Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i ELLE Australia

…but nothing happens,” sang Ben Lee way back in what we used to consider a pretty cynical time. The recession had the youth of the ’90s (I was one) feeling hopeless about their futures, the spectre of AIDS had everyone feeling paranoid and complicated about sex in a way our free-loving, baby-boomer parents could never understand, grunge gave a sound and a wardrobe to the chic mood of disaffection and despondency, and everyone walked around channelling Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites. But that looks like an age of innocence compared to what we’re living now, where our problem isn’t so much that nothing happens, but that way too much happens. As far as ’90s lyrics go, Jesus Jones’ musing that “it seemed the world could change at the blink of an eye” was perhaps…

“OUR GIRL IS CONFIDENT, SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS AND SHE’S NOT AFRAID TO DRESS HOW SHE FEELS” IT WAS A VINTAGE SCARF UNEARTHED IN A HIDDEN-AWAY STORE in the village of Bellagio on Lake Como last summer that sent creative sparks flying for designers Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote. Fast-forward to Paris and Fashion Week earlier this year and the resulting floral print had worked its way into soft jumpsuits, ruffled dresses and mini-skirts making up the FW18 collection for their label SIR. Upon first inspection, the fashion director of Barneys was placing an order for five stores, and by the end of the week SIR had increased in sales by 127 per cent. Such is the appeal of the four-year-old brand, which has gained a cult following through a savvy backdoor…

Regardless of how AI makes you feel – excited or anxious – about the future, we’ve only just scratched the surface of its ability to streamline our lives.  With so much more AI landscape to explore, developers are quickly creating the next wave of products and features that will further unlock its potential. Here’s how... THE SMART PHONE Until recently, phones and data systems weren’t designed for AI. But new architecture is set to revolutionise the way we interact with our devices. “AI makes smart phones quick, intelligent and adaptive, as well as able to understand and respond to real-world situations,” says Steve Lai, senior director of product marketing for Huawei Consumer Business Group. Their latest phones come with Kirin AI processors, which can translate text (offline) and extend battery life by automatically closing apps…

The era of the ambitious side hustle is over, so write your next big idea on a  piece of paper and set it alight using one of the candles you made and intended to sell on Etsy (but never got around to because you were far too busy with your day job). It’s time for a new approach to the 2.0 income stream, so you don’t get left behind while your clued-in mates head off on yet another weekender – bankrolled by their Bitcoin stash – without you. Read on. INVEST IN YOURSELF Canna Campbell, financial expert and author of The $1000 Project, suggests saving up $1,000 “parcels” (don’t worry, just one parcel is fine to start with) and then doing something to improve your financial health, such as paying…

BEAUTY NOTE Boost the definition of natural texture by wrapping sections of hair around a curling tong, then gently finger-combing to keep curls soft. Try The Curling Wand, $335, CLOUD NINE, cloudninehair.com.au…

Modelling was tough before, when making it in the industry required a combination of uncommon genetics, a strong hips-forward strut, charisma and luck. But it’s even tougher now. On top of all that, an elite model must also be a brand, entrepreneur,  philanthropist, social-justice advocate, role model, social-media influencer and, ideally, part of an industry dynasty – a  Hadid, a Kardashian, the next Cindy Crawford. The number of models currently on that roster? Thirty-five maybe. Fifty at most. And suddenly, Australian model Victoria Lee finds herself rising in the ranks, having made a career-defining walk on the Victoria’s Secret runway and scoring a David Jones ambassadorship that puts her in the league of Miranda Kerr. Except, it’s never suddenly. In Lee’s case, it took 10 years of hard work and hustle, which started…

DENIM IS THE OPRAH OF FABRICS: revered by all, super-supportive and something we can’t imagine a time without. And, just like Oprah has expanded into production, movies and, hopefully, eventually leading the Free World, denim has also diversified. 2018 is about voluminous denim trousers, kimono-style wrap jackets, coordinating suits and patchwork that’s anything but bohemian. Every style of denim is getting an upgrade, but if you’re still stuck on finding The One (your perfect pair of just-right jeans), it’s sure to be in the pages ahead as well. THE COOL MUST-HAVE: A TWO-PIECE Once in a while you buy something that completely revolutionises your wardrobe. We guarantee this will be one of those circumstances. See, the denim two-piece is a dress-code redefining outfit. Sunday brunch? It works. Friday night concert? Of course.…

Q. I’m looking for those perfect vintage-style “mom” jeans but I hate vintage shopping. What do you recommend? A. Ahh, the elusive perfect-fit vintage jeans. They do exist, but boy are they hard to find. Luckily, many brands are now re-creating the original look of “mom” jeans to make the search easier. Sportsgirl has released a  very-nearly-vintage pair in true deep blue. Or look to the OG: Levi’s. The 501s are still as classic as ever, or you can slightly update the look by opting for a cropped pair with eyelet detailing. What both styles have in common is a fit that’s tight at the waist, straight on the legs and tapered from the knee down. Jane Birkin would approve. Q: Are skinny jeans really over? I have a huge collection…

So said New York fashion icon Barbara Flood. As a search term, her date of birth must be one of few that stump Google, but counting on from her days modelling for Oscar De La Renta, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan, let’s say she’s somewhere in her seventies – flame-haired, silk- and feather-wearing, glitter-shod. “If you say, ‘I’m 65’ or ‘94’, people calculate the time,” she added. “They immediately think, ‘Oh, senior citizen.’” Or they did. The popular perception of older people, women especially, is changing and catching up with the fact that a grey perm, elasticated waist, cats and gin are no longer the universal hallmarks of age. “The broad stereotype used to fit the majority,” says Hal Kendig, emeritus professor in demography at the Australian National University. “There…

“Now you’ve pissed off grandma” read the hand-painted sign belonging to a Pussyhatted, grey-parka’d septuagenarian marching on Washington last year. One of five million campaigners who turned up worldwide for the inaugural Women’s March, she typified the older woman activist: informed, educated, engaged, motivated, angry and on Instagram. “Still fighting at 100” other placards read, and, “ Ninety, nasty and not giving up”. “We are challenging the ‘decline narrative’ that everything is downhill after age 40,” says Dr May Chazan, a Canadian gender and feminism professor and one of the few academics researching the rising influence of older women in public affairs. “Much of the writing on social movements and activisms is based on the assumption that [it’s] the domain of youth or famous people. We are telling the stories of women over…

NO-ONE BUT YOU CAN HOLD YOU BACK. So step out, be courageous and true to your values. Make sure that whatever you do has a positive impact on people and our planet. Enriching yourself is perfectly fine, as long as it’s not at the expense of anyone else, or harmful to anything. I have no regrets about a single way my journey has evolved. But if I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to trust my instincts and be braver in some of my choices. My resilience, determination and capacity to take action have been critical to my professional success, as well as surrounding myself with extraordinary people who continue to make me look good! – RONNI KAHN THE FOUNDER OF OZHARVEST, A CHARITY THAT DISTRIBUTES SURPLUS RESTAURANT FOOD TO PEOPLE IN…

“I GOT A FLIP PHONE [THAT] BARELY TEXTS. PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU’RE HAVING A TEXT ARGUMENT WITH YOUR HUSBAND, IT’S [REALLY] SLOW.” – ZADIE SMITH Recently, I took a two-week sabbatical from Instagram. An Insta-fast, if you will. It was during Paris Fashion Week, amid the incessant slew of Zoolander-meets-The Truman Show Instagram Stories, that I realised I needed a break from blink-and-you-miss-it visuals. Over the previous five years, the longest I’d ever spent off Instagram was two days. Before I went freelance in January, the thought would have filled me with horror. Going off the photo grid meant digital suicide. And then I quit, for a bit, right in the thick of it. What a shoddy fashion journalist I  must be, to press that little wobbly “x” by the Instagram…

Whether it’s feverishly scrolling to the 73-week-plus danger zone on an ex’s new girlfriend’s Instagram, or indulging in a cigarette over wine come 6pm Friday, persisting with something despite knowing the risks defies logic. But unlike the former, the detriment of a  stress-busting cigarette extends far past an acute case of RSI. Since a full-blown anti-smoking campaign began in the early ’90s, the number of smokers has been on a  consistent decline,  but a  triennial survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found the number of smokers stalled in the three years between 2013 and 2016, and in the last quarter of 2017,  cigarette consumption increased by 2.6 per cent. Our healthy, outdoorsy image is, pardon the pun, smoke and mirrors:  Australia’s smoking rate is higher than that of the US and now…

Mash them, clash them and layer them – checks will always put you in a winning position…

Scan the ingredients list of any skincare product and you’ll likely see water (or aqua) near the top — chemists have long used it as a solvent to help actives properly dissolve. But despite water being around since literally the beginning of time, it’s recently become the hot new star of skincare formulas. But why? “Sensitive skin seems to be flaring up everywhere, and one of the main causes of skin sensitivity is dehydration,” says Emma Hobson, educational manager for Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute. Thanks to harsh climates and intense product regimens, our skin is really, really thirsty,  and lacklustre because of it. “Water is essential to the health of skin; it affects everything from plumpness to the look of fine lines and wrinkles and overall skin radiance,” says Vicki Tsai,…

Q. I get a probiotic fix in my morning smoothie – do I really need to add them to my skincare regimen, too? A. A few years ago, no-one gave much thought to their gut, let alone the bacteria in it. But now it’s hard to order a  coffee at a cafe without noticing yet another kombucha brand promising inner peace. While probiotics can feel like a  fad, the science supporting healthy bacteria is sound – and just as your gut has a unique microflora that needs nurturing, so does your skin. On top of the epidermis sits a layer of micro-organisms called the “microbiome”, which helps support healthy cell function, fights eczema and acne (conditions caused by inflammation), and generally keeps skin happy. But it’s thought our obsession with being squeaky-clean…

If you think your locks are too fine for conditioner (according to a  recent study, almost 40 per cent of Australians skip the second – and essential – step in their lathering regimen), like a contestant on The Bachelor, you probably just haven’t found The One. The latest formulas are designed to nourish, hydrate and detangle, without adding any style-deflating weight. “A lot of people, even when they use conditioner, aren’t using enough,”  says Sydney-based hairstylist Remington Schulz. “They’re scared to apply it any higher than just the ends, so the scalp gets cleaned by shampoo but never cared for.” Fresh and light formulas mean you get all the benefits of the ingredients, without any style-killing sacrifices. Just like a facial oil applied to the skin actually regulates your natural flow of oils, the right conditioner, taken all the…

The latest from mega stylist Jen Atkin will solve all your static-hair dilemmas. Run an Anti-Frizz Sheet down lengths of hair to instantly smooth flyaways and tame frizz while refreshing with Ouai’s chic signature scent. It’s like an individually packaged, perfectly portioned dose of hair oil, sans any mess. Another helpful wipe? Yuni Beauty’s Shower Sheets, which are destined to become a  gym-tote and carry-on essential. The oversized, pre-moistened wipes cover way more real estate than a regular face wipe, and leave a refreshing (and naturally antibacterial) citrus and peppermint scent behind.…

HOLIDAY STATE OF MIND ALMIRA ARMSTRONG FOUNDER OF LUMIRA I dreamt up Tuscan Fig Perfume Oil after travelling through Tuscany with my husband, and it’s been my go-to ever since. We took the trip without our kids, so it was a really romantic, restful experience, and I translated that into the sentiment of the scent. It has an earthiness reminiscent of hot days and balmy nights. It’s one of those fragrances that revitalises your energy. Now I’m back in the full swing of work and mum life, it takes me out of the daily grind and back to that place, if even for a moment. Fragrance, to me, is about evoking a  memory or emotion – it’s more than just wearing a lovely scent. Perfume is a big part of…

LOVINGLY CONVERTING A CHURCH from the 1880s into a sweet family space that’s both warm and stylish is no mean feat. But that’s what French-born Elise Pioch Chappell, her husband Pablo and daughter Loulou did with this unique home, located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, just an hour out of Sydney. The family spent nearly a decade turning the compact country chapel into their perfect oasis in the bush, with a bathtub that sits behind a huge dining table and giant windows overlooking the gumtrees and rolling hills outside. “The green of the surrounding nature is my favourite colour,” Elise says. “It’s why we chose to paint the entire inside of the church a very pale grey – it’s a colour that’s similar to the bark of the…

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TAURUS apr 21 – may 21 TAKE A DEEP BREATH, BECAUSE YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO UNDERGO A BIG TRANSFORMATION. MOST OF THE MONTH’S COSMIC ACTION BUILDS UP TO THE NEW MOON IN TAURUS ON MAY 16. THIS LUNATION IS ALL ABOUT YOU, PARTICULARLY YOUR PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS. WITH URANUS ENTERING TAURUS AND MARS VISITING AQUARIUS ON THE SAME DAY, YOU CAN EXPECT CAREER GOALS TO COME INTO PLAY, TOO. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU RECEIVE A  WAKE-UP CALL ABOUT THE NEED TO STRATEGICALLY ALIGN YOUR DAILY HABITS TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM PLANS. GEMINI MAY 22 – JUN 21 You may find yourself outgrowing certain social circles as your ruling planet, Mercury, rumbles with Pluto, Mars and Uranus on May 8, 13 and 14. You could feel unclear about exactly where you stand, and like people don’t…

E JEAN CARROLL @EJEANCARROLL1 Our US-based advice columnist (see p166) has also been a contributing editor for Esquire, a writer for Saturday Night Live and says she’s enjoyed “the normal amount” of husbands On my playlist: I just got home from a road trip and listened to only female singers. Aretha! Beyoncé! Adele! Tina! Missy! Madonna! Lady Gaga! Janis! Britney! Nicki! Iggy! I danced so much in my seat I was exhausted when I pulled into a motel each night. On my reading list: Right now, I’m into PG Wodehouse and the Marquis de Sade. And every day I read the old and new testament of Jane Austen. On my to-do list: I don’t do to-do lists. I love doing nothing. Only when I’m doing nothing can I really enjoy…

This spring, The Museum at New York’s FIT (the design school that turned out the likes of Calvin Klein) opens Pink:  The History Of A Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color. The exhibition aims to challenge perceptions of what’s long been considered a “girlie” hue and show it can be just as fierce as it is feminine (see: pink Pussyhats). It’s a message in step with the runways right now with designers taking the subversive checks of the punk-rock rebellion and doing them over in prettier tones that threaten to pack more punch than their red-and-black tartan counterparts ever did. In 2018, the spirit of uprising that defined the ’70s and gave rise to the punk movement – rallying against oppression, challenging social attitudes – is gaining steam. But this time around it’s…

Buckets, strings, spheres and animals: the new It-bags are arty, quirky and anything but boring. In a bid to find the tiniest, cutest, rarest pieces, street-style heavyweights are looking to proven iconoclasts like Chanel and Loewe or up-and-coming labels for their fix. LA-based Staud has found a cult following with its Grace pouch (top right), London label Shrimps’ pearl-encrusted tote (below right) is a new favourite and Danse Lente’s Mini Johnny bucket bag (bottom left) is a waitlist dream. Pair with voluminous outerwear for an installation-worthy mix of shape and size.…

TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL BY COURTNEY BARNETT Grammy-nominated Barnett is following up her much-lauded debut album Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I  Just Sit with the highly anticipated Tell Me How You Really Feel. But we’ll have to wait a while until the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter is back on our shores – she’s taking her singular sound on a massive tour of the US, UK and Europe until later this year. Out May 18 LOST FRIENDS BY MIDDLE KIDS As with the already-dropped singles “Never Start” and “Edge Of Town”, the debut album from this Sydney trio (made up of couple Hannah Joy and Tim Fitz, along with Harry Day) is full of heart and  vulnerability, served with bona-fide optimism. If you don feel something while listening (especially to the…

BOOK OF THE MONTH FLAMES BY ROBBIE ARNOTT Charlotte flees for her life after learning her brother Levi has started building her coffin. His reasoning? The women in their family return incarnate – each in precarious and unexpected ways – after being cremated. But Charlotte is adamant she won’t be buried, and will instead follow in the footsteps of the women who came before her. This debut from author Robbie Arnott is being touted as one of the breakout Australian novels of the year. Flames ($29.99, Text Publishing) is out May 1 BACK TALK BY DANIELLE LAZARIN An exploration of the ways women are permitted to express their desires, this bold collection of stories from award-winning NYC author Danielle Lazarin is full of empowered females who’ll inspire you to live more audaciously. $19.99,…

Girl drops out of university to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Moves to Hollywood at 18 and lives on her savings in a  run-down apartment bathed in the red and blue glow of police lights at night. Audition after audition, until one day she lands the part of “Cashier” in a short film directed by Rachel Weisz and – roll montage – she is being lauded at Cannes. Variety names her one to watch. Jennifer Aniston calls, wanting her for the lead. Standing ovation at Sundance, Golden Globes, credits play. It’s a terrible Lifetime movie. Or the amazing real life of Danielle Macdonald, the Sydney-born actress who’s gone from obscurity to suddenly everywhere following a breakout performance in the independent film Patti Cake$ last year. Now 26, Macdonald…

They say butterfly is the hardest swimming stroke to master. Fighting against your body’s natural urge to straighten up and fly right, as it were, the butterfly swimmer must propel their body forward in a  sort of shuddering, stop-start motion – but with great speed – and, on top of that, achieve the near impossible: make it look good. So when I ask Katherine Langford, a former high-school champion swimmer, what her best stroke was, I’m not at all surprised to hear the answer. “Oh, butterfly,” she says. Of course. It makes sense that someone who possesses both Langford’s God-given talents and preternatural drive would excel at what is literally the hardest way to slice through water. Because Langford is as ambitious and determined to achieve as, well, a  caterpillar emerging from…

CONTRAST STITCHING Whether it’s crisp white, bright red or bold black, when it comes to stitching, opt for a colour that’s the stark opposite of your base tone. WEAR WITH: A ribbed, striped knit in shades that complement the stitching. STATEMENT PANELS Light denim feels less “weekend” when patched up with darker squares. WEAR WITH: A black cashmere knit. CUFFED HEMS From casually rolled up to overtly oversized, cuffs up the cool factor of blue jeans. WEAR WITH: Slouchy striped shirting tucked in and a pair of mules.   PASTEL PINK Shift one shade over from millennial pink and you have a dusty, peachy, pinky hybrid that is surprisingly neutral. WEAR WITH: All the grey, blue, white and cream blouses and tees in your wardrobe. EASY-DOES-IT DRESS In any colour…

A CROPPED DENIM JACKET The versatile piece can be worn over a silk gown or oversized hoodie with equal ease. LOOK FOR: A hem that ends at belly-button level. KNEE-LENGTH SHORTS They’re more refined than Daisy Dukes but less serious than culottes. LOOK FOR: A dark wash to avoid schoolkid connotations. A KIMONO-STYLE WRAP It’s more relaxed than a  boxy jacket and can be worn done up for a  blouse effect. LOOK FOR: A thick sash and pockets (always look for pockets). A PANELLED MINI Chicer than its frayed skirt sister, the mini  gets an update with panel details. LOOK FOR: A mix of deep and vintage-wash blue. STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS If they were in another fabric, they’d be the perfectly shaped trouser. LOOK FOR: A high-rise waist for optimal tucking opportunities. WEEKEND SLIDES Extend the life of…

THE NEW RAISON D’ÊTRE FORGET HYGGE AND LAGOM; WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSATLANTIC ASPIRATIONAL LIVING, IT’S NOW ALL ABOUT JAPAN’S IKIGAI. PRONOUNCED ICK-EE-GUY, THE TERM MEANS “A REASON FOR BEING” AND IS THE SUPPOSED SOURCE OF JAPANESE PEOPLE’S LONG LIFE. SO, HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR IKIGAI, YOUR PURPOSE FOR LIVING? “IN JAPANESE CULTURE, THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON THE VALUES OF CHILDHOOD,” SAYS KEN MOGI, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BOOK OF IKIGAI. “THE APPRECIATION OF THE VALUES OF BEING YOUNG HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO EXCELLENT ANIME, MANGA AND GAME WORKS. IN JAPAN, THE KNACK OF BEAUTIFUL AGEING IS EQUATED WITH KEEPING YOUR INNER CHILD ALIVE. THAT IS THE GREAT SECRET OF THE JAPANESE CULTURE.” HERE, MOGI EXPLAINS THE FIVE PILLARS OF IKIGAI AND HOW YOU CAN FIND YOURS. PILLAR…

When Rita Moreno, the first woman and one of only 12 people in history to have won EGOT (an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), stepped onto the Academy Awards red carpet this year, she wasn’t just re-wearing the same dress she wore to accept her 1962 Oscar for West Side Story at age 30. The octogenarian singer, dancer and actress had sliced through the modest neckline, added opera gloves, a  Cleopatra collar necklace, jumbo-sized earrings and a turban. As thrifty as repurposing a 56-year-old dress from the wardrobe was, it was the statement about age fluidity in fashion that resonated. The message: what you wear no longer shows your birthdate. And it was reiterated by seasoned actresses Viola Davis, Meryl Streep and Allison Janney, whose colour palette of choice ranged from fire-engine…

“IT FEELS GOOD TO THINK A NEW GENERATION OF GIRLS MIGHT NOT HAVE TO EXCUSE THEIR MOST INCREDIBLE SUPERPOWER” In Norway, where we’re from, the female genitals are often referred to as the “mouse”. It’s generally considered a rude term, but for some reason, we’ve developed an affection for it. Among friends, it sometimes gets called “disco mouse”, to describe what happens down there when you’ve been out dancing all night (more on that later). The word conjures up a happy little creature. And, much like a real mouse, it’s both cute and terrifying – and sometimes it needs to be petted. “Mouse” may sound absurd, but in truth, every language has its euphemisms for the female genitalia, such as “pussy”, “cookie jar”, “flower”, “vag” and “snatch”. The last is…

Though I’m not religious, for the past few years I’ve tried to observe a “tech sabbath”, in which I – and, when I can get them to agree, my family — spend a whole day, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, away from electronic devices. (There are exceptions: we’re allowed to consult the maps app on a phone, text a friend to arrange a face-to-face meet-up or enjoy a movie at home if the family is watching.) This tradition was inspired by Judith Shulevitz’s book The Sabbath World, in which she suggests a day disconnected from production, consumption and constant connectedness can play a meaningful role in even secular lives. But the main impetus was the recognition of how depleted I felt at the end of a working…

IDENTIFY YOUR TRIGGERS “And develop strategies to cope with them. If you smoke with [a  drink], try to reduce or give up your intake, or drink in smoke-free areas. It often helps to have no alcohol in the early weeks.” BOOST YOUR MOOD “If cigarettes are being used to self-medicate anxiety and dysphoric mood, these disorders need to be addressed. Commonly used strategies include relaxation techniques, meditation and exercise.” ONE OUT, ALL OUT “Encourage a smoking partner or friend to quit.” AVOID TEMPTATION “I recommend people follow the ‘not-a-puff’ rule.” Yes, that means not even one drag. IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T  SUCCEED… “If past attempts haven’t worked, try something different. Don’t just keep doing the same thing and failing every time. Talk to your GP, pharmacist or ring Quitline.”…

WHAT IT IS: Radio frequencies are applied to the skin to heat it up and encourage regeneration, plumping and tightening, all in a 30-minute package. It targets areas from under the eye to the jawbone, and then down to the neck. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE: It’s about the same level of heat as a hot stone massage. Though you might get warned of possible short-term pinkness and dissipating heat, the treatment doesn’t cause any discernible discomfort. THE VERDICT: There’s an instant smoothing and plumping effect after one treatment, but you’ll need about four to five for the firming and definition to kick in (and inspire compliments like, “You look so refreshed”). While it takes dedication (10 treatments, once or twice a week, are recommended for optimal results), there is zero downtime, so you can do it in your lunch hour without anyone knowing you’ve been…

In movies about a woman trying to get pregnant, there’s always that scene in which the protagonist looks around and sees nothing but infants in strollers, swollen bellies and signs advertising schools for toddlers. I have a similar obsessive streak, but in my movie, I’d be faced with a sea of Rihannas, Cate Blanchetts, Pharrells — flawless visage after flawless visage. I’d stroke my own imperfect cheek and weep. My skin problems began in puberty with a case of cystic acne that haunted me right up until last year, at age 25. (Aczone, my friends: ask your doctor about it.) Even though I’ve now got my blemishes and pimples more or less under control, I’ve been left with enlarged pores and scars around my cheeks and mouth. For this, I’ve…

Yes, your mum will always be happy with a bouquet of freshies on Mother’s Day, but if you want to really knock it out of the park, slip her a version that doesn’t send the vase water stinky before the week is out. These rosy buys are the gifts that keep on giving. Wrap them in pretty paper and tie them to a bunch for optimal “best child” points, or gift them to yourself to sprinkle a little of the sweet, floral scent into your own day. It’s called “self-care”.…

1. LOCO COCO Usually, products bearing the name of the tropical fruit/nut/ seed smell like the candified version of an island cocktail. But this nourishing, buttery moisturiser has the eau of a  real, freshly cracked coconut. It’s all the joy (and fragrance) of your fave coconut oil, in an easily absorbed, creamy formula. 2. FOR ALL SEASONS This clever, lightweight hair moisturiser softens and strengthens without ever feeling like there’s anything on your hair. Rub it through ends, wet or dry, to nix the frustrations of weather-induced frizz, too. 3. SPACED OUT Insert a cloth mask (they come in both a day and a night variant) into the device and infuse the active ingredients for a 90-second treatment using temperature and pulsing, plus red, green and blue LED – all in…

…TIME YOU FELT REALLY HAPPY? Every day being a mum [to sons Sean Preston and Jayden James]. It’s the best job! …THING YOU BOUGHT WITH CASH? Iced coffee and snacks for the boys. …THING YOU DID BEFORE LEAVING HOME TODAY? Stretch. …SKINCARE PRODUCT YOU USED? Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules. …PHOTO YOU TOOK ON YOUR PHONE? One of my boys.   …PARTY YOU WENT TO? At my friend Cade’s house, for his birthday. …INVESTMENT PIECE YOU PURCHASED? A watch. ...PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU BOUGHT? A pair of booties by Christian Louboutin. …VACATION YOU TOOK? At a private resort in Hawaii. I love the ocean. …TIME YOU CRIED? Happy tears, the day my son [Sean] Preston was born. …ROMANTIC NIGHT YOU HAD? At a basketball game with my love [Sam Asghari,…

Fashion has a funny habit of transforming our everyday things into need-it-now pieces. Latest instalment: the laundry bag. Acne Studios’ version combines an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink size with retro-vacation stripes, all wrapped up in the satisfying sound of crumpling laminate. Team it with tonal, polished tailoring for a look that’s more luxe than laundromat.…

A fresh colour combination has the power to catapult you into a  sunny mood. This season’s best parings? Coral with turquoise, fern green with orange, and red with anything. Swap floaty shapes for tailored trousers, blazers and structured blouses to really sharpen up your Crayola colours.…

MY FIRST ROLE WAS AS MARY IN MY PRIMARY-SCHOOL NATIVITY. I  always felt comfortable performing. It was my thing – to be loud, noisy and on stage. WITH LADY MACBETH, EVERYBODY KNEW THEY WERE IN FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. The budget was tiny, meaning no-one was doing it for a  massive pay cheque but because they felt something was powerful in the script. WHEN I’M CHOOSING A ROLE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE CHARACTER I’M PLAYING. She has to impact people, she has to have something to say. Female actors are fed up with fluffy roles without context. In Fighting With My Family [out later this year], I play an aspiring female wrestler from a small wrestling family in Norwich [England] who becomes a superstar. I  had an amazing experience learning how to wrestle. And I recently…

ARCHIBALD, WYNNE AND SULMAN PRIZES, SYDNEY One of our most prestigious art awards, the Archibald will again be hugely buzzy (not to mention highly ’grammed). TAKE: A little one (and ask for their art critique instead). May 12-September 9; artgallery.nsw.gov.au VIVID SYDNEY With a music program that includes Solange, St Vincent, Cat Power and Vera Blue, it’ll be harder than ever to look away when the harbour city lights up from the end of the month. TAKE: Your mates from out of town. May 25-June 16; vividsydney.com WILD, MELBOURNE This darkly comic spin on the Edward Snowden saga is set to be one of the year’s most talked about productions. TAKE: Your most political friend. May 5-June 9; mtc.com.au THE MERRY WIDOW, SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND CANBERRA The Australian Ballet brings a touch…

“People think life changes overnight when you become famous. That’s not quite true. It’s more gradual than that, but life definitely changes. People recognise you in the street. You get invited to fancy parties. And you get offered more films. You’d think that being part of a film like Slumdog [which won Oscars for best picture, director and adapted screenplay, among others, in 2009] would put me in this amazing position – everything would be handed to me on a platter. Wrong! I started at the top, but I had zero experience, zero contacts. I knew nothing about the film industry. Before Slumdog, I was a model and a travel TV host. After Slumdog, I was getting film offers almost daily. They weren’t the roles I wanted, but I felt like…

A white T-shirt and jeans wouldn’t ordinarily qualify as a statement ensemble. But if you’re Amy Shark, performing a quadruple-platinum single in front of the million-strong audience of The Late Late Show With James Corden, taking to the stage in dressed-down denim and jersey says everything. In the space of two years, the Australian indie artist, born Amy Billings, has achieved worldwide acclaim, but remains wholly unaffected by the breakneck speed of her rise. “I just want to be as honest as possible and be known as a real person, a down-to-earth human being, putting out the best music I can,” she says. While the 31-year-old started 2016 as an unsigned artist sharing self-made demos on YouTube, she’s been on a stellar rise ever since. Not only did she score…

It was never going to be netball for Darcy Vescio. “I got told off for punching the ball,” says the 24-year-old, describing her brief, not-so-successful spell as wing defence for the Wangaratta High School U15s. “You’re not allowed to do that, but I was pretty rough!” The so-called girls’ sport was second choice anyway. First was football. With natural talent and no other option in her tiny Victorian home town, Vescio played in a boys’ AFL league until age 14, at which point she was invited to stop. “At the time, I remember just accepting it,” she recalls. “It was like that for every other girl I knew – footy was awesome, but you could only play it for so long. If you’ve only known things to be a certain…

KOWTOW This New Zealand label prides itself on ethical and sustainable everything. The cotton used is also fairtrade and organically farmed, with the crops rain-fed and handpicked to benefit the soil. REFORMATION The production of the Californian cult brand’s jeans uses 88 per cent less water than a typical pair. They’re also insanely cute. BLANK NYC Exclusive to Myer, the 11-year-old New York label is known for three cult jeans styles – skinny, baggy and straight – not to mention its vegan leather accessories. OUTLAND DENIM The label’s jeans are crafted in its Cambodian production facility, which trains women rescued from human trafficking and sexual exploitation.…

BEIJING’S DANCING GRANNIES As a way to keep fit and socialise, retired women in Beijing take to the city’s parks and break into synchronised dance routines set to loud music. It seems to be working: the UN says that by 2030, there will be 360 million Chinese people over 60. THE PIOPPI DIET Originating from a tiny fishing village in southern Italy often cited as the healthiest in the world, the 21-day Pioppi Diet (consisting of fish, nuts, no sugars or refined carbs, and a small glass of wine a day) was the subject of a bestselling wellness book. Pioppi residents have a life expectancy of 89. TINDER FOR OVER-FIFTIES Google “Tinder for seniors” and up comes Stitch. A “companionship” app with the tagline “Because everybody needs company”, it aims to…

I’M CONSTANTLY ASKED FOR STYLE ADVICE. I hate to give guidelines because what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. But here’s what I believe: the worst fashion faux pas is looking in the mirror and seeing somebody else. YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN FIND YOUR OWN STYLE. If I tell you what to do, it’s not your style anymore. It’s mine. Your style has to come from you. Style cannot be bought or learnt – it’s in your DNA. You can get help to bring it out; you can learn how to be better dressed. But in the end, style is inherent. A personal shopper or stylist can’t give it to you, either. STYLE IS ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE. It’s not about wearing expensive clothes.…

MONOLOGUE YEARS Eve Ensler’s play The Vagina Monologues premiered in 1996 and inspired V-Day: a movement to end violence against women. VAGINAGATE US politician Lisa Brown was banned from addressing parliament in 2012 for saying “vagina” in an abortion debate. PUSSY GRABS BACK In 2016, a tape emerged of Donald Trump saying women let him “grab them by the pussy”. It inspired Pussyhats at the Women’s March and the phrase “Pussy grabs back”. NO PANTS ALLOWED In 2016, Cara Delevingne modelled (pantless) for Lady Garden to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer. Naomi Campbell joined her in 2017. IN THE PINK Last month, Janelle Monáe dropped the video clip for “Pynk”, in which she wears pants that bear more than a  passing resemblance to a vagina.…

TAKE A BATH Two books, Shinrin Yoku: The Art Of Japanese Forest Bathing by Yoshifumi Miyazaki and Dr Qing Li’s Shinrin-Yoku: The Art And Science Of Forest Bathing, hail 2018 as the year of, yes, forest bathing – the Japanese tradition of hanging out with trees. It could be the ultimate remedy to social-media stress: it’s been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress-hormone production and improve overall feelings of wellbeing. No time to escape to the woods? Sound baths (meditation to the sound of gongs or crystal bowls) provide similar relief. THE ART OF CONVERSATION With so many digital ways of interacting, real-life conversations are happening less and less. While texts and emails are convenient, lack of practice makes us much worse at actual chatting, which…

Benefit’s epic Bold Is Beautiful project has so far raised over $14 million for more than 30 female-focused charities throughout the world. This May, the brand is once again donating 100 per cent of the proceeds of brow waxes to the efforts. “Brow services are a cornerstone of our brand – using a product for this project would have been easy, but the brow service requires you to sit down and have a  conversation, and we felt that was important,” says Benefit’s Maggie Ford Danielson. “When my mum and my aunt started Benefit, it was always more than just makeup. It was about empowerment, and a  space to have conversations about females. That was the framework for Bold Is Beautiful.” Get involved by scheduling in a brow appointment, or rope in your besties…

WAKE-UP TIME: About 6am. It takes a long time for me to get out the door. I’m pretty disorganised, as I’m not even the slightest bit of a morning person. I’d never be able to have a morning ritual or keep it consistent. I’m amazed people can pull that off. BEST PYJAMAS: J Crew makes really comfortable sleepwear. SHOWER SAVIOURS: Kérastase Réflection Bain Chroma Captive shampoo and Réflection Fondant Chroma Captive conditioner are good for coloured hair. They help the colour last a bit longer. And I also like Burt’s Bees products. EASY STYLING: I dry my hair really quickly, like halfway,  and then go. MAKEUP MUST-HAVES: Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lip &  Cheeks, and Chanel’s Le Volume De Chanel mascara. QUICK SPRITZ: Chloé EDP. RUNNING OUT THE DOOR IN: A pair of black Ugg boots.…

“Eye treatments are the easiest product to use to help prevent fine lines and crow’s-feet. I also love eye masks to plump fine lines and to brighten under the eye.” 1. Moisture Eye Veils, $110, EQUAL BEAUTY, equalbeauty.com 2. Hydrating B5 Gel, $82, SKINCEUTICALS, skinceuticals.com.au 12. Crème Contour Phase De Soin, $120, BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE, skincareedit.com “I love avocado oil for the face, body, cuticles and hair,  plus manuka honey for its incredibly calming properties. And I can’t be without bicarb soda – boxes of it. I always add it to my bath, along with Epsom salts, and like to mix it with my cleanser or cream masks to boost the efficacy.” 3. Extra Virgin Avocado Oil, $10.50, GROVE, woolworths.com.au 14. Epsom Salts, $9.99, SANOFI, nationalpharmacies.com.au “I like Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask for…

Love your nude digits but bored of barely there? The new-season way to do flesh-toned nails is with a swift kick of warmth. Blush-nude shades give all the neutrality of standard beige, but are five times more flattering. Manicurist Nicole Stubbs collaborated with local polish makers Paint to create her dream shade, Tribal Blossom. “The opacity is essential to making nude pretty, and the pink undertones of this kind of nude is perfect on fair skin tones, which can sometimes look a bit washed out with traditional fleshy shades of polish,” she says. For maximum finger flattery, Stubbs says the square shape has got to go. “A soft round nail with a little more length extends the nail plate and leaves hands looking more elegant.”…

Priceline sold nearly a million bottles of dry shampoo last year alone, so you’re not the only one who relies on the good stuff to get you out of a bind/ bad hair day. And since they’re so beloved, high-tech improvements in formulas are happening all the time. US-born brand Drybar does about a million blow-outs a year in its salons, so it knows a thing or two about making them last that little bit longer. Its clever Detox Dry Shampoo freshens up oily roots fast and never feels dried out or flaky. R+Co’s new Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder hides second- (and third-, and fourth-) day hair, without the standard aerosol. Just pump the powder straight onto the scalp and massage it in – the fine formula is a good…

IT’S QUITE THE TIME TO BE A WOMAN. We’re standing up, fighting back, making our voices heard. But the part of womanhood that is most uniquely “us” – our period – is still stuck firmly in the past. Think of the applicator tampon. The current design is almost identical to the one created back in the ’30s. The first menstrual cup was patented that same decade, but we didn’t get a  silicone-based model until the early noughties. And despite creations such as period-proof underwear, which are changing the periods of the bravest among us, the culture of shame and secrecy around menstruation remains. But new innovations are pushing us to reconsider (or actually consider for the first time) what we’ve been taught, and prescribed,  when it comes to handling “that time…

SEX AND POLITICS: THE EMPOWERED EDITION I haven’t had sex in nearly four years. I’m not a prude. I’m bright, 35, divorced, don’t look terrible, have nice haircuts, get manicures, go to the gym – although I’m not obsessed with appearances either. I’m not 100 per cent sure why I haven’t had sex, but I’ll give you my best guesses. First, I’m kind of famous. That makes it difficult to use dating apps. Second, I’ve had a public fall from grace, and I’m worried about further public shaming. Third, I think men find me intimidating because I’m successful and have a very nice house, lots of books, a wine cellar, etc. I did go on Tinder recently (my photo was an inanimate object) and actually got a guy to have…

CALVIN KLEIN Part of Calvin Klein’s Black range, this balconette bra is as comfy as it is sexy. While its sophisticated shape and delicate rose detailing will have you looking your best, the wide straps and unlined cups will keep you feeling fabulous, too. $120; calvinklein.com/au CHLOÉ A fragrance for the bold and adventurous, the new Chloé’ Nomade evokes a feeling of escape thanks to its notes of intense oak moss, sweet mirabelle plum and fresh freesia. Like the Drew bag the bottle is modelled off, it’s an effortlessly elegant scent – and one that’s sure to become a classic. $140 for 50ml; davidjones.com.au SHISEIDO Add Shiseido’s new Essential Energy Moisturizing Cream to your anti-ageing arsenal. It boosts hydration to counteract dullness, roughness and the appearance of fine lines, making…