From skincare clinics to beauty brands.
From skincare clinics to beauty brands.
If you’re anything like us, over the last few months taking care of yourself has become VERY high on your to do list. Things like exercising more, eating well and looking after our skin are the new black and we’re all about it.
Not to mention winter has left the building and bulk sunshine means more outdoor gatherings and time with the people we love. So we need to look our very best.
Enter beauty salons. There have been a few beautiful newbies open up on the Coast lately and so, because we want you to look after yourself (and look lovely) too, we’ve compiled a little list.
From north to south, here they are.
SSKIN
A cosmetic skin clinic founded by sisters Amy and Emilee Hembrow, SSKIN can be found in a boutique residential-looking property (so you’re guaranteed the utmost privacy) which transforms on entry to reveal a luxury clinic equipped to carry out cosmetic services. Offering everything from facials to dermal filler and anti wrinkle treatment, hyperdermabrasion, skin needling, peels, a rose quartz signature facial and more you will absolutely pampered by the team at SSKIN.
Where: 107 Upton Street, Bundall
Skin Divinity
The beloved Byron Bay brand moved on up to Nobby Beach recently to open their second venue and what a treat for all of us. They’re a multi-award winning clinic and absolute experts when it comes to your skin. Offering brow and lash services, injectables, facials, LED Therapy, Epi Blading, teeth whitening, a nail bar, makeup application, anything and everything skin and beauty related and all within absolutely stunning surrounds. Pop into Nobby’s and give the team (and your skin) some love.
Where: 28 Chairlift Avenue, Nobby Beach
Clean Beauty Market
While the beautiful team at Clean Beauty Market aren’t new, they have moved to a new space recently and can now be found in Burleigh Heads. Not only is the space a beauty and wellness emporium selling all natural skincare, makeup, wellness, haircare and body products, it’s also a place to indulge in treatments like nourishing non-toxic facials, LED Therapy and Hyperdermabrasion. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself to some organic pampering.
Where: 1/53 James Street, Burleigh Heads
Cannabella
Did you know Australia’s first unfiltered Hemp Skincare is made right here on the Gold Coast? Burleigh Heads to be exact. It’s called Cannabella and it was created by a local man who wanted to create something natural for his Mum who was diagnosed with cancer and whose skin was becoming very dry and irritated due to chemotherapy. The result was Cannabella, skincare products made using 100% botanical ingredients with zero preservatives and entirely oil based. The key ingredient is unfiltered Hemp oil, used for it’s high chlorophyll content. There are face and body serums, a detox mask and a nourishing jelly and we suggest you try them all. Grab them here.
Lauren Kate is a facialist, maybe not a term you’ve heard before, but now you have. Lauren opened her boutique facial clinic The Facialist (I see what you did there) in Miami in 2017 offering eager Gold Coast faces essential, clinical and luxury facials and well, she’s had a steady following ever since. In fact, Lauren is in such high demand, she is currently on the hunt for a new location to expand her popular business (when things return to normal). We caught up with Lauren to get the down-low on how we can look after our skin at home…
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I am South Australian born but the Gold Coast has been my home for 20 years.
What do you love most about the Goldie?
The landscape, the Gold Coast has incredible beaches and just a stonesthrow inland, a backdrop of valleys and rainforests, one of the most beautiful destinations in the world!
Tell us about The Facialist.
The idea for The Facialist was born when I was teaching skin science, I would see students come through my classes, learning about the skin and performing clinical treatments that they may not be able to afford to have themselves.
The Facialist is a space for all ages, all genders and all skin conditions where the emphasis is on skin health and self love, not sales goals. A beautiful space where you can have top notch treatments, delivered by advanced skilled therapists at a price that doesn’t make your eyes water. Whether it is a clinical corrective treatment or much needed me-time you seek, we have you covered.
What’s a good routine that I should get into for looking after my skin at home?
Keep it simple, Cleanse, Treat, Hydrate, Protect. Cleanse daily to remove pollutants and cellular waste, treat individual skin concerns with a select serum, hydrate with a moisturiser to correct and maintain the skin barrier and protect with SPF! A good Facialist can help you tailor your skin care products to meet your skin health needs.
Are there any food or drinks that play with your skin that we should limit/avoid? And are there any that are beneficial?
Absolutely! Foods rich in Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C, E & EFA’s are my favourite big players when it comes to skin, think dark leafy greens like spinach, nuts, seeds, avocados, mangos, lemons and bananas to name a few. And to limit, alcohol and sugar. Alcohol can cause facial flushing, pruritus, impared immunity and disrupted skin barrier function, and excess sugar attacks the skin’s collagen and elastin and has a causative link to acne.
I got sunburnt (oops), what should I do to not peel?
Sunburn is skin cells in trauma, the ‘peel’ that follows is the skin’s way of shedding dead, dying and damaged cells from your body. It’s best to let your skin handle this but you can speed up the healing with cool compresses and gentle soothing moisturisers such as aloe vera.
I’m starting to get some fine lines, what can I do?
Ditch the sugar and the sunshine! Excess sugar sabotages skin in a process called glycation, basically hijacking the beautiful proteins in your skin and causing them to become rigid, the UV Radiation from our sun attacks these same proteins. Skincare products containing Retinoids, a form of Vitamin A, are a great idea to throw into your night-time skin routine, Retinoids work to combat damage to the skin’s proteins and promote new collagen production, treating pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
Should I exfoliate?
Yes, but don’t overdo it. Skin cells naturally exfoliate themselves but as we age the process slows down, this can contribute to congestion and leave your skin looking dull. How often you should exfoliate and what with, comes down to your individual skin condition, it’s always best to reach out to your Facialist to make sure your exfoliant is right for you.
What’s the best option for getting rid of blemishes?
This is a tricky one, the cause and condition of the skin are important factors, there are tons of quick fixes however they may resolve the blemish temporarily but don’t treat the underlying cause. The best option? Call us.
My skin looks dull and lifeless, anything I can use around the house to look fresh again?
The best thing you can use around the house are your own hands! A gentle home facial massage will give you back your glow. Massage has many benefits, it will help to improve circulation, simulate cellular turnover, aid lymphatics and relax muscles, leaving your skin more radiant. Take care not to pull, it should be gentle with flowing strokes upward and from the centre.
What do you think is a must-have item for your skin?
SPF! Enjoy the sunshine, but do so safely. I prefer a good physical sunscreen.
(there is more on our blog on this topic: protection or poison)
What’s your best piece of beauty advice?
Your skin is a reflection of your internal health and wellbeing, diet and lifestyle have huge implications on your skin health, regular facials and a good skin care routine are only part of the picture. My favourite beauty advice is to ‘Feed your Face’. What are you eating, what aren’t you eating, are you getting enough?
Tell us your favourites on the Gold Coast:
Coffee spot: Hide N Seek
Café for breakfast: Caffeine Kings
Restaurant for dinner: The North Room
In happy news for everyone with skin, a beauty emporium has opened in Nobbys Beach (land of the good vibes and beautiful people).
Not any old skincare store though, the glowy-skinned team at Clean Beauty Market are experts in non-toxic, natural and organic products that are free from animal testing. How fun.
The store, found next to Sparrow Eating House, is as pretty as you’d expect, decked out in white with blush accents and a glowing pink sign declaring “you are magic”. And magic is exactly what you’ll find once you’ve stepped inside the delightfully scented space that’s packed with countless natural makeup and skincare brands.
It’s pure heaven to be honest and it’s entirely possible you’ll spend your life savings in one visit. YOLO.
While buying all of the good-for-you skincare is always a smart idea, you can also book yourself in for some pampering. There’s makeup lessons, skin regime consultations and makeup applications for special occasions (or, you know, work on Monday).
PLUS, you and your gals can indulge in a makeover party should you so desire.
Owner Erin Norden is a Coast local and former freelance makeup artist who (sensibly, let’s be real) saw an opportunity, found the perfect space in Nobbys and made the magic happen.
Clean Beauty Market is the first (and hopefully not the last) store of its kind on the Gold Coast and it’s a solid step in the right direction for the many ladies who are choosing natural products to slather all over their skin (and the rest who should jump on that bandwagon ASAP).
Great news for the Gold Coast, the Earth and your face.
LOCATION: 1/32 Lavarack Rd, Nobbys Beach
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
