Sally Spratt, The Lust List

It’s hard not to fall in love with Sally Spratt. The exotic beauty exudes warmth and creative flair in equal measure and possesses a sweeping, joyful smile that’s as infectious as it is disarming. Behind the beauty, is a skill so sharp she has left many smitten with her whimsical work. The freelance graphic designer and illustrator has illustrated for the likes of Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, House and Garden, Australian Traveller and a bevy of beauty brands including La Mer, Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown, leaving those with a penchant for palatial delights in awe of her divine drawings, prompting a 'lustful' aspiration. For those who can’t always indulge in the finer things, Sally offers a fashionable imagining on her blog, The Lust List, pointing out diplomatically, “If I can’t have them, I’ll draw them".

The lovely Sally let us into her charming and creatively curated Bellevue Hill apartment in Sydney; pretty things aplenty peppered the space including some of her glorious artworks. We pried open her beauty bag (and art bag) and spoke of skincare, health, remaining faithful to your passion and where she feels the happiest.

I’ve always illustrated.

…and always tried to incorporate that into design. But after school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I didn’t actually think I could get a job doing this, so I did graphic design. I thought I’d head down that path and try to incorporate illustration. After 5 years as a graphic designer, I wanted to do something on the side to fill that [creative] void.

SALLY IN HER HOME OFFICE WITH RECENT ILLUSTRATIONS

RAY BANS, PALM BEACH CANDLES AND PARISIAN BOOKS

One day, I woke up and was like; I don’t care if I’m poor…

I’m going to give it a go and see what I can do. So I started making cards and bits and pieces, and then I started The Lustlist. It all just happened organically. In between projects for people and trying out new things and I posted it to my Instagram account and people were so sweet and lovely.

I wouldn’t sleep through the night, I would be like “Woo! Another follower!”

And then slowly, slowly it happened, I was so excited to get 20 followers, then 21, 22…That gave me confidence and it just kept growing. I had to say to mum and dad, “Don’t tell me I need to go back to work, just bare with me!” When someone’s got your back, you just feel like you can take on the whole world. It would not have been the same without my friends and family. It’s been incredible.

SALLY WEARS JOSH GOOT SKIRT AND PROENZA SCHOULER HEELS

SALLY IS NATURALLY RADIANT

[The beach] just makes you feel happy and free.

It sounds a little corny doesn’t it? It just calms people. I love the beach. I’m there most mornings. In summer, it used to be a run and I would finish it with a swim. And then I’d go for a coffee. Then in winter, I just run or walk and then coffee. But I love it. It just makes me happy.

When you feel beautiful, it shows externally.

I think a few things contribute to beauty. Health, lifestyle, passion, confidence, love and friends – I feel this gives me the best balance and makes me really grateful. [My beauty look] is natural. I don’t like to look over-done. Mum is a natural beauty. She’s very low maintenance and doesn’t need an ounce of makeup. She’s always been the first to tell me if I’ve overdone it and how to feel confident with less.

TRYING ON HER FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE

LUCKY LADY; A DEVOTEE TO LA MER FOR SKIN

I turned 30 this year…

I’ve heard some people say you’ve got to start using a moisturiser, you need to start really caring for your skin, using sunscreen and stuff. Since I started working with La Mer, they’ve been very generous with their products and my routine is usually face wash, then after my shower I apply the La Mer Brightening Infusion and Crème de la Mer Ultra Rich Cream. I use these every morning before make up.

I usually only add make up to my eyes.

The products I love are: Nude By Nature, nude eye shadow, Benefit ‘They’re Real’ Push Up Liner – I do top and bottom – YSL Touche Eclat and Lancome Virtuôse Mascara to finish. [For a night out] Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Colour – this is the BEST long lasting lipstick. I can’t wear regular lipstick as it has ways of attaching itself perfectly to my teeth at all the wrong times. This doesn’t budge! Schwarzkopf Instant Volume Powder for my hair, MAC Face and Body Foundation for a long lasting and natural cover, and to finish, NARS blushand bronzer.

INSIDE HER BEAUTY BAG; BENEFIT, MAC, CLINIQUE AND BURBERRY

GOOD BEDSIDE MANNER; PERFUMES AND GOLDEN JEWELLERY

I like how something like a red lipstick can change your attitude…

And give you that extra bit of gumption you need. I like that a simple smile can go a long way, whether it be making someone happy or to show how happy I am. I loathe that people define and judge others by their level of beauty and physical appearance. My style is very minimal, in cut and colour. I am very much about neutrals; white, black, navy and grey. I dress up my outfits with my choice of bag and red lipstick.

I have destructive mittens!

So I opt for shellac at the local nail bar. I get my nails done every two months. I use my hands all the time with painting, drawing and packing etc. that a regular manicure gets chipped before I’ve left the salon.

BEACHY VIBES WITH AN IMPRESSIVE LINE UP OF SUNGLASSES, PRETTY POLISH AND A PALM BEACH CANDLE

I go to the gym a lot…

I love to go three to four times a week with a couple of walks in between. I really enjoy [Body] Pump classes, at Fitness First. They’re tough, but they keep me strong and energized. [Body Attack] is like aerobics on steroids! Sunday mornings, 7:30am, it’s like a club. They play the Katy Perry “Roar” song, and they’re like, “now, roar!” and we’re like “ROAR!” I also love the Bondi to Coogee walk / run. I’ll plug my headphones in and just walk. It’s about 14 km from here and back. It’s beautiful scenery and when walking with friends it’s easy to pass the distance with chatter. I think the idea is that I’m indoors all the time, so I kind of have cabin fever if I’m always here. So I think I’m quite active in that sense but I’m not really into diets.

I pretty much just eat everything…

I have two strong soy caps a day! Excessive, maybe… however, I’ve very productive on caffeine! I recently discovered the food market About Life in Double Bay and realised that there is nowhere else I’d rather go for a cheap take away salad for lunch and dinner. Every day there is something different and all of it’s healthy. However, I tend to go off track when the mention of pizza & popcorn come into a conversation. Then it’s game over! For a snack during winter, I am loving a cut up orange with trail mix and a tea. It’s a good dose of vitamin C and super sweet!”