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Kristin and I have known each other since we both started out in magazines over 18 years ago. As I moved through the ranks of Glamour magazine and Vogue, I watched Kristin carve out an impressive career in fashion at Teen Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in the US. When I launched Beauticate, she would often style shoots for me (did I mention she’s a mad beauty fanatic, too?).

With an eye that was finely tuned to trends, and partial to minimalist lines and palettes, she always had a knack for interiors, so it was no surprise when she turned her talented hand to homes. As we launched our Interiors section last week, and I continue on the path of my own renovations (during which Kristin has been one of the first people I’ve consulted on a number of pivotal decisions, from cushions to couches) it was an ideal time to go inside her world. Her immaculately styled home has always been a source of inspiration, and having recently taken up the Interiors Editor role at Real Living, Kristin was perfectly poised to open up her stunning Northern Beaches abode and share all of her styling and beauty secrets.

CANDLE SNUFFER FROM NOCTURNA

I would love to be a beauty minimalist but there are too many beautiful products to try.

I am obsessed with under eye patches, and Chanel’s Le Lift version is suitably chic. Some other eye products I really like are Bioeffect eye masks and Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix. I love to do at home facials which include a really good exfoliation – Philosophy’s The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel is a favourite for this. Beauty has always been a love of mine, and with age it has become even of greater interest. My skin has had to adjust to lack of sleep from my ‘mum life’, pigmentation from pregnancy and sun damage, so I do my best to trial products that will hopefully assist with these changes. I have recently invested in the REVERSE routine from Rodan + Fields which has improved my skin tone and pigmentation spots immensely. Whenever my skin is lacking in glow this routine picks me right up again. I’ll be sticking with it for a lifetime.

CANDLE SNUFFER FROM NOCTURNA

My daily routine always starts with a face cleanse, using either Avène Cleansing Foam or Dermalogica Superfoliant.

I then follow up with a serum, and I really love Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops and her anti-ageing serums. I use Rodan & Fields Multi Function eye cream followed by YSL Touche Éclat as my under eye concealer, which never fails me. For foundation, I use YSL Fusion Ink Compact Foundation and for bronzer I go with Charlotte Tilbury or Giorgio Armani. For fake tan I like Elle Effect, which smells like beautiful roses, and Clarins, which to me has the best colour.

When it comes to fragrance I switch between oils and perfume.

I often rely on the subtlety of Ayu’s ayurvedic oils, otherwise I wear Byredo Gyspy Water in summer and Le Labo Santal 33 in winter.

FAMILY PORTRAIT BY NICOLE BENTLEY FOR SEED HERITAGE, FRAME FROM COUNTRY ROAD, BOWL FROM SMITH MADE

I enjoy using body products both for me and on my kids.

I take evening baths in Epsom salts and use a lovely magnesium spray afterwards to ease muscle tension, whether post-Pilates or after a long shoot day. On my children I love to use Vatea products, which are all natural and free of sulphates and parabens.

DRESS BY SIR THE LABEL, CHAIR FROM SATARA, RUG FROM ARMADILLO, STUMP FROM GLOBEWEST

Once a year I get a keratin kerasilk treatment to help ease at home blow drys.

Following the treatment you can only use sulfate-free products, so I use O+M and Sans [ceuticals], and then occasionally add in a great mask. The one by David Mallett is wonderful.

My children and I have always used Mason Pearson brushes. They have thin light hair and very sensitive scalps, so a Mason Pearson brush is the only way I can get near them for the occasional grooming session!

COSMETIC CASE FROM THE DAILY EDITED

My usual beauty look is a minimal base with a touch of bronze.

Sometimes I like to add a little colour on the lip. For a night out I like a touch of colour on the eye, and think RMS Eye Polishes are all a lady needs.

RUG FROM COUNTRY ROAD, HAT FROM SEED HERITAGE, BASKET FROM TINE K HOME

I am a minimalist when it comes to style.

I prefer tonal earthy colours, which usually means white linens for day and black dresses for night. That being said, being a mother has made me more colourful and relaxed with my personal style. Some of the pieces I am currently coveting include a black and white gingham high waisted Ephemera bikini, black suede sandals from a New York girlfriend’s line, Isa Tapia, and a black Loewe Puzzle bag.

DINING TABLE BY SMITH MADE FROM MCM HOUSE, TILES FROM DI LORENZO, TURKISH RUG FROM SMITH MADE, ETHICALLY-SOURCED REINDEER HIDE FROM HIDES OF EXCELLENCE, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT CANDLE FROM GRANDIFLORA

I was very determined from a young age to be a stylist.

While I was still in school I was assisting one of my most admired Australian fashion stylists, Nicole Bonython-Hines. After completing a business degree, I officially entered the fashion industry, working in magazines. At 23 I moved to New York and worked for nearly a decade as a fashion stylist for Harper’s Bazaar and Teen Vogue.

PENDANT LIGHTS FROM DUNLIN, HAY ABOUT A STOOL CHAIR FROM CULT, KRISTIN WEARS CHRISTOPHER ESBER, BILLIE WEARS PRINTEBEBE, CANDLE AND FRAMES FROM COUNTRY ROAD

I’m so lucky that my job involves discovering new brands and supporting upcoming designers and artists.

After moving back to Australia from New York, I worked at Australian Harper’s Bazaar then went on to study interior design. Now I’m back in magazine land, as the Contributing Fashion & Interiors Editor for Real Living. I have to say it’s my favourite position to date, and no day is ever the same in this job. Living and working in Australia, my focus is more on lifestyle, consulting with clients to create their dream home and coming up with simple design solutions, all of which is very gratifying. I also live on Pinterest and Instagram any spare moment I have.

When it comes to ageing, I say go gracefully, with a little bit of help.

Nourish the skin with the many mindful beauty brands available. I am very influenced by the beauty editors I am lucky enough to work alongside. They trial everything on the market and pass on the tricks of the trade.

I do have a few favourite beauty tips of my own.

The main one is coconut oil pulling, for detoxification and whiter teeth. I also think you can’t go wrong with a great eyebrow wax and tint, and an eyelash perm and tint. I see Kristin Fisher for mine. Every couple of months I try to fit in a Dermologica facial, where I am advised on my skin’s needs and which products can help the changes my skin is going through. A facemap from Rationale is also brilliant to make you more aware of your skins needs.

I think it’s important to take care of yourself inside and out.

I also believe in time for yourself, just to reflect. The founder of Mukti Organics has just written a beautiful book, Truth in Beauty, and I am slowly turning the pages. And one of my best friends has just completed her meditation instruction course, so visiting her for a session is definitely on my list.

JACKSON WEARS MUNSTERKIDS, THROW FROM TINE K HOME, TABLE FROM EARLY SETTLER, STOOL FROM ALBI

My most relaxing time of the week is Sunday nights, featuring Netflix, take away, an Epsom salt bath and a glass of red.

The key thing is not worrying too much if I didn’t complete the week’s to do list. I also love Pilates, yoga and short walks on the beach with my dog and kids.

Introduction by Sigourney, interview by Zoe Briggs, photos by Maree Homer and Alice Mahran, hair and makeup by Elsa Morgan and Jess Diez

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