Category: GROOMING

4 must-have T-Beauty products

T-Beauty, Taiwan’s answer in the viral beauty question, is all about innovative, gentle formulas packed with natural extracts and high-tech actives. Think hyaluronic acid from fermented rice and mandelic acid derived from almonds. For Aussies battling everything from humid Sydney summers to dry Tassie winters, these Taiwanese treasures are game-changers. We’ve rounded up four standout products now available Down Under, each targeting a common skin gripe to level up your routine. Tame Congestion with DermaAngel Pore Clear Pads Clogged pores turning your T-zone into a minefield? Enter DermaAngel Pore Clear Pads, infused with BHA for a deep cleanse that unclogs without stripping. These pre-soaked pads regulate sebum, refine texture, and leave skin matte yet hydrated—perfect for oily-combo types. Swipe on post-cleanse for visibly smoother pores in days. Zap Acne with DermaAngel Acne Patches (The Triple Threat) Spot-prone? DermaAngel’s hydrocolloid patches are your discreet armour. The trio covers all bases: Care Patches soothe inflammation with tea tree; Soothe Patches calm redness overnight; Treat & Clear Patches deliver salicylic acid to extract gunk and prevent scarring. Stick ’em on clean pimples, wake up flawless. Users rave about the invisible finish and speedy results. Quench Dryness with Neogence HA Hydrating Cream Flaky, tight skin got you down? Neogence’s HA Hydrating Cream locks in moisture for 24 hours with multi-molecular hyaluronic acid, plumping without greasiness. This lightweight cream strengthens the barrier, ideal for dehydrated complexions in our variable climate. Reviewers swear by its non-sticky feel and lasting hydration. Smooth Wrinkles with Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum Fine lines… Read More

Sharp cuts and smoother sips at The Barberhood on York Street

Sydney’s grooming titan, The Barberhood, marked its 10th anniversary with a bold new outpost inside The Barber Shop – Original Gin Bar on York Street. Joining its O’Connell Street and Martin Place flagships, this third CBD location merges The Barberhood’s award-winning grooming with the gin-soaked swagger of a world-class cocktail bar. It’s a match made in Sydney’s stylish heart, and we’re here for it. Renée Baltov’s team, a training ground for talents like Wahl Team Ambassador Yuki Kano, brings unmatched skill to every cut. Expect precision fades, tailored scissor work, and hot lather shaves with scented towels that feel like a ritual. The service is fast, friendly, and steeped in old-school tradition, yet modern enough for today’s culture shapers. With curated top-shelf skincare and grooming gear, you’ll leave looking sharper than a York Street suit. American Crew has a new product called Whip on the market – check it out. The real genius? The vibe. The Barberhood’s clean, premium design slots perfectly into The Barber Shop’s speakeasy charm. While you’re getting a tidy-up, sip on a gin from their 700-strong collection or sample the revamped cocktail list. Think bold, seasonal creations that pair brilliantly with a fresh cut. Barrellhouse Director Mikey Enright nails the atmosphere, making it considered yet inviting, as Baltov notes. Walk-ins and bookings are open, with group sessions and private grooming experiences for those wanting to level up. Whether you’re in for a quick line-up or a full pamper with a whisky in hand, this York Street haven delivers. It’s grooming with… Read More

We tried CUTISÉ for 30 days and here’s how the Astaxanthin-packed skincare stacked up

When pharmacist Singing Tin set out to create CUTISÉ Cosmeceutical Skincare, she had one clear goal: to take the guesswork out of anti-ageing routines. With a pharmacist’s precision and a healthy dose of scientific know-how, she built a four-step range powered by astaxanthin, the king of antioxidants. Astaxanthin may sound like another buzzy new skincare ingredient, but this mighty carotenoid isn’t new. It’s produced by the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and it’s 6000 times stronger than Vitamin C when it comes to neutralising free radicals. If you want skin that looks less ‘tired parent of a newborn’ (AKA me) and more ‘glowy, just-back-from-holiday’ (AKA James), this is the stuff you want on your face. So, we put CUTISÉ to the test. 30 days, four products, and one ageing face. Here’s how each one performed: Step 1: Omnigel Cleanser This is no ordinary cleanser. In a single pump, it goes from gel to exfoliator to oil and finally to milk, leaving skin feeling clean without that dreaded tightness. It’s the ultimate lazy-person multi-tasker, removing makeup, sloughing away dead skin, and hydrating all at once.The only gripe? The lid could use a redesign for easier access and closure while washing. Not a dealbreaker, but we did curse it once or twice with wet hands. We’d recommend using the exfoliating portion of the formula every 2-3 days if you don’t have congested skin, it’s very easy to skip to the bit you want by adding water from the jump. Step 2: Brightcare Day Serum Lightweight, plumping, and perfect under… Read More

Beauty Trends Pop Freaky Formula Lore

I’m a sucker for a good skincare haul. Swiping through Instagram, I see serums with snail slime or vampire facials trending, and suddenly my cart’s full of weird potions promising glowy skin.  Beauty product sales are booming, fueled by odd ingredients like mushroom extract or donkey milk, but critics are calling these fads profit-driven gimmicks that fade fast. As a woman navigating this glittery chaos, I’m torn between the thrill of trying something new and wondering if I’m just chasing a shiny scam. This is a look at why freaky formulas are taking over, what’s driving the hype, and whether they’re worth the buzz, or just another fleeting trend.   The beauty world’s gone rogue. Brands are betting on bizarre ingredients to hook us, and it’s working, even if the glow doesn’t always last. Critics say it’s all about cash, not results, but there’s something addictive about the chase. Let’s unpack the hype and dig into what’s really behind these wild trends.   Odd Ingredients Fuel the Frenzy I’ll admit, I’ve slathered algae goo on my face because a beauty influencer swore it was magic. Ingredients like kelp, bee venom, or even placenta are everywhere now, plastered across sleek packaging that screams luxury. Brands lean hard into the shock factor, knowing a quirky formula grabs attention in a crowded market. It’s not just about hydration anymore, it’s about adventure.   The science is murkier. Some ingredients, like snail mucin, have a bit of research backing their glow-up claims, but others feel like pure hype. I tried a cactus… Read More

Hot by December: 5 Winter fix-ups to get you summer-ready

While everyone’s hibernating in puffer jackets and pretending mulled wine counts as a health drink, you could be quietly levelling up. Because being hot in Summer isn’t just about sweating through your linen shirts – it starts now, when the heaters are blasting and nobody’s watching. Here’s your Winter hit list to make sure you emerge from the cold season hotter, cooler, and just a little bit smugger than the rest of ’em. 1. Fix your gross feet Use Bathefex Softsole Express Heel Peel or Foot Peel to sort out those dry, cracked footsies. The shedding process takes up to a week, so this isn’t something you want to do in Summer when everyone can see the dogs. Take the time to look after your feet now while they’re covered up! Pro tip: follow up your peel with a thick moisturiser on your feet, locked in by a pair of socks, when you go to bed each night. We promise by Summer you’ll have the most divine feet. 2. Learn to make a signature dessert It’s prime baking season and if you want to entertain (or be entertained) this Summer, you better know what you’re bringing to the table. Practice making something that is simple, crowd-pleasing and fast. We suggest Maggie Beer’s Lemon Possets levelled up to be served in the lemon rinds (very Summery) or Butternut Bakery’s Brown Butter and Miso Choc Chip Cookies (you’ll want to add miso to everything!) 3. Sort out your skin mate Summer skin starts in Winter. You can’t… Read More

Beauty from the bush: The Efficacy Cream by AIJAN

In a land where the sun kisses the earth with a bit more enthusiasm than most places, Australian skin faces its own unique set of challenges. With harsh climates and relentless UV exposure, skincare here requires a bit more than your average hydration and repair. Enter The Efficacy Cream by AIJAN, an emerging luxury skincare brand that has cracked the code with Australia’s first patented desert saltbush botanical complex. This remarkable cream is not just a skincare product; it’s a revolution in a jar. With a proprietary blend of clinically proven native extracts, it nourishes, revitalises, and protects the skin, making it as essential as slip, slop, slap in your daily routine. Forget the clutter of a dozen beauty products; The Efficacy Cream streamlines your regime into one efficient step. Packed with bioavailable peptides, vitamins, antioxidants, and potent phytochemicals, it ensures long-lasting hydration while diving deep into the skin to promote cell renewal and collagen production. For those of us who have gathered more than a few years of wisdom, this cream is clinically proven to support skin over the age of 35. It strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, enhances elasticity, and addresses those pesky fine lines. It also works wonders on evening pigmentation, providing targeted protection against environmental pollutants and free radical damage. So, if you’re looking to face the Australian elements with a skin that’s as resilient as it is radiant, The Efficacy Cream by AIJAN might just be your new best friend. It’s skincare that respects the environment and your skin, ensuring… Read More

Why you need TRUYU products in your lineup

In the ever-evolving world of beauty, keeping up with trends can often feel like a full-time job. From the understated elegance of the ‘clean girl’ look to the dramatic flair of the ‘mob wife’ aesthetic, 2024 has been a whirlwind of shifting styles. Amidst the changing tides of makeup products, one constant remains: the importance of reliable beauty tools. Enter TRUYU Beauty, the brand that’s fast becoming a staple for Australians wanting to stay on trend without stretching their budgets. TRUYU Beauty stands out for its commitment to providing high-quality beauty tools and accessories that cater to every look, whether you’re embracing natural, minimalist vibes or opting for something more daring and defined. The brand’s extensive range includes cosmetic brushes, mirrors, curlers, and a full suite of manicure and pedicure products. Not to mention, they’ve got all your brow essentials covered too. It’s a head-to-toe offering that not only promises ease of use but also boasts accessibility—available at Big W, Aussie Pharmacy, and Amazon.com.au. In a country where self-care is a booming industry, with Aussies spending an astonishing $1.6 billion monthly, TRUYU Beauty proves that staying chic doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Their tools empower beauty enthusiasts to express their unique styles and creativity, all while ensuring that their routines remain cost-effective. TRUYU Beauty is truly a game-changer for those who want to ‘tool up’ and celebrate their individual beauty. Whether you’re giving yourself a fresh manicure, perfecting your brows, or ensuring your makeup application is flawless with their brushes, TRUYU… Read More

The best blue clay mask for men by Rhone Men’s Care

In 2024, the landscape of men’s skincare undergoes a remarkable transformation, embodying a societal shift towards recognising and addressing male-specific skin care needs. Rhone Men’s Care, an Australian made and owned brand, stands at the forefront of this change, particularly with the introduction of the country’s first Blue Clay Mask tailored for men. This innovative product, already an international favourite, caters to a multitude of skin concerns with a single application – from anti-ageing to acne – simplifying the skincare routines of men everywhere. Rhone Men’s Care is dedicated to crafting products that respect the structural uniqueness of male skin, such as its epidermal thickness and sebaceous output. Their range, developed by expert chemical engineers, harnesses the power of natural bioactive phytonutrients, avoiding synthetic materials commonly found in men’s grooming products. This commitment ensures that men across the globe, from Australia to the Middle East, have access to uncomplicated, effective skincare solutions. Among their standout offerings is the Blue Clay Mask, priced at 55 AUD for 50g. This antioxidant-rich, botanical blend features key ingredients like Australian Kaolin Clay, Sandalwood Seed Oil, Bilberry Extract, and Davidson Plum Extract, designed to soothe, firm, and hydrate the skin while addressing a variety of concerns. Rhone Men’s Care also offers a Beard & Face Cleanser (100ml/38 AUD), Beard Oil (30ml/40 AUD), and Beard Balm (50g/40 AUD), each infused with hero ingredients tailored to promote skin health and facial hair vitality, such as Willowherb Extract, Kakadu Plum, and Organic Hemp Seed Oil. Rhone Men’s Care not only pioneers the bridging… Read More

Transform your skin at this leading Melbourne salon

Melbourne’s esteemed salon, Shine Skin and Body, continues to redefine the standards of skincare with its latest innovation, the exclusive Carbon Blackhead Removal Facial. This unique offering marries the benefits of a traditional carbon facial with Shine’s heralded extraction process, marking a significant leap forward in facial treatments. Sheridan Rollard, the visionary owner and facialist behind Shine Skin & Body, was motivated to blend the revered Carbon Facial, often nicknamed the ‘China Doll Facial,’ with their signature extraction procedure to create a treatment that not only purifies the skin but leaves it impeccably clear, radiant, and with a porcelain-like finish. The inception of this novel facial treatment was not without diligent scrutiny and experimentation. After a meticulous six-month trial period, Rollard noticed that while carbon facials were effective in drawing out impurities and stimulating collagen production, they often led to post-treatment breakouts. This insight spurred the quest for a more comprehensive solution that would prevent these breakouts by ensuring all impurities were thoroughly removed from the skin. The Carbon Blackhead Removal Facial is a testament to Shine’s commitment to providing holistic and transformative skin treatments. Lasting 70 minutes, this facial begins with advanced cleansing techniques, followed by a carbon facial phase where the carbon attaches to oils and impurities. This is complemented by Shine’s signature extraction process, tailored steaming, and pore extraction, which vary in duration to cater to individual skin conditions. The treatment concludes with the application of hydrating serums and sunscreen, offering a multi-dimensional approach to skincare that ensures clients leave with skin… Read More