Wellbeing Journal
THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Christmas is just around the corner, which means a season of long days with friends and family, overdoing it on the mince pies and of course…gift-giving. For a gift they’ll truly want this Christmas, you can’t go wrong with nourishing skin care – practical, universal and a little bit luxurious, great skin care is a perfect present for all. Our skin care line at Jurlique contains active, plant-based ingredients that cater to specific skin types and concerns, meaning they’ll treat your loved ones to healthy-looking skin. So whether you’re looking for a small stocking filler, a gift to impress that special someone or a treat for yourself, discover our Christmas gift ideas for every budget. gift under 50 UNDER $50For stocking fillers, small gifts for friends or for adding something a little extra to a Christmas present, discover our gifts for under $60. Our hand creams have been beauty staples at Jurlique since the beginning, thanks to the caring and hydrating botanical extracts and subtle, natural fragrances that suit a range of tastes – from Citrus, Lavender and Jasmine, to our limited-edition Fragrant Rose. For a Jurlique must-have, choose from one of our iconic face mists that instantly refresh and hydrate skin, or go for our Lip Care Balm for a handbag essential. gift under 100 UNDER $100If there’s one thing every skin care aficionado needs in their beauty cupboard, it’s the Jurlique Iconic Set. Valued at $117, this $99 set includes three of most-loved products: Activating Water Essence, Rosewater Balancing Mist and Rose Hand Cream. Hand cream fans will love our Hand Care Quartet featuring Rose and Lavender, while our Hydrating Rose Duo of hand cream and lip balm is perfect for beauty on the go. gift under 150 UNDER $150Hydrating and refreshing, there’s a reason Rose has been used in beauty and skin care products for centuries (and why we love it here at Jurlique). This Christmas, our Rose Essentials set contains the daily skin care go-tos you’ll reach for morning and night – Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser, Rosewater Balancing Mist and Moisture Plus Rare Rose Lotion. If it’s long-lasting moisture you’re after, choose our Moisture Replenishing Essentials gift set, complete with our Moisture Replenishing Day Cream that has a cult-like status. gift under 250 UNDER $250For something extra special this Christmas, our gifts under $250 are a real treat. Combat multiple signs of ageing and revitalise youthful radiance with our Herbal Recovery Essentials, containing our Activating Water Essence, serum, eye cream and moisturising cream from the Herbal Recovery range – all packed with powerful botanicals and naturally-derived antioxidants. For the ultimate in natural anti-ageing, our Nutri-Define line up is our most rejuvenating and firming edit. Find the highly coveted Nutri-Define Serum and Eye Contour Balm in our Nutri-Define set this Christmas. This season give the gift of beautiful, healthy-looking skin with our specially-curated Christmas gifts and sets at Jurlique. Shop them all here.
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THE 5 COMMANDMENTS FOR CLEAR SKIN
The 5 Commandments to Clear Skin We all want clear, radiant skin but sometimes it’s easier said than done. The condition of your skin comes down to a combination of genetics and lifestyle, but there are a few steps you can take to clear up your complexion. To do it the natural way, follow these clear skin tips: CLEANSE MORNING AND NIGHT Cleansing is the essential first step of a clear skin routine. Even if you’re tired, don’t skip this step or use a wipe or any old cleanser – go for a gentle one that won’t strip the skin or upset its pH balance. In the morning, cleanse to refresh the skin and lift any sweat or dirt that accumulated overnight. In the evening, the best thing to do is double cleanse to ensure you get rid of everything that’s built up throughout the day – first, use a cleansing oil such as our Nourishing Cleansing Oil to remove makeup, dirt and grime, and then use a regular cleanser such as our Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser to deeply cleanse your skin. STICK TO A SKIN CARE RITUAL After cleansing, use one of our toning facial mists to purify, soothe and balance your skin. Follow up with our Activating Water Essence to boost hydration, then apply a serum such as our Moisture Plus Rare Rose Serum to help hydrate and restore your skin. Seal in hydration with a nourishing moisturiser or facial oil – our Skin Balancing Face Oil is suitable for all skin types and can be applied directly to the face to deeply nourish and balance skin. New to face oils? Read our Everything You Need to Know About Face Oils for everything you need to know. STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE We all touch our faces throughout the day – whether it’s resting our face in our hands, picking blemishes or unconsciously touching areas of the face. But in doing so, bacteria can be transferred from your hands to your face, which can lead to congested skin. If you have spots, use a spot treatment instead of popping them and make an effort to minimise how many times you touch your face. The same principle applies to your phone as well – sanitize the screen with an antibacterial wipe once a day and use earbuds when making calls whenever possible. CHOOSE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS THAT SUIT YOUR SKIN CONCERN Your skin concern should dictate the products you use as you’ll have different needs accordingly - if you use the right products, they’ll absorb into your skin and work more effectively (read our Understanding Your Skin Type if you’re unsure). If you have acne-prone skin, be careful not to over-treat it and only apply the recommended amount of product as per the packaging. LOOK AT YOUR DIET AND LIFESTYLE It’s not just skin care products – you can take on a few diet and lifestyle habits for clear skin, too. Drink at least 2L of water a day and enjoy foods rich in omega-3s and vitamins A, B and C (read our guide to skin-loving wholefoods). Exercise regularly to boost circulation, help reduce stress and give skin a healthy flush, and try to 5 ways to combat stressed-out skin (our stress hormones increase oil production, so you’re more likely to break out when you’re stressed).Get the clear complexion you’ve always wanted by taking care of your skin from the inside out. Shop our natural-based face skin care, eye care, lip care, hand care and body care here to help clear congestion and boost radiance. FAQs How to get clear skin naturally? Stick to a consistent routine using products for clear skin. Start with a simple regimen – cleansing, toning, moisturising and sunscreen for the daytime. Your skin may also benefit from a few healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress. And what to avoid? You guessed it right – alcohol, sugar and processed foods. How to clear skin overnight? While there is no magic wand for making unwanted acne or blemish disappear, there are certain things you can do to wake up to clear skin overnight. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Follow with a hydrating toner. Apply a nutrient-rich serum. Use a hydrating mask before bed to replenish and soften skin. Lock in moisture with a nourishing night cream or face oil. Get enough sleep – there’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep. Is it possible to have 100% clear skin? Having completely '100% clear' skin is not realistically possible for most people due to genetics and environmental factors. But with a consistent skincare routine and healthy lifestyle, you can definitely improve your skin and get a clearer complexion. What is clear skin? When we talk about clear skin, we typically mean skin with an even tone and smooth texture that reflects light without being shiny. Clear skin is mostly free from blemishes, with barely visible pores and little to no imperfections. Why won’t my skin clear? While we all want a clear face, it's normal to have uneven tone and texture. Genetics, skincare routine, and lifestyle can all influence your skin’s appearance. Clogged pores, a major culprit of uneven skin, occur when sebum mixes with dead skin cells and blocks your pores. These clogged pores can trap bacteria and develop into bumps, whiteheads or blackheads.
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HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS WREATH USING AUSTRALIAN BOTANICALS
Think of a traditional Christmas wreath and think of the large, dark green wreaths made up of pine, holly and cedar leaves that tend to grace our TV screens over the festive period. But pine cones, berries and wintery leaves don’t exactly scream an Australian Christmas, so this is the perfect time of year to try something a little bit different. At Jurlique, we love our botanicals (both as ingredients in our skin care, and in our interior décor) so this Christmas we’re going to be using Australian plants to create our very own door wreaths. For an easy DIY project this season, follow or guide to making your own wreath. YOU WILL NEED: • Wooden or wire florist ring • Scissors • 4-6 varieties of different Australian native foliage (we like wattle, eucalyptus and bottlebrushes. Make sure they’re sturdy so they won’t wilt) • Florist wire • Wire snippers • Ribbon or jute twine, for hanging STEP ONE Snip your foliage to into pieces about 15cm in length and bunch each type of foliage together (if you want a thicker wreath, use two cuttings of each type of foliage). Arrange them so that each piece of foliage can be seen and tie the base of the foliage to the florist wring using florist wire. STEP TWO Create your second bunch of foliage and lay it over the base of the first so you can’t see the ‘ends’. Tie it in place using florist wire and repeat until the whole wreath is covered. The size of your florist ring and how thick you want your wreath to be will determine how many bunches you need. For a 14-inch ring, you’ll typically need about 12 bunches. STEP THREE Now that your wreath is complete, tie your ribbon or twine onto the ring in between the foliage to hang on your door, or anywhere else in your home. Mist your wreath with a small amount of water every couple of days to keep your foliage alive. If you’re making your own wreath this year, tag us on Instagram – we’d love to see your creations! And if you’re still looking for gifts - whether it’s stocking fillers or something more extravagant
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin is incredibly common, and easily triggered by the environment, allergies and the clothes you wear. To treat your sensitive skin, it’s important to use calming skin care products and steer clear of aggressors that might set it off. From the skin care products to use to what to avoid, here are our sensitive skin care tips. WHAT CAUSES SKIN SENSITIVITY?Sensitivity can be caused by many different things including genetics, ageing, allergies, hormonal imbalances or medications that increase sensitivity. The environment and change in the elements (such as heat, humidity, wind and snow) can also cause sensitivity, along with poor diet, drinking too much alcohol, stress, dehydration and use of harsh cosmetics. Some fabrics, like wool, can also irritate skin, so choose clothes made with natural fibres, such as cotton and bamboo, and buy a laundry detergent that’s formulated for sensitive skin. THE SYMPTOMS OF SKIN SENSITIVITYThe tell-tale signs of sensitive skin include dryness, tightness, redness and blotchiness. Irritation – such as itchiness, visible rashes, tingling or burning – and flaky skin and broken veins on the nose and cheeks can also be signs that you have sensitive skin. HOW TO MANAGE AND TREAT SENSITIVE SKINSensitive skin is easily irritated and prone to drying. To soothe skin and prevent the symptoms from flaring up, use specially formulated natural products that restore the skin’s protective barrier and calm and rebalance skin. At Jurlique, the hero ingredient in our sensitive skin range is Calendula, a powerful botanical known for its calming and comforting properties.Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist is our best facial mist for dry, sensitive skin. Use it before applying Calendula Redness Rescue Restorative Treatment Serum and Calendula Redness Rescue Soothing Moisturising Cream in your skin care ritual, and be aware of any triggers that irritate your skin. WHAT TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKINSensitive skin can flare up easily – and prevention is better than cure. Avoid products with common irritants like artificial colours, fragrances and sulphates. Steer clear of harsh exfoliants, which can aggravate the skin (choose something gentle like our Daily Exfoliating Cream instead) and don’t use makeup, skin care, medication or topical treatments that are past their expiry date. EAT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODSSensitivity is a form of inflammation, so add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet such as leafy greens, broccoli, turmeric, ginger, spinach, nuts and avocado to avoid flare ups. Avoid spicy foods and hot drinks, which can cause redness, and cut down on caffeine, alcohol and processed sugar. Try and calm the mind and body too, by practising yoga or meditation. Cup of turmeric latte with fresh ginger If you’re experiencing skin sensitivity, treat yourself to a skin care ritual that’s soothing and calming. Shop our specialised range here.
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WHAT ARE BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS
At Jurlique we grow most of the botanical ingredients that we use in our skin care products on our biodynamic* farm in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. We use healthy, powerful plants that are carefully chosen for their skin-benefitting properties, using biodynamic* practices which we believe enable us to grow the purest, best quality botanicals possible. We believe that by following biodynamic farming techniques, we’re harnessing all the positive, living energies from Nature, as well as farming in the most sustainable way possible. The plants and herbs we grow are nutritional for the skin, enriching for the soul and good for the planet. There’s a lot that goes into biodynamic* farming (read our guide to biodynamic farming here) and a lot of the work goes into biodynamic preparations. The preparations are placed in the farm environment to enrich the soil, encouraging the plants to be spiritually good for the body and have the highest vital life force energy when harvested. When Rudolph Steiner established biodynamic principles, he came up with nine ‘preparations’, which are made from herbs, mineral sources and animal manures. Turned into field sprays and compost, it is these preparations that aid fertilisation – rather than synthetic, chemical-driven fertilisers you’d typically find in conventional farming. These preparations are used on the farm to activate and enhance the energy of nature into the whole farming system. Earth, Atmosphere, Cosmos THE NINE BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONSBiodynamic preparations are numbered 500-508 and are all used for different reasons. 500 and 501 are considered the most important for maintaining the health of the soil, whilst 502-506 are placed in the compost. When added to each compost row in a specific order, it encourages a balanced process and to addresses certain key elements for plant health. Prep 507 is sprinkled over the compost bringing warmth to the heap. 500 HORN MANUREHorn Manure 500 is the first to be used and usually applied twice a year. Fresh cow manure is buried in autumn and dug up in spring. It’s then mixed with water and sprayed to the base of the plants to feed the soil (think of it as a superfood). Use of this preparation encourages:• Healthy humus formation• Mineral retention and availability• Improved crumb structure• Beneficial soil microbes, including nitrogen fixers• Soil animal life, increase of earthworms• Improved absorption and retention of water• Fine, highly developed, robust root systems• Improved nutrient uptake 501 HORN SILICAHorn Silica 501 is the original biodynamic atmospheric spray and is made from ground up clear quartz crystal and buried in the ground over summer. Horn Silica aids photosynthesis and increases the quality of the final product, including its ripeness, sweetness, flavour, fragrance, shelf life and dry fibre content. Like 500, this prep is mixed with water to be sprayed over the crops and soil, using a stirring method that increases oxygenation and, we believe, draws cosmic influences into the water. Biodynamic farming 502 YARROWYarrow remedies weaknesses in flowering and fruiting and strengthens the plant against insect attack. The radiant energy of this preparation affects the whole of the compost, enabling it to enliven the soil. Yarrow also attracts a lot of good bug life to the farm, including ladybirds which eat the aphids off our Roses. 503 CHAMOMILEChamomile stimulates the calcium processes in relation to Sulphur. It also contains homeopathic Sulphur, which allows it to attract other substances. It keeps the plant healthy by warding off harmful effects of fruitification. When added to compost, a more stable nitrogen content develops, enlivening the soil and stimulating plant growth. 504 NETTLEThis preparation carries the influence of potassium, calcium, Sulphur and iron, in relation to activity in the soil, making the compost heap inwardly sensitive and receptive. It helps the soil develop an intelligence to accommodate the plants which are growing in it. 505 OAK BARKOak bark has a high calcium content. It acts as a mediator between the plant and the living Earth and stimulates calcium processes to prevent plant diseases. 506 DANDELIONDandelion contains silicic acid and draws in influences of the cosmos. The potassium – silica relationship in the dandelion is transferred to the compost. The dandelion prep gives the soil the ability to attract silica from the cosmos and sensitises the plant to its environment so that it can attract what it needs. 507 VALERIANValerian helps the compost to attract the force of phosphorous-activating bacteria within the soil. It is used for frost protection and to stimulate flowering. Like Yarrow, Valerian brings good bug life to our farm (it’s also great food for our bees). 508 HORSETAILHorsetail is a harmful weed in South Australia, so we used Casuarina as a replacement, which has been approved by Biodynamics Agriculture Australia. Mixed with water and turned into a spray, this helps strengthen the plants to fight fungal diseases and can clear mildew on fruit. To find out more about biodynamic* farming, read our guide here. And to see our farm and biodynamic preps in action, discover our farm tours in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills.*Certified biodynamic by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia. Jurlique’s products and farm are not certified of affiliated with Demeter® USA or Demeter International.
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7 EASY YOGA POSES TO RELIEVE STRESS
Stress is no stranger to us. It visits us at any moment of our everyday lives: that could be the moment when you see a long list of unread emails after returning from holiday, when your children are testing your patience or when you’re stuck in traffic… Stress has been linked to a wide range of health issues, including mood, sleep, and appetite problems and it can play a role in the causation of heart attacks. Therefore, it is important to relieve stress regularly to keep your heart healthy and maintain an emotionally balanced life. Yoga is known for calming your body and mind through breathing and asanas (postures), but don’t be intimated by the sound of it as yoga can be easily practised at home. All you need is a yoga mat and 15 minutes every day. Here are 7 easy yoga poses for beginners we tried that can help to relieve stress: 1. LEGS UP THE WALL Set your legs up against the wall. Bring your hips closer to the wall as you let your hip flexors relax. Relax your shoulder and breathe through your nose for 2 minutes. 2. STANDING FORWARD BEND Stand up, reach tall and exhale forward, then bend knees. Hold your opposite arms and hang loosely, or if you are flexible you can place your palms on the floor. Try to keep your head closer to your knees. For a deeper stretch, try straightening your legs. Hold this position for 6-8 breaths. Then inhale, stretch arms forwards, raise them and your torso back to the standing position. 3. CAT-COW POSE This is a good pose to massage your spine and relieve tension. Cat – Start on all fours, then while exhaling, round your back towards the ceiling and bring your navel up towards your spine. Bring it back to the neutral position, with spine and head aligned. Cow – Inhale and tilt your pelvis back so that your tailbone sticks up. Keep your abdominal muscles hugging your spine by drawing your navel in. Keep rotating these two positions for 6-8 times. Try to feel your spine in each position as much as you can rather than trying to speed up. 4. CHILD’S POSE Sit on your shins with your big toes touching and your knees sightly apart. Bring your palms to the front of your body and rest on the floor. Walk your hands forward until you feel like you can’t walk any further. Allow your stomach to rest on your thighs and your forehead to rest on the floor. Breathe and rest in the position for 2 minutes. 5. BRIDGE POSE Place your feet flat on the floor, hip width apart. Slide your arms alongside your body with palms facing down. Inhale and lift the hips up, rolling your spine off the floor. Squeeze your knees lightly together to keep the knees engaged. Press down into the arms and shoulders to bring the chest upwards. Engage legs and buttocks to lift the hips higher. Breathe and hold for 4-8 breaths. 6. HAPPY BABY Lie on your back and bend both knees. Catch the outside of your feet and breathe. Keep your lower spine touching to the floor, while keeping your chin closer to your chest. Gently rock left and right if you desire. Hold for 4-8 breaths. 7. CORPSE POSE Lie on your back with your legs apart to yoga mat width, arms by your sides with palms facing up. Let your eyes and face soften and close your eyes while breathing deeply. Bring attention to each part of your body starting at the crown of your head, all the way down to your toes. Hold this position for 2-5 minutes. This pose will help bring relaxation to your whole body to end your daily 15-minute practice. Start taking care of your body and mind today if you haven’t yet. Remember, they are the only places you live in.
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THE BENEFITS OF USING CLEANSING OILS
What is a cleansing oil? Should I use one and why? Are they suitable for oily skin?...Many of us may have these questions in mind when we first hear about cleansing oils. You may be skeptical to try it especially when you have combination, oily or acne-prone skin. But we can tell you that a facial cleansing oil is not as scary as we think! Here, we answer all your questions about this cult skin care trend.cleansing oil in bathroom CLEANSING OIL VS CLEANSERSIn general, there are two types of cleansers on the market: water-based and oil-based cleansers.Water-based cleansers, such as foaming gels, foaming lotions and micellar water, cleanse our faces based on the concept of rinsing away the particles from the outermost layer of skin. Think of a foam cleanser as your regular old soap but specifically formulated for your face. It is ideal to remove oils and makeup for all skin types, but if you’re using a foam cleanser and finding it a little bit too harsh on your skin, you should consider switching to cleansing oils.On the other hand, micellar water is a gentler type of water-based cleanser. Non-soap and water soluble, it can collect the dirt and makeup on the skin without making your skin feel dry. This is an easy and convenient face cleansing option as you don’t need to rinse with water afterwards, however it is recommended to cleanse your face with another type of cleanser after micellar water in order to keep all the clogged dirt at bay.Cleansing oil is an oil-based cleanser that works on an ‘oil attracts oil’ basis - think ‘good’ oils dissolving the ‘bad’ oils that have accumulated on the skin’s surface which are makeup, excess oil and debris. However, unlike the traditional foam cleansers which could dry your face, cleansing oils can balance your skin’s natural oils and keep your skin nourished and moisturised. It is gentle on your face and suitable for all skin types (even people with oily or acne-prone skin!)Try our Nourishing Cleansing Oil – this lightweight and silky oil is enriched with smoothing Black Elderflower extract, and transforms into a milk when emulsified with water. It removes makeup including waterproof mascara, heavy or mineral based makeup, sunscreen and primers effectively and nourishes the complexion to improve suppleness that makes your skin feels smoother, softer and looks more radiant. Once you try it, you will fall in love with the scent like we have!Optional: If you would like to try adopting the double cleanse method in your skin care ritual, a cleansing oil will be your best product to use in the first step of the double cleanse, followed by a water-based cleanser. cleansing oil on golden silk BENEFITS OF CLEANSING OILSThe main benefits of using a cleansing oil are:• Gently removes makeup• Lifts dirt, impurities and excess oil from the skin for a deep cleanse• Clears pores• Balances the skin’s oil production• Delivers antioxidants and vitamins to the skin (our Nourishing Cleansing Oil contains natural seed oils and botanicals that helps nourish and smooth to reveal softer, brighter and younger-looking skin)• Leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated• Boosts circulation and gives skin a healthy glow by massaging the oil into skin HOW TO OIL CLEANSE FACE AND HOW OFTENMassage 2-3 pumps of cleansing oil onto dry skin including eye area. Add warm water to emulsify and then rinse thoroughly. Use morning and night as first step of your skin care ritual. If irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly.Bonus tip: To exfoliate dead skin cells, remove the oil with a warm washcloth 2-3 times a week. cleansing oil with petals SO, SHOULD YOU USE ONE?We would say: choose your cleanser based on your personal preference to textures and makeup habits. For instance, if you wear heavy or waterproof makeup daily, it is recommended to use a cleansing oil. If you have dry skin, it may be better to skip foam cleanser and use micellar water or gentle cleansing oil instead. For oily, combination and acne-prone skin, don’t be afraid to use cleansing oil as giving your skin the ‘good’ oil will help balance your skin’s natural oil level.
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HOW TO BRIGHTEN SKIN AFTER A NIGHT OUT
‘Tis the season of Christmas parties, yearly drinks with friends, colleagues, family members and acquaintances - and New Year’s Eve celebrations. All fun and games until…you notice the effect on your skin. Too many late nights and glasses of Champagne can take their toll on your face and can cause your skin to start looking dry, dull (not exactly party ready) and in need of serious brightening. Here’s our tried and tested method to brighten dull, dry skin after a night out. HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS SKINOne of the biggest affects that alcohol can have on the body is dehydration, which manifests on your skin as dryness and a dull, ruddy tone. As nutritionist Jairo Rodriguez told Vogue, alcohol takes all the fluid out of the skin, which can lead to more wrinkles, and it also inflames the tissue – causing redness in the skin. This is exacerbated by the lack of sleep you experience after a night out, with sleep deprivation affecting collagen growth, skin hydration and skin texture. Glasses of champagne on metal tray TIPS FOR BRIGHTENING DULL SKIN1. Slept in your makeup? We’ve all been there. Use a cream cleanser to gently remove makeup and surface debris. Our Replenishing Cleansing Lotion is gentle and replenishing, plus it helps calm the skin if you’re feeling a bit of sensitivity.2. After cleansing, spritz a facial mist (our Purely White Skin Brightening Mist helps to hydrate and restore glowing skin) and increase skin hydration further with Activating Water Essence.3. Apply a serum and restore skin moisture with a rich cream such as our Moisture Replenishing Day Cream or a face oil, and brighten the eye area with Purely White Skin Brightening Eye Correcting Cream. Eyes still not looking their best? Read our guide to get rid of tired-looking eyes.4. To brighten skin, avoid artificial whitening ingredients in favour of natural ingredients (such as Kakadu Plum Extract, which can be found in our Purely White range) which reduce discolouration and provide vital nourishment to your skin.5. For a natural way to brighten skin, hydrate from within. Aim to drink 2L of eater every day, especially after a night out.6. Catch up on the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep a night as soon as possible.7. Prevention is better than damage control. Try and keep up with your skin care ritual morning and night to nourish your skin, helping you to bounce back quicker after a big night. Discover our guide to the Jurlique skin care ritual for our recommended skin care routine.
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HOW TO DECORATE YOUR TABLE FOR AN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS
If traditional Christmas images are anything to go by, this season is all about cold weather, mulled wine, roast dinners with all the trimmings and, if we’re lucky, a snowfall large enough for building a family of snowmen and women. But that couldn’t be further from an Australian Christmas, where hot weather and sunshine are the order of the day, so we asked Adelaide-based stylist and Fashion Editor of SA LIFE, Emma Riemersma, for her top Christmas table setting ideas – the Australian way. Bouquet of flowers next to candlesticks on dining table CREATE A TONAL PALETTEBefore you start, Emma recommends that you think about your colour palette for the table. “Establish and palette and be tonal or pick one bold colour to add amongst your white and neutrals. I’m inspired by fashion trends so if you want something contemporary, see what colours they’re using together in stores or magazines. If you’re unsure, walk through a homeware store that you find inspirational, or through a garden to see what colours you’re inspired by.“Here we’re going for a light palette so instead of going for everything white, make it tonal to add interest. When you make it tonal, you can use shades that complement each other without looking too ‘matchy’. Woman placing vase of flowers on dining table USE AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BOTANICALSHere at Jurlique, we love our botanicals. Not only do we believe in their powerful skin care benefits (which is why they form the basis of our products) but we’re firm believers that they bring a lot of joy and can boost your overall wellbeing (read our article on how plants can boost your skin health for more). For this table, Emma used botanicals growing on the Jurlique Farm, including Lavender, Yarrow and Black Elder, with a sprig of Holly in the place settings for a subtle Christmas feel.Emma recommends: “Use local foraged things or Australian native plants, especially for centre of the table and place settings, to support local growers and be more sustainable. If you’re unsure, go to your local market and chat with the stall holders to get their advice on what to pick.“For Christmas, it depends what palette you’re going for, but I love native flowers – King Proteas are really stunning and dynamic. If you want that Christmas feel without being overtly Christmassy, add a touch of Holly in either a small vase or on a place setting.” Woman touching place setting of holly and lavender wrapped in linen napkin CHOOSE TABLE SETTINGS THAT MEAN SOMETHING TO YOUFor this table setting, Emma used her grandmother’s silverware, as well as crockery that reminded her of times spent travelling through Spain and Portugal. “Christmas can be a lot of work, so make it as lovely and enjoyable as possible. Don’t style your table a certain way or use pieces because you think you should, do it because it means something to you and because you like it.”Feeling extra festive? Read our DIY guide to creating a Christmas wreath using Australian botanicals.
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