It's fair to say that as the Medical Director of her very own clinic, Youth Lab, Dr Kate Jameson is as obsessed with beauty as... well, we are. She views her work as one of the ultimate 'science meets art' careers, and has an admirable approach to injectables – do or don't do whatever you like, but if you do it, make it subtle. Her skin-first take on beauty will make you want to visit her in Perth immediately, and in the meantime refocus your own at-home care regime, as she talks us through which products really get results. Best of all? Her frank, positive attitude to ageing, surely making her something of a unicorn in the world of aesthetics.

My beauty routine is totally focused around my skin care.

Makeup is not a daily priority for me – in fact, my goal is to go makeup free as much as I can. Less is more for me. I like to change my products around frequently. I always start by cleansing with my Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Foaming Cleanser which is beautiful, soft and works to brighten my skin. Regardless of which specific products are in my rotation, I then use some sort of antioxidant serum, containing vitamin C or a combination of useful ingredients. My go-to at the moment is Affirm by Cosmedix, which is enriched with vitamin E, resveratrol and peptides to help eliminate the effects of environmental damage, and give a firmer and healthier looking complexion. Following this I apply my Cosmedix Eye Doctor eye cream.

My night time routine can get pretty complex sometimes!

I always double cleanse with Ultraceuticals micellar water followed by Cosmedix Elite Rx Clean Cleanser, which contains lactic acid. This is an exfoliator that works to remove all the oil and impurities that have accumulated throughout the day, as well as shea butter and aloe vera to moisturise and calm my skin. I use a vitamin A product every night but my choice varies. Currently I am using Cosmedix Elite X-Age which contains a microencapsulated retinol for anti-ageing and prevention of fine lines. It is a wonderful product as the retinol is designed to avoid any irritation, and it also contains antioxidants and moisturisers. I follow this up with Mesoesthetic Radiance DNA Night Cream. Oh, and I never forget my eye cream. If I could pick one product to use forever it would be Cosmedix Eye Doctor. It looks like blue liquid crystals and give the eyes a beautiful glow. It really packs a punch as it combats ageing, tightens the skin, reduces fine lines and diminishes dark circles, while hydrating and protecting with antioxidants.

Over the years of learning about facial contours, my best makeup tip is to use little amounts of highlighter on the highest point of the cheek, which is where the light should reflect to give the perfect curve.

I like to wear little to no foundation and have recently discovered Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation. It is lightweight, takes two seconds to apply and you only need a tiny amount for a smooth and natural look. It is packed with antioxidants and contains zinc oxide which gives it an SPF of 30. Add this to my SPF 50 moisturiser and I am covered. (Can you tell I am obsessed with sunscreen?) If I’m having a day where I need more coverage I use Nars Sheer Glow foundation, which is still lightweight and evens out my skin tone. I like that you can build it up for more coverage if you want to, so I can use it for all occasions. It always leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft. I can’t survive without my mascara and brow powders (despite having my brows done regularly, they never like to grow). My favourite lipstick has been the same one for the past five years, Freckletone by MAC.

I live in tailored blazers and heels (and yes, my feet hate me), but sometimes succumb to my scrubs, which feel like pyjamas. How lucky am I that I can wear PJs to work!

When I hit 30 I became a lot more conservative and minimalist in my style. I spend most of my time in the clinic these days so I dress in a classic way. I try to support Australian designers as much as possible. A few of my clients are fashion designers so I love to support their brands and designs (for example, Natalie RoltSofia The Label and Wilbur the Label). If I need a special outfit or dress I always visit my old faithful Perth boutiques, Coco & Lola and Harry & Gretel, which are beautiful. I just purchased a new pair of Valentino The Rockstud heels that are now a wardrobe staple, and I need them in every colour. However I am usually quite frugal and feel guilty spending lots on clothes and accessories, so a lot of thought and love goes into each purchase.

I am a sucker for the hairdresser and get a blow dry every week or two.

I love my hairdresser Taliya at Harper Hair & Tan in Subiaco. She is Perth’s queen of waves and always manages to make me feel confident and beautiful. She has given me all my little tips and tricks to nurture and manage my curls too. I have just started using ELEVEN Australia products, which Taliya introduced me to. These are such high quality products – they’re Australian made and they make my hair feel like I’ve had a professional treatment every time I use them. Given I colour my hair and it is so curly and dry, their Smooth Me Now conditioner is an absolute lifesaver. My product use is fairly minimal otherwise, though I am a sucker for dry shampoo when time isn’t on my side. I alternate weeks of leaving my hair natural and curly (when I literally just dry it with a diffuser and leave it natural), with times where I straighten my hair with my Cloud Nine straightener. I try to keep products to a minimum to protect my hair. I do a home treatment with ELEVEN Miracle Hair Treatment once a week.

I think growing up in the ‘90s away from the pressures of social media and mobile phones was hugely beneficial.

My girlfriends and I loved makeup and beauty. I remember swapping tips from Dolly and Girlfriend magazines and collecting Lip Smackers. Friends from primary and high school remain my best friends today and I love that they are all so unique and beautiful in their own ways. We were dorks who wore blue eyeshadow and Spice Girls t-shirts. Compare that with young girls today who must feel the pressure to grow up so quickly and look like their filtered selfies on Instagram…  Kids are on the horizon for me soon and if I have a daughter, I am already worried about how to protect and nurture her self image through our perfection-obsessed society. It is a scary thought.

Losing my mum to cancer towards the end of med school gave me a new perspective and I saw how important the bigger picture was.

I have always wanted to be a doctor. It means I can combine my love of a challenge, my desire for seeking new information and problem solving, and my ability to relate to people. I craved a career where I could practice medicine, form relationships with patients and help people feel beautiful and confident. Aesthetic medicine drew me in and I started to study dermal science and did my injectables training as soon as I graduated from university (while working as a hospital intern). Through aesthetics I can combine my love of the human body and anatomy, the science of medicine and use my artistic skills in a warm and positive environment.

I love the constant growth within the industry. There is always a new technique to learn, advanced technology on the horizon and, amongst everyday people, a growing desire to enhance and rejuvenate themselves. Opening my own clinic, Youth Lab, has been so challenging and exciting. In an industry that is full of cut price, low-quality chain clinics, there is a space ready and waiting for clinics like mine to deliver exceptional service and results.

It is a very personal choice to have cosmetic treatments and I don’t think it is anyone’s business to pass judgement on those who decide to go down the injectables road.

I am lucky to own a beautiful cosmetic and skin clinic so all of my skin treatments are taken care of. It can be hard to fit in regular treatments but my team of dermal therapists always manage to take care of me. I do monthly Hydrafacials to cleanse, exfoliate and infuse protective antioxidants and hyaluronic acid into my skin. This treatment is amazing as maintenance and is like a regular buff and polish for your skin. I always try to get one before special events. I believe strongly in treating my skin at a cellular level with the aim to regenerate and repair. Long term collagen stimulation and maintenance of healthy cellular function is key. Combined with my strict home care regime, my skin is looking the best it has ever been.

Me, relax? I am a typical type A overachiever who feels stressed and guilty when I have nothing to do.

Over the years I have learned to channel my energies into more calming behaviours which has certainly helped my stress levels while still allowing me to function to my highest ability. I am a multitasker and overthinker so find meditation very difficult. That being said I incorporate it into my morning routine each day. I feel most relaxed and at peace on a Sunday morning, sipping a coffee and having brunch with my partner Jon. He and I also try to walk our dogs together most days. We have some beautiful bushland near our house and it is our chance to go off the grid for a moment. As we run a business together it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress and talk shop when we are at home. Sometimes being outside and alone with our dogs without distraction is all I need to recharge.

Me, relax? I am a typical type A overachiever who feels stressed and guilty when I have nothing to do.

Over the years I have learned to channel my energies into more calming behaviours which has certainly helped my stress levels while still allowing me to function to my highest ability. I am a multitasker and overthinker so find meditation very difficult. That being said I incorporate it into my morning routine each day. I feel most relaxed and at peace on a Sunday morning, sipping a coffee and having brunch with my partner Jon. He and I also try to walk our dogs together most days. We have some beautiful bushland near our house and it is our chance to go off the grid for a moment. As we run a business together it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress and talk shop when we are at home. Sometimes being outside and alone with our dogs without distraction is all I need to recharge.

I think about what my mum may look like if she had been given the opportunity to grow old, and how she would be embracing the process. I know that every year I have the chance to grow older is a privilege.

I am all for being positive about ageing. Working in an industry where the main goal is to defy physics and genetics by using medical and surgical techniques to encourage ‘anti-ageing’ can be confronting at times. I can easily see the slippery slope of getting too focused on the external, and not accepting that ageing happens. You cannot look or feel 20 forever. I love myself more and more with every passing year. I think beauty improves with time and wisdom. Ageing is a fact of life. Look after your skin, your mind and your body and they will be kind to you.

Story by Zoe Briggs, photography by Eden at De Fleur Creative.

Comment (0)