Meet the CEO of vegan skincare brand A bit Hippy.
Meet the CEO of vegan skincare brand A bit Hippy.
Following a plant-based/vegan diet on the Gold Coast has become a lot easier in recent years, with more and more restaurants and cafes accomodating to the growing audience that adopt this lifestyle. However it’s often forgotten (amongst our non-vegan friends) that following vegan principles is more than just what you decide to eat, rather it’s all forms of consumption. One aspect of living a vegan lifestyle that often proves to be difficult is finding skincare and beauty products that work for you and that are also vegan. Choosing a brand that not only is good for the environment but also right for you and your skin can be a feat… let’s be honest. But rejoice, my plant-based friends! A bit Hippy, a Gold Coast-based brand, is here to put your qualms at ease! We had the chance to ask Melody Livingstone, the CEO of A bit Hippy, a few questions before World Vegan Day on Monday 1 November; so read on to get to know her and your new fave brand.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve been a Burleigh local for the past 18 months after moving to the Gold Coast from Brisbane for the role of CEO, and I haven’t looked back since!
Tell us a bit about A bit Hippy
We’re not the irritating type… we’re dead set on soothing and improving your skin from head to toe. At A bit Hippy, we strive to be as natural as possible while providing clean, non-toxic skincare solutions that are effective but won’t irritate. Healthy skin needs to be backed by nature and proven by science, without the fear of breaking out. That’s why we created A bit Hippy. Peacefully protesting for Australian-made, easy to use, affordable skin, hair and body care that won’t make you react… in mind or body!
What makes running a business on the Gold Coast so great?
The Gold Coast has quickly become a hub of opportunity for individuals and small businesses. There’s something here for everyone! It’s amazing to be a part of such a dynamic community, not to mention it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Whether it’s a beach-side cafe catch-up or a meeting at the newest hot-spot bar, you’ll never be short of inspiration and creativity.
Why is choosing ‘clean’ skincare so important?
There’s a lot of marketing hype in the skincare market, and just because a brand labels themselves as natural or clean doesn’t mean it’s good for you or your skin. Our definition of ‘clean’ skincare is a product range that is healthy for you, your skin and the environment. We say no to nasty ingredients and with skin sensitivities on the rise, it’s more important than ever to cater to those with sensitive skin. As an affordable, Australian-made brand, we want to cut through the overwhelming confusion in the market as customers become increasingly more conscious of their purchasing power, demanding clean products with their dollar. It’s important to us that we offer a range that is pro healthy skin, anti toxicity and cuts through the BS.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Coming from a high-pressure environment, I now value a balanced lifestyle and generally begin my mornings at a slower pace. I love to meditate first thing and typically go for a walk along the beach, stopping along the way for my husband to grab a coffee. I get some life admin out of the way and check in on my emails while enjoying a tea and then it’s time to head into the office in Burleigh to see the A bit Hippy team! In the afternoon you’ll see me at the gym and I spend my evenings with my husband reading or catching up with friends dining out at our favourite restaurants on the Coast.
What is your most popular product?
Our most popular product has to be our Natural Deodorants, we have two kinds; Bergamot & Patchouli which are both free of aluminium, of course! Most deodorants on the market are made with aluminium which blocks your pores – we believe it belongs in building material, not in your sweat glands. Instead, we use Milk of Magnesia. A naturally occurring mineral that helps to control odour-causing bacteria without absorbing into your skin or clogging your sweat glands.
What is your own personal skincare routine?
My skin care routine varies throughout the year, but my current routine is to simply cleanse, moisturise and finish with a face oil, using my favourite A bit Hippy products. In the morning, I begin my day with a clean base using our Cleanser, following with the Face Cream. To nourish my skin ready for the day ahead, I massage in a few drops of our Face Oil, which contains 95% Rosehip Oil and 5% Vitamin C & E. Finally, no matter where you are in the world, SPF is a must! The A bit Hippy Anti Skin Irritation Sunscreen SPF 40 is ideal for everyday use. In the evening, I double cleanse using our Oil Cleanser to break down my makeup followed by the Cleanser. A few nights a week I like to exfoliate with our Exfoliating Powder and follow this with the Night Cream and Face Oil.
What does the future have in store for A bit Hippy products?
It’s an exciting time for A bit Hippy! We hope to expand our range with even more face products. Aside from that, we have big plans to further improve our processes, which includes reducing and reusing our waste. We strive to be as accessible as possible to customers who want to make healthy choices for their skin and the planet.
How do you recommend people celebrate World Vegan Day?
Look through your skincare and cosmetics collection and read through the ingredients list, you’ll likely find a plethora of non-vegan surprises. Some products and their ingredients may leave you with more questions than answers, which is when you know those products are no good for your skin or the planet.
Where can we get our hands on A bit Hippy products?
You can shop our range on our website, selected stockists or visit our Head Office in Burleigh Heads, we love to chat all things skincare and wellness!
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Commune in Burleigh is my favourite for a weekend breakfast.
Coffee Spot: I can’t go past our local Social Espresso Coffee Roasters on Fremantle Street, around the corner from the A bit Hippy office, great coffee and awesome staff!
Restaurant: Greenhouse Canteen all the way, vegan and delicious!
Bar or pub for a drink: Rosella’s – another Burleigh local, I love that they’re all about the Australiana theme, Australian alcohol only and unique cocktails.
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
I love to have a relaxed weekend, spending time in the sun on the beach, finishing my latest read and socialising with friends!
Okay so the vegan eats movement has totally blown up on the Gold Coast, and we’re loving the ever-increasing variety of restaurants proving that plant-based fare is anything but bland-as-bruh.
If you’re looking for a list of local nosheries that can convert even the most passionate meat and meat by-product enthusiast into a bona fide vegan fare fan, read on friends….
Kuan Yin Tea House
If you’re one of those peeps who thinks eating vegan is all about tasteless rubbery tofu, get yourself down to Kuan Yin Tea House immediately! The ultimate IYKYK, this place is fast becoming a local institution with some of the best vegan eats in our ‘hood. Serving the most insanely delicious Thai inspired vegan food, do yourself a flavour (not a typo) and order the BBQ Pork Fried Rice. Now open Monday to Sunday, see you there every day and twice on Sundays!
Where: 152 Scarborough Street, Southport
Greenhouse Canteen
One of the OG vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast, Greenhouse Canteen’s menu is as good as it gets. They’ve got a botanical bar so that you can order a selection of vegan cocktails, wine or beer and the space is always packed with good vibes. To eat, we’d go for the Jackfruit and Sour Cream Enchiladas or the Sweet n Sour Tofu Larb. Also, if you feel like eating at home, Greenhouse does takeaway and for a gastronomic gift, they even sell vouchers. Hint hint….
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Goodness Gracias
It’s vegan. It’s Mexican. And ‘nuff said #BetterTogether. An all-time vegan fave on the Gold Coast for many moons, Goodness Gracias serves up plant-based Mexican food in a vibrant Palm Beach space with mexcellent service to boot. Eat-in or takeaway and choose from delicious eats like burritos, tacos, nachos and plenty of tasty sides and salads. We’re regulars here, and it’s always top-notch nosh (say that after a few margis).
Where: 1114-1116 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Blendlove
Blendlove started with two gals just trying to make a difference to people’s health through plant-based food. Created with love, they blend only the finest ingredients to produce a collection of whole, nutritious treats that are vegan, and free from gluten, dairy, preservatives, artificial colours, and refined sugar. Basically free from everything….except flavour! A local fave, educating the GC that raw and whole foods can be a party in your mouth. An Insta-worthy one at that!
Where: 253 Ferry Road, Southport
Lord of the Fries
If there’s one thing we can get behind, it’s a fast-food venue made up primarily of potatoes. Well colour us happy because Lord of the Fries is precisely that. Finally fries that aren’t drowned in beef tallow and juiced up with gluten, aren’t cooked in cheap’n’nasty oil or smothered in watered down tomato sauce, and haven’t been sitting in a bain-marie since the beginning of time. Praise be! Slinging vegan fries a-plenty, Lord of the Fries is also serving up Veggie Burgers, Onion Rings, Vegetarian Nuggets and Vegetarian Hot Dogs. Plus, everything is kosher and Halal. Hallelujah!
Where: Paradise Centre, 8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Hidden Cherub
Tucked away in our much-loved Miami, you’ll find laneway bar/plant-based eats venue: The Hidden Cherub. Decked out with a sleek, industrial-esque look and greenery dripping from the walls, this warehouse style restaurant is a Vegan Vibe! While the drinks here are the main event (as they should be!), the 100% vegan packed food menu is filled with delicious share plates, burgers, tacos, salads and sides. In terms of burgers, get stuck into The Californian (just trust us) and sharesies some Sticky Buffalo Wings and Beef Tacos. Mouth-watering goodness at its best.
Where: 2/29 Lemana Lane, Miami
Cardamom Pod
Cardamon Pod at Southport Is a favourite amongst Gold Coasters (and influencers), offering both mouth-wateringly yum vegetarian and vegan choices. All about clean eating, the menu is lit with Insta-friendly, tastebud titillating nosh so good it’ll knock the socks off even the most discerning vegan diner. We recommend the Mumbai Wrap, Life is a Berry Peach Pancake, and the Snicker Acai Bowl because duh – Snickers. There’s also plenty of raw treats, organic coffee and gluten-free options too. All dishes are almost too pretty to eat….emphasis on ‘almost’.
Where: 3/3 Brolga Avenue, Southport
Easy House Vegetarian Restaurant
Okay it’s vegetarian, it’s vegan….and it’s YUM CHA! Nothing pleases our palette more, and the fact that this place has been around for yonks it a testament to its deliciousness. Whether you dine in or takeaway, Easy House will send your tastebuds into a tizz with the likes of Deep Fried Wontons, Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, and Pan Fried Shanghai Dumplings. Not a yum cha fan? No probs, there is also a vast array of traditional (but vegan/vego) fresh, flavour-packed Asian dishes and banquet options.
Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach
Doko Demo V
The Bali-vibing Doko Demo V 2.0 is even more amazing than the OG, and we are here for it! Offering an entirely vegan wholefoods-based menu, Doko Demo V is the work of Head Chef Jared Peck. Whether you’re seeking an uber tasty plant-based breakfast, lunch or dinner, this little gem is bursting with beautifully prepared dishes that are both healthy and of the eyes-are-bigger-than-your-belly variety. The Spicy Pepperoni Pizza goes down a treat, as does the No Beef Lasagne with garden salad, and the Unreal Scallopini. Wash your feed down with the Dokodemo cocktail because one must stay hydrated….
Where: 2 Sunlight Drive, Burleigh Waters
Izakaya Midori
Umm with ‘Midori’ in the title, this place immediately had our attention. A Reedy Creek based trove of plant-based Japanese food, Izakaya Midori is a winner winner vegan dinner. There are dishes like Spicy Lime Karagee, Japanese Curry Rice, Midori Ramen (not the booze just to clarify), and Smoked Edamame to name a few. You can also grab things to takeaway and the service is next level. Sold? Of course you are!
Where: 50 Woodland Drive, Reedy Creek
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Being a chocolatier doesn’t sound like a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it! Alicia Chapman is the local we all need to be friends with who “works” with chocolate everyday, at least since she founded her handcrafted and bespoke artisian chocolate business, Little Cocoa in 2018.
Based in Southport, Alicia supplies weddings, business events, dinner parties and to the public for Mother’s Day, gender reveals, Valentine’s Day or whatever your occasion. However you get your fix, the beautifully presented morsels of goodness are colourful and high-gloss, making an impressive gift… but of course, no judgement for treating yourself. We caught up with Alicia to chat all things chocolate.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve lived on the Gold Coast since primary school. After high-school I moved to Melbourne, then Germany and then back to the Gold Coast in 2018 to start my business, Little Cocoa.
What do you love most about living here?
The lifestyle and the scenery. It’s very laid back, you can have coffee’s by the beach which I love. It’s always great weather and the GC is just so beautiful.
Tell us about Little Cocoa.
Little Cocoa is an artisan chocolate business. We handcraft fine chocolate pralines, dragees, bars and more as unique, personalised gifts and indulgences.
Have you always wanted to be a chocolatier?
I was working as a pastry chef for a Melbourne chocolate company which first peaked my interest in chocolate. I then discovered an amazing bean-to-bar chocolate business in Germany. Once I saw and tasted the incredible chocolates they were making, I realised I needed to be a part of it.
What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge for Little Cocoa to date?
The hardest part would definitely be the business side of things. I’m a creative and in my past jobs I have always worked behind the scenes, so the marketing and sales are certainly new to me but I enjoy the challenge.
What’s the most popular chocolate in your range?
Everybody loves our gift boxes of chocolate pralines. It’s our signature product and they’re really beautiful to look at. The 12 piece has 5 delicious flavours – salted caramel, raspberry & white chocolate, blackcurrant gelee, milk hazelnut & a dark LiChu ganache.
Tell us about your newly released vegan chocolate range.
We quickly realised that we need to offer chocolates that everyone can enjoy, whether it’s by lifestyle choice or dietary restrictions or allergies. We often get asked about vegan chocolates and we have been making them on the side at customers requests. We decided to launch them to coincide with World Chocolate Day!
What is the process of creating your chocolate for Little Cocoa?
I take a high-quality Belgian couveture chocolate, melt and then temper it. Then it gets poured into our moulds, the fillings are piped in by hand and then covered with a chocolate base. Once set, I can tap them out of the moulds! It’s a lengthy process but certainly worth the effort.
Where can we find your Little Cocoa’s chocolates?
You can find all of our products on our website at www.littlecocoa.com.au or come in and visit us at our commercial kitchen in Southport.
Let us in on a secret, what future plans can you reveal are in place for Little Cocoa?
Our long term goal is to be making our own bean-to-bar chocolate where we buy the dried cocoa beans, then roast, winnow and grind it into our own signature chocolate.
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Restaurant for dinner: Iku Yakitori Bar
Bar or pub for a drink: The Cambus Wallace
Café for breakfast: Paddock Bakery
Coffee spot: Caffeine Kings
How does your weekend usually look: In the kitchen!
Nobby’s is one of the Gold Coast’s most loved good-time spots but over the last few weeks (months, years etc.), there has been A LOT going on. Exceptional new venues are popping up left, right and centre with more to come and originals we absolutely love, closing their doors for good (sad face). A lot see.
The latest news coming out of the little beachside beauty is very exciting indeed friends and it is that of i like ramen’s return to our shores. As you’re no doubt aware, the vegan ramen slinging lads made the move to Brissy a little while ago, after setting up shop at Miami’s The LC (now closed) and a weekly stint at Bine, also in Nobby’s.
But now THEY’RE BACK and they’re never leaving again (or else).
The crew, led by Bobby and Dom, have moved into the downstairs space on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Wave Street and underneath sweet, new surf store Surfboard Empire. Which is the perfect pairing honestly!
Now as you’d expect, the space is quite a treat with windows opening out onto the street down one side, an-industrial-style interior complete with low hanging lights made from planks of wood and a chalkboard on which you may write messages of love and noodle appreciation.
A bar at the back boasts a stunning black rendered bench by RENDER X but the pièce de résistance is (without a doubt) the bright yellow trike at the front door and if you ask nicely, the team might just let you take it for a spin (don’t tell them we said that though).
Let’s talk food and if you haven’t had the pleasure of sampling i like ramen’s goodies, get onto that right now. The menu is made up of plates and bowls, it’s all vegan and it’s all VERY GOOD.
Plates along the lines Panko Mushrooms (love you), Kimchi Potatoes (love you too), Sticky Eggplant, Garlic Soy Asian Greens and Holy Duck Baos are absolute flavour sensations and look, we’ll be spending a lot of time there from now on.
The Kimchi Ramen is a firm favourite with ramen noodles served in a spicy kimchi broth, loaded with kimchi perfection and fried tofu and topped with chopped spring onions, fresh sprouts, fried shallots, roasted seaweed, chilli threads and sesame. Too good.
There are also Mean Green, Mushroom Ramen, Chick’n White Miso Ramen and Loaded Bowls and we recommend eating one every single day forever.
Come summer time (next week), the team will be serving up salads and cold noodle bowls because it’s quite clearly going to be the hottest one we’ve ever experienced.
Drinks wise there are several Japanese whiskies on offer and we really love Japanese whisky. There are also mouthwatering cocktails – we were big fans of the Umeshu Spritz with Choya plum liqueur, Prosecco and soda – and an impressive beer and wine list too.
So all your (our) favourite things.
Not only all of that, there are some exciting events in the works, so even more reason to go spend time there. How good.
Welcome home I like ramen, we missed you.
LOCATION: 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach
HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am until late
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
