiser finalists. For a full list of all the winners in the 2022 Pure Beauty UK Awards and dates and details of next year’s awards; go to www.hpcimedia.com.
personalised preservation cases for the Airwrap and Supersonic hair dryer.
Dyson also launched its updated version of the Airwrap – the Coanda smoothing dryer – in Australia in June. Overseas, Dyson held its first national Styling Tour in the UK in July. The company also added to its 200-strong international Beauty Lab network with a new location in Florida in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue in October.
Hardly a week goes by without a beauty brand or retailer – major and niche – releasing details of their social or environmental initiatives.
Australians are fully supportive of such commitments, reveals new research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology. A hefty 69 per cent of consumers surveyed said they believe that the purpose of a retail company in general is to respond better to social and environmental issues. The survey also confirmed that consumers are willing to pay more for products and services whose values dovetail with their own. Over 24 per cent were willing to pay more than 5 per cent and 13 per cent upped the ante to 10 per cent. Retailers in the food and grocery sectors scored the highest approval
ratings from Aussie consumers, followed by furniture and homewares, books and magazines and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. There’s a clear divide between generations, though. Younger consumers are more knowledgeable about a retailer or brand’s corporate strategies. While older consumers are more focused on health and safety issues and regulation compliance. Respondents also believe that retailers and brands should prioritise human rights issues and sustainability ahead of political lobbying and adding value for shareholders and investors. Paul Zahra, CEO of the ARA, said the research showed how important it is for retailers and brands to lead in social and environmental issues.
“Consumers are becoming more values driven when it comes to their shopping, and they will actively pursue brands that resonate most strongly with the social and environmental issues that are important to them. Consumers will even pay more for products and services if a retailer’s values
Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine has long been a definitive, peer-reviewed cosmetic science resource. Its Allē Awards (formerly the R&D Awards) attract some of the biggest names in beauty and their niche competitors to showcase their latest ingredients, testing methods and formulas. One of the highlights of the Beauty Accelerate 2022 event, held in New York, was the inaugural Cosmetic & Toiletries Alle Awards Dinner. For the first time, an Australian beauty company won one of the world’s most prestigious beauty industry gongs. Roccoco Botanicals took out the honour for its 7-in-1 Ruby Crystal Cleanser, which helps to calm inflammation and stimulate collagen production. Previous winners of the award include L’Oréal and Shiseido and the brand beat off six other contenders from around the world.
The Ruby Crystal Cleanser is a powerhouse formula containing rose absolute, passionfruit seed oil and jojoba oil. The judging panel for the award included scientists from Chanel and Estée Lauder. Roccoco Botanicals was founded in Queensland in 2013 by CEO Jacine Greenwood. In 2020, the company won Dayspa’s Professional Choice Award and has been named among the 100 fastest growing companies by the Australian Financial Review (2021). In 2022, it was the recipient of the Financial Times Asia Pacific High Growth Company Award. Greenwood, who is also the founding Chief
align with theirs.” Zahra also underscores the need for honesty and transparency when it comes to sustainability claims. A view confirmed by a recent survey conducted in the UK and the US by Provenance, the international sustainability marketing provider. A huge 91 per cent of Brits and 89 per cent of American shoppers surveyed said that sustainability and ethics were important considerations when buying beauty and wellness products. On the flip side, 79 per cent said they were sceptical about the sustainability claims of beauty brands. The majority of beauty shoppers in both the British and American markets said they considered independent verifiers such as EcoCert as more trustworthy. Ninety per cent of those surveyed revealed that they check sustainability information when buying a beauty product. Over half – 55 per cent –check on-pack information, while 37 per cent look at the brand’s website and 33 per cent seek out information in-store.
Cosmetic Chemist of Roccoco Botanicals, has made it her career goal to find ways to heal and nurture acne-prone and sensitive skin. At Roccoco Botanicals, our mission is to support and repair the skin barrier, particularly for the more than 50 per cent of women who suffer from acne and others who contend with skin conditions such as pigmentation, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. There’s an epidemic of women suffering from skin problems, and we exist to help them, she noted. For more information, go to www.au.roccoco.com.
Roccoco CEO Jacine Greenwood.
Sticky tan? Set and forget with GlowDry. Australia’s first fake tan drying powder, GlowDry sets a self-tan in a flash. Talc-free and vegan-friendly, the award-winning, summer scented formula removes the stress and mess from tanning. Don’t glow without it!
GLOWDRY’S 6-IN-1 FORMULA:
Dries fake tan in a flash – skip the fan and get dressed straight away. Eliminate stickiness and icky post-tan feels – so the user feels comfortably dry and confident to go about their day.
Imbues skin with a subtle shimmer – immediately looking more radiant.
Masks musty fake tan odours – so nobody will know the glow is faux. Reduces transfer – so there’ll be zero tan-trums over stained sheets and clothes.
Reduces streakiness – GlowDry the bendy bits (like elbow creases, under the boobs and bum) to prevent those tell-tale patches.
Glow Dry is also Australian made, vegan friendly, cruelty free, talc free and refillable. https://glowdryaustralia.com.au
Sundae Body’s Summer Flavours are guaranteed to start summer in the sweetest way. Choose from scrumptious summer flavoursHoney Honey, Cool Mint, Pomegranate Fizz and Coconut Cream. Australian made, vegan and cruelty-free, clean of parabens and sulphates, Sundae Body has taken everyday soap and made it fun, serving up bursts of creamy foam that melts into a rich velvety lather. https://sundaebody.com
Airyday is a part of a new generation of sun protection known as ‘skinscreens’ where SPF and high-performance skincare collide. Airyday’s mission: to create a range of multifunctional skinscreens and skincare products with beautiful textures, that slip right into daily routine, all whilst looking after the skin. Formulated to the highest standard of sun protection (SPF50+), Airyday Skinscreens are both UVA and UVB approved, 40 minuets water resistant and protect against harmful blue light exposure, allowing consumers to curate the ultimate SPF wardrobe. www.airyday.co
Ideal for those aged 25+, the revamped range offers an advanced anti-ageing regime to sculpt, plump, rejuvenate and protect the skin for a healthy and youthful complexion.
Harnessing the powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory & rejuvenating properties of exotic skincare ingredient Croton Lechleri Extract aka ‘Dragon’s Blood’, which originates from the Amazon rainforest, it’s unique properties are combined with potent actives that help to, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protect from environmental damage, sculpt facial contours, deeply hydrate and improve overall texture and tone.
Facial Sculpting Gel | $59.95
A lightweight, silky gel formula that redefines facial contours, smooths & protects for youthful-looking skin.
Ultra Plumping Night Cream | $59.95
Now with Collagen Peptides; a deeply hydrating, multi-action formula that restores and plumps while you sleep.
Radiance Daily Moisturiser | $39.95
Now with Collagen Peptides; a total age defense formula with SPF 15 protects skin from UVA, UVB, Infrared Radiation, Blue Light & Pollution.
Advanced Treatment Cleanser | $34.95
A silky daily oil foaming cleanser with gentle natural exfoliation that purifies & moisturises skin.
Deep Wrinkle Filler | $39.95
Now with Collagen Peptides; a powerful treatment formula designed for targeted use to improve the appearance of wrinkle prone areas.
Retinol Sleep Serum | $34.95
A low-irritation overnight complex that combines Granactive Retinoid with added Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid to rejuvenate, retexture and hydrate the skin.
Hydration Maximiser Mask | $6.95
An intensely hydrating gel mask that quickly replenishes skin and locks in moisture for plump and dewy skin in 30 minutes.
For more information on the range contact retail@biophysicsgroup.com.
Aesthetics
CeraVe
Bioderma
Avène
Kenkay
La Roche-Posay - Toleriane Dermallergo Eyes - www.laroche-posay.com.au
Embryolisse Hydra-Mask - https://frenchbeautyco.com.au
Our round up of the top gentle skincare products that actually work.
Rachel Hunter is a presenter, author, yoga teacher and most well-known as a supermodel. The Kiwi born and bred beauty is also brand ambassador for the number one natural skincare brand in New Zealand essano.
By Michelle Ruzzene
I remember the first time I saw essano, I was at home filming New Zealand’s Got Talent and was wandering through my local New World, I was drawn to the Rosehip Oil and the pink packaging. I was happy to see a natural, home grown, premium rosehip oil that was accessible to everyone. Then in the last year I saw essano on the shelf in my local Rite Aid in LA. It is always exciting to see a Kiwi brand reaching America, so I bought the product of the stand right there and I got in touch with essano.
I always think when you’re working with a brand there’s almost this alliance that happens naturally between the two of you. Obviously there’s different things that we need to get out there and get across the line, but at the same time, there’s an ethos that we both believe in. essano is a natural, sustainable brand, they tick all those boxes about things I’m concerned about.
I’ve noticed as my body changes that I’m reacting to things much more sensitively sometimes so I think that you know what we put in, what we put on top of it has a deep reflection on how good our skin is as far as what we call beauty. Foreseeing you know what is beautiful and the everyday idea of how beautiful is your skin or whatever, it’s kind of what we’re putting into and onto our bodies. It is a constant sense of evolving and evolution of putting all these pieces together.
I would say definitely when I was discovered on the beach in New Zealand and then how rapidly that went and then I came over to Australia and did Australian Vogue straight away – I think I was 16 and a half. They brought me over and then I did the Pantene ad there a few years later but Australia was huge. At one point I think I was on four covers in Australia, it was Harper’s Bazaar, and I worked with Stevie Hughs who was an amazing photographer, he was in Australia at the time and I had just finished ballet and he was also a dancer but also a photographer. I got sent immediately to New York, so those were huge moments, and obviously Sports Illustrated which was about a year later. It happened really fast - I mean I was working with Revlon, CoverGirl all of them within a year of modelling. We did a lot of editorials, Elle magazine, I did a lot of Harper’s Bazaar but like I said the part of coming over to Australia and having that creativity and finding this amazing photographer that also did love the ballet was really nice because it kind of eased me into it.
Oh god there’s always business challenges. You’re up here and then all of a sudden nobody wants you for a bit and then all of a sudden you do something or go out or maybe you were on the beach and back in those days you’d be papped. Then you’d come up and be number one again so it was kind of just like riding a wave. I admire those people who are able to sustain that.
I just hope it keeps getting much more diverse. I also hope the packaging starts getting really looked at, as far as what is being delivered and how much usage. That would be a massive impact on our environment. Brands really need to consider being ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly.
FAVOURITE
It would have to be when I’m with my kids, either if we’re hanging out on holiday together or we’re in the kitchen together and just being together and cooking and laughing. If I’m not with my kids I would be in a temple in India.
Nature without a doubt, absolutely.
When my mum was about to pass away, I asked her the question ‘What do you regret doing?’ She regretted not fully being who she is, so really don’t give a shit what anybody else thinks. Just go do you fully and if you mess up then you mess up, if you don’t you don’t. There’s no time like right now. As a great teacher said to me, get out of the waiting room. I love that. ■
https://essano.co.nz
Just go do you fully and if you mess up then you mess up, if you don’t you don’t. There’s no time like right now.
This is particularly concerning for the organic industry, as there is no legal definition surrounding use of the term ‘organic’ for cosmetics. In fact, ‘organic’ is commonly misused in the beauty industry, which has had damaging effects in the market and eroded consumer trust.
The 2021 Australian Organic Market Report, commissioned by the peak industry body Australian Organic Limited (AOL), demonstrated almost one third (31 per cent) of shoppers who purchased an organic product in 2020 believed they had previously been misled by organic claims on product packaging.
AOL has advocated on behalf of consumers and producers for the introduction of a mandatory domestic standard for use of the term ‘organic’ in Australia. The current lack of a unified, legal definition of organic undermines shopper confidence.
While overseas markets, with standards in place, can be sure the organic products they are purchasing from Australian businesses are certified organic, unfortunately Australian consumers cannot be assured the same confidence.
The only way an Australian consumer can be certain a product labelled ‘organic’ is what it says it is, is to look for a certification mark.
As Australian consumers flock to products made with the environment in mind, the skincare and cosmetic sector has become an increasingly confusing space, with countless claims now made on product labels
Australian Organic Limited CEO, Niki Ford
Organic is generally defined as a product that contains organically grown and processed ingredients, grown without synthetic fertiliser, free from toxic pesticides and other artificial inputs. Currently however, products with no certified organic ingredients can still have organic in the label without fear of repercussion, confusing consumers and industry alike. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Just as we have the ability to absorb medication through patches, pesticides and chemicals in beauty products can also be absorbed through our skin. Australian organic standards follow a ‘precautionary principle’. This means an ingredient that has any scientific evidence to say it might pose an environmental or health risk is not allowed.
There are many skincare products in the market claiming to be natural. The difference between natural and organic is how the base plant material has been grown, processed and packaged. You can still have a natural lavender oil that has been extracted from lavender sprayed with conventional pesticides and herbicides. Organic encompasses all stages of production and processing. Often, astringent chemicals are used for the extraction of beauty products, and chemical stabilisers and preservatives are used to prolong the shelf life. However, when you buy the certified organic counterpart, you can rest assured that the lavender has been grown without synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or GMOs, with the final product also adhering to organic regulations.
Palm oil is a common ingredient in beauty products. Over the years, it has earned itself a negative reputation for being produced in a way that is bad for the environment. It can only be grown within 10 degrees of the equator in tropical regions and is linked to extensive rainforest clearing to make way for mass plantations, as well as the associated wildlife and forest destruction. However, per hectare, it is the highest yielding oil crop, outcompeting soy and rapeseed. It continues to be the most widely used vegetable oil in the world. There are more than 200 different terms that palm oil can be referred to in a cosmetic label, including C19, Caprylyl glycol, cetearyl alcohol, cocoa oil, emulsifiers 422-495, fatty acids, glycerine and sodium laureth suphate (SLS), to name a few. Within organic beauty products, all palm oil derivatives must be organically or sustainably produced and sourced.
Mistrust in cosmetic labelling was the catalyst for Adelaide-based cousins Megan Potter and Amanda Hawtin to start organic beauty label, Megan Potter in 2018.
Ms Hawtin and Ms Potter had both experienced bad reactions to allergens in cosmetics, after not being able to decipher confusing ingredient lists and labelling.
Now Managing Director, Ms Hawtin said Megan Potter offered 10 different product lines and provided their customers more transparency with its organic certification.
“This is a very personal brand, and we want to align our personal values with it,” Ms Hawtin said.
“We want to make sure all our claims are authentic and verifiable, which the organic certification process allows us to do.”
Ms Hawtin said consumers experienced a lot of confusion with no legal definition of the word organic.
“People think natural and organic is interchangeable,” she said.
“I also often see competing products claiming to be organic
and it has one per cent organic ingredients, with the balance made up of synthetic ingredients.”
It is really important to build trust with consumers by achieving mandatory domestic regulation. If a consumer has a bad experience with a non-certified organic product, those of us who are producing highquality organic products are tarred with the same brush.
In the past, organic beauty has had a reputation as being inferior, however, as organic beauty becomes more popular, more organic alternatives are available.
“It is still a lot more expensive, to purchase organic ingredients – on average four times more expensive. We absorb these costs, so our products can compete with the nonorganic sector,” Ms Hawtin said.
“As the organic sector has grown, there are chemists all around the world developing organic alternatives that match, or even outperform, non-organic ingredients.” ■
To find out more about the organic beauty sector, visit the AOL website at www.austorganic.com
Amanda Hawtin ORGANICVoluntary Industry Code of Practice to support the Australian ban on testing cosmetics on animals: providing essential guidance to avoid pitfalls with cosmetics advertising.
In late May 2021, the Australian Government joined with Accord to launch a new industryled Code that provides the makers, suppliers and retailers of cosmetic products with essential guidance for their animal testing advertising claims.
Additionally, with animal testing for cosmetics banned in Australia by law since 1 July 2020, the Code also provides guidance on how the ban operates at a practical level, within the complex framework of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).
Hefty penalties are embedded within the two legislative frameworks the Code helps businesses to navigate. These are the Australian Consumer Law, as administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019
So, just past a year since the Code’s launch, Accord reminds all cosmetic brands that time spent in assessing your products’ animal testing claims against the Code’s guidance could prove invaluable in avoiding potential legal pitfalls in the future.
Four basic rules for making advertising claims underpin the Code so that your advertising is neither false nor misleading. And these rules apply equally to animal testing advertising claims as to most other types of marketing claims, including those related to environmental performance. In summary, these are as follows:
– meaning that evidence must be held to back up a claim. The ACCC has the power to demand you provide this evidence.
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– so it ‘tells the full story’ and does not mislead consumers by omitting key facts and information.
– meaning plain and unambiguous language should be used for your claims. For this reason, the Code cautions against using emotive and hard-todefine terms like ‘cruelty free’ and ‘animal friendly’ without backing.
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– which means it does not make unfair comparisons with other products. And this is now important in the context that animal testing of cosmetics is banned in Australia.
Sprinkled throughout the Code are numerous helpful examples and case studies to guide your approach to advertising and marketing your products in a manner that aids your compliance with the Australian Consumer Law. For example, the Code highlights the potential helpful role of third-party logos offered by independent certifying bodies, such as Cruelty Free International.
In launching the Code, Accord was pleased to receive support from Australia’s leading animal welfare organisation, RSPCA Australia, and we equally valued the informative consumer information initiative delivered by our colleagues at the National Retail Association via https:// animalcosmetictestban.com.au/about/.
Reviews of the Code are to be carried out by Accord at two-yearly intervals and we are now past the halfway mark before our first review in mid-2023. Recognising that the Code’s launch took place during the many
distractions of the Covid-19 pandemic, now would seem an ideal time for cosmetic brands to schedule assessments of their advertising against the Code’s guidance.
As further motivation for you to take a deep and considered look at your marketing claims in general, the issue of ‘greenwashing’ in relation to advertising claims has now become a compliance priority for the ACCC.
On this, ACCC’s Deputy Chairperson Delia Rickard recently said: “We also see many examples of businesses making claims about their products, without providing any information to consumers to substantiate the claims. It is important that businesses can back up the claims they are making, whether through reliable scientific reports, transparent supply chain information, reputable third-party certification, or other forms of evidence. Trust me, where we have concerns, we will be asking businesses to substantiate their claims.”
The Code is an industry asset and important resource that will assist cosmetic brands with their advertising compliance and improve transparency for consumers. ■
Accord proudly hosts and publishes the Code at https://accord.asn.au/ sustainability/voluntary-industry-codeon-animal-test-ban/.
The Code also provides guidance on how the ban operates at a practical level
Climate change (45%), plastic pollution (37%) and air quality (28%) are Australian consumers’ top three environmental concerns.
52% say local extreme weather events encourage them to do more to protect the environment.
Recycling packaging (66%) ranks among consumers’ top three sustainable behaviours.
From droughts to bushfires and floods, Australia has been experiencing extreme and more frequent climate events in recent years, and it follows that consumer engagement in sustainability has deepened. New research from the Mintel Consulting 2022 Sustainability Barometer reveals that 45% of Australian consumers cite climate as a top three environmental concern, followed by plastic pollution (37%) and air quality (28%).
As environmental concerns escalate, the number of consumers who believe we still have time to save the planet if we act now made a significant gain from 42% to 50% between 2021-22*, with more than half (52%) of Australians saying that local extreme weather events (eg flooding, heatwaves) encourage them to personally do more activities to protect the environment.
This desire to help the planet brings with it a feel-good factor as 61% of
consumers say doing things that benefit the environment makes them feel happy, while 47% say they have researched their annual carbon footprint (eg with an online calculator or app).
Australians’ sustainable behaviours have also focused on simplicity and frugality. For instance, recycling packaging (66%), buying fewer new clothes (49%), buying products certified to be less harmful to the environment and ‘return and recycle’ schemes (23% respectively) are the top sustainable behaviours over the last 12 months*. Meanwhile, the shift in transport
Climate change tops Australians’ environmental concerns, while simple and frugal actions dominate sustainable behaviours
Australians’ sustainable behaviours have also focused on simplicity and frugality.
Recycled
Bought fewer new clothes
Limited/reduced the amount of meat/poultry I eat
Collected food waste/packaging for composting
Grown my own food in a garden/outdoor space
Bought products that certified to pay fair wages
Bought a used/repurposed tech product instead of a new one
Limited/reduced the amount of dairy products I consume
Volunteered for a social organisation/activity
Volunteered for an environmental organisation/activity
Limited/reduced the amount of seafood I eat
Switched to a renewable electricity/gas supplier Hired or leased a product instead of buying it (eg DIY tool)
Understanding of how my purchase has a direct impact on the environment (eg 1 tree planted per purchase)
Labelling to show how environmentally friendly it is (eg color coded, 1-5 score) *
Labelling to show their environmental impact (eg CO2 emitted)
behaviour towards micro-mobility is evident, with 37% saying that they have walked more often instead of taking transport.
When asked about solutions they perceived to have a high-to-moderate positive impact on the environment, consumers are supportive of forestation and conservation projects and investments in renewable energy. For the latter, half (50%) of Australians think governments are most responsible for the use of renewable energy, while 60% would prefer companies
to reduce their own carbon emissions rather than use “Carbon Offsetting” programs outside of their own area of business.
The second annual Mintel Consulting Sustainability Barometer features research and insight on consumers’ sustainability attitudes, behaviours and purchase preferences across 16 countries*. It offers recommendations for companies and brands based on best-in-class innovations, communications and campaigns.
Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel“Climate change continues to be one of the main pressures affecting Australia’s environment. Its impact, exacerbated by the pandemic, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, have given consumers a harsh reality check, hurting their health and wallets and activating them in the process. In the meantime, escalating activism, regulatory reaction and the sheer scale of the challenges ahead and solutions required have educated global consumers enough to sniff out greenwashing campaigns and there’s no going back from that. This means companies will increasingly need to assert—and clearly communicate—the truly impactful actions they are taking to reduce emissions, rather than simply offset them or dip their toes into populist ‘plastic free’ campaigns. This growing awareness around resource inputs and emission and waste outputs will also spell the end for ‘environmentally friendly’ as a credible marketing term.
“Our research shows that consumers globally, including Australians, continue to see recycling and mitigating waste as important sustainable behaviours. This tells us that simple, frugal behaviours are the most popular among consumers, which underlines the fact that brands’ sustainability initiatives need to deliver on value and convenience. Looking ahead to 2023, expect to see resource (food, water, money) conservation ascend further up the agenda and the use of economising technology refurbishers and urban peer access sharing economies grow. For consumers, the connections between saving the environment, its resources and their money will strengthen.” ■
*500 internet users aged 16/18+ across 16 countries were surveyed in March 2021: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, UK, US; 1,000 internet users aged 16/18+ across 16 countries were surveyed in April 2022, with Poland and Ireland replaced by Indonesia and Mexico.
Growing up in a country town, as one of 10 children, Cheryl Ross would often go out into the bush with her father. Along the way they would spot native botanicals and her dad would always stop and explain them to her, sparking her interest in nature. The Minenssey founder sits down with Michelle Ruzzene to talk about the healing powers of plants, and how Cheryl perfected the process of combining her passion for medicinal properties in nature with the alchemy of science to unlock the full potential of native ingredients.
The choice to release my own skincare range was a natural progression really – it was inspired by the opportunity to use everything I’d learnt through years of research and my experience as a model. In the modelling industry, you’re constantly faced with skin irritation from heavy makeup and extreme changes in your environment which can be especially taxing on your skin health. My goal from the very beginning was pretty clear, I wanted to create a range of essential products, packed full of highly effective nutrient rich ingredients to enhance skin health, boost radiance, and preserve the skin. Formulating skincare products that nourish your skin and simultaneously provide a relaxing, sensorial experience was always my aspiration when developing Minenssey.
This is one of my most frequently asked questions! Minenssey brand name was inspired by the embodiment of self, mind, body and spirit. I wanted to celebrate everyone’s natural beauty and redefine the meaning of healthy skin, reinterpreting the importance of restoring and preserving skin health. We utilise botanic-rich formulas that reveal your inner and outer radiant glow. Using premium ingredients such as Australian clay, flannel flower, kakadu plum, strawberry gum and more in our skincare products, Minenssey keeps skin hydrated, brightened and deeply cleansed.
When starting my business, I completed years of study to perfect the process of combining my passion for medicinal properties in nature, to unlock the full potential of native ingredients. It’s hard not to get impatient during this time, so waiting, developing, and trialling products over months, if not years, was definitely my biggest business challenge, as I did have to leave many other aspects of the business aside. In saying this, working with a team of industry experts that I knew and trusted made this process a lot smoother – this was the definition of “trust the process”! My biggest tip to anyone starting a business, especially in this industry, is to find a team that have the knowledge, share your vision and you trust.
It’s so hard to pin down one career highlight! I’ve had so many throughout the process of developing Minenssey, putting everything I’ve learnt over the years into practice. From my time as a model, exploring the benefits of botanicals with my father, and researching original ecological skincare formulas. I’ve been lucky enough to have over half a century of experience in the industry and have been recognised for my dedication to creating innovative formulations, which is pretty special. In saying this, launching Minenssey and seeing the love and support come pouring through was an incredible experience. We saw an overwhelming response from consumers and industry professionals, blown away by our dedication to celebrating native botanicals in skincare.
01. The Multimasking Range. 02. The T-Zone Pore Refining Mask. 03. The Skin Revival Clay Mask Set.
For me, what really sets Minenssey apart is the fact that every single one of our products is powered by potent botanicals and have been developed right here in Australia. It was really important to me that we honor Australian ingredients when creating a tailormade solution for every skin type to deliver an elevated sensorial skincare experience.
With such a saturated industry, Minenssey wanted to amplify that “efficacy is more than powerful actives”. We select evidence-based ingredients from the earth and deliver them in concentrations proven to maximise product efficacy. My goal was to transform these potent botanicals into beautifully blended textures and efficacious formulas for the ultimate skin experience.
It was also important to me and Minenssey to look at skincare as a journey, not just a destination – the journey we’ve created offers a sensorial experience whilst being backed by science.
My next goal is to focus on the younger demographic. Now that I have grandchildren of my own who already ask me so many questions about Minenssey, I want to extend our message of the power of natural botanicals to a younger age group. We have even developed product ranges, in particular the Purifying Range for those with troubled skin, especially teens that are often exposed to harsh and abrasive products to treat acne. For example, disproving the myth within this age group that “natural ingredients are not as effective as active ingredients”. We believe that naturally derived ingredients provide the best long-term results for your skin and have really taken the time to dig deep and discover Mother Nature’s most transformative botanicals to offer consumers a sensorial skincare experience. ■
What have been your biggest business challenges and how did you overcome them?
It’s easy to look at a cult brand and desperately want the same thing for your beauty business. But the truth is, there’s a lot that goes into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of building a brand with such a dedicated following.
By Olivia JenkinsSimply put, a “cult brand” is one with a superdevoted following. Cult brands know that their customers will follow them anywhere and choose their product or service over competitors no matter what. Cult brands are able to achieve this level of devotion amongst their consumers by connecting with their target audience and creating a culture that people genuinely want to be a part of.
These cult brands may sell something “simple”, but the marketing behind what they are selling is what truly draws in such a loyal customer base. Good examples of cult beauty brands are Glossier, Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Trinny London.
As the CEO of your company, you are responsible for the culture you create within your brand and the way you communicate that to customers. Both your team and audience will look to you for guidance and inspiration, which is why it is so important that you solidify your role as a strong, stable and trustworthy leader such as relatable style expert Trinny Woodall. The more people who are fans of you as a person, the more you’ll be able to amass that cultlevel following.
Did you know that 64 per cent of today’s buyers are belief-driven? This means they like to support brands who they feel can solve big problems in the world and create powerful change. As much as you are able to, bring your brand values to life in a way that allows your target audience to take a stand about something that is meaningful to them. This could mean creating recyclable packaging, such as Augustinus Bader’s eye cream, which is housed in a 100 per cent recyclable tube, donating a portion of your profits, or something else that aligns with the values of both your brand and your customers.
Cult brands take ideas you know and love to the next level through innovation. Case in point, new zero-waste beauty company, Everist, which has launched the first ever water-activated hair care concentrate. If you want to achieve cult status, you need to be willing to think outside the box and do things differently in your business. What is your unique angle? How are you going to “wow” the world when it comes to your product, delivery, messaging, and marketing strategies? What makes your brand truly and unequivocally different from your competitors?
The identity behind your brand is what you will come to be associated with on your rise to “cult status.” Think about it: you know that somebody is wearing Lululemon leggings just from the logo that it stitched onto the back of the leggings. You want to create the same level of recognition for your own brand, which means finding both visual and verbal “stickers” that will become representative of your brand in the long-run. Visual stickers can include your logo, colours, fonts, or graphics related to your brand. Verbal stickers can include catchphrases and slogans.
At its core, cult-brand status is all about forming a community and connecting with that community on a deep level, as evidenced by the beauty community created by Sephora. This means giving your supporters not only multiple places to congregate in support of your brand (such as social media communities or apps) but also showing them how much you care about their support by regularly engaging with them in these communities, hosting special events and giveaways, and providing high-value free content that they love to consume.
Olivia Jenkins Consulting specialises in advising womenled businesses within the beauty, health, and fashion industries. She has had more than 10 years’ experience in e-commerce marketing, working with top global health and beauty brands including Swisse Wellness, Kosmea and Vani-t. She holds a MBA (Marketing) as well as four digital marketing accreditations.
Ah … cult brands — you know the type. Their products sell out in just a few minutes. There is constant hype surrounding their next launch or business move. And their crazyloyal consumers non-stop rave about how fabulous everything is.FIVE SECRETS TO SKYROCKET YOUR BRAND TO “CULT” STATUS
Michael Edwards’ Fragrance Wheel holds the key to everyone’s likes and dislikes with a classification system so innovative it had to be copyrighted. For the past four decades, the Reference Guide has taken the guesswork out of matching fragrances. The current guidebook includes a genealogy of each fragrance family, with noteworthy and iconic fragrances from the past century.
The clean, refreshing notes of bergamot and lemon, mandarin and lime, oranges and grapefruit give these fragrances their distinctive, tangy aroma. Floral, spicy and woody notes transform the light, refreshing eaux de cologne into real fragrances. Modern musks and tea accents add interesting dimensions to the oldest fragrance family.
Manager, shares with Retail Beauty what’s hot, and what’s not, when it comes to fragrance this summer.
This summer, sweet florals, particularly tuberose and magnolias coupled with fruit notes. Gourmand vanilla and Cacao fragrances take on the scent of summer, salted vanilla’s transports you to the beach, and warm, sensual cacaos to steaming summer nights of partying and passion. For a more sophisticated impression, saffron delivers an elegant elevated olfactive experience.
You really need to know and understand who you are buying for. Find out their favourites either generally in conversation or surreptitiously slipping into their bedroom on the pretext of going to the bathroom to discover what they use. Talk to the fragrance expert about the personality of the person they are buying for: introvert, extrovert, sporty, glamourous etc. from which different types of fragrances can be presented that personify those traits.
Vanilla, Cacao, Tuberose and Saffron.
General rule of thumb, wear lighter, fresher fragrances in summer, and complex, woody for winter. I tend to disagree with the standard expressed in my intro sentence, in so far as other factors come into play: personal preference, warm gourmand notes can really be heightened by increased body temperature, as can opulent, woody, spicy fragrances.
I would reserve these for summer evenings, and stick to the lighter, fresher fragrances for day. A salted vanilla or fresh cacao fragrance would work will as a summer day fragrance though.
• The global perfume market is projected to grow from $47.5 billion in 2021 to $67.1 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate of 5 per cent in the 2021-2028 period.
• The Asia Pacific market will see the fastest growth during the forecast period due to an increase in the younger population and disposable income.
• The global perfume market size is flourishing across all regions due to online shopping.
• Women consumers lead the global perfume market.
• The incorporation of strong fragrances, oils and other materials is expected to attract consumer demand.
• Fragrant essential oils have started playing a significant role in personal grooming.
• Rising demand for waterless scents are expected to surge product demand.
• Consumers are shifting towards fragrances made up of sustainable materials such as vanilla beans, balsams, citrus oil and others.
• AI-based solutions are also driving market growth by making personalised scents even easier to discover.
DO
“If you can’t smell the fragrance on yourself, it means its good.” ■
The best products for the ultimate sun-kissed glow.
Runway Room Mineral Bronze Stick - www.runwayroom.com
Clarins Self Tan Radiance Plus Gloden Glow Booster - www.clarins.com.au
Pure Tan Instant tan Lotion Dark - https://puretan.com.au
Orro + Co Amalfi Glow Drops - https://orroandco.com
Tanzee Fairy Dust - www.tanzee.com.au
Ella Baché Radiance C Defensive Antioxidant Mist - www.ellabache.com.au
St Moriz Advanced Tan Boosting Face Drops - https://stmoriztan.com
Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops - https://au.cocoandeve.com
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer - www.benefitcosmetics.com/en-au
Glow Bomb Fake Tan Removing Bath Bomb - https://glowdryaustralia.com.au
Sun Bum Mineral Tinted Face Lotion SPF 30 - https://sunbum-aus.com
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-kissed Glow Bronzer in Tan - www.charlottetilbury.com/au
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer in Captivate - www.rarebeauty.com
Ulta3 Luminous Filter Nourishing Foundation - https://ulta3.com.au
Holme Beauty Primer in Boom - https://holmebeauty.com
Youth to the People Kombucha + 10% AHA Power Exfoliant - www.youthtothepeople.com
“With regards to creating a flawless, naturallooking base, I’m obsessed with It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ With SPF 50.”
Developed with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this best-selling, cult skincare product provides anti-ageing, colour-correcting, and substantial coverage benefits with SPF50 broad spectrum protection. Infused with antioxidants, hydrolysed collagen, peptides and vitamins, it’s clinically proven to increase hydration, and minimise the look of pores and wrinkles. “It’s ability to reduce the appearance of dark circles and camouflage redness is unsurpassed. I’m also a fan of Nars Pure Tinted Moisturiser (available at MECCA), as it offers an impressive range of shades to match every undertone. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer showcases a caring, waterproof formula to provide buildable coverage that won’t crease or crack. I suggest applying the hydrating, creamy formula with my Jishaku #20 Concealer Brush – its super-soft, non-absorbent contoured bristles minimise product wastage, and maximise distribution for a seamless finish. This versatile brush can also be used to apply liquid or grease-based eye shadows for an alluring after-dark, wet runway-inspired look.”
Beauty’s editorial highway has been dominated by the benefits of high-performance, ingredient-driven skincare – customised cleansers, powerhouse serums, potent actives, everything you need, and everything you don’t. Educational content fuelled by the expertise of in-the-know editors, skincare professionals (such as dermatologists), and beauty influencers, has enlightened consumers about creating and maintaining a healthy, radiant-looking complexion. The restoration
“My go-to products to create sheer coverage are Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum, and Ciaté London Dewy Skin Glass Glow Skin Tint (both available at MECCA). The Rose Inc Tinted Serum is formulated with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to visibly plump and smooth the appearance of fine lines. I love the microencapsulated tech – upon application the suspended pigmented beads burst onto the skin to blur imperfections with a weightless, long-wearing, radiance-boosting finish. Ciaté London’s Skin Tint is formulated with brightening Vitamin C + firming Hyaluronic Acid – the balmy texture delivers semi-sheer coverage, with a sublime glassinspired glow. I always prep skin with a moisturising product prior to makeup application – if your skin is combination/oily, I recommend applying a lightweight, hydrating serum or gel-cream prior to your tinted moisturiser. My favoured concealer is Armani Luminous Silk Lightweight Liquid Concealer infused with Glycerine to attract and retain moisture, and Caffeine + Vitamin E to reduce the appearance of dark circles. The silky formula provides light-tomedium coverage, blends seamlessly, and is ideal for brightening the under-eye contour, and highlighting skin.”
of the skin barrier function and skin microbiome is no longer a mystery. The conversation has also expanded beyond topical skincare products to embrace nutraceuticals, (including bioactive collagen supplements), to promote healthy skin from the inside out. Our considered skincare arsenal is no longer restricted to the products we house in our treasured bathroom cabinets. The investment – topical + ingestible products - from a research and dollar perspective is substantial. Skin is in! Summer beckons. It’s time to celebrate the realisation of our skincare goals and rethink coverage. Multi-benefit, tinted moisturisers (including BB and CC creams), infused with skinloving ingredients and a modest amount of pigment, are designed to cover, correct, and blur imperfections with a lightweight, confidence-boosting veil. Teamed with a clever concealer tailored to your specific concerns, a naturally flawless, ‘barely-there’ makeup look is not only attainable, but it can be achieved in minutes. Discover the ‘tried and tested’ products, and noteworthy tips + tricks, as recommended by leading makeup-artists.
Dark circles present a common concern for many consumers – our pursuit for a brighter-looking eye contour is relentless. The darkness can be attributed to a range of factors including anatomy, ageing, genetics, hyperpigmentation, fatigue, and poor lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. “My eye contour makeup arsenal consists of both colour correctors and concealers. If your key goal is to diminish the look of dark circles, opt for a peachinspired colour corrector to combat the unsightly bluish undertones, follow with your preferred tinted facial moisturiser, and finish with a concealer. Right now, my favourite corrector is Bobbi Brown Skin Corrector Stick – its creamy, humidity-resistant, buildable formula blends on contact, camouflages darkness, and visibly brightens the eye contour. Infused with Korean Salicornia Extract, this innovative double-duty product also acts to boost skin hydration. MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer provides medium-tofull coverage with a never dry or cakey, matte finish. It’s a reliable, non-creasing, long-wear formula, and I love the delicate sponge-tip applicator that enables a targeted application. Be sure to choose a shade that matches, but also subtly brightens your skin tone. My priority concealer rule – ‘less is always more’ – the skin in the eye contour is fragile and suspectable to accumulated micro-movements. Gently tap the product into the skin, allow it settle, and layer accordingly to achieve further coverage.”
For sensitive, oily, blemish-prone skin, I recommend La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant Tinted Anti-Acne Moisturiser. Available in two forgiving, unifying shades, this innovative formula contains exfoliating Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide to reduce irritation, Zinc PCA to regulate sebum production, and skin-identical Glycerine to moisturise. The fast-absorbing formula delivers sheer tinted coverage, and all-day hydration with a matte finish. I layer this over an efficacious Hyaluronic Acid serum (applied to damp skin), and complete my discreet camouflage routine with YSL Touche Éclat Illuminating Highlighter Pen (also available in a High Cover Concealer Pen format), in Shade 3 - Luminous Peachto effectively minimise the look of dark circles in my under-eye area. The iconic, silky formula provides illuminating, lightto-medium coverage, and melts into the skin with a flawless, crease-free finish. Golden! Words of wisdom – if you’re using a tinted moisturiser that doesn’t integrate very high SPF broad spectrum protection, apply a dermatologist-approved SPF50+ sunscreen as the last step in your daytime (year-round) skincare routine, prior to your tinted moisturiser. It’s estimated that 90% of ageing results from harmful (cancer-causing) UV exposure. Save face, change the base, veil don’t smother, and get set to glow with a multi-benefit, ‘barely-there’, natural-looking makeup look. Love the skin you’re in! Here comes the sun. ■
WHAT
Maccas! I got a job as soon as I was legally able to at 14 years and nine months. I remember my wage was $5.14 per hour back in 1990.
While hosting birthday parties was the top job, you had to start somewhere and cleaning the dining room was my job. But I worked hard and soon got the opportunity to do drive through and host some birthday parties!
YOU WERE SHOCKINGLY DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN LATE 2021 WHILE IN YOUR 40S?
It was a shock as I had no family history nor symptoms. We had a talk a few years ago at work about BreastScreen and what I learnt is that women in their fifties are proactively encouraged to have checks, whereas women in their forties won’t be reminded but are in fact eligible to have checks. I booked in straight away when I was about 43 and everything came back normal in that screen. Then Covid-19 hit and my check was delayed - I kept a Post-it note in my diary to remind me to keep ringing. In October 2021 I had my follow-up appointment and after the screen, I was then asked in for more tests. I went to St Vincent’s in Melbourne for a half a day of more testing. I’ll never forget it because it was the Wednesday after Melbourne Cup Day and by Friday morning, I knew it was serious.
I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT IT MUST HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING SURGERY AND RADIATION – HAVE YOU FULLY RECOVERED?
For now, yes! I’ve had two lumpectomy (breast-conserving) surgeries and following the second surgery, I had four weeks of radiation therapy. I’d go to Peter Mac (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) every weekday. That in itself wasn’t very painful, but I was tired and it was mentally draining. I didn’t tell many people at work – just my boss, my direct reports and a few others. I didn’t want people asking me every day how I was as I just needed to get through it. I’m forever grateful for the support the Priceline HQ team provided. There were a lot of people quite shocked once I became more open, post all my treatment because I presented as being ‘normal’. I was still working every day and looked fine on the outside. I would even walk into the hospital and security would always ask me: “Visiting someone?” and I’d reply, “No, I’m a patient”.
As Head of Marketing at Priceline, Australia’s leading pharmacy, health and beauty store, every day is different for Gabrielle Tully. But a shock cancer diagnosis in late 2021 stopped the fit and vibrant Gabby in her tracks. Michelle Ruzzene caught up with the inquisitive and talkative girl from Ipswich who shares her inspirational story and secrets to career success.
HOW HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED SINCE YOUR DIAGNOSIS?
When I was sitting in the waiting room every day at Peter Mac, I wrote a Bucket List, except my list rhymed with “bucket” and started with an “F” (if you get the picture). This list was all the things I want to do in my life! When you’re in your twenties you’re invincible, but this diagnosis was quite sobering and while I work hard, I really do want to enjoy my time while I am still healthy. Now it’s just time to start executing my list and having some fun. I have a few overseas trips and Michelin starred restaurants to look forward to.
I love an early morning walk so that’s how I start my day. Then I’ll head to our office and relish in the silence before people arrive to work out my priorities. I am often in back-to-back meetings most days so I use my WFH days to do quiet thinking and focus work. I won’t use the cliched line that “every day is different” but guess what…every day is different.
My team does a number of things which I oversee: brand and media, which includes developing campaigns and media buying, as well as social media and sponsorships. Then I have a PR and events team and also a product and trade marketing team. And then what I call the ‘engine room’ of marketing activity which is channel development through to local area marketing which services our 470+ stores around the country.
It’s a big event! It takes months of planning – from working with our merchandise team on which brands to feature through to developing the presentation, it’s a mammoth feat. But oh, so much fun too. Nothing beats getting to the end of that day after seeing all the media and content creators. But the best part is seeing all my team’s hard work come together.
A bold lip – in red or hot pink. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is great but my go to at the moment is NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream.
Definitely coming up with the idea to do The Beauty Prescription LIVE all those years ago. Some other highlights include our Beauty Runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival just before the pandemic was declared and our recent 40th Birthday campaign featuring Chrissie Swan. What we do in marketing spans everything from promotion of vaccine services through to developing engaging campaigns with Chrissie – but the really special part is always doing that with Priceline’s unique touch of magic.
Heaps! I remember wanting to break into PR after I graduated from Journalism school in Perth but I had no experience. Getting my first job was incredibly tough. I’ve had some terrible jobs too – telephone sales being one of them but they’ve all taught me resilience and to relish in having
a job that you enjoy being at. I’d prefer to do a 10-hour day doing something that I love rather than an eight- hour day of something that I hate.
Work hard. Show your boss that you’re reliable and really keen to learn. I graduated high school during the recession of the nineties so getting jobs was really tough. One thing I continue to do is couple my work ethic with creative thinking and challenging the status quo; this has really helped me in all the jobs I’ve had.
We spoke about ‘conscious beauty’ at The Beauty Prescription LIVE. That will definitely continue its rise in the beauty world. And I think we’re starting to really see a shift in beauty brands and retailers focussing on authenticity and relatability in everything they do.
The people around me. I learn so much from others. And I read and watch a lot of things. My brain never turns off. I also had a mentor Judi Hausmann who runs The Haus group of agencies. She offered to be my mentor years ago. She definitely encouraged me to believe in myself and take on more senior roles.
My Mum – a very strong and funny woman. She grew up in a time when women couldn’t have children AND work. So she lied and told her employer she didn’t have kids. Can you believe that?! When she confessed, they couldn’t believe a woman
Mornings:
• Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Apply Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum
• Apply La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+
Evening:
• Cleanse with Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
• Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Exfoliate with Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub a few times per week
• Apply AHC Luminous Glow Real Eye Cream for Face
• Apply The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
• Apply No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Night Cream Weekly:
• Apply Clear Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Mask OR
• L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Mask
could have kids and hold down a job. That’s a story in itself. But also some really great bosses I’ve had over the years. And lastly some really good friends I’ve made in my adult years. My best friends are those people I met in my twenties and thirties.
Easy: if I’m going fancy it’d be Vue du Monde with a heap of my friends. If I’m not, a KFC blowout – but washed down with Veuve Clicquot.
■
TVSN is Australia and New Zealand’s favourite TV shopping network with an extensive beauty offering. Each year, the annual TVSN Customer Beauty Awards showcase the best in show from 14 carefully curated beauty categories. Retail Beauty catches up with the ultimate influencers – the TVSN General Manager, Merchandising Manager and Marketing & Promotions Supervisor – to find out what could be your next favourite product.
TVSN General Manager
Algenist - Eye Renewal Balm - I use this powerful balm both morning and night, and during the day whenever I need a pick me up. They aren’t joking when they say you can see results in just 10 days, even my husband has noticed the difference!
Lancer Skincare – The Method - An absolute game-changer for my skin. This three-step routine starts with a gentle but effective exfoliation, followed by a light foaming cleanser and an antiageing moisturiser that leaves my skin feeling nourished and helps my makeup perform better than ever before.
Genie – Million Dollar Lash Mascara - This mascara is my go-to for amazing volume and long lasting wear – it’s laugh proof, cry proof and makes my lashes look fresh and full all day long.
They aren’t joking when they say you can see results in just 10 days...
Emma Hardie - Moringa Balm - A gorgeous, gentle and highly effective cleanser that removes the most persistent makeup while nourishing the skin. I was nervous to use an oil-based cleanser at first because my skin is prone to breakouts (even though I’m nearly 50!) but I’ve been using this balm for 10 years now and have never looked back.
Skinn - Collagenesis DWP Creme Reverse Intensive
- This moisturiser contains Ferulic Acid, Retinol + Vitamin C, a powerful anti-ageing trio. Within a week of using this I’d noticed how the texture of my skin improved, there were no longer any little breakouts and those first signs of wrinkles disappeared!
Doll 10 - Lip Smoothie Lip Crayon - I love the lip crayons because they are a combination of a classic lipstick coverage with the nourishment of a balm. It’s hard to choose which gorgeous colour to wear each day!
Beekman 1802 – Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid and Squalene Facial Toner Mist - This beautiful hydrating mist is a staple in my skincare routine. I use it every morning and night after cleansing, and to set my makeup so it stays fresh all day long. My skin has never felt more refreshed, plumped and toned!
SKINN – DermAppeal Microdermabrasion Treatment
- I use this powerful skin resurfacer twice a week to slough away dead skin cells and help smooth any fine lines around my forehead and ‘11’ zones (area directly in-between the eyebrows).
NASSIF MD – Hydro-Screen Super-Hydrating Serum
- The last step in my daily beauty routine, this serum locks in moisture and is my best kept secret for soft, dewy looking skin that lasts all day.
https://www.itvsn.com.au/
With makeup, I was mostly self-taught, apart from the week course that was in my beauty certificate. That taught me the basics of hygiene which I am so glad to have learnt early in my career. I learnt the most when I started a job within a makeup retail store. This was such a great crash course on different skin tones, looks and personalities. After completing my beauty course which gave me a great overview on beauty practises, I further did my own research for product knowledge, and the science behind products. I much preferred this sort of the beauty world rather than completing beauty services on clients, apart from makeup application.
My typical day varies. Most days start with getting my makeup appointments out of the way before going to check VM and stocks. Some days I am spending all day educating Sephora staff across ANZ and SEA, hosting events or sitting on my laptop trying to make the best possible PowerPoint. I am very lucky to have a job that keeps me on my toes across so many different areas that separates from a typical 9-5. As a creative, I need to be doing different things to stay motivated and driven.
I wear many hats within this specific role for Caudalie. Focusing on education which can be from onboarding, product knowledge, sales techniques to coordinating and hosting PR events, visual merchandising through to sales tracking and stock management. Over the past four years my role continues to grow to cater to all areas within the ANZ market.
I unknowingly started my love for makeup and the artform by doing art throughout school. Not being able to find a medium that I was truly happy with the outcome. Once I moved from my country birth town, I stumbled upon makeup and the beauty industry. Becoming friends with makeup wearers, and quickly realising I had a natural talent for it. My love for beauty started when I began to have issues with cystic acne, and I enrolled into a beauty course that covered makeup and beauty. This really blended in my love for the beauty world in general, and I haven’t looked back since.
Being able to align both my beauty and makeup education into all areas of my career proves extremely effective as I am able to find treatments for specific concerns, rather than covering. But, also offering that knowledge on how to cover while waiting for that skincare to kick in. Being able to develop someone to further their knowledge in beauty is something that drives me. I may not be the best, or most knowledgeable person, but I love being able to develop someone to become that person. That gives me so much joy to see the lightbulb switch on.
Before I found the beauty world, I was very interested in psychology. Again, being able to develop someone and take them from A to B is extremely fulfilling for me. I did grow up also wanting to do architecture, but soon realised math is not my strong suit, so that soon changed!
There are different avenues other than just application! Don’t be afraid to look at all options within the makeup and beauty world. Having a job within the beauty industry, which may be admin through to education can really keep you motivated because you have that consistent income to be able to allow your weekends for application clients. Don’t feel like you need to live the risky, paycheck to paycheck on the road to be a successful artist. It takes time, but it’s important to keep motivated! A steady income helps.
• If you have issues with blemishes, you don’t need to cover the entire face if you want your skin to breath. Spot conceal and use a light weight foundation. Focus on your healthy skin. Blemishes can be covered if you want them to be!
• Individual lashes are the way of the future. A bit harder to apply, but so seamless! If one falls off, you won’t even notice.
• Skincare is your best friend. you will see the biggest difference in application once you find your right fit.
• Oily skin needs hydration! Let’s aim to balance the oils.
• Fluffy brows are always a hit to have a more youthful and refreshed look.
• Remember to have an open mind while being influenced.
• Try multi priming! Your skin has different concerns in different areas.
• Colour correcting works best if you use just enough to kick away most of the colour of concern. The goal isn’t to completely cover the concern in this step! That is where spot concealing comes in.
I have been loving the stripped back skin, with the focus on the eyes OR lips. Finding the good blend between being able to let the skin breath, but have that strong focus is something that always looks great. Hydrated skin, cream products and strategic powder placement will be your best friend! DO NOT FORGET SUNSCREEN. This will offer you a blurred, glowy complexion while protecting.
The Beauty Elixir from Caudalie. This is one of my ride or die products. I use it in my skincare application as a toner to tighten pores and treat blemishes, and also use it as a makeup setting spray on my clients. The fact it’s so multipurpose is a huge stand out! Great if you don’t have a lot of time or the budget for multiple skin and makeup items.
I think a big faux pas is thinking makeup has rules. The great thing about the art of makeup, is just that. It’s an art form. As long as you’re using correct hygiene, you have free reign. That’s the most exciting thing about it. Don’t take it too seriously! It’s trial and error. It may work for me, but not for you and that’s okay. ■
The great thing about the art of makeup, is just that. It’s an art form.
The world of beauty can be described as many things - fun, creative, educational, motivating, these days even diverse, which is amazing. But one main word I find that always comes up, especially in a sales setting, is conversation.
I spent a good 10 years of my younger career on the cosmetics sales floor and I can honestly say 70 per cent of my sales success was due to very open conversation skills, rather than closed off sales openers that instantly become sterile with a consumer’s walls going up. The other 30 per cent is product/industry knowledge including application technique, especially when it comes to makeup.
A lot of us focus so much on product knowledge, don’t get me wrong, it’s obviously very important to know and understand exactly what you are selling, especially adding in any personal experiences with a product is always a win.
Michael Brown on how a smooth conversation between a customer and salesperson leads to a sale, naturally.
But even if you have all the knowledge in the world, it’s all about the delivery of this knowledge, coming across genuine, helpful and informative with an open mind and sparking up interesting conversation, just like you would naturally with a friend…
This puts the mind at ease of ‘being sold to’ and creates a friendly trust and banter, therefore leaning into a better recipe for sales.
Take a look at our media landscape today. We have naturally progressed away from big TVC campaigns, heavily scripted tutorials and overly branded marketing materials.
Our trust in brand messaging has shifted to real life testimonials, and of course, we have more ‘behind the scenes’ access into people’s lives from a celebrity to an everyday person. Seeing people actually use something and like it, we are more than likely going to trust that judgement rather than that of the big glossies that we only ever used to have access to.
The power of conversation online is so great. People can literally chat to brand owners, retailers, educators and experts through comments and DM’s, as well as friends and family of course to make sales decisions a little more real life than being ‘sold to’.
I myself have a podcast called Skinfluence, which I co-host with the lovely Alisha Bhojwani, owned by the Nova Podcast Network.
I must say, from someone that has always been involved in traditional media for years, the power of genuine conversation on a podcast is fantastic - more realistic views, thoughts and opinions, exactly how friends would chat to each other in a more casual environment and nature.
This is why it’s so important to remember that consumers in today’s world are so conditioned to all of this, that when they find themselves in an actual retail store, it can often not feel safe and familiar to that of the online world. They may freeze up and not feel comfortable to open up and try new directions in beauty, therefore closing off potential sales opportunities.
The dreaded, “Can I help you with anything?”
I think we could all vouch for times we have been in a retail store, fashion and beauty especially, where it can be quite a personal experience and a sales representative has said the famous words “Can I help you?”
We tend to instantly shut off, pretend we are just browsing and usually respond with a “No thanks” or “Just looking” when in actual fact, 90 per cent of the time, we do want help, but our natural defence mechanism goes up.
‘Defence mechanism’ is defined as an unconscious psychological operation that functions to protect a person from anxietyproducing thoughts and feelings related to
internal conflicts and outer stressors, like an environment they are in.
That makes sense, right?
Some generic sales phrases can trigger a consumer into thinking or making judgement in a certain way to the sales assistant and the environment they are suddenly in. This is all because they are not engaging in a warm, open-ended, productenticing conversation that sparks joy.
• Always acknowledge a customer’s presence in your environment as soon as possible. At the end of the day, they are entering into your space, so it’s important to make them feel welcome. A simple smile or a friendly nod is all it takes for this.
• Allow the customer to roam and wander freely, do not follow or pester, but observe from afar exactly what they are browsing at and/or picking up. Make notes in your head to get pointers for that conversation starter when the timing is right!
• Rather than approaching with a generic sales question, use what you observed while the customer was browsing to start off a conversation. Here are some examples to start direction in conversation starters, therefore leading to a variety of answers for you to work with;
- “I noticed you looking at our eye shadows, is there a go-to shade you are attracted to?”
- “Welcome to our makeup bar! When was the last time you got your makeup done with application techniques?”
- “That foundation you are holding is one of our best sellers, have you ever used it with our blur primer underneath? It makes it even more flawless, especially for all day wear.”
“I like where you are going with that retinol serum in your hand, what an amazing ingredient, do you currently use it at night in your skin routine?”
- “I can see you browsing at our skin products, it can be daunting with so many options, tell me a little about your skin behaviours and I can point you in the correct direction.”
All of the above, when said in a welcoming, positive tone can lead conversation to a number of different directions and that’s what you want in sales - information about the customer’s wants and needs, for you then to prescribe a solution. It really is all about observing, approaching, listening, and prescribing. Try it and GOOD LUCK! ■
By Michael Brown @mbrown_beauty www.michaelbrownbeauty.com.au
I have always been beauty obsessed. Even as a high school and college kid, I was always the one offering to do everyone’s hair and makeup. Honestly, I even still do that today if I strike up a conversation with someone at a club or restaurant – I’m always ready to share whatever is in my makeup bag! After college, I went to beauty school, so I could learn everything about the cosmetic industry. My first job out of school was for a luxe, French skincare brand, and I grew to be just as obsessed with skincare as I was with makeup.
One day in the mid-90s, a Nordstrom executive introduced me to a girl, Dineh Mohajer, who was making nail lacquers for her friends and selling limited-edition shades at Fred Segal. We met and quickly connected on our similar life goals. From there, we formed a business partnership and agreed to launch a brand together, which remarkably happened just three months later, becoming the iconic 90’s brand, Hard Candy. We launched globally in all prestige boutiques and department stores, and by year two, we had expanded categories into lips, eyes, face and fragrance. Early on, we were contacted by the ultra-prestige, luxury conglomerate LVMH, who had been following our journey from the start. By year three, LVMH acquired our beloved Hard Candy brand.
Interview with Jeanne Chavez, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Office of about-face beauty.
By Tashi Jade BellIfirst met Jeanne Chavez around 2017. Jeanne was in Sydney to promote one of the other brands that she co-created, “Smith & Cult”. I was already a huge fan of Jeanne’s work before I even met her and learned that she had co-created Hard Candy and Smith & Cult - two brands that I was obsessed with. We kept in touch over the years and when Jeanne first asked me if I wanted to try some products from her latest co-creation, about-face beauty, with singer Halsey, I said “of course!”, knowing that I would absolutely love it. I am in love with about-face beauty (launched in 2021) which is available on Cult Beauty and Beauty Bay, as well as their online web-store and hopefully coming to Australia soon. I sat down with Jeanne recently to catch-up on about-face beauty and what it is like being such a prolific creator of beauty brands.
After a few years of experimenting with new formulas and launching multiple brands, we met Halsey and started this journey that is now about-face. With Halsey, I teamed up with my business partner, Natalie Sperling (about-face CEO). I like to bring the “impossible” to the co-founders and somehow, we always find a way to work together to bring those ideas to the finish line. We have built an amazing team, and even if this wasn’t my job, the special humans I work with would still be my friends outside the business. I feel lucky to be able to say that.
Most of my inspiration actually comes from a place of desire, adventure and pure fun.
about-face is multi-dimensional makeup made for everyone, everywhere. We design products to celebrate and inspire individuality with high-performing, pigment-saturated products that are also cleanly-formulated, 100% vegan + cruelty-free. And
those that know anything about developing makeup, know how challenging it can be to create products that are vibrantly rich in colour, but also completely vegan. However, with multiple rounds of trial and error in testing, it is something we have worked to master here at about-face.
Rather than telling consumers how to wear their makeup, about-face is built on the idea of inspiring anyone and everyone to break staid beauty rules and create their own rules by expressing themselves –however they choose. We encourage people to be any and every version of themselves that they want to be, and we consistently hold ourselves to the highest standards of being inclusive and diverse in all aspects of how we work. Throughout all product development, campaign ideation and planning, about-face focuses on working with models (100+ to date), influencer partners and stakeholders alike that are diverse and truly showcase a wide range of genders, ethnicities and skin tones.
It all begins with inspiration – once there is inspiration, or a particular need that I feel I can’t live without, I get to work on it. Part of this process just comes from the excitement of pulling all the pieces together to follow through on the vision. And once you have those foundational ideas that you’re passionate about, you just have to do everything in your power to make it happen. Building a like-minded team and discovering niche labs to partner with is also extremely important, and it’s the most rewarding experience of developing a brand with those special types of people. And obviously, after all is said and done with each product’s development, being first to market with a new drop is the ultimate thrill! Winning awards from the beauty industry is the cherry on top!
Matte Fluid Eye Paints quickly became the clear frontrunner and most popular about-face product among friends, fans, and makeup-lovers. Shortly after we launched, the positive sentiments quickly exploded, and the product rose to be the highest ranking SKU in the portfolio. With the introduction of this liquid eyeshadow, we tapped into an entire makeup artistry group within the beauty community, where editors, influencers, pro makeup artists and extremely talented consumers all started
to bring their own personal visions of authentic artistry to life. And as the trendy “no-makeup makeup” also came to life, our consumer base began to demonstrate the complete opposite with vibrant looks that represented their true selves, moods and personalities. Self-expression has been such a gift in itself to witness.
As we’ve continued to develop new and innovative products, starting with our launch in 2021, about-face also recently celebrated our second win and back-to-back Allure Best of Beauty Award for Line Artist Gel Eyeliner, after receiving its first Allure award in 2021 for Matte Fluid Eye Paints™
Halsey truly is the most amazing and authentic partner to work with. They genuinely care about what they voice out into the world and work to make those around feel empowered to self-express.
As a self-taught makeup artist who does all her own makeup for every event (yes, even red carpets!) Halsey has all the knowledge one can have in the beauty industry. They have lived and breathed beauty throughout their entire professional career, testing and trying out different products and formulas to figure out what they liked best in creating these looks. So, as she learned to enjoy the art of makeup, and the zen that comes along with picking up a brush and creating a look prior to a show, Halsey decided that her fanbase should experience this, too. So, came the birth of about-face – a beauty brand that would offer the best-of-the-best. A brand that would give consumers high-
performing, high-quality products in unique formats with vibrant colors that encouraged creativity and self-expression. And with absolutely no rules required. When it came to starting a brand together, it really was a true partnership and kinship. Halsey knows product development and formulas so well, and truly shares the same passions about the beauty industry. Because of that, we really do have so much fun building this brand together as a team by innovating new products that are long wear, pigmentpacked and unique to the beauty industry.
As a typical Taurus, I love my self-care. At the end of the day, or on the weekends, my ideal relaxation is treating myself with at-home facials, body scrubs and some form of exercise: hiking, tennis and yoga are my go-tos. Anything that just gives me a total mental break from the day, I love! ■
By Tashi Jade Bell, @paint_bytashijadebell https://www.paintbytashijadebell.comActive Yogi Kate Kendall reveals how you can transform the mundane into mega-sacred to enhance daily mental wellbeing.
This moment you’ve carved out to read; That conversation you have with the barista each morning; Washing the dishes; Making love; Dancing. Playing. Everything.
What if everything from the seemingly mundane to mega were treated with reverence? What if everything we did was a dance with the divine?
And how would this change the way we live, love and operate in the world?
I’ve experimented with this when I’m in my ‘highest self’ (that version of me that sparkles and shines after a weeklong retreat in nature or when I’ve just freshly fallen in love) and it has enormous effects.
But it’s easy to do the things we know to be good for us when we’re in a great place.
We’re human and it doesn’t take much for traffic, bills, someone’s ‘wrongdoing’ and other such things to get in the way of our much-coveted state of peace. Just ask me how enlightened I am next time someone cuts me off in traffic and I politely flip them the bird. Or the next time I hang out with my family for a few days.
But what if you had one or two daily touch points in which your intention was to lean into your sacredness and then to take that sacredness into your humanness?
Because there’s no separation. And rituals are deep reverence for self.
They’re a way to remind us what’s real, what’s authentic and what really matters. Rituals can put things into perspective, cultivate creativity, belief and a sense of ease.
What are your rituals? What sets you straight? What do you do that sets the tone for your day and cultivates the quality of energy that you want to take with you into the seemingly mundane?
Rituals don’t need to be set in stone. They can be fluid, seasonal and totally topical. Here are some of my current tone-setters:
Meditation is my medicine and helps me listen to myself and others with more patience and love. I sit for 20 mins twice a day. Some days the meditation is floaty and soft; others it’s bumpy and emotional but I never came out of a meditation I regretted.
Yes. Drinking wine can be sacred. Often my partner works on a Saturday evening so I have the house to myself once small humans are in bed. I pour a glass of my favourite drop and sit down to smell, taste and savour. I’m savouring not only the wine but this sacred and rare moment I have to myself. It’s a celebration of sorts. If I’m not feeling the pull of wine I swap it out for tea, Cacao or some other cup worth savouring.
If my body is my temple I want to make sure I dust it out daily. Hands down this is the most effective way for me to purify and lightly touch every part of my body. The yoga mat becomes a sacred space to tend to places and spaces that I’ve been ignoring or not listening to and shines a light on my current mood. It’s not always pretty but keeps me honest.
So good. Pretty much involves everyone in our house jumping into our bed and making the most of such a sacred day. It releases the bonding hormone oxytocin which makes us feel good and creates that one gentle touch point of the week where laziness and leaning into one another is the key ingredient. ■
https://activeyogi.com.au
If how we greet one thing is how we greet all, how would it be to treat everything as sacred?
We’re human and it doesn’t take much for traffic, bills, someone’s ‘wrongdoing’ and other such things to get in the way of our much-coveted state of peace
Ihave never shared the story of this dark time of my life. (And I never cried so much while writing an article). It could have killed my spirit - SOCIAL MEDIA APPEARANCE ANXIETY. Honestly, I trust not many people would believe that it could ever happen to someone like me. Over the past two years, I was fighting against it and I survived. And finally, I decide to speak about it to the public.
During the first year of Covid-19, I started to practice video editing skills and I also joined a video social media platform in addition to Instagram. Locked down at home, I spent a long time taking unboxing and makeup tutorial videos. Starting from zero, within 45 days I had almost 20K followers on that platform. That was such a success, but I started getting all sorts of replies & DMs:
‘You must be so ugly without a filter.’
‘She doesn’t eat!’
‘Geeez this one uses heavy makeup, her foundation must be thick as the Great Wall of China.’
‘She must look so terrible without makeup.’
In one video I selected a few designer face masks to showcase how to still look trendy while wearing a face mask. The replies included ‘Stop being so materialistic’ and ‘What’s wrong about wearing a medical mask?’.
I also received countless horrible direct messages. More than once, doctors would DM me saying I should get a nose job or more face injections. I got people attacking my Halloween makeup tutorial video, claiming it was horrifying and threatening me to death. In the end, I gave up deleting
Icy Ling shares with Retail Beauty how she overcame her severe social media appearance anxiety.
them. Too many. Even my finger got hurt swiping and deleting them! (I am shaking right now just by recalling the details of those messages.)
One of my celebrity friends who had millions of Weibo followers in China warned me that I will always get haters, and that I need to ignore them. But when those DMs arrived, they were way too harsh for me to ignore.
I screamed into my pillow. I even quit drinking at home to avoid being emotional but I still cried myself a river. I went for walks to my local park at midnight alone to calm myself down without anyone seeing me. Nobody had any idea what I was going through. I live by myself, I have no family members in Australia. I haven’t seen my parents for many years, nor my close friends, who all live overseas.
I could ask for help, but I didn’t, because I felt too guilty. With the pandemic, everyone had a tough 2020 (I have to pause writing here, because I cannot stop crying).
dressing me. Those exquisite pieces helped me to regain my confidence. Without those outfits, I could not be brave enough to step out of my home to face the world again. I was in fear.
Although I was full of self-doubt, I had to socialise and to ensure I looked good in photos. I pushed myself to stay and thrive and would repeat ‘Icy, you are here to work, put yourself together! Do not let people find your weak spot! People don’t need to know what you are going through!’
I slowly started to regain my confidence, and even hosted a few events. But the most challenging hurdle was when Australian Fashion Week returned in June 2021.
I got dressed up in four dreamy We Are Kindred outfits, which I loved. However, I was still fearful of cameras. I was using my long hair to hide my face and playing ‘peekaboo’ with photographers. But I still put myself into action when they found me in the crowds. I could hear them asking me to look up instead of keeping my head down. Although I was afraid, I would still try for the photographers and often finished by asking ‘Did you get all you needed?’ I am grateful that these local photographers approached me and captured my many sides. Somehow, seeing myself looking joyful in the pictures helped shed some of that self-doubt.
I was offered clothes to borrow to attend events. But when I tried on a dress and stood in front of my mirror, I was completely overwhelmed with appearance anxiety.
Despite the stunning piece from my fave Aussie designer, I could barely look at myself, especially my face. I couldn’t trust my mirrors anymore. I could not face my body fat, that strange and chubby face smiling back at me looked like a panda bear. I had to constantly look closer into the mirror to check if my makeup was too heavy. When I finally looked good in one mirror, I thought there was something wrong with that mirror. I had to run to a second mirror to double-check.
I had to be responsible to the brands sponsoring my outfits. The designers spent months on each collection. I kept telling myself (pathetically) ‘Tonight it’s not about you – Icy, it is about this dress! You are going to survive, because of this dress!’ Sad but it worked. Putting my hand on my heart and with tears, I want to take this opportunity to thank those partnersGucci, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, AJE, Leo & Lin, Ixiah and We Are Kindred - thank you all for thinking of me and
I learned to keep my mind busy absorbing new knowledge through learning and research with reflective thinking. It was the right path for me, not only to keep me busy, but to inspire me at work. I realised that, APPEARANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING! Even if I looked terrible once or twice, it’s not the end of the world.
In addition to learning new language and reading, I tried to watch at least one movie each day - new or old classics. I took the recipe books out to practice cooking (and thanks Le Creuset for supporting me). I took a longer time to smell fragrances, and appreciate scents therapies. I started my own online ‘chat room’ to talk to Chinese living in Sydney and Melbourne on a social app - sometimes I read or sing for them at night. I started a group chat for them to reconnect, I even organised a few dinners for them to meet in person and gather.
I turned off all the push notifications from social media but still pushed myself to do Instagram Stories, minus the filters.
I stopped taking selfies. The woman living completely inside the filters world is NOT me. I have to face the REAL ME and ACCEPT MY APPEARANCE. No matter if I am I pretty or not, fat or thin. I AM WHO I AM. If I don’t doubt myself, people are not going to change how I look.
I AM MY FUTURE. I should open my heart to hear people’s voices. But I should not allow any harsh voices to damage me!
BE FEARLESS! ■
www.instagram.com/icybutterfly
Somehow, seeing myself looking joyful in the pictures helped shed some of that self-doubt.
I turned off all the push notifications from social media but still pushed myself to do Instagram Stories, minus the filters.
After 32 years of helping Australian cancer patients face their diagnosis with confidence, industry charity Look Good Feel Better recently brought their generous supporters together to acknowledge the important contributions they have made to the program.
The charity’s Patron Kerri-Anne Kennerly, and ambassador Eleanor Pendleton, joined the celebrations along with industry veteran Michel-Henri Carriol, whose wife Julie founded the program in Australia.
Christina Arcane, a past-participant and now volunteer of the program, shared the impact Look Good Feel Better has had on her since her diagnosis in 2017.
Christina said, “At the time I participated in a workshop I’d had two rounds of chemo, had a disco ball for a head, a body I didn’t recognise and my skin was going through changes I wasn’t sure how to keep up with. The workshop gave me everything I needed to feel like a celebrity after the glorious two hours were over. We weren’t seen as patients and we were able to claim back our beauty. Beauty I thought I had lost.
It gave us the right advice to work with the hair and skin we now had and these learnings, spirit and impact followed me through to the end of all my treatment.”
To date, the charity has helped more than 170,000 Australians learn practical strategies to manage the physical, psychological and social impacts of cancer treatment.
Carol Kavurma, General Manager of Look Good Feel Better acknowledged the efforts of the guests in enabling the program to be such a success since its commencement. “Many of you in the room this evening have been part of a long and rewarding journey with our program and we have big expectations for the program moving forward,” she said.
“Our vision is simple – we want every single person diagnosed with cancer to have the opportunity to receive our support should they so wish, and we need you on our team to ensure this vision can become a reality. We truly cannot be who we are and do what we do without your generosity and support, so thank you for all that you have done, and thank you for your continued support into the future.”
Rosi Fernandez, Chair of the Cancer Patients Foundation Board added, “Most of us work for very generous and responsible companies that have long lists of how they give back to the community, to the environment, and invest in many ways to make the future better. But as individuals, we are also responsible for giving back. Look Good Feel Better offers us the ability to contribute, not just corporately, but individually with time, effort and connections.” ■
• Build awareness by following and sharing on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @LGFBAustralia, and signing up to the newsletter at lgfb.org.au
• Spread the word amongst your contacts – more people knowing the program exists means more people can benefit from the program’s support.
• Buy a table (or three!) at Dream Ball on Friday, May 12 in Sydney, or talk to the team about sponsorship and prize donation opportunities. Email fundraising@lgfb.org.au
• Get some friends or colleagues together and raise some funds. Donate at lgfb.org.au/donate
• If you know someone with cancer, let them know Look Good Feel Better is here to help lgfb.org.au/workshop
• If you’d like to discuss the donation of stock for Confidence Kits for program participants, contact info@lgfb.org.au
• If you’re interested in volunteering, apply at lgfb.org.au/join-our-team
• To discuss workplace giving or corporate partnerships, email fundraising@lgfb.org.au
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE CHARITY, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS YOU CAN HELP:Kerri-Anne Kennerly, Rosi Fernandez and Eleanor Pendleton. Photography – Christopher Pearce Christina Arcane Michel-Henri Carriol. Guests gathered at the event.
We weren’t seen as patients and we were able to claim back our beauty. Beauty I thought I had lost.
Mecca celebrated the re-opening of its Double Bay store in style. The re-vamped 160 square metre destination makes it Mecca’s 107th store in Australia and New Zealand. Extending the retail experience beyond product, the store has an all-new dedicated perfumeria with an impressive line-up of cult fragrance favourites including Le Labo, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdijian and Byredo, as well as six dedicated makeup service chairs, and a skin consultation and express skin area.
01. @pattipinkcake has a makeover in the store.
02. Staff outside the revamped Mecca Double Bay store. www.mecca.com.au 03 Guests were given flowers on departure.
01. Nadia Hernández’s Hernández’s artwork features on limited-edition gift boxes and bags. 02. Guests were given funky glasses to wear 03. Pink was the colour of the night.
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Mecca revealed its 2022 Holiday collaboration with artist Nadia Hernández, in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria, with a soiree at its flagship in Sydney’s CBD. Inspired by Hernández’s poem, Of What We Are, Mecca’s Holiday campaign celebrates her notion of ‘a generous heart’, igniting kindness, connection and a reminder that generosity is the greatest expression of beauty. www.mecca.com.au
01. 03.
Michelle Ruzzene covers the latest product launch events showcasing the best in retail beauty.
To celebrate the launch of its Skin Renewing range, CeraVe held a Skin Renewing #SkinChat at the Porter House Hotel, Sydney. Hosted by newsreader Jacqui Felgate, the impressive panel lineup included actress and CeraVe brand ambassador Bridie Carter, radio host and CeraVe brand ambassador Lauren Phillips, dermatologist Dr Samantha Davidson, L’Oréal’s Scientific Communications Manager Jodi Hindmarsh, journalist and television presenter of Aboriginal Gamilaroi descent and CeraVe brand ambassador Brooke Boney and CeraVe brand ambassador and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beauty influencer Sari-Ella Thaiday. The three new products in the range are the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream For Face. www.cerave.com.au
Benefit, owned by LVMH, is the #1 Brow Brand worldwide and available in more than 50 countries, with one brow products sold every two seconds around the world. To celebrate and showcase its new office space in Sydney, Benefit held a Pink Palace Party. Samantha Tonkin, National Brow and Beauty Expert, demonstrated how to achieve the perfect brows at the interactive, and stylishly pink, office space. www.benefitcosmetics.com
Korea’s number one aesthetic skincare brand, AHC, held a breakfast event at Aalia to reintroduce their products to media and influencers. Following its initial launch into Australia in 2019, AHC’s global bestselling products were showcased to media and influencers. AHC takes an innovative approach to skincare inspired by the K-Beauty trend for dewy, translucent skin or “chok, chok” as it’s referred to in Korea. AHC is distributed in Australia through Chemcorp International and is available at Priceline and Myer. www.chemcorp.com.au
Guests took part in an immersive experience transporting them into a world filled with colour at the WANDERful World Blush Collection launch. A total of eleven shimmering shades of blush were showcased, in addition to the cult Benefit favourite, Hoola Bronzer, which has been around for an incredible 21 years. Guests were invited to visit each colour matching station, plus indulge in some flower arranging and candle making for the launch, held at a private residence in Vaucluse. The blushes are infused with freshwater pearl and synthetic sapphire for a luminous, smoothing effect. www.benefitcosmetics.com/en-au
01. Guests in the garden. 02. Indulging in a skincare routine at the event. 03. Hosts Nica Marcell, Sherine Youssef and Sarah Tarca.
YSL Beauté held an exclusive makeup masterclass to celebrate the launch of the renovation of YSL’s iconic All Hours Foundation, as well as Rouge Pur Couture The Bold and Lash Clash Mascara. L’Oréal National Educator Laura Dixon hosted the masterclass, showcasing how the new products worked by applying them to model Cartia Mallan, an Aussie YouTuber who is now based in London. Following the masterclass, guests were invited to an immersive experience where they were colour matched and treated to a special performance by singersongwriter and rap artist Tkay Maidza. www.yslbeauty.com.au
To celebrate the launch of its two newest serums, Cicaplast B5 Serum and Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum, La Roche-Posay held a Serum School at North Bondi. Specialist dermatologist and cosmetic injector Dr Cara McDonald spoke to guests at the event about the importance of using a serum. Dr McDonald was joined on the panel by fellow dermatologist Dr Leona Yip, as well as L’Oréal’s Scientific Communications Manager Jodi Hindmarsh, science educator and influencer Michelle Wong and makeup artist Claire Bridgett, who all spoke about the science behind the serums. www.laroche-posay.com.au
01. The impressive panel of speakers. 02. The event showcased each serum with an immersive experience.
The lyrics to the song The Power, by Delta Goodrem, from her Bridge Over Troubled Dreams album are also the inspiration behind her latest fragrance. The singer launched her fourth fragrance, Power EDP, over lunch at Crown Sydney. Delta said the fragrance was about igniting the power that lives within you and harnessing the strength and self-confidence to be who you want to be. The fragrance features top notes of toasted coconut, white freesia and waterlily, mid notes of dreamwood, ambrox super and jasmine air and base notes of cedwarwood virginia, vanilla bourbon and milky musks. www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
01. The latest campaign for Power. 02. Delta Goodrem at the launch of her fourth fragrance. 03. Delta Goodrem with friend and co-host Renée Bargh.
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ghd’s Grand-Luxe limited-edition collection was launched at a show-stopping party at The Eveleigh, in Sydney’s Redfern, which was transformed into a Great Gatsby-style wonderland. Inspired by the opulence of the 1920’s and its Art Deco design, the collection features ghd’s bestselling tools – the ghd platinum+, ghd gold, ghd helios and ghd glide – finished in champagne gold, accompanied by luxurious red velvet vanity cases. From champagne towers to extravagant entertainment, guests let their hair down to celebrate the gifting season. www. ghdhair.com/au
03. OUT & ABOUT
01. ghd ambassador Erin Holland.
02. RETAIL BEAUTY SUMMER 2022 |71
PureTAN
Front and back cover, Pages 14-15 https://puretan.com.au
Weleda , Inside front cover Pages 3 www.weleda.com.au
Bio-Oil Pages 4-5 www.bio-oil.com.au
The Jojoba Company Pages 6-7 https://thejojobacompany.com.au
Natio Pages 9 and inside back cover, www.natio.com.au
Bioderma Pages 11 and 13 www.bioderma.com.au
Tabu Pages 18-19 https://frostbland.com.au
Skin Physics Pages 26-27 www.skinphysics.com.au
Natio is the winner of the customer satisfaction award for 2022. We are thrilled and humbled to find that Australia loves Natio as much as Natio loves Australia. We are happy to know that our aussie style and colours which are drawn from the beauty of our island home are loved by many.
natio.com.au
For distribution opportunities email info@natio.com.au
Stretches of sun kissed beach, natural living, blue skies and bare feet, glowing skin. We’ve taken the essence of Australia and bottled it. An endless summer, designed to be kind to skin and earth. Welcome to pureTAN.
