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
As he paddled off into the line-up, I stood up – and surfing changed my life ...~ James McMillan more
We all know that plastic isn't so fantastic but in Australia, 5.3 million consumers, that is 27.1-percent of the population, purchase single-use plastic bottles on a weekly basis. Most of which, let's be honest, are destined for landfill once it has fulfilled its original purpose where it can take between 20 and 1000 years to degrade. If that makes you feel all of the things, you're not alone – but together, we can make small changes that have a big impact. One of the easiest changes we can make is to switch to a shampoo bar from Shampoo With A Purpose once your current supply runs dry. more
If you've been ogling Biome's beautiful collection of zero waste, toxin- and palm-oil free and ethically made goods online for a while, we have some excellent news. The Brisbane-based eco-retailer has ventured south to open the (sustainably made) doors to its very first Gold Coast store at the Brickworks Centre in Southport. more
Let's talk periods for a moment (we'll just give the gents who accidentally clicked on the story a second to make a hasty exit). While we here in Australia have things largely sorted when it comes to our monthly visits from Aunty Flo, the heartbreaking truth is that 30-percent of girls in developing countries will drop out of school once they start having periods. Furthermore, far too many reproductive complications stem from the lack of appropriate menstrual health care and education. TABOO is a social enterprise turning the tide on period poverty. more
It's probably not something you've spent too much time thinking about but if you were to take a peek at the ingredients list of your deodorant, you might be perturbed to find some pretty heavy ingredients ranging from aluminium chlorohydrate to triclosan (the antibacterial chemical used to kill odour-causing germs on the skin) and phthalates galore. The good news is that Melbourne's APHA.LAB has crafted an all-natural alternative that actually works! more
Environmentally conscious folks have long struggled with a dilemma: be kind to your face with a thorough daily cleanse, or be kind to the planet and steer clear of disposable landfill-bound products. Now you can do both. more
Beauty junkies, your attention please! World-renowned cosmetic haven MECCA Maxima is heading north, with its third Gold Coast location opening at Westfield Coomera on Thursday March 14. If you live on the northern end, breathe a welcome sigh of relief that you no longer have to travel south for your MECCA fix – the beauty giant is now right on your doorstep. more
Whether you're a Go-To Skincare fanatic or your thirsty pores are yet to experience the magical creations of founder, former beauty editor and author Zoë Foster Blake, you'll be (very) pleased to learn that the much-loved skincare brand is finally going bricks and mortar. more
In between work, family, social calendars and general 'adulting', it can be hard to keep on top of one of our body's most precious assets – our skin. The bustling Byron Bay Industrial Estate recently welcomed its newest resident, Little Company – a dreamy studio offering a range of natural and sustainable beauty treatments designed to keep your pretty face healthy. more
When it comes to the wonderful world of skincare, often we are bombarded with a huge number of supposedly essential products that add up to create a 37-step routine. Fair enough if that’s your jam, but for those of us who prefer to keep it simple, the search for a core range of products to keep us in check can seem very daunting. If you’ve been looking for a natural, low-maintenance routine to get into, the search is over – beloved eco store Biome has just launched its own in-house skincare range, and you’d best believe it’s the real deal. more
Let us hit you with some hard facts. One – the sun's rays are tremendously harsh and too much exposure can do long-term damage to your biggest organ, your precious skin. But you already knew that, right? Two – Zoë Foster Blake is a generation-defining queen. After more than four-and-a-half years of testing, trials and development, Zoë's skincare company Go-To has just dropped its most anticipated product to date – Zincredible. more
Real talk – skincare is amazing. The rise in self-care culture is frankly something we can very much get behind, especially when it promotes showing one of your most vital and hard done-by organs some love. One of the best ways you can show your skin that you appreciate it is by using the least harsh products possible – we’re talking natural, organic and cruelty-free. Not only is it good for you, but the environment wins too. Double happiness! To get you started, we’ve compiled five of our favourite natural skincare brands into a squeaky-clean list – so go forth and live your best life. more
No morning ritual is complete without two things – coffee and perfume. Let's focus on the latter. Sure, a few pumps of perfume on your wrists can make you feel like you're ready to tackle the day ahead, but does it really provide any other benefits other than making you smell like a true queen? The answer is no. more
