The world of beauty is becoming more and more natural. In the U.S., organic beauty stores like New York City’s CAP Beauty, Shen in Brooklyn, and San Fransisco’s Ayla and Credo are popping up more and more, making the shift to chemical free beauty far more obvious. Even more exciting is how this greener lifestyle is being adopted in other parts of the world too. Australia is a perfect example of a country on the forefront of this au natural trend. The culture there is more focused on the outdoors, which encourages a clean and organic lifestyle.
Believing in a holistic approach to beauty, many Australians accept alternative medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and clean ingredients as normal parts of the beauty process. In a land where nature is such an integral part of everyday life, it makes sense that this outdoorsy vibe makes its way into Aussie beauty habits. Even Australia natives like Gemma Ward, Miranda Kerr and Elle Macpherson, with their bronze-toned skin, athleticism and effortless beauty, advocate a less is more philosophy. Well, okay, this might also have to do with their goddess-like genes, but there is no denying that their wholesome and green Australian lifestyles don’t contribute immensely.
Luckily for us non-Aussies, there are still ways to get in on their beauty secrets. The more I started to look around, the more I realized how many amazing brands come from Down Under. I put together a list of my favorites to give you a guide to Australian beauty, and, as per usual, you need everything:
Frank Body – Who would’ve thought coffee could be used as a body scrub. Frank Body body scrubs mix coffee, coconut oil, cinnamon, mint extract, and other natural ingredients to give your skin an invigorating wakeup call. All these ingredients work harmoniously to give your senses a boost, help you relax, and scrub away dry, flakey skin. And, of course, all products are free of paraben, silicone, mineral oil, sulphates, PEGS, and many more curious, potentially harmful elements.
Must Buy: Frank Bod Coconut & Grapeseed Body Scrub
I love all the scrubs from Frank Body, but this scent has become my favorite out of his collection. The grapeseed has made my skin softer than ever – not kidding – removing dry skin while the coconut smooths and tones freshly exfoliated skin. After one scrub, your skin feels tight, soft and smells amazing. And if you’re needing some fun procrastination material, you need to visit Frank Body’s Instagram.
Hello Hair – It’s impossible to think of Aussie beauty without imagining luscious hair. This is why it comes as no surprise that Australian brand Hello Hair makes the most incredible hair masks. The masks are 100% natural and are formulated with clinically proven hair foods such as coconut oil, argan oil, and almond oil to reconstruct and strengthen damaged hair, colored hair, bleached hair, and hair that is often exposed to the sun.
Must Buy: Hello Hair Hydrating Hair Mask
This natural, organic hair mask strengthens each and every strand of your hair to give you perfect summer beach hair. This is your shot at that chic, shiny, luminous Aussie hair!
Lucas Papaw – Dr. Thomas Pennington Lucas, founder of Lucas’ Papaw Remedies, believed papaw was the finest natural medicine to treat illness and disease. After years of research in the medical and botanical field, he formulated a papaw ointment that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which heals minor burns and scars, insect bites, sunburns, splinters and thorns, chaffing, dermatitis and eczema. Today, this family owned business continues to manufacture Lucas’ Papaw Ointment with the same formula Dr. Lucas used in his lifetime.
Must Buy: Lucas Papaw Ointment
This papaya fruit-based beauty balm is the softest and most nourishing multi-functioning balm for dry lips, eye gloss, dry cuticles and just about everything else. There is a reason why this brightly colored and concentrated salve is considered every makeup artist’s most loved product.
Kora – The beautiful Miranda Kerr, model and bestie to Rose-Marie Swift of the 100% Organic beauty brand RMS Beauty, created her skincare line KORA because she couldn’t find vegan beauty products that packed a high performance punch. Each of her products uses the highest grade certified ingredients, including rosehip oil, nomi and chamomile.
Must Buy: Kora Citrus Energizing Mist
Miranda’s Citrus Energizing Mist is something she “wont leave home without.” It’s become one of my own traveling essentials, as it is perfect for in-cab touch-ups and mid-flight pick-me-ups.
Aesop – I started using Aesop’s collection after reading about it on Elin Kling’s The Wall, and have been a fan ever since. The brand has quietly gained a cult-like following since its humble Melbourne beginnings in 1987, partly due to it apothecary-style packaging. Advocating a holistic formula of antioxidants and a balanced, healthy lifestyle, it keeps both skin and sprit nourished.
Must Buy: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
This best-selling hand cream couldn’t be more addicting. I have recently started to pay serious attention to my hands, because they are a women’s first sign of aging! This balm goes everywhere with me.
The Beauty Chef – The Beauty Chef launched five years ago as the first product of its kind and is still one of the only fermented beauty supplements in the world.
Must Buy: The Beauty Chef Glow Inner Beauty Powder
I am SOOOO addicted and love adding a spoon full of this skin glowing formula to my morning smoothie. Beauty from the inside? Oh yes please.
Go-To – Newly launched and already much loved skincare brand Go-To is the brainchild of Zoe Foster Blake (an ex-beauty editor, so you know it’s good). Any beauty buff who loves micellar cleansing water knows that oils are becoming the new it-ingredient for all beauty lines.
Must Buy: Go-To Exception Oil
It’s one of those all-purpose products that once you use it, you wonder how you ever lived without it. Free from petrochemicals, mineral oils, parabens, and silicones, but full of certified Monoi de Tahiti (macerated gardenia blossoms in refined coconut oil), this oil will you earn your praise. Whether you lather it on your body, face or boyfriend, you’ll find you just can’t get enough.
O&M – Australian haircare brand Original & Mineral has been created specifically with colored locks in mind. Formulated to prevent fade and UV damage, these results-driven products are free from harsh chemicals. Instead, the products are formulated with deep conditioning and natural active ingredients sourced from the Outback and the ocean.
Must Buy: O&M Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray
The Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray gives you that carefree beachy look without drying out your precious locks. Could it get any more perfect? I don’t think so.
Grown Alchemist – “Real beauty results without harmful chemicals” is Grown Alchemist’s philosophy. I first spotted this culty cool packaging at New York’s The Line, a seriously chic and highly under the radar store in Soho. I’ve been obsessed with this Aussie brand ever since.
Must Buy: Grown Alchemist Watermelon and Vanilla Lip Balm
The Watermelon and Vanilla Lip Balm is my recommendation for soft, kissable lips. Warning: Once you start applying it, you won’t be able to stop.