• Sandra Sully is one of Australia's top female journalists

  • Australian brand Jurlique is highly loved by Sandra

  • Sandra dealt with a terrifying assault and bullying ordeal with grace and tenacity

  • Her favourite coffee table book at the moment

  • 'The main game should be about learning and being the best that you can be in the world that you are in' she says.

  • Just as we imagined, Sandra's apartment is decorated impeccably

  • A recent article Sandra wrote on Tina Arena

  • Sandra prefers a more minimalist approach when it comes to beauty

  • A few of Sandra's makeup essentials

  • Ellie Saab is Sandra's designer of choice

  • Sandra's shoe collection is a little slice of heaven

  • A sneak peak into Sandra's bathroom cabinet

With 26 years at Channel Ten – and most of them reading prime time news – Sandra Sully may be one of the most recognisable faces on Australian television. Her calm demeanour and authoritative voice are a welcome counterpoint to an often darker menu of current affairs. In the often fickle world of television, Sandra has proven herself to be both astute and adaptable, holding her position at Ten despite numerous staff changes. She has also risen above personal hurdles with grace and tenacity. In 1997 she was attacked by a stalker, and several years ago she revealed to Cleo Magazine that she had suffered a decade of workplace bullying – with advice that she hoped would help give strength to other victims.

We were welcomed by Sandra into her elegant apartment, which she shares with husband Symon Brewis-Weston, and her adopted step-daughter, Mia (11). Sandra invited us into her ensuite, revealing a minimal makeup regime and the one skincare brand she won’t deviate from.

“When I’m walking around, I don’t want to look like that person on the TV…

I’d rather go under the radar. I should pay more attention in being a girly girl, but that’s not really me. I’m outdoorsy, I don’t like wearing much makeup. I let the girls at work have fun and I trust them to do what they know what to do.  Outside of work I wear just a tinted base.

SANDRA'S DETERMINATION AND STRONG PRESENCE HAS ALLOWED HER TO STAND OUT FROM THE MEDIA PACK

SANDRA'S BEAUTIFUL TRESSES ARE THANKS TO HAIR GURUS NEIL MOODY AND TRINITY KING

With my hair I go to Neil Moody at Surry Hills, and I’ve been seeing him for about 12 years….

Trinity King at Ten mostly takes care of the cut and I’ve been going to Amy Jean for eyebrows for about 7 years. I think my comfort zone is to hunt down the experts I trust and like – and let them do their thing. You’ve got to have your clutch of the go-to people.

And I love this magic makeup eraser [from Sephora], you just wet it, and it takes your make up off, with no cleanser.

ELIE SAAB IS A FAVOURITE OF SANDRA

My favourite fragrance is Elie Saab – Symon buys me bottle after bottle.

I’ve always loved it I guess because he designed my wedding dress. I also like Euphoria, Calvin Klein, but to be honest, I don’t really wear a lot of perfume and have to remind myself to put it on.

Dr Spiller is the best skin care brand I’ve ever used.

I’ve been using it for 7 years. I bought it for my twin sister and my husband. I really love it. I think it’s because it is oil-based not water based. That’s their point of difference. My skin doesn’t seem as dehydrated. I think most good skin comes from the inside as well. I do eat pretty well. I generally stay clear of processed foods and always have. I’m a big fan of vegetable juices. The Nanoblur is amazing, too.

SANDRA HAS BEEN A LONG TIME FAN OF SKINCARE BRAND DR SPILLER

SANDRA WRITES FOR MAGAZINES IN HER SPARE TIME

I admit I am a News junkie.

I scan all the papers in the morning from home to find out what’s going on and see what pictures are around and what stories have broken. I’m also a really avid radio listener. I go to bed listening to BBC and I love podcasts like Radiolab, Freakonomics, WNYC – NY public radio everyday and Stuff You Should Know and never miss Fran and Radio National in the mornings.

The hardest thing for me is switching off.

Journalism is such an addictive business and as much as you love it, you have to learn how to dial it down or off. You know, your family will just say, “Enough!” Exercise is my go-to break and I have always loved it. Fortunately, I live close to the city, so I can either swim or get out and walk the Botanical Gardens and the Domain. I walk to work three days a week and run on a treadmill regularly. Sadly due to injuries, I can’t run outside anymore and miss that terribly. I still grieve not being able to run outdoors – I love nothing more! Pilates has helped a lot over the years. I have found an excellent studio where my teacher is a physio as well.

SANDRA CREDITS EXERCISE TO KEEPING HER SANE IN HER OFTEN HECTIC SCHEDULE

ALTHOUGH SANDRA IS A FAN OF MAKEUP, SHE ALSO APPRECIATES THE IMPORTANCE OF INNER BEAUTY

Growing up, my mum wasn’t really into makeup.

She was always more focused on who you were as a person, your values and integrity. I learnt from both my parents that while we can all admire beauty, the most important thing is what’s within and who you are. It’s one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me – good values. My step daughter, Mia is a beautiful young girl, but I encourage people not to comment too much on her appearance. I try to remind her that she’s a good person and not to focus too much on looks. That’s what I fear for young women today, particularly in this ‘selfie’ obsessed new world. Young men and women are so self conscious and self-absorbed, it’s pretty concerning and disappointing.

SANDRA HAS BEEN IN THE MEDIA BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS

The key to staying power in the media is to keep an open mind, and always challenge yourself and try to keep evolving.

Change has been a constant in my life. I’ve had 25 bosses in 26 years. I constantly try to stay out of my comfort zone by challenging myself and finding work that stretches me; I write articles, do interviews, plenty of charity work and sit on the board of Hockey Australia. I also sit on the Walkley Advisory Board and pump out my digital Newspaper ‘ShortBlack’ twice a day. I try to stay engaged in things that are really authentic to me.

A VICTIM OF BULLYING HERSELF, SANDRA PROVES THAT EVEN IF YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, YOU CAN ALWAYS GET BACK UP

My best advice to avoid bullying is to diarise events, be courageous and speak up.

As a rule, don’t engage in office politics, they’re toxic, as well as a distraction and a waste of time. The main game should be about learning and being the best that you can be in the world that you are in. I waited 10 years [before talking about the bullying]….because I needed to sort it first and let the drama die down. I really wanted to stay at Ten, and I knew I could work through it. I chose to stay despite what was happening, because I saw more positives than negatives. Once it switches, then you should leave.

You’ve got to call out bad behaviour, from men and from women, straight away, (to their face) and preferably in front of peers.

Choose your timing and just say that it’s inappropriate. I think it’s about how you conduct yourself. The values you believe in, and your integrity. I’m not perfect and I make mistakes, but I’m really happy. I’m really loving what I’m doing but don’t feel defined by it. It’s not all I want to do but right now, it’s my main job and I’ll do it as long as I can.”

SANDRA REMAINS ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST TRUSTED NEWS PRESENTERS; AND WITH GOOD REASON

Interview and Story by Sigourney Cantelo; Photography by Alice Mahran; Styling by Kristin Rawson; Hair and makeup by Jessica Diez

Comment (8)

  1. November 3, 2016
    bdemy77

    Wonderful article about the kindest & most talented newsreader in Australia if not the world. Sandra helped me when I was studying journalism & afterwards. She’s always willing to help people trying to break into the industry.

  2. November 3, 2016
    Claire

    Very nice to hear from such an experienced woman

  3. November 3, 2016
    Leslie

    Journalism and the media seem like such crazy industries and she’s handled it with grace

  4. November 5, 2016
    Miranda

    Absolutely love that flower painting in Sandra’s home – so breathtaking!!

  5. November 5, 2016
    Elizabeth

    She has a great philosophy when it comes to beauty and where the importance lies in a person… The emphasis on physical appearance in young women is truly alarming, love that she encourages her step daughter to embrace her inner values

  6. November 10, 2016
    Holly

    I love the floral shift dress Sandra is wearing – where is it from by any chance?

  7. January 29, 2020
    Dianne

    Congratulations Sandra on 30 years…
    You are a very strong and a very beautiful woman.. Thank you for all
    your services…