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Kate Waterhouse On The Joy Of Dressing Up

Content creator, author and media personality Kate Waterhouse has long been a fixture in Australia’s fashion landscape. Known for her polished yet approachable style, she has built a career spanning fashion commentary, television, brand partnerships and writing, including her popular Sophia and Gracie children’s book series. Now, she brings her signature eye for effortless dressing to Beauticate as our new Style Editor, where she’ll be sharing her take on modern style, wardrobe staples and the pieces that truly work in real life. We visited Kate at her beautiful home in Mosman, Sydney, where she lives with her two daughters and their much-loved Cobberdog. The space felt like an extension of her personal style. Thoughtful, elegant and quietly luxurious, yet warm and completely liveable. The kind of home that looks considered, but never overdone.

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Early Influences and the Racing World

“So much of who I am and the shape that my life and career have taken has been informed by the glamour of the racing world.

I grew up watching my mum get ready for the races; it was like magic to me. Saturdays were my ‘dress-up days’ – as she’d get ready, I’d be beside her trying on her clothes and raiding her accessories. Of course, then she left for the track and I’d have to clean up my mess!

Beyond the glamour she introduced me to, what always stayed with me was her incredible work ethic. My mum is one of the hardest-working people I know. Watching her juggle so much with such determination inspires me to keep busy, embrace new projects and never shy away from ‘wearing many hats’.

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Career, Creativity and Balance

It’s been wonderful to be able to turn my passion into my profession.

While I was studying media and communications at university, I started working at The Sunday Telegraph. Initially, I was reporting on socials and interviewing people, but I naturally gravitated towards fashion stories – it was what lit me up. Eventually, I transitioned into writing about fashion full-time and then became the paper’s fashion editor.  

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I love experimenting with fashion and beauty – for me, that is self-expression and a creative outlet. I don’t feel an obligation to look a certain way.

In my work I get to collaborate with some amazing brands and for those moments, I absolutely want to look polished. What you see online is only a fraction of the story, though. In reality there are just as many days when I’m in no-makeup-activewear-mode, answering emails and heading to school pick-up with messy hair.

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When it comes to balancing my career and my home life, family will always come first.

I feel really fortunate to have flexibility in my work – most of what I do happens during school hours. Racing season can make weekends very busy, but I plan ahead so that I am able to embrace those times instead of fighting it. Of course there are inevitable clashes, but I’ve learned to make peace with those trade-offs. I don’t really get FOMO – if something doesn’t align with my priorities, I’m comfortable saying no.

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I love how much variety I have in my work.

Right now, my children’s books bring me incredible joy. My third one, Sophia and Gracie to the Rescue, came out in October 2025. Having my daughters involved in the process has been really special.

 

Like with any job, there are ups and downs. The adrenaline rush and thrill of doing TV and emceeing events is so exciting, but they can also sometimes really drain me because I still get so nervous!

Skincare, Beauty and Routine

Mum taught me from a young age the importance of looking after my skin.

Well before skincare became trendy for teens, she had shown me how to cleanse and moisturise properly. That early habit is very much ingrained now. 

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Skincare is my absolute non-negotiable. No matter how tired I am, I always cleanse and moisturise morning and night, and I never sleep in my makeup. 

I’ve long been an admirer of Lancôme products, and it’s a lovely fit to work with them. I’ve recently started using Lancôme’s Rénergie C.R.x Triple Serum Retinol and haven’t looked back – it’s become a hero product in my routine. It’s a super gentle formula, meaning it can be used morning and night, and I’ve noticed a more vibrant glow and reduction in fine lines while using it. It combines retinol, vitamin C, and peptides, and as a busy mum, I love anything that simplifies my routine while delivering results.

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Beyond making sure I have a fantastic skincare line-up, I also make sure to invest in treatments like laser or skin needling when I can.  

I definitely consider exercise part of my beauty routine – it makes me feel good from the inside out, and I treat it as part of my lifestyle rather than a chore to be done.

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The basis of any beauty look starts with good skin – that’s the foundation of looking and feeling polished.

Then I really just like to add a few individual lashes and a great outfit. It doesn’t need to be overdone; the right small touches make me feel like the best version of myself.

Style, Confidence and Perspective

I think Australian designers do resort wear better than anyone, which is perfect heading into our summer.

I’m loving Camilla and Marc, Aje, Viktoria & Woods, and Rebecca Vallance. Pieces from these designers feel effortless yet elevated, which is a look I am always drawn to.

I’ve made so many style and beauty mistakes over the years. I think that’s part of what happens when you’re open to trying new things, and also we learn what does and doesn’t work along the way.

My worst beauty crime has to be my major fake tan phase in the late 2000s. I still love a good tan, but back then it was all about being orange. Not my best look.

 

I see growing it as an honour to get to grow older. Of course, I miss the plump skin of my twenties (don’t we all?!) but I actually feel more confident and comfortable in myself now than ever before. With age has come perspective, and that’s something I really value.”

Introduction by Sigourney Cantelo. Story by Zoe Briggs. Photography by Camilla Quiddington.


Produced in partnership with Lancôme, with whom Kate Waterhouse has a paid relationship.

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