Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Marie Claire Australia

Jessica Chastain doesn’t do small talk. She’s fierce, funny and frank – someone who makes you sit up and listen. She’s exactly the kind of woman we love to champion at marie claire, which is why she’s our October cover star. Chastain is not just one of the most powerful actors in Hollywood, she’s someone who’s rewriting the rules, on and off screen. From September 26, she takes that fire to a gripping new Apple TV+ series, The Savant, which is based on a true story about a woman infiltrating online hate groups. It’s dark, timely and unflinching – the sort of role only Chastain could make both terrifying and completely magnetic. Chastain’s strength and energy runs through this issue. On page 74, Melissa Leong’s memoir, Guts, is as fearless…

Night shades Boho for evening? Yes, it can be done. Simply pair a voluminous black maxi skirt with lashings of black lace, then add glittering diamonds and a spritz of your favourite after-dark fragrance. Et voilà! Accessorise me Embrace your dark side with black accessories and layers of varying opacity. Heading into too-dark territory? Try a red lip and a flash of gold or a white blouse to break things up.…

“You can’t go wrong with a black skirt and white top – but keep things interesting with a pop of colour, like a red shoe.”– Robyn Fay-Perkins “A pencil skirt doesn’t have to be demure. Choose a vibrant colourway and go OTT with a statement blouse for full impact.”– Hilary Board “Try adding texture to your look by pairing an embroidered skirt with a fluffy cardigan in the season’s It-colour.”– Harriet Sim “In theory, a pencil skirt and blazer combo can sound a bit dull, but you can make it modern by playing with the jacket’s tailoring.” – Sally Hunwick…

EVERY FRIDAY AT 5PM, A COLLECTIVE of Indigenous Australians, young and old, jump on a call to discuss the Uluru movement. It’s been a tradition since 2017, when the Uluru Statement from the Heart was established, and continued after the Voice referendum was defeated in October 2023. They’ve reflected on what went wrong: a highly politicised debate; a rampant disinformation campaign; a cost-of-living crisis that stole attention and triggered fear. And perhaps most significantly, the fact that many Australians didn’t understand the fundamentals of what the referendum was about. Since then, the Albanese government has backed down on its commitment to real progress on Indigenous issues. “I think [that’s] what happens at a time of acute political loss like a referendum – they’ve gone completely quiet on Aboriginal issues except…

Growing up in Papua New Guinea in the 1990s, style meant functional clothes that were rough and ready for the hot climate. But my parents always had an appreciation for beautiful things; they purchased the best they could afford with an eye for luxury and quality. In the mail was a monthly subscription to Vogue Italia and mail-order catalogues from American department stores like Saks and the now-defunct Sears & Roebuck. This was a decade before the internet became the norm and decades more before online retail took off: they would pore through the pages, carefully reading each product’s descriptions before faxing through their orders. Then one year, there was a special delivery. For me. A dark-red velvet dress with gold buttons on the pockets, that took its design and…

HOT & HEALED TOUR Don’t miss an evening of unfiltered comedy and self-care wisdom as the author, podcaster, comedian and star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness, brings their Hot & Healed show to a theatre near you. The tour opens in Adelaide on September 29, before heading to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Visit jonathanvanness.com. DEXTER: RESURRECTION It’s been nearly two decades since audiences first fell in love with the charming vigilante serial killer Dexter. Now, the eponymous protagonist returns in the series Dexter: Resurrection, joined by stars Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage. Streaming now, only on Paramount+. To sign up, scan the QR code. MUSIC OF THE MONTH THE ART OF LOVING If there’s one new artist to put on your radar, make it Olivia Dean. Fusing…

THE FACE SCULPTOR Olga Newman Facial wellness expert and founder of the FaceUp Method, Olga Newman blends deeplevel massage techniques on both the face and body to release physical and emotional tension – which potentially could do away with injectables for good. The FaceUp Method explained “Our face is so much more than just appearance: it’s our psycho-emotional history, the filter through which we experience the world. Every smile, frown and expression leaves its mark in the fascia, muscles, and even in our nervous system. FaceUp is about freeing the face, releasing patterns of tension and emotion while improving health and vitality. Beyond visible changes, clients often notice reduced stress, clearer thinking, more energy and a sense of lightness.” How it differs from other facials “We work on the deeper…

When I think about how I came to work in beauty, it feels less like a decision and more like a calling. I was 19 when I landed a job as a writer at Cosmopolitan Hair & Beauty magazine. Before I had even completed my university degree, I was thrown into the thick of glossy pages and early deadlines, surrounded by lipstick swatches and the electric energy of women making things: writing, creating, influencing. I fell headfirst into it and never looked back. Beauty journalism, for me, was never just about products. It was, and still is, about two things: technology and storytelling. About uncovering the “why” behind a brand, understanding the science of skincare, the emotion of fragrance, the psychology of makeup, and celebrating the faces (and minds) who…

Sometimes, life could do with the added glow of a warm and enveloping filter over it. A soft radiant light to give our day a glow up, and make us feel just a little bit special. Alas, technology hasn’t worked out how to filter our real lives just yet, but there is one way to give reality an instant uptick: fragrance. Able to capture a moment, feeling or time, scent has been proven to be able to change how we feel – sometimes almost instantly. So it’s no surprise that Elie Saab’s new fragrance, Le Parfum Absolu, is able to up your inner radiance with just a few spritzes to your pulse points. A new iteration of the house’s stunning original Le Parfum, this new Absolu – a glowing blend…

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SEPTEMBER 23–OCTOBER 22 LIBRA Your glow up arrives when Venus sashays into your sign on October 14, upgrading everything from your skincare results to your dating app matches. Expect compliments from strangers and second glances from people who used to see through you. Beyond surface-level attraction, Venus rebuilds your confidence from within and you start owning your worth. Money matters are highlighted as the sun reveals overspending patterns. On October 21, the new moon opens a relationship door you thought was locked. Say yes to the dream life. POWER DATES October 11, 14, 21 OCTOBER 23–NOVEMBER 21 SCORPIO Mercury enters your sign with the full moon on October 7, bringing a flurry of ideas, each shinier than the last. The trick is knowing when to stop collecting options and start…

“When young First Nations women are seen, heard and supported on their terms, that’s where the real change starts” What is the soundtrack to your life right now? “Built This Way” by Karl S. Williams. There’s something about the piano in that track; it cuts deep, in the best way. I’ve just started teaching myself piano, so the connection feels even more personal. Lyrically, it’s a reminder of who I am at my core. Fictional character you resonate with the most? Elphaba from Wicked. She’s misunderstood, unapologetically herself and refuses to dim her light. She reminds me that being different isn’t a weakness, it’s power. Which simple pleasures bring you the most happiness? It’s a tie between my morning coffee chat with my barista and my daily walk with my…

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BUCK(LE) THE TREND No rules apply when it comes to belts: opt for a goes-with-anything classic brown or black, or experiment with layering and stacking. And don’t be afraid to go for big and bold.…

THE DAY THAT KATE REID’S memoir, Destination Moon, went to print, there was a small crisis: she was waiting on the moon. “Throughout the book, there are illustrations of different phases of the moon. I wasn’t entirely happy with how the full moon looked, so the day before the deadline I asked our illustrator to turn around a new version,” recalls the Melbournebased author and founder of the cult croissanterie Lune. “That night, my publisher called me in a panic: she was worried the moon [illustration] wasn’t going to arrive in time. But as we were talking, she looked up and saw the moon sitting in the centre of her skylight. I don’t believe in coincidences. It was a sign that it would all work out.” And so it did.…

It’s 3pm on a Friday, and Jessica Chastain is perched on a sage-green velvet sofa in her sprawling Victorian-era apartment in midtown Manhattan, comparing herself to the wallpaper behind her. Let’s just clarify that this isn’t just any wallpaper. It’s a lavish, whimsical botanical print, a Ralph Lauren design, I’m guessing. “I have this huge curiosity and excitement for life!” she exclaims, eyes wide. “To learn about all different kinds of people and different points of view.” She looks at the wall behind her. “And that includes a lot of colours, textures, smells, tastes … I’m insatiable in my appetite for life.” The 48-year-old Oscar winner has been home less than 24 hours, after months filming in Dublin, followed by a five-week stint hitting the books at Harvard (more on…

To step foot inside Melbourne’s High Tide is to find yourself transported to a state of calm. Low lighting casts a warm glow over the floorspace, illuminating dildos, lubricants and vibrators arranged on the timber shelves like sculptural works of art. There’s no curtainedoff section leading to a back room of kinky delights. Here, the products are out in the open, inviting you to pick them up and turn them on. It used to be the case that entering an adult store would see you peel off the street and into the shadows, clambering up a narrow staircase before being assaulted by neon lights and sexualised imagery. Now, modern stores like High Tide have adopted a new aesthetic. “Intimacy, sex, masturbation – all these things are incredibly natural. They have…

Chanel’s iconic eyeshadow palettes have been a mainstay in makeup kits since 1982. Since its launch, the Les 4 Ombres palette, with its four silky-smooth and buildable colours, has offered up shades that cater to every whim. Housed in chic packaging that slides seamlessly into a makeup bag (or Classic Flap handbag), the palette has been both makeup must have and covetable collectable for decades. If you’re a fan, right now is a good moment to update because Chanel has released a set of four dreamy palettes, each embossed with its own Chanel-inspired motif. From the iconic double C to constellations, four-leaf clovers and the brand’s iconic N°5, the buttons add a hit of irreverence and fun to your makeup routine. Cleverly edited, each palette tells a story with colours…

BATH TIME I’m always looking to tap into a better bath and shower experience, and these products are making a splash with both A-listers and regular Aussies. Deeply nourish skin as you cleanse with this wild wakame, Tasman sea kelp, Kakadu plum and aloe vera-dosed Australian-made cleanser, which comes with a crisp, white floral and citrus scent that smells like fresh, beachy air.  1 Bronte Sea Salt Body Cleanser, $28. A decadent bath oil with such fans as Trinny Woodall, Dolly Alderton and Caroline Hirons, UK heritage brand Olverum is now available here. Made with essential oils, it helps ease stress and tension, and soothes aches while you soak.  2 Olverum Bath Oil, $95, at perrault.com.au. BLUSH AND GLOW A blush girl from way back, these two new releases are…

Thomas Gluck, Principal, Gluck+ TOWER HOUSE, UPSTATE NEW YORK Some houses remain timeless – appearing as contemporary as the day they were completed. The Tower House, designed by architect Thomas Gluck for his family of four, was first unveiled in 2012. Located 160 kilometres north of New York City, in the Catskill Mountains, the Tower House, with its soaring height, is framed by established trees of equal stature. “I refer to it as a treehouse for grown-ups,” says Thomas, whose father, Peter Gluck, founder of Gluck+, purchased the sevenhectare site more than 50 years ago. Part of the attraction was its location on top of a natural bluestone ridge. The glazed tower is a sharp contrast to many weekenders in the Catskills, which are often low-slung and anchored to the…

LINES DRAWN The Aussie label behind your favourite buttondown shirt is turning heads again with its first accessories collection. Cult-favourite LMND (pronounced lemonade) has launched a lineup of playful-meets-polished bags in signature stripes, feel-good colours and sustainably crafted nylon. From the roomy Rialto Tote to the chic Lilo Mini (pictured), these are the pieces your wardrobe – and weekend plans – have been waiting for. Statement piece Artful, fluid and quietly bold, this sculptural vase brings an organic edge to any space. Handmade in rich dark jade with a marble finish, no two are ever the same. By pairing 50 of the country’s most compelling artists, this series of intimate portraits and inspiring candid chats is a delight – all wrapped up in stunning visuals. One for the coffee table.…

When I agreed to speak at marie claire’s International Women’s Day event in early 2024, I thought it would be simple. A 15-minute Q&A about my experiences as a woman of colour in a front-facing media role seemed straightforward, and it was ground I’d covered before. A few high-profile women from other arenas were also being interviewed, so it was an honour to be included. What I wasn’t prepared for was Anna Coutts-Trotter. The co-founder of The Survivor Hub and daughter of MP Tanya Plibersek spoke of escaping a physically and emotionally abusive relationship in her teens with such unflinching courage that the room fell silent. The raw way she and Tanya shared their perspectives on the same experience as mother and daughter didn’t just move me, it split me…

High-school sweethearts Donald and Jean Morley met when they were 16 years old. At 23, they married. At 40, they moved from England to Australia and bought a house in Canberra. They did not have children. Before retiring at 65, Donald was a skilled tradesman with the Royal Australian Mint, then worked as a supervisor and cleaner. Jean was an administrative assistant for an accounting firm. They enjoyed a close network of friends, and those who knew them best said the couple did everything together and had a loving relationship, with Donald affectionately referring to Jean as “my darling”. By all accounts, their lives seemed prosperous, fulfilling and happy. But on the night of July 30, 2023, Donald held a pillow over his wife’s face, killing her in the home…

IT’S A LATE-SUMMER EVENING in leafy Connecticut, New York, and Allison Williams is nervous. The trailer for her new film – an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel Regretting You – has just dropped, sending the internet into a frenzy of mixed opinions. As we speak, the 37-year-old actor is sitting on the verandah of her home, where she lives with her husband, fellow actor Alexander Dreymon, their three-year-old son, Arlo, and their 10-year-old golden-mix dog, Moxie. “I love reading Colleen’s books, which is also what made it super intimidating to play one of her characters,” she says. “All of her [stories] are so resonant. Her characters are three-dimensional and interesting, and the plot is always super compelling. It’s a high bar … I’m hoping that it resonates at least…

Medik8’s Advanced Night Restore deeply nourishes and repairs as you sleep, while Daily Radiance Vitamin C brightens, hydrates, and protects* Valued At $64 12 issues for $90 - SAVE 26% ** via automatic renewal VISIT magshop.com.au/MEDIK8GIFT or CALL 136 116 and quote M25AMCM *Always read the label and follow the directions for use. ** Savings based on Marie Claire cover price of $10.20. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magshop.com.au/MEDIK8GIFT. Offer valid from September 25th, 2025 to October 29, 2025 to Australian residents only 18 years or over. Subscription copies do not receive free gifts offered at retail. Our Privacy Policy can be found at aremedia.com.au/privacy and includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including the provision of targeted advertising based on your online activities). It explains…