If you've ever spotted a super-chic outfit on someone and stopped to ask them where they got it from, there's a very good chance they said "Zara". The beloved retailer is known for dressing fashion-forward folk in stylish gear from head to toe, but soon it'll be painting faces too with a line of beauty products that will have others asking, "Where did you get your lipstick from?". more
Hemp seed oil seems to be all the rage lately. Why? It's rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and encourages skin growth and new cell generation. Basically, it will help your skin look as smooth as a baby's bottom. If this is your (weirdly specific) goal, then we suggest checking out Alivio, a brand-new skincare range that's making use of hemp seed oil's huge list of benefits. more
Those who consider themselves a part of the make-up-loving community are probably well aware of the power that vegan beauty brand Milk Makeup holds – and that's probably why it's almost impossible to snag in Australia. Well, that's all about to change, friends. Be prepared for your credit card to get a workout because Milk Makeup has just dropped its line in Sephora stores across the nation. more
Rewind 18 months ago and hand sanitiser probably wasn't something you had dedicated much thought to. Sure, many of us used it from time to time but the majority of the populace didn't carry it around in our pockets and handbags, squeezing and slathering it on several times per day (hour). Now, sanitising our hands has become as routine as brushing our teeth or taking a shower. The downside to all of this increased hand hygiene is that mitts are beginning to look (and feel) a little reptilian as a result of all of the drying properties contained in off-the-shelf sanitiser. Thankfully, there's an alternative, say hello to the world's first clinically tested hand sanitising cream, esst. more
Finding day-to-day products that aren’t harmful to the planet is a simple concept, which can be tricky in practice – Burleigh’s new zero-waste marketplace The Good Lane is coming to the rescue! more
If you venture along the Lower Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads, you'll find a somewhat underrated pocket of some of the Gold Coasts's best cafes and restaurants. What you'll also discover is Gypsy & The Wolf Co., a new boutique that sits just around the corner on Deodar Drive. The newcomer's collection of sweet threads and unique additions for the home and wardrobe is quickly becoming a local favourite. more
When it comes to skin, it’s often said that simplicity is best. That’s a belief also held by Tessa Boersma, the creator of The Glowing Skin Co., who found herself disappointed when searching for a quality skin supplement. Not a gal to sit on her heels, Tessa and her business partners set to creating a premium skin formula that contained all of the good stuff and none of the fillers. more
This year, we’re trying to do a little better by the planet. Not only are the impacts of fast-fashion well known, but it feels good to support local makers and designers focusing on ethically and sustainably-made wares. Nobby Beach’s newest space Made Collective is ticking all of the boxes, with the boutique featuring only locally designed or made products brought to you directly from their producers. The result is an eclectic mix of sustainable homewares and fashion that embodies the relaxed Gold Coast vibe that we love! more
As he paddled off into the line-up, I stood up – and surfing changed my life ...~ James McMillan more
Buying the perfect gift for your friend/mother/other can be a laborious, but also rewarding, endeavour. Get it right and you’ll be earning praise for years to come, but get it wrong and you’ll probably still be hearing about it for years to come – just not quite for the same reasons. If the thought of enduring yet another endless search has you breaking out in a cold sweat, you need The Damn Good Store in your life. The quaint retail space is here to help you level up your gifting game, doing a little good in the process by encouraging small changes that have a big impact. more
Rather than being selfish with their hidden gems, the founders of The Village Markets have a new way to share the love with their newest concept, Virtual Village. more
This big old slab of sun-cracked earth may stretch us out into the far corners of the continent, but it doesn’t mean we’re disconnected. Aussies have copped our fair share of struggles of late, but we’ve proven time and time again that we’re ready to lend a hand when the going gets tough. As the 2020 gifting season approaches, give twice this Christmas by choosing to Buy From The Bush. more
An eco-minded surfer has crafted a quirky response to the huge waste of plastic in haircare by launching a snappy line of waste-free shampoo and conditioner bars. more
Since COVID-19 reared its ugly head, an estimated 20 million plastic sanitiser bottles have made their way to landfills or our oceans. Whilst it's of paramount importance to keep those mitts clean and germ-free, the increased reliance on single-use plastics is not particularly great news for the environment. Thankfully, there's hope – or should we say Hoap – it's hand hygiene, reimagined. more
Let’s just all agree that this year has been a pretty wild ride, which has probably (definitely) taken a toll on your soul and left your skin looking and feeling a little bit ordinary. The importance of carving out time for self care during times of increased stress cannot be understated – it’s not only good for your physical wellbeing but it’s imperative to keep your emotional and mental health in check. Sure, there are an abundance of day spas and salons within close proximity to your house but sometimes the very act of getting in the car and driving out of town for the day can be relaxing in itself. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some excellent day spas in Southeast Queensland and beyond so you can truly make a day (or night) of it – massages, facials, treatments, coffee, and most importantly, time to yourself – sounds pretty darn great to us! more
It is widely understood that fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world (the first is oil, just in case you were wondering) but what isn't as straight forward is where or how to start your conscious shopping journey. One of the reasons for this is that the term 'sustainable fashion' is inherently loaded and to borrow from the beloved green ogre Shrek, it's like an onion in that there are many layers. To help you navigate the minefield, retailer David Jones has joined the likes of Net-A-Porter and The Iconic to launch a platform dedicated to share the stories behind conscious brands and makers to make it easier than ever to shop better. more
Last week, we compiled five (hopefully) helpful ways to reduce the amount of plastic in your life. If you missed it, you can take a peek here and look, we don't want to rehash all of the grim details but the sad truth is that almost every piece of plastic ever created still exists in some form today. By 2050, reports indicate that the oceans could have more plastic than fish – let that sink in for a moment. Given its widespread use in literally every facet of life, reducing your plastic consumption can feel pretty overwhelming at the start – a feeling that Rachel Sebastian knows all too well. In fact, it was this exact sense of unease that motivated her to create Zilch – an online marketplace committed to turning your daily routine into a plastic-free one. more
Self-care has been a major theme this year. Slowing down, taking the time to listen to our needs and indulging in the little things has kept us somewhat sane in the past few months. This also relates to our skincare routine – whether you have a ten-step regimen that you undertake morning and night, or your routine consists of brushing your teeth and a splash of water on your face, taking some me-time is important now more than ever. That's where sustainable-skincare makers Peggy Sue steps in. The Australian owned-and-operated brand sells a luscious range of eco-friendly self-care products, so you can take time to look after you and the world at large. more
The purpose of a plaster, adhesive bandage, bandaid, sticky strip or whatever you like to call it, is to help heal your cuts and scrapes discreetly by blending in with your skin. That's pretty hard when there is literally only one generic shade of beige advertised as 'skin colour'. Thankfully, at long last, there is an alternative. Tru-Colour promotes diversity in healing with skin-tone bandages in three different shades. more
Okay, so you've posted a black tile on your Instagram, but what now? Florence Nightingale said it best when she said "I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results." Sharing or liking a post on social media or declaring #BlackLivesMatter is a start but it's not enough – it's time to turn intentions into impact and use your privilege to affect positive change. One small but tangible way you can do that is to support local businesses that are Indigenous owned and operated, or are in support of local Aboriginal communities in Australia. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you a range of businesses across categories including (and not limited to) Aboriginal art, apparel and jewellery so you can continue your commitment to listening, learning and supporting. Remember, we all have a long way to go to become anti-racist… more
Do you remember when a cleanser, toner and moisturiser constituted a skincare routine? These days, we're conditioned to believe we need a complex 26-step regime of lotions and potions to treat every possible skin condition from pores to premature ageing. If you're feeling overwhelmed or are suffering from product fatigue, there's a new Australian skincare label that is pioneering a nifty two-step routine that is right up your alley. more
