Short on sleep this silly season? One too many late nights or even a bit too much broken sleep, will familiarise you with dark circles, puffy eyes and bags. Luckily for us, there are plenty of ways to restore our eyes to their former beauty.
What Causes Dark Circles & Puffy Eyes?
Though several things can cause dark circles and puffy eyes to arise, they’re most often associated with fatigue. A lack of sleep reduces circulation to the eyes which can cause your skin to become dull and pale, allowing for dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin to show. Reduced circulation can also cause fluid to accumulate under your eyes, making them appear puffy.
Natural aging is another common cause of dark circles. As you get older, your skin thins and you lose the fat and collagen needed to maintain the skin’s integrity. This leads to the dark blood vessels beneath your skin becoming more visible and the area below your eyes darken.
Aside from sleep deprivation and aging, some other causes of dark circles include allergies, dehydration, medical conditions and UV rays.
That being said, there are plenty of natural ways to treat this sensitive area – ranging from cucumber to a quality eye cream. If you’re wondering how to get rid of eye issues, here’s a list of simple remedies that are worth trying out.
Cucumber
Have you ever seen someone wearing cucumber slices on their eyes and wondered, why? Well, dark circles are why. Since cucumber has some minor bleaching and anti-inflammatory abilities, it works well for lightening up the skin and reducing the appearance of dark circles. Simply apply chilled cucumber slices to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Cold Tea Bags
This one may sound slightly odd, but cold tea bags can also be a valuable way to get rid of dark circles. Since dark circles typically arise as the blood vessels of the area dilute, causing puffiness, the cold tea bags works to counter this effect. They do this by constricting blood flow to lessen swelling and the appearance of dark circles. Whether it’s green or black tea, the bags can be applied to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes.
A Good Night’s Sleep
As they say: never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep, especially when considering dark circles. After all, a lack of sleep is usually what causes them to appear in the first place.
That being said, getting a quality 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night is a task easier said than done for some of us – though some simple strategies can help to promote a quality slumber. Try minimalising caffeine in the evening, saying no to naps, trying natural sleep supplements, or investing in a quality pillow and mattress.
Eye Cream
If none of these suggestions quite fit the bill and sleep is a little hard to come by at present (given that it’s the silly season, that probably means most of us) then you may need to use a quality eye cream. We are very excited to announce that we have formulated a potent eye crème to combat dark circles and puffy eyes, using Australian native Finger Lime Caviar.
Lime Caviar Eye Crème contains high potency Vitamin C which gently tightens skin and strengthens capillaries, reducing dark circles and puffiness under the eye. Combined with biofermented hyaluronic acid, collagen synthesis is supported, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Arnica and Calendula oils work to quickly calm inflammation and redness, whilst rosehip oil delivers potent rejuvenative properties, increasing skin elasticity, balancing skin tone and providing a richly moisturised eye area.
Persistent flushing, acne-like rashes, and swollen blood vessels are the bread-and-butter of rosacea - an inflammatory skin condition affecting a wide assortment of people. Though the condition is typically treated with medicated creams and oral antibiotics, there are plenty of natural lifestyle habits one could adopt to help prevent the condition from flaring up, ranging from foods to avoid, to a handful of stress management tactics.
Before we dive into these natural tips, here’s a quick insight into the various symptoms and triggers of rosacea.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is typically described as an inflammatory skin condition, causing persistent flushing and acne-like rashes to suddenly appear on the skin - typically on the face. Though the condition is well-known for facial redness and flushing, people may also experience other symptoms like oily skin, swollen blood vessels, itching, and more.
Triggers for rosacea are very diverse and can range between stress, sun exposure, certain foods, heat, alcohol, and more. Medications are available to treat the condition and prevent it from getting worse over time, though there are a handful of natural lifestyle adjustments people can use to prevent flare-ups. Are you on the hunt for natural ways to fix your rosacea? Here are our recommendations to help manage this skin condition.
Don’t Forget The Sunscreen
Sun exposure is a common trigger for rosacea, meaning that one of the best ways to avoid this trigger is by simply using sunscreen. Before heading outside, be sure to apply sunscreen, choosing a natural one where possible. Everyday moisturisers that contain SPF are ideal, especially since they can provide a hydrating element to further protect the skin. We highly recommend our Protect + Clarify Daily Face Lotion. Also consider a wide brim hat when spending longer periods of time in the sun.
Control Stress
More often than not rosacea and stress go hand in hand, with anxiety commonly causing the condition to run rampant. So, by controlling our emotions in these stressful situations, we may be able to prevent rosacea from flaring up. There are plenty of simple ways to manage stress in our day to day lives - whether it’s by avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, managing time more effectively, or simply trying to get more sleep each night. Daily meditation is also worth a try, with many different studies showing how it can effectively control stress and anxiety. Before implementing any stress control strategies, figure out what’s largely causing the anxiety and make a plan.
Opt For Natural Skincare
With the cocktail of chemicals often found in various commercial skincare ranges, it’s no wonder some of these ingredients (such as alcohol and fragrance) can trigger rosacea flare-ups in some individuals. If you find that some elements of your skincare regime are causing your rosacea to worsen, making the switch to a natural skincare range may be the way to go - with products usually containing a blend of organic ingredients to nourish and support a healthy complexion.
The Clémence Organics range contains specially formulated organic botanical products, many of which have been shown to be beneficial in rosacea sufferers. We have seen particular success with our Refining Cleanser, Tone + Hydrate Spritz and Repair Face Serum. (Hint: these products can be purchased together in the money-saving Correction Trio)
Switch Up The Diet
Just as the sun’s rays can suddenly cause rosacea to flare up, so can the foods we eat - especially spicy foods, dairy products, and alcohol. Being aware of the effects these items bring about can allow us to understand the underlying causes of the condition and help to cut these dishes from the diet while replacing them with a handful of foods to boost skin health.
In Summary
Ranging from sun exposure to stress, rosacea can suddenly appear for a variety of diverse reasons, leaving behind persistent flushing and acne-like rashes in its wake. The condition is typically treated with topical creams and medication, though there are plenty of natural lifestyle options to help reduce the frequency of flare-ups. The key is knowing what your triggers are and adjusting your lifestyle accordingly. Making the switch to a nourishing and organic skincare range may just be the best place to start.
With the masses of skin care products out there, accompanied by the desire to try them all, our skin care routine can become very cluttered, very quickly! Multiple serums, cleansers, and a mask for every occasion can not only clutter your cupboards, but also drain your bank account. Have you ever wondered whether a ‘less is more’ approach is the best way to go? If you invest your time and money in a handful of natural, high-quality products, you may well yield the best result for your skin.
The minimalist skin care movement is ever-growing in popularity, with more and more people taking a step back to the basics. But what are the advantages to this approach? And how can someone transition into a minimalistic skincare mind-set? Here’s a simple skin care regime comprised of the bare essentials to leave you with a glowing, supple complexion.
5-Step Minimalist Skin Care Routine
1. Remove Makeup & Cleanse
Up first on the minimalist skin care line-up is a multi-purpose cleanser that washes away built-up oil, dirt, and makeup. The Clémence Organics Refining Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that both effortlessly cleans skin and acts as a make-up remover. Hint: to avoid your skin’s pores clogging up and blackheads forming, strive to cleanse the skin before bed. In the morning, all you’ll need is a splash of water and you’ll be ready to go.
2. Exfoliate/Mask
This next step is only added in every 3rd or 4th day, and should not be a daily part of your skin care routine. When choosing an exfoliant, find one which doubles as a mask to save time and cupboard space. The Clémence Organics 2 in 1 Face Scrub + Mask performs both these tasks beautifully! Hint: pop it on in the shower after conditioning your hair, leave on for 3 minutes and rinse off before you hop out. My bi-weekly routine!
3. Tone
To prep your skin for further hydration, it's best to balance your skin’s pH first with a toner. Applying the toner will also give your skin a light layer of moisturise to ensure your serum and face cream glide on smoothly. Clémence Organics Tone + Hydrate Spritz and Ultimate Biome Spritz can be used directly after cleansing, neutralising the skin’s pH while simultaneously combating dryness. Hint: carry these with you throughout the day to freshen and hydrate your skin, and give it a dewy glow.
4. Serum
Serums are packed with a variety of skin-loving ingredients, helping to feed the skin with the nutrients it requires to thrive. Serum travels deep into our skin, working to target specific skincare issues including breakouts, dry skin, and ageing. Repair Face Serum works to rejuvenate, soothe, and moisturise the skin, with the help of rosehip oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil, and more. Hint: add a couple of drops to your foundation for a lighter coverage and glowing skin.
5. Moisturise
The next step of this minimalist skin care routine is focused around hydration. Particularly if you suffer from dry skin, using a moisturiser every day helps to create soft and supple skin. Not to mention, moisturisers help to seal the skin, locking in all those lovely nutrients from the serum. Try our best-selling Ultimate Face Cream. Hint: you only need to apply a little face cream after following all these steps. Too much will suffocate the skin. Try smoothing a small amount between your palms and gently pressing onto skin. Rub the excess into the back of your hands as they often deserve some extra attention too. Ready to start your minimalist skin care routine? We've made it simple for you by popping all of these products into a simple, money-saving pack: the Ageless Beauty Collection. Hint: take a look at the 'Reviews' section to read what other happy customers say about this simple routine.
Natural skincare is an ever-growing movement, free of toxic ingredients that poorly influence our skin and general health. Luckily, consumers are gifted with plenty of healthier alternatives, containing organic ingredients with anti-inflammatory, rejuvenation, and hydration effects – and this only scratches the surface. Ranging from bearberry to camellia oil, here are 10 natural ingredients to boost the health and glow of your skin.
Bearberry
Though the bearberry plant may be easily recognised by its bright, red berries, the leaves of the plant actually hold the skin-promoting nutrients – most notably the compound Arbutin. This key component is often integrated into skincare products to help brighten the skin by lessening the appearance of age and dark spots. You can find bearberry in our Refining Cleanser and the Men’s After Shave + Moisturiser.
Jojoba
Jojoba can fight against chapping and chaffing while helping to repair the skin. This makes it an ideal component of lips balms, such as Clémence’s Ultimate Lips and Rose Tinted Lips. However, it doesn’t stop there. Jojoba oil can assist and support many other aspects of skin health, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory effects. This includes the easing of conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Another reason why we use it in all of our face care products.
Beeswax
Beeswax offers a trinity of natural skin benefits to admire. Wielding anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and skin-protecting properties, the popular ingredient is often added to skin care products to create a barrier between the skin and a surrounding environment, while simultaneously retaining moisture – a winning combination!
Lavender
Lavender is well-known for its relaxing, soothing properties, though the essential oil packs a much bigger punch. Lavender oil is integrated into many skin care products for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. As a result, lavender can commonly be found in after-sun spray and soothing gel. In the Clémence Organics range, you can find it in our Ultimate Hand + Body Lotion and Ultimate SOS Balm.
Sunflower Oil
Just as sunflower seeds are rich with nutrients to enhance our diet and well being, the oil extracted can also benefit our skin in many ways. Vitamin A, C, and D, as well as fatty acids, found in the oil can help fight off bacteria that cause acne. Plus, the abundance of vitamin E can also repair and hydrate the skin.
Camellia Oil
Camellia oil is a popular beauty ingredient in Japan, otherwise called Tsubaki oil. The compound is very versatile, particularly due to the array of nutrients found within it, including vitamin A, D, and E alongside many forms of fatty acids. Camellia oil helps by boosting skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of scars. You will find camellia oil in the Clémence Organics Refining Cleanser.
Calendula
Calendula oil is taken from the marigold flower for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal effects. It’s actively added to all of our baby products to help with eczema, diaper rash, and other skin irritations. The oil is also praised as a beneficial ingredient for encouraging hair and general health.
Rosehip
Rosehip has earned the reputation as a beneficial ingredient in many skin reviving products, such as the Ultimate Face Cream by Clémence. Organic rosehip is overflowing with an impressive collection of nutrients, including vitamin A, C, and E as well as a combination of fatty acids, helping to even the skin tone and boost elasticity.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil nourishes and supports the skin in more ways than one, offering rapid hydration, anti-inflammation, assistance with wound healing, and anti-microbial capabilities to help with acne. The oil is packed with fatty acids, is easily absorbed by the skin, and can be found in many moisturising products.
Evening Primrose Oil
With anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, evening primrose oil is ideal for assisting with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The compound is extracted from the evening primrose plant and is packed with essential fatty acids.
In Summary, with the ability to moisturise, hydrate, heal, rejuvenate, and soothe the skin, minus the harmful effects of chemical ingredients, it’s no wonder organic skincare is on the rise.
Though finding a range that incorporates all of these natural ingredients may seem like a daunting task, the process is rather simple. Clémence Organics integrate all of these components into many of their skincare products, ranging from lip balm and moisturisers to cleansers and toners. You’re welcome!
When Founding Editor of The Grace Tales, Georgie Abay, agreed to be a part of our “On Beauty” interview series I was chuffed. I’m a huge fan of Georgie’s writing and her passion for storytelling shines through in the numerous features that fill the website’s pages. Georgie regularly interviews women from around the globe, sharing their journeys through motherhood and recently published her first book, Grace Mothers.
Once deputy editor of Vogue, Georgie left to find balance in her life, raise her daughters and pursue a career outside of print media. Launching The Grace Tales seemed like a bit of risk at the time but Georgie’s hard work and passion ensured its success.
In this interview, we talk to Georgie about her career, her take on beauty and how hard it is to make time for yourself as a working mum.
Q. Could you tell us how you got into journalism?
I knew I always wanted to work in magazines, but I never thought it was going to be as a journalist. I dreamt of being a photographer or a stylist. I wasn’t the top of my English class at school – quite the opposite. We were taught to write in a very formal way. You’d never begin a sentence with ‘and’ or ‘but’. Somewhere along the way, I discovered that writing for magazines was far more colloquial than the writing I had been taught at school. I also discovered I was quite good at it. It was like writing to a friend – the style is very chatty. I ended up doing media and communications at university and started writing on the side – I’d regularly pitch my stories to various magazines. My first ever published story was in Country Style magazine. I was working as an assistant at the publishing house that published Country Style and I still remember nervously walking into the editor’s office and pitching her a story. She said yes. And that was that. Many more stories in various publications followed. You’ll hear “no” time and again throughout your career, but it’s what makes hearing “yes” so powerful. One “yes” and off I went.
Q. You gave up your job as Deputy Editor of Vogue Australia to focus full time on The Grace Tales. Was this a hard decision to make at the time?
Not at all – I’m a big believer in not having to do the same thing your entire life. Wouldn’t that be utterly boring? I think so. I had a fantastic career in magazines and at VOGUE and am so grateful for the experiences I had. But motherhood pushed me in a different direction and I’m grateful for that. I left print at the right time and forged a new path in digital media.
Q. What do you love most about your job as Editor of The Grace Tales?
I love that for the most part, it doesn’t feel like work. I spend a lot of time working and have made a lot of sacrifices for this business, which I wouldn’t have made if I wasn’t so passionate about what I do. I love connecting with other women, sharing their stories, learning from them. Most of all, I love story-telling. I love that our platform inspires and connects women all over the world.
Q. You’re a business owner, wife, daughter, friend and mum of two gorgeous girls. When do you make time for yourself?
After the birth of my first daughter I didn’t exercise for two years. When I finally started again, I wondered why I hadn’t done it earlier (probably because I was so sleep deprived!). I need exercise to function. Some weeks are easier that others – we’re wrapping up an intense eight-week book launch so my trips to the gym haven’t been as frequent as I’d like. Now our girls are a little older, it’s easier to get time to myself. Often, an entire Sunday morning will go by and they’ll happily play in their room together. That said, they’ll also happily fight with each other all morning!
Q. Working with the beauty industry in magazines and now online for some time now, and meeting many women along the way, I’m curious to hear your take on beauty. What does beauty mean to you?
The most beautiful people are kind, funny, generous and thoughtful. I love people who can make you laugh. You know the kind of laugh, which is so joyful, it’s infectious. A dear friend of mine, photographer Julie Adams, has the most fantastic laugh and I still remember being in a restaurant with her and a couple from another table commented on what a fantastic laugh she has. Laughter is beauty. Of course, there is physical beauty, but for me, nothing can beat wit and charm.
Q. What do you look for when choosing skincare products?
My mum has always taught me to look after my skin and I wish I listened to her advice earlier. I think the older you get, the more conscious you are of everything from skincare to what you eat. When you’re younger, you think you’re invincible. As I get older, I’m far more conscious of what I’m putting on my skin – the ingredients in my skincare.
Q. What are some of your favourite beauty products and why?
I don’t wear much make-up but I do have my brows feathered and also get eyelash extensions. If I’m putting on makeup, I love Chantecaille foundation – it makes my skin look fresh and dewy (no easy feat). Nars eyeliner (I have lash extensions so this finishes off my eyes quickly). For skincare, Clémence Organics, of course. The Clémence Organics Ultimate Biome Spritz is a great pick me up throughout the day. Clarins and Dermalogica are two skincare brands I’ve used since I was a teenager and still love.
Q. Top beauty tip?
This one is from my mum and it’s something she has drilled into me from when I was little. Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. She even wears gloves when she drives to protect the back of her hands. It might sound extreme, but she’s aged beautifully. If it’s a sunny day and I give her a call, she’ll always ask me if I’m wearing a hat!
Cancer is such a sensitive subject and I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected by it. For me it’s something that I talk about on an almost daily basis. Why? Because it’s part of my story and part of why I do what I do. Here’s a little bit more about my background and the natural product I found to be helpful in cancer treatment.
As you may already know my Dad was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2008. I was in the last year of my Naturopathy degree and so felt in a good position to support him with complementary therapies. I prescribed herbal tinctures, nutritional supplements and made him a balm to ease any potential radiation-induced dermatitis (otherwise known as radiation burn). I felt very fortunate that I had knowledge and some experience to help him.
It was the balm that I made for his radiation burn that helped shape what I do today. Unlike the invisible effect that the tinctures and supplements I was prescribing were having, the difference between his radiation burn and other patients on the same oncology ward was so evident. But it wasn’t just a visual reduction, it was a pain reduction. And when you’re dealing with cancer which can cause pain in so many ways, any kind of reduction is a good thing.
The balm that I made was based primarily on one ingredient, calendula. I chose calendula because in my studies I had known it to be a highly effective anti-inflammatory herb and also extremely gentle. The research that I undertook to establish its use in radiation-induced dermatitis also showed that it had been proven to be effective.
After completing my degree and going into private practice, I started to play around with the calendula balm and see what else I could add to improve it. I formulated in other anti-inflammatory herbs including chamomile, lavender and rosehip. I also wanted to make it even more nourishing and so added jojoba oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. And I wanted to increase the skin-healing benefits and so included evening primrose oil and vitamin e. This balm was eventually named Ultimate SOS Balm, so-called for its ability to calm, soothe and nourish pretty much any skin upset.
Since perfecting this product, it’s gone on to win awards and many 5 star reviews. But it wasn’t until the weekend just gone that I saw physical evidence of how it is able to help radiation burn for the first time in a long time. This was provided by a very brave woman named Lily who had been gifted the Ultimate SOS Balm by her Aunt to use whilst she undertook radiation for post-operative breast cancer. I openly wept at the memories raised and then with pride. It reminded me that this is why I do what I do. I love not only that it helped reduce the pain and redness for Lily (in fact there was no redness at all – see images below), but that there were no chemicals, preservatives or unnatural ingredients entering Lily’s body that could potentially further compromise her health.
Cancer is complicated but if you can make just a few small changes, choosing natural and organic wherever possible, you might help to ease the burden, and maybe even shorten the cancer journey.
As a naturopath, I’m always thinking about dietary and lifestyle recommendations to complement my organic skin care range. Drinking herbal teas has got to one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to further benefit skin. Not only do they taste great but the actives in herbs are absorbed and taken-up quicker than supplements.
As obvious as it may be, the water in tea also benefits dry skin, probably the most common skin complaint and a frequent contributor to the worsening of skin conditions.
Here are a few of my favourite herbal teas and skin issues they can assist with.
Green tea – All Star
Top of my list is green tea because it offers benefits for skin on so many levels. It has extremely potent anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce redness and irritation, making it helpful for eczema, rosacea and psoriasis sufferers. Its anti-microbial action can also benefit those with acne. Rich in antioxidants, this well-researched plant has also been shown to reduce the DNA damage responsible for skin cancer.
Chamomile – Eczema
This little white and yellow flower has got ‘calm’ written all over it. It has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy actions which make it the perfect tea for anyone suffering from eczema. It also has gentle antimicrobial properties which help prevent eczema from becoming infected. And because it’s so gentle, its suitable for all ages, from infants to elderly.
Echinacea – Acne
If I was to pick one herb for acne, it would be Echinacea. This ancient American herb has been used for centuries for its immune-boosting capabilities but it also holds great benefits for skin issues, particularly acne. Echinacea has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria known to cause acne and reduce bacteria-induced inflammation.
Turmeric – Psoriasis
This golden-coloured rhizome has been much lauded of late as a cure-all for many disorders from cancer to cold sores, but its benefits for skin deserve just as much attention. Turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative actions which can be very beneficial for a range of skin disorders, particularly psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which is characterized by white, scaly lesions and considered incurable. Several studies have shown turmeric to provide some benefit to psoriasis sufferers.
Bilberry – Rosacea
This petite European berry has been traditionally used to improve visual deficiencies, such as night blindness, due to its ability to protect and repair the fragile capillaries in the eye. This vaso-protective action is what also benefits rosacea sufferers, particularly those forms of rosacea in which capillaries become enlarged and break under frequent flushing.
Supercharging your diet with a diverse array of nutrients can be one of the best ways to enhance the wellbeing of your skin. While nutrients such as vitamin C can help the skin to appear much firmer, other components such as selenium and vitamin E can protect our skin cells and increase skin repair. The best part? Most foods contain these essential vitamins and minerals in amounts consistent with our body’s needs.
By enhancing the quality of food that we’re eating, we won’t only be improving the health of our skin, but our entire wellbeing. It’s a win-win! Here are 4 recipes to get you started on the path towards healthier skin.
Yoghurt With Berries
Berries are nature’s sweet treat, delivering plenty of nutrients that can enhance not only our wellbeing but also the health of our skin. Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are valuable sources of vitamin C, vitamin A, and a variety of other antioxidants. They’re also effortless to incorporate into the diet. Simply add them to your breakfast cereal, snack directly from the punnet, or mix them into yoghurt. Try this easy yoghurt and berries recipe from Everyday Health.
Ingredients:
– 3/4 cup of yoghurt (try coconut yoghurt for a delicious dairy-free alternative)
– 1/2 cup of mixed berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
– 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed.
– 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts
Method:
1. Scoop the yoghurt into a bowl.
2. Stir in the flaxseed and berries until the mixture is well combined.
3. Sprinkle the yoghurt with walnuts.
*Serving: 1
Source: https://www.everydayhealth.com/beauty-pictures/recipes-for-healthy-skin.aspx#berries
Grilled Salmon With Tomato And Basil
Salmon is full of an array of skin-promoting nutrients, including omega 3, selenium, potassium, and more. To top it off, it can be enjoyed in a variety of styles, whether it’s smoked, grilled, roasted, pan-fried, poached, or anything in-between. Try this grilled salmon recipe with tomato and basil.
Ingredients:
– 1 x salmon fillet
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
– 1/3 cup of sliced basil
– 1/4 cup of sliced basil
– 2 x tomatoes
Method:
1. Mash the garlic and salt until a paste is formed, and place this mixture into a bowl. Stir with oil.
2. Remove the bones from the salmon, if necessary.
3. Place the salmon, skin down, on a piece of foil coated with cooking spray. Spread the garlic paste over the salmon, with the 1/3 cup of basil on top. Overlap the tomatoes on top and sprinkle with salt.
4. Transfer the salmon to the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily.
5. Place the salmon on a serving platter and sprinkle with the remaining basil.
*Servings: 4
Iced Green Tea
Green tea is a skin-nourishing delight. It’s packed with natural antioxidants, protecting our skin cells by preventing the production of cell-damaging free radicals. Jessica Gavin’s Iced Green Tea recipe is a refreshing treat and is perfect for those looking for a healthy alternative to fruit juice and soft drinks.
Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup of lemon juice + 2 slices to decorate
– 1/4 cup of lime juice + 3 slices to decorate
– 2 cups of boiling water
– 3 cups of cold water
– 5 x green tea bags
– 1/4 cup of honey
– Mint leaves
Method:
1. Boil 2 cups of water.
2. Add the green tea bags to the hot water in a jug.
3. Steep the tea bags in accordance with the brand’s packaging. Generally the water shouldn’t be above 80 degrees celsius when you add the tea bags and don’t steep them for too long.
4. Remove the tea bags.
5. Pour the lime and lemon juice into a jug.
6. Add honey and stir.
7. Add the cups of cold water and mix well.
8. Serve with ice cubes, lime/lemon slices, and mint leaves.
*Servings: 6
Source: https://www.jessicagavin.com/jasmine-green-iced-tea-limeade/
Avocado Hummus
Similar to salmon, avocados are packed with omega 3 fatty acids, helping to protect our skin from sun-induced inflammation. To top it off, the fruit also contains vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin C, various B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. This avocado-hummus recipe via Taste is a simple way to not only add more avocado into your diet, but also a handful of veggies, including carrot, tomato, broccoli, and more.
Ingredients:
– 2 x avocados
– 2 x 400g cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
– 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
– 1/2 a cup of lemon juice
– 2 x tablespoons of tahini
– 2 x crushed garlic cloves
– A pinch of smoked paprika.
Method:
1. Heat the virgin olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add 1/4 cup of the chickpeas and stir occasionally over the course of 3 to 4 minutes or until golden.
3. Remove the frying pan from the heat and leave to cool.
4. Process the left-over chickpeas in a food processor alongside the avocado, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic until the ingredients are combined. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
5. Place the hummus into a serving bowl, topped with chickpeas, the oil in the pan, and paprika.
6. Serve the hummus alongside an assortment of chopped vegetables, including carrots, red bell peppers, celery, tomato, etc. Wholegrain pita bread is also an ideal option.
*Makes 2 and 1/2 cups.
Bridget’s Note: Sometimes a simple gesture can change your life. When I offered to drive Charlotte Smith home to the Blue Mountains after an event in Sydney we had both been attending, I was granted the pleasure of spending 2 hours alone in her company. As Charlotte told me all about her extraordinary life and her phenomenal fashion collection, I was blown away. How did I not know about this incredible woman who lived only 15 minutes from me? Here is just a glimpse of her story.
For the second in our special interview series “On Beauty” we’re talking to Charlotte Smith, custodian of one of the world’s largest fashion collections, The Charlotte Smith Fashion Collection. This historic collection was bequeathed to her by her American Godmother, Doris Darnell, and came complete with accompanying letters, photographs and stories that linked the pieces to the original owners and the occasions to which they were worn.
Now containing some 9000 pieces, Charlotte exhibits this fascinating collection around the world, enthralling her audience and proving that fashion is so much more than fabric.
Q. You have an AMAZING fashion collection (even that feels like an understatement!). Do you have any favourites or is it way too tough to choose?
Rather than having favourite garments, which is too difficult to choose from, I have two decades I love.
I find 1900 – 1910 fascinating. It was at the turn of the 20th century we witnessed the immergence of the Modern Woman. This was a time of feminists and suffragettes, women who were changing the way society regarded women.
With women’s changing roles, what they wore was changing too. Gone were the corsets and restrictive undergarments and in came practical clothing that allowed women a new freedom. I have many garments and accessories from this period. I am in awe of the women who wore these clothes and thank them for their determination in changing society’s perception of women and how women thought about themselves.
I also love the 1970s when women travelled, ran companies, were mothers and wives, were pioneers and inventors, could dress as hippies, as executives in pantsuits, dress like movie stars, or wear pastel coloured polyester jumpsuits and long hostess gowns. Fashion in the Seventies was about convenience as much as style. There was so much choice! I wear a lot of Seventies dresses. They are long, polyester, colourful and very individual.
Q. This collection has allowed you to travel the world, meet a broad spectrum of people and educate others on the history of fashion. What have been some of the highlights?
Inheriting a vast collection of fashion from my American godmother totally changed my life. As you point out, it has opened doors to exciting opportunities – from writing books to appearing on television. It has led to introductions to fascinating people, has allowed me to visit remote towns in Australia as well as exotic countries around the world, and it has motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and learn as much as I can about the culture of fashion.
Three highlights spring to mind.
The first was an afternoon tea and timeline-of-fashion parade I held at my daughter’s school in the Blue Mountains several years ago. We invited the local community, including residents of local retirement villages and nursing homes. It was wonderful to see so many twinkling eyes as many of the older guests’ regaled us with their stories. I am passionate about bringing together people of all ages and firmly believe storytelling is the way to unite people and cultures.
A second highlight was in Las Vegas when I curated and presented a 50 year timeline of fashion history for American computer software company, Gerber Technology, at Caesars Palace. I had 5 local models wear garments from the Collection dating from 1940 to 1980.
Gerber organised a fashion design competition with American fashion schools (who use their software) and the winning student garments were paraded on stage alongside the originals from my Collection. I co-hosted this with Tim Gunn, presenter of TV hit, Project Runway. It was an incredible feeling being in Vegas at one of the most iconic hotels on the Strip and talking about how fashion’s past creates the present and inspires the future.
And the most recent highlight was the 1 month cruise I just did as an Enrichment Speaker on Viking Sun’s world tour. I embarked in Sydney and cruised the south coast of Australia before an 8 day crossing of the Indian Ocean to the Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique and Durban, South Africa where I flew home.
Q. What are your upcoming plans for the collection?
In the immediate future, I plan to de-accession half of the Collection and curate a more focused look at the culture of fashion by concentrating on ‘Multiculturalism in Fashion’ as a theme and reason to collect.
After my Viking Ocean Cruise experience, I want to expand on my role as a ‘globetrotting fashion anthropologist’. I love the idea of travelling, telling fashion’s history as an Enrichment Speaker and showcasing the museum-quality pieces from my Collection. It is an extraordinary resource.
Q. You have a daughter who has recently completed high school. Is she interested in fashion? What does she teach you about the way the youth of today approach fashion?
My daughter loves fashion and has cultivated a very individual look. Her look is all about layers, made up of clothing made from natural fibres in soft greys/browns/beige and blue. It’s a classic look combining Ralph Lauren, Audrey Hepburn, and English country life. Each year, she buys a few expensive wardrobe staples and builds her outfits around these. So for her, it’s quality over quantity.
Seeing what my daughter and her friend’s wear, I realise there are no uniform looks anymore, which means everybody has the opportunity to create something bespoke, which tells their personal story.
Q. Fashion and beauty have close ties. Having spent many years working in the fashion industry, what does beauty mean to you?
I believe beauty comes from within. A woman who radiates youthfulness (spiritually and mentally), compassion, a woman who is vivacious, interested in and aware of everything around her, no matter what age, is going to be far more alluring than a woman who might be conventionally beautiful, but boring to be around.
I have met many women who are so vivacious that I am instantly bowled over by them. Often they are not conventionally beautiful.
I remember watching an English television series about women and beauty. Apparently, the Greeks came up with a mathematical equation for a classically beautifully woman based on ration – where the eyes, nose, mouth were placed and their proportions to the size of the face. An expert, interviewed on the show, used this ancient formula to pronounce that the English actress Elizabeth Hurley had the perfectly proportioned face and was a true classic beauty.
If you are not Elizabeth Hurley (or Elizabeth Taylor, who in her heyday was the most beautiful woman on earth, in my opinion) beauty reflects your state of mind. If you are feeling great about yourself then you feel beautiful.
Q. You’ve begun embracing natural and organic beauty in your skincare regime. What made you want to transition to this type of skincare?
To be honest, the transition to natural and organic beauty products was motivated by cost.
When I lived in America and England, I used La Prairie products. My skin loved them, but trying to continue using exclusive products, coming from overseas, became difficult to source and prohibitively expensive.
So I started experimenting.
Six years ago, I was on the road travelling a lot around Australia and whenever I saw locally made skincare products for sale in a city in which I was working, I would buy them to sample. At this time, natural and organic skincare was just emerging as mainstream, and the more I thought about it, the more I realised I wanted to use as many natural ingredients on my skin as I could.
My aim was to find something that gave me the same results, if not better, as La Prairie did for my skin. I tried two different Australian skincare brands before I came across Clémence Organics and I am incredibly happy with the results. Clémence products are superb. And to top it all off, I couldn’t get more sustainable than the 15km distance from Clémence’s office to my home.
Q. What are some of your favourite beauty products and why?
Clarins Beauty Flash. I have used this for years, actually since it first came on the market in Paris in the late 1970s where I was living and studying as part of my university year abroad. What’s interesting is that Clarins was the first beauty brand to be plant based and I remember the slightly puzzled, but intrigued interest around this concept at the time.
Estee Lauder’s red lipstick ‘Envy Boldface’ #332. I feel as if I am not properly dressed if I am not wearing my red lipstick when I go out in public. When it’s a special event, applying it is the final stage in getting dressed to go out. Sometimes, getting ready is the best part of the whole evening.
Foot pumice stone. I use this on my feet every evening in the shower. It’s like having a mini pedicure every day and keeps my feet feeling soft and looking good at no cost.
Clémence Organics Repair Face Serum. I love the sensation of the serum soaking into my skin after I exfoliate. There is nothing nicer than to touch soft skin. I have also noticed that my eyelashes have grown much longer since using the serum!!
Q. Top beauty tip?
For the past 30 years, after every bath or shower, I have always slathered myself with rich, moisturising body lotion. I feel it has paid off because my skin is (still) soft and supple. I have always feared the day I wake up to dry, wrinkly skin. I don’t think it hurts to begin a body lotion routine from an early age.
