Jocelyn Petroni is one of Australia’s top facialists. As owner and principal beauty therapist of her eponymous Woollahra Salon, she has worked her magic on some of the most famous faces in the world (including a certain Ms. Kerr, among others). Skincare is her craft, and one which she carries out in a most flawless fashion. Be it a bespoke facial or meticulous manicure, Sydney’s skin whisperer is fastidious yet intuitive in her approach.

Tucked away between terraces and treetops, we caught up with the ever-radiant Jocelyn in her stunning Surry Hills sanctuary, where she kindly opened up her brimming bag of beauty tricks.

“The work that I do involves both craft and intimacy…

And I consider myself an artisan when it comes to facials, nails and beauty treatments. I have always loved craft and I’m extremely tactile. I also inherited a meticulous attention to detail from my parents, so I think all these things combined inspired my passion for the industry.  I’ve built my business on doing what I love, and my clients can feel my passion, which is why my business is successful.

JOSS HAS MADE HER BATHROOM A SANCTUARY WITH BUDDHIST STATUES, CANDLES AND ARTWORKS.
ULTRACEUTICALS AND HYDROPEPTIDES FORM THE BASIS OF JOSS’S SKINCARE ROUTINE.

Beauty routines should make you feel good…

and I love the ritual of self-giving. I like fresh-faced dewy skin so I use ingredients like Vitamin A on my face and the Ultraceuticals range as well as decadent body oils made by Sodashi on my body. Create a space for yourself where you can take the time to nurture, in your bath or at your dressing table – it’s important to give yourself love and care through beauty therapy. I love my home body ritual where I give myself the care I give my clients all day

I believe we are meant to have lines on our faces…

It’s just that our skin is meant to glow with good health through the lines. Classic, sophisticated, natural and bold – my skin philosophy is that skin should look dewy and fresh-faced with minimal make-up and enhancements. I believe in optimal skin health achieved through good oil and water content in the skin. If you can tell someone has had surgery, injectables or beauty enhancements then in my opinion it should not be done. Even eyelash extensions and eyebrow shaping can be overdone rather than enhancing their natural beauty.

CHANEL NO 5, NARCISO RODRIGUEZ AND SODASHI TAKE PRIDE OF PLACE IN THE BATHROOM.
JOSS RESEARCHES HER WORK WITH PLENTY OF FACIALS.

I love having facials!

I go to Valli Shubert in Melbourne. Her firm facial massage hurts a little but is deeply rejuvenating. When I hear a therapist is really good at Facials I book in for a treatment. I’m booked with Joelle Ciocco in Paris next month, I cannot wait!! I have my nails done by Nicole Stubbs at our salon, Jocelyn Petroni on Queen St in Woollahra. Nicole does a meticulous manicure and despite my work it lasts all week without chipping!

I don’t wear much make-up.

I use eye pencil on my inner upper eyelid which instantly draws attentions to my eyes without looking heavy. I love Chanel’s black gel liner because it’s smudge free and lasts all night long. I also use Kevyn Aucoin mascara for its gel like set that prevents fall out and smudging. I use Chanel’s Vitalumiere foundation and I lightly dust Priori’s mineral powder to mattify shine and conceal imperfections. I love MAC Mineralise Skin Finish for highlighting and overall glow and Nars Madly blush (for something better than Nars Orgasm). I wear Make-up Store’s tinted lipsticks – my favourite is Alarm – a vibrant orange/red and Black Orchid for nights out – a deep dark purple/red.

JOSS KEEPS HER MAKEUP IN A BEAUTIFUL LEAF SHAPED BOWL.
JOSS’S HANDBAG COLLECTION FEATURES A CLASSIC CHANEL ICON BAG.

I try to look effortless…

But a lot of thought and passion goes into my wardrobe and beauty look. I’m in the beauty industry so aesthetic is very important to me. I think I look natural, sophisticated and approachable. I wear a lot of classic pieces like my cut off denim shorts or jeans with a cotton t-shirt and black blazer or bomber jacket. I accessorise my casual look with a designer bag, shoes and sunglasses – I’m currently wearing my classic Chanel handbag, Acne heels and Celine sunnies all the time. I love sport luxe and pretty much anything made by Alexander Wang or Chanel. I like supporting Australian business and there are so many amazing Australian designers like Bassike and Lover.

I have practiced Tibetan Buddhism for about 8 years…

So I meditate every morning at my shrine. I actually meditate during facial treatments! Of course I look at clients when I’m analysing their skin or extracting, but otherwise I go by feel so I don’t need to look at my client to do this, it’s intuitive, and happens naturally. I always tell new clients that I do this and to let me know if my pressure gets too firm or if anything is not comfortable, because I’ll be meditating out the window gazing onto the beautiful tree lined Queen Street. I practise yoga at Body Mind Life every second day and run twice a week either along Bondi to Bronte as the sun is setting or down to the

ON HER NIGHTSTAND: THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING BY SOGYAL RIMPOCHE AND DYING AND I AM THAT BY SRI NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ.
JOSS IN HER FRANGIPANI-STREWN GARDEN WEARING A PLAYSUIT BY ZIMMERMANN.

I have a real sweet tooth

so I’m always making healthy desserts, like Tahina Balls from Gwinganna. In the morning I have a banana smoothie with maca powder, acai powder, a banana, chia seeds, coconut water, Udo’s oil and raw cacao powder otherwise I have avocado and tomato on rye toast or sheep’s yoghurt with muesli, LSA, nuts and seeds, Udo’s oil and lots of raspberries and blueberries. Dinner is usually take-away Japanese-  teriyaki salmon from Zushi. And I love Orchard St juices – the cashew chai is heavenly! I drink buckets of water every day. In the salon we serve water – still and sparkling, Chlorophyll water, Coconut water and Green tea, which I drink with my clients throughout the day.

As a little kid I wanted long blonde hair and fair skin like my two sisters…

…who take after our English Mother. My interest in skin health comes from my Maltese Dad whose Mediterranean skin and hair I have inherited. My Dad taught me an invigorating approach to skin and body where skin health makes you feel good! Growing up I loved our early morning ocean swims and scrubbing each other’s backs with the sand by the water’s edge. He taught me the benefits of having a cold rinse off after my shower and to always apply body oil after that shower – body rituals I love and follow every day.

JOSS INHERITED HER COLOURING FROM HER MALTESE FATHER.
COCONUT OIL IS A STAPLE OF JOSS’S BEAUTY ROUTINE

My body routine is traditional European style…

And has been passed on to me from my father. I wash my body with DermaVeen’s Extra Gentle Soap free wash because I find all soaps and body washes, no matter how expensive, strip the skin of natural oils. Then, whilst the shower is still running I apply Sodashi’s Crystalis body oil, which contains honey myrtle and smells like fresh lemons and the Australian bush. After a brisk cold rinse-off I pat-dry my skin with a towel and it’s left super nourished without being greasy. I give myself a thorough firm body exfoliation once a week using a homemade sand and oil which improves lymph flow, blood circulation, skin texture and tone so I’m left smooth as a baby’s bum (and a little bit pink).

Photography by Jake Terrey; Interview by Sigourney’; Compiled by Chrisanthi Kaliviotis; Hair by Brad Ngata; Makeup by Becca Gilmartin.

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Comment (3)

  1. July 2, 2014
    Fi

    Love people who practice what they preach — and that smoothie sounds very yummy and healthy.

  2. July 2, 2014
    Emma

    Such a natural, genuine person – great insight and some good tips too! Thank you!

  3. July 2, 2014
    Kim

    I want a facial with Jocelyn!!!!!!!