Wellbeing Journal
MEET ADRIANA PICKER, THE BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATOR
This Lunar New Year, you may see a bit of a difference in two of our most-loved products: Activating Water Essence and Rose Body Oil. While the same nourishing and hydrating formulas are on the inside, the outside has been taken over by hand-drawn botanicals. Red and gold illustrations weave across the bottles, as well as the cartons that contain them, making these limited editions extra special.Australian botanicals – Gum Blossom and Wattle – are blended with traditional Chinese flowers of Peach Blossom, Peonies and Orchid, which represent prosperity and growth, richness and peace, and abundance, respectively. It’s a rich and multilayered design you could get lost in, revealing something new every time you look at it. Bottles of illustrated Activating Water Essence and Rose Body Oil on top of illustrated botanicals The woman behind these unique illustrations is Adriana Picker, the Australian artist whose lifelong love of botanicals comes through in every stem she draws, every petal she shapes and every stroke her paintbrush makes.With an upbringing in NSW’s Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley, Adriana has been surrounded by nature and botanicals since her early childhood – something which is evident in her illustrative style (which she describes as “lush, detailed, densely saturated, romantic”).It’s a source of inspiration that continues to grow, too. After heading to Sydney for university, she now lives on the other side of the world in New York and while that may not be the first place that conjures up images of flowers and nature, Adriana still manages to seek them out.In lieu of the coast, or her family’s garden back in the Hunter, she often spends her spare time in the New York Botanical Garden, which she describes visiting whilst donning bright dresses and a bucket hat – a stark contrast to the other visitors who, at twice her age, tend to be dressed head-to-toe in that dark New Yorker uniform.You only need to take a quick look at her past work (she counts Vogue, Gourmet Traveller and T2 amongst her clients – and she can now add Jurlique to that roster) to see that botanicals have played a huge influence in her career as an artist. On top of her work with Vogue and the like, Adriana has illustrated three books: The Garden of Earthly Delights, Where the Wildflowers Grow, and The Cocktail Garden which she cites as a career highlight - “it’s entirely thrilling to stumble across your name on the front cover of a book in a place you’ve never visited before!” Adriana Picker laughing in rose garden She has also dipped her nib into the film world, illustrating costumes for high-profile productions such as The Great Gatsby, Mad Max: Fury Road and Hacksaw Ridge. But despite her success and name-dropping credentials, Adriana is relaxed, friendly and down to earth. She’s not precious about her work but really enjoys watching how the brands she partners with interpret her illustrations, and in her own words she loves “nerding out” over botanicals (she’s currently enrolled on a course to expand on her knowledge).Aside from nature, her sources of inspiration extend to other creative women that surround her. “Their career achievements further my ambition and their support pushes me forward. I am lucky enough to count within my close circle such talented women as designer Silvana Azzi Heras, photographer Nikki To, producer Rachel Fung, CEO and founder Meggie Palmer and many more!”Between juggling clients, drawing and “nerding out”, it’s safe to say Adriana Picker is a busy woman - but she still manages to find ways to unwind in her every day. “At the moment I ride a citi bike to and from work in Dumbo. The path there is along the east river and takes me through some lovely parkland by the water. In the evening the glorious sun sets over Manhattan and I am reminded of living by the water in Sydney. I also really enjoy a nap.”A woman after our own heart.Discover more of Adriana Picker’s work on her website and shop our Lunar New Year 2020 Rose Body Oil Limited Edition and Activating Water Essence Limited Edition to take a piece of her work home.
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AN INTERVIEW WITH PAULA JOYE
From journalist to editor of some of Australia's largest magazines, to content creator and founder of her own lifestyle website - The Joye - Paula Joye has racked up an impressive résumé. And with a career that spans more than 25 years, it's safe to say that Paula knows a thing or two about beauty and looking after one's skin. We sat down to find out what goes into her successful career, her top skin care advice and what natural beauty means to her.What does a day in the life of Paula Joye look like?There is nothing very typical about my days. How they play out comes down to the jigsaw of three key elements: family, work and the weather. However…in a perfect world: I’m up and out the door for a run by 6.30am. I love to exercise, it’s really important for my mental health as well as my body. It’s also my music time. If you see me running you just may also see me dancing in the street. Literally.Post workout, it's coffee (I make my own – this is a new thing – but I love saving $10 a day!) and then a shower. I take a product called ArmaForce (brilliant for immunity), powdered magnesium and collagen every day.My beauty routine is very simple. I use a serum – my current favourite is Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum, which is action-packed with antioxidants, a great way to start any day. I mix a shimmer highlighter in with my sunscreen and a little foundation, one coat of mascara, lip balm and I’m out the door.Then truly anything could happen. I could be MCing an event, styling a shoot, in a shoot, creating video, filming a television segment, at the supermarket, picking a child up from school, interviewing a celebrity, walking the dog, washing the clothes, flying to Paris…it’s the mix of my life that makes things so interesting.In the evening I like to be with my family. My favourite people. Eating, reading, sleeping – home is my haven. At night, I always, always, always take my makeup off and clean my skin with a gentle cleanser, then it’s a delicious hydration moisturiser like Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream. A couple of nights a week, I use nothing at all because I think it’s important to keep the skin regulated with natural oils. Paula Joye applying Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme Eye Contour Balm You’re a busy woman and wear lots of different hats. How do you find balance in your life? Do you have a go-to activity for winding down?I don’t believe in balance. I think the notion places too much pressure on women. Just like happiness. Balance and joy should come as a by-product of living a life full of ups and downs.But when I need to relax I play the piano and sing. Magnesium salts in a very hot bath. Yoga. Red wine. Reality TV. And I take a huge amount of comfort from baking. Making a cake is like Sudoku. Methodical, rhythmical, mathematical – deeply satisfying.What have you learnt (good and bad) about beauty/skin care throughout your adult life?My mother was definitely ahead of her time when it came to sun protection. She never put her skin in the sun, and I have much to thank her for. She also taught me that simple was best when it comes to makeup and skin care. To be respectful of your genetics and let the body do its job.I guess the biggest change has been in the ingredients I look for when choosing products. Ageing skin needs more than just hydration, so I’ve gravitated toward brands that deliver noticeable results.I’ve learnt that not every product will suit everyone. I don’t do well with glycolic or vitamin C. You need to be honest about what works for your skin and stay in that lane. Too much shopping around and you’ll never reach your skin goals.I’ve learned to be consistent. Take off my makeup before bed. Everyday. Wear sunscreen. Everyday. Those two acts are fundamental to good skin.I also have fallen in love with face rollers. They are great for puffiness and bringing that critical blood flow to the skin. I keep mine in the fridge. And roll away while I read the newspaper and have my cup of coffee. Essential on long haul flights.What does natural beauty mean to you?Unworked hair, clear polished skin, shiny eyes. Well-worn denim jeans, white linen shirts, Jurlique Rose Body Oil, sunshine, salt water on your skin; flowers in a vase, a fresh mango…natural beauty is about making good choices, simplifying and being content with the hand you’ve drawn.What do you wish you’d learnt/ been told about the importance of using good skin care many years ago?The French are brilliant at teaching young women to care for their skin from a young age. Watch mothers and daughters on the streets of Paris and they're always talking. Skin care is cultural and handed down from generation to generation. It’s so smart because the earlier good habits are formed the better. The big thing I wish I’d known from a young age is that your face stops at the top of your boobs. And don’t forget the back of your hands. You must look after ALL of your skin. Paula Joye wearing black swimsuit and gold necklace next to wall At Jurlique we believe in pairing our customers with both a moisturiser and a serum to obtain optimal results. There can be some stigmas around what exactly a serum is, how do you use a serum, do you even need a serum? Based on your extensive experience as an Editor and Blogger, can you share some words with us around your thoughts on including a serum in your beauty/ skin care regime?I measure the health of my skin by how I look with no makeup in the morning light. The three things that help it stand up to this harsh test are hydration, sleep and an active serum. As you get older an active serum goes a long way in improving texture, tone and radiance.Made up of smaller molecules than a moisturiser or oil, serums penetrate the skin with a high concentration of active ingredients which target specific concerns like fine lines, hydration and pigmentation.Don’t confuse your favourite moisturiser with a serum. For optimum skin health you need regular application of each. Although both are great hydrators the key difference between the products is texture. Moisturisers are richer and work as barriers to keep hydration in and pollution out. While serums treat on a deeper level working actively rather than just protecting.What's your stand out product from the Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme range and why?For women who really care about natural ingredients and prefer botanical skin solutions the Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme range is truly world class. The hero, Spilanthes Flower Extract which has been scientifically proven to increase skin’s collagen production, combines with antioxidants to minimise loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone and wrinkles. The result is brighter more even skin with improved texture and tone.My favourites: Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum because it’s so damn effective and I love the Nutri-Define Supreme Eye Contour Balm for an indulgent but non-irritating eye cream.Care to share a beauty/skin care hack with us?Apply perfume to your pulse points - don’t spray it all over you like room freshener. It’s the base of the neck, base of the throat, inner elbow, behind the knees and then your circulatory system will do the rest.Discover more from Paula on her website, The Joye, or follow her on Instagram here.
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HABITS FOR THE BEST NIGHT’S SLEEP
You’ve hit snooze three times already and still feel like you’ve only just dozed off. You shuffle your way to the bathroom with groggy eyes and bed hair hoping to wake yourself up with a shower, the endless skin care and makeup products on your counter and dose of caffeine. But it shouldn’t be your morning routine that wakes you up, but rather your night-time routine that should have you waking up feeling naturally refreshed and energised. Sleep expert Matthew Walker says in his book Why We Sleep that sleep enhances our experiences in the day, re-calibrates our emotions and helps our bodies better deal with stress. Here are our tips on the maximising the benefits of sleep so you don’t wake up wishing you had more sleep.Stay consistentYour body relies on predictability and functions better when a routine is set in place. Although it’s tricky to keep a regular sleep schedule, you need to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day (including weekends!). Don’t just take our word for it, Psychology professor J. Peterson says in his book 12 Rules for Life that in order to make your sleep more effective, it’s important to wake up at a consistent time for our mental health and well-being.A consistent night-time skin care routine will also help prevent signs of ageing. You don’t want to go to sleep with your pore’s clogged with the day’s gunk. Put on something comfy such as Elkie & Ark’s Organic Linen Robe to help you get unready for the night. Our Nutri-Define Supreme Cleansing Foam is perfect to kick start your sleep skin repair process. It gently sweeps away makeup and impurities with natural polishing beads to help encourage healthy cell turnover and leave your skin refreshed and perfectly cleansed for bed. A combination of a natural night cream and eye cream are perfect to have you waking up with glowing skin. Our Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream with its buttery texture will keep your skin hydrated and firm. The best eye cream for lines and puffiness is our Nutri-Define Supreme Eye Contour Balm. Gently smooth it around your eye area to ensure bright and revitalised eyes in the morning.Use linen sheetsYou’re only as cosy as your sheets are, and nothing beats wrapping yourself in luxe fresh sheets. Beyond their softness and breathability, linen sheets are trans-seasonal and temperature-regulating so they’ll keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. The slightly abrasive nature of the fibres also increases your blood flow during sleep. Be careful when making the switch to organic linen sheets as some “organic” bedsheets have been processed with formaldehyde among other chemicals. Sleep better with sustainably made products such as Elkie & Ark’s Linen Sheets, which are free from toxic bleaches, dyes or softeners.Get in the zoneNo more late-night tech sessions, your bedroom should be a sanctuary for respite. Log out for the night and try to leave your phone and other distractions out of the room. To give your brain enough downtime, it’s best to not use anything with a screen at least an hour before bed. If you use your phone as an alarm, make sure to switch your phone to Sleep Mode or put it on silent.With its snooze-inducing properties, Lavender is perfect to help you fall asleep faster. Mist your face and pillowcase with our Lavender Hydrating Mist to soothe and calm your senses. For an extra dose of relaxation, add a couple of drops of our Lavender Pure Essential Oil into a diffuser and as the scent wafts throughout your space, you’ll be asleep before you know it.Caffeinate laterCoffee is an instant pick me up first thing in the morning to get you buzzing for the day. We all do it, but Naturopath/Nutritionist Tabitha at Awaken your Health says that doing this adds stress to your body. Help your body wake up and naturally reduce stress on your system by delaying caffeine until 10 am, and starting the day with a protein, low sugar meal.
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THE ULTIMATE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day gifts for your partner. Whether you love it or hate it, a gift or doing something thoughtful is seen as a token of your love and appreciation – and this extends beyond the traditional ‘partner’. Come February 14th, throw the rulebook out the window and treat yourself or a friend to something, too.You can do so much better than a card. This year treat them to a gift they’ll cherish long after Valentine’s Day: naturally glowing skin. Read on to shop our edit of natural beauty gifts your partner will love under any budget.UNDER $50Essential OilHelp your partner harness the soothing and balancing effects of aromatherapy with our essential oil range. Combine our Harmony Blend Essential Oil with a carrier oil, set the mood with candles and music and give your partner a relaxing massage. Suitable for use with a burner or vaporiser, our essential oils are perfect for a luxurious at-home spa day. Go one step further and check out our guide to creating a relaxing spa day at home.Hand CreamYou can never go wrong with hand cream – they’re practical, smell amazing and keep your hands delectably soft. Our cult-favourite Rose Hand Cream adds an element of luxury to your day and will keep your partner’s hands soft, supple and smooth.UNDER $100Rosewater Balancing MistOne of our bestsellers, Rosewater Balancing Mist simultaneously refreshes, revitalises and hydrates the skin. A must have – your partner will thank you for it!Activating Water EssenceOur Activating Water Essence is THE signature Jurlique product. Our Activating Water Essence, conditions, energises, and activates the skin’s ability to retain moisture – keeping the skin supple and soft throughout the day. A bottle will last for months. For something extra special, consider gifting our Activating Water Essence Limited Edition.Rose Body OilTwo bottles of skin care products on top of granite coaster and magazine Help your partner develop a luxe full-body skin care routine with our Rose Body Oil . Rich in our signature Rosa Gallica extract, our body oil will deeply nourish your partner’s skin, leaving it soft, smooth and smelling divine.UNDER $150Herbal Recovery Signature SerumDon’t know your partner’s exact skin type? Our Herbal Recovery Signature Serum is suitable for all. Ultra-concentrated with Jurlique farm grown botanicals, this serum helps skin feel firmer, more supple, and delivers a renewed radiance to the complexion.Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Light & Rich CreamFor a luxurious take on anti-ageing, you can’t go wrong with our Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Light Cream. This lightweight cream sits flawlessly under makeup and delivers intense hydration for smooth radiant skin while also reducing the signs of ageing. For a night cream, our Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream is a rich luxurious cream that improves skin’s firmness.UNDER $200Nutri-Define Superior Retexturising Facial SerumGive your partner hydrated, luminous skin at any age with this silky-smooth firming serum. Used morning and evening, it helps plumps the skin to reduce the appearance of lines and other signs of ageing.Jurlique Ultimate Signature FacialOne of the best Valentine’s Day beauty ideas is to treat your partner to a nourishing facial. With our Jurlique Signature Facial, your partner will be left feeling balanced with skin that visibly glows. Browse our spa menu, or head into a Jurlique store together and let your partner chose their treatment.OVER $250Rejuvenating Escape Treatment PackageSpoil your partner by gifting them with an indulgent treatment package they deserve. Our 165 minute Rejuvenating Escape package will have your partner looking and feeling rejuvenated after an aromatherapy full body massage and choice of any Jurlique Classic Signature Facial. Woman laying on towel receiving a spa facial Still not sure what to get your partner? Head to your nearest Jurlique store and our Jurlique Beauty Experts will guide you on the best products that’ll have your partner glowing from head to toe. Or grab a Jurlique Gift Card while you’re there and let your partner decide their choice of Jurlique skin care.
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A GUIDE TO NATURAL VS. SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS IN ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE
As consumers we’re becoming more switched on than ever about what we’re putting onto our skin. In the beauty sphere, the course of natural skin care in Australia has boomed. When it comes to anti-ageing skin care, it can be difficult picking the right product(s) and regimen that’s best for you, let alone working out if you’re team natural or team synthetic. Is organic skin care really better? Are natural ingredients less powerful? What are safe synthetics?Here’s our guide to answer some of those questions about natural skin care vs synthetic skin care and also go through the best ingredients for anti-ageing. NATURAL ANTI-AGEING INGREDIENTS FOR SKIN To have a product boast being natural is alluring without a doubt. But it’s important to be wary as not all-natural ingredients are good, non-GMO or ethically sourced. At Jurlique we take the uncompromising task to preserve the integrity of nature and challenge what’s possible form natural skin care.AntioxidantsAntioxidants are a broad category of natural ingredients and include essential fatty acids like Rosehip Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. All of these ingredients boost collagen naturally, aid moisture retention and fight environmental aggressors. Grapeseed oil reduces fine lines, Avocado Oil nurtures the skin, while Rosehip Oil is rich in essential fatty acids and known for its restorative properties. You can find this antioxidant-rich blend of botanical oils in our Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Face Oil. A few drops mixed in with your moisturisers will revitalise your complexion and minimise the first signs of ageing.Plant extractsPreserving the integrity of nature by harnessing potent plant extracts for skin is at the heart of what we do at Jurlique. This is why we use our Bio-Intrinsic™ method, an alchemistic process that involves three stages where all the powerful ingredients from plants and herbs are extracted - the essence and life force of the plant is captured to deliver a magnified plant extract powerful enough to enhance the beauty of your skin.Our Herbal Recovery Eye Cream harnesses potent plant extracts and is clinically proven to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.iThe Yarrow Extract from our Jurlique farm in our Herbal Recovery Signature Serum also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a firmer, smoother, and more youthful appearance.Advanced natural technologiesAs we get older, a targeted skin care routine is essential. At Jurlique we challenge the orthodoxies of natural skin care by fusing science and natural ingredients to create high performing, potent skin care for healthy beautiful skin.With our new reformulated anti-ageing Nutri-Define range, we fuse our most advanced, next generation Biosome6 Technology with the power of nature. Our Biosome6 Technology is an exclusive Jurlique liposome that delivers active natural ingredients deeper into the layers of ageing skin. 75% of women said their skin was more visibly youthful and 89% noticed a visible improvement in overall appearance of skin.iiSkin superfoodsThis category includes natural ingredients that are so effective they deserve a mention. Spilanthes extract helps promote collagen production, making it a powerful anti-ageing ingredient. Horseradish also boosts collagen production and helps minimise the appearance of skin discolouration. With 1-2 pumps of our Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum followed by Nutri-Define Supreme Eye Contour Balm and your choice of either Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream or Light Cream, these key ingredients will target key ageing concerns like loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone and wrinkles leaving you with luminous, redefined, youthful skin. Open skin care bottles sitting on a grey counter SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS Using synthetic ingredients is almost inevitable. Ingredients with SPF, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid have become staples in many skincare rituals. Here are some good synthetic ingredients you can look out for:RetinolRetinol is a synthetic Vitamin A derivative effective on stimulating collagen, cell turnover and reversing signs of ageing. Start with low concentration to avoid skin irritation. It’s important to note that retinol increases your skin’s sensitivity to sun, so make sure to wear a good SPF during the day. Products containing retinol are unsafe to use during pregnancy.EnzymesAHAs like glycolic acids and BHAs like salicylic acid both act to fight dullness and textured skin. It’s all about experimentation - start small with acids because if they’re overused, they can cause skin irritation and chemical burns. Low concentrations of AHA can be used during pregnancy, but BHAs in general should be avoided. THE BOTTOM LINE Some synthetic ingredients certainly offer anti-ageing benefits, but rest assured there are plenty of natural alternatives that are equally, if not more, effective. There’s no rule saying you can’t use both. They key is to make sure all ingredients you use on your skin are safe, effective and scientifically backed.
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THE 10 BEAUTY TIPS YOU SHOULD IGNORE
If you spent the early ‘00s plucking your eyebrows into an almost non-existence, if you’ve ever overdone it with the fake tan in a bid to look healthier, or you’ve heated your eyelash curlers with a hairdryer for extra-long eyelashes, chances are you’ve followed some bad beauty advice in your time. We’ve all been there and with the beauty world being full of conflicting information, it’s hard to know who or what to believe. Plus, beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all and what works for you may not work for someone else with a different skin or hair type. From the radical to the ridiculous, here are ten basic beauty tips you should ignore. USE COCONUT OIL AS A MAKEUP REMOVERCoconut oil has been hailed as something of a multi-tasking miracle beauty product in the past few years – something that can be used on everything from your skin to your hair – but beauty experts have warned against it being used as a makeup remover. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it can’t penetrate the pores, and can lead to everything from dry skin to clogged pores and breakouts, particularly for those with acne-prone skin. SKIP MOISTURISER IF YOU HAVE OILY SKINWhile many people think that having oily skin is reason enough to skip moisturiser, it can actually have an adverse effect on your skin, as skin produces excess oil when it’s dehydrated. Whatever your skin type, using a balancing day care cream will not only help hydrate your skin, it will also provide protection against the environmental aggressors and help smooth skin. Woman applying moisturiser to face SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR TWICEWhen lathering up in the shower, shampooing your hair twice is only strictly necessary for those who use a lot of products and gels; otherwise a single – and thorough - lather with a nourishing shampoo will do the job just fine. LIGHTEN YOUR SKIN WITH LEMONSSince lemon juice has a highly acidic quality, using it in your skin isn’t a good idea. As well as causing skin irritation, lemon juice can lead to hyperpigmentation and sensitivity to the sun. After luminous-looking skin? Opt for a skin brightening cream instead. WEAR A LIP LINER THAT’S A FEW SHADES DARKER THAN YOUR LIPSTICKOne of the ‘90s most memorable make-up trends was a nude lip paired with a much darker liner, and while the look has since phased out, many remain unsure of what colour liner to wear. Beauty experts recommend that the golden rule is to choose a liner that is just one shade darker than your lipstick, for a perfectly plump finish. DAB TOOTHPASTE ON PIMPLES TO DRY THEM OUTAn age-old method that many people think helps get rid of spots, applying toothpaste to the effected area can actually cause redness and peeling. Products designed specifically for use on acne and facial skin are a much safer bet. HEAT UP YOUR EYELASH CURLER WITH A HAIR DRYERWhile heated eyelash curlers are used by many for some added va-va-voom in the lash department, heating your eyelash curlers with a hair dryer can damage your lashes and may even cause them to fall out. Stick with a lash-lengthening mascara for some extra lash appeal. EXFOLIATE EVERY TIME YOU CLEANSEWhile cleansing should be a key part of your daily skin care routine, exfoliating every day can strip the skin of natural oils which can in turn lead to break outs. If your skin is normal or oily, exfoliate two to three times a week with a gentle formula such as our Daily Exfoliating Cream; if it’s sensitive, just once a week is enough. FAKE A TAN WITH A DARKER SHADE OF FOUNDATIONWearing a darker shade of foundation to give the impression of a tan is a big beauty no-no. If you want to create a sun-kissed glow, beauty experts recommend matching your skin tone to your foundation and building up deeper colour with a good quality, mineral-based bronzer.
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MEET PAM CHERRY, OUR BIODYNAMIC GURU
At Jurlique, we’ve been planting, growing and harvesting our botanicals on our certified biodynamic* farm in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills since 1985. It’s all done by hand – from the biodynamic* preparations, to the weeding, planting and harvesting, right through to the Bio-Intrinsic™ process that creates the powerful extracts that go into our products. We may be biased but the people at our farm are nothing short of incredible. It’s a small, close-knit group working together to care for our land, following our biodynamic* practices and ensuring that the botanicals that make it into our products are the best they can possibly be. One individual that works on our farm (and has done since 2005) is Pam Cherry, somewhat of a superwoman to us at Jurlique. To give her one title would do her a disservice as she seems to be involved in most aspects of our farm – from beekeeping and biodynamic* preparations, to Bio-Intrinsic™ processes and looking after our Spilanthes and polyhouses. We sat down with Pam to find out more. What does an average week on the Jurlique Farm look like to you? My week varies throughout winter, summer and spring. In January we’ll be thinking about what we need to plant in Autumn. We normally get a schedule for the year that might say we don’t need Viola Tricolors, or we need a tonne of something else. Then I plan when to start seeding and I’ll start collecting seeds the following spring. And then there’s always ashing [part of the Bio-Intrinsic™ process]. I’ll ash perhaps two or three batches in a week. I wash it, dry it, burn it, ash it and then try and turn it around in a week. I wash them in the washing machine – just on a rinse spin - and then it goes on the drying racks to be dried. Depending on the herb it can take 2-3 days or 4-5 days. Once dried, it goes into the combustion stove and gets burnt, then onto the stovetop where it’s ashed, which breaks down all the particles. I’m literally with a pan, stirring it over a stove with a spatula. Ashing can take all day sometimes, or two days. I also do propagation [growing new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts]. We’ll plant a lot of the cool weather plants in Autumn such as Viola Tricolor, Bellis and Chamomile – they’ll go in the ground probably April. We’ve got to have them in a decent size as the farm crew will be preparing beds and getting them ready for planting. How many of you will plant the seeds? There’s a team of about three. They could plant two rows in a session, depending on how they come. If they get them in little pots, they’ve got to take them out, soak them in sea salt, plant them and then pour sea salt over them and plant it, so that’s a good session. It normally takes two and a half hours to do two rows, they work really quickly. You’re our go-to for all things biodynamic* (in fact, you’re a bit of a guru). Can you tell us what goes into biodynamic* farming? When we make up our compost, we always put in biodynamic* preps. Those preps go from 502 to 507 - we put in Chamomile, Yarrow, Oak Bark, Nettle, Dandelion and Valerian is sprinkled over the top of the compost. I make little balls that are made up from various parts of the property – clay, soil, compost. You put a hole in the centre of the ball and then you put a tiny amount of the prep in, close it up and those balls are put in a particular order into the compost. They go into the ground for six months, in either summer or winter, before we dig them up. And then there are the biodynamic* sprays - Horn Manure (prep 500) and Horn Silica (prep 501) – which we do over summer. They’re the two preps we do twice a year to keep our biodynamic* status - you can’t do it if the ground is dry though, so you have to pick the right time. The 500 is sprayed into the ground and the silica is for the atmosphere, it attracts light and warmth. Whatever’s out there is radiated into the farm, it helps strengthen the plants. What other biodynamic* practices do you follow on the farm? I’m constantly doing checks to see what’s being eaten by mites or aphids. In that instance we’d determine how much of a threat it is, whether it’s going to ruin anything – for example, aphids on a Rose can damage the petals. Biodynamically you don’t want to react too hard but manage it gently. You don’t eradicate everything in organic and biodynamic* farming, rather you control, and you accept that there’s always going to be something out there. You’ve got to have the good and the bad, if it’s a perfect farm that means they’ve heavily bombed it with nasty stuff. Hopefully we get good numbers of good bugs, which the farm attracts – ladybirds, lacewings and hover flies – and they’ll come in and eat the aphids. Do you notice a difference in the plants when they’re grown biodynamically? I think the plants are better, they’re usually stronger. Some tests have been done with Calendula or Chamomile where we had organic farming, general farming, biodynamics*. They tested the flowers from all those different ways of growing them and the biodynamic* way was much more potent, our plant specialist proved that. In biodynamics*, everything is centred on working the soil, and as long as you’ve got everything working down there, whatever you plant will get the benefit. It's safe to say Pam’s a busy woman but she wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, she says the thing she loves about her job most is “being at the farm. It’s like being home in your own garden, I like to potter. It’s not work to me. How does she keep track of it all? It’s all in her head, she says. See – superwoman. *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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ADRIANA PICKER’S CREATIVE PROCESS
Illustrator Adriana Picker is no stranger to Jurlique. She first took her beautiful botanical illustrations and splashed them over our Activating Water Essence and Rose Body Oil Limited Editions for Lunar New Year 2020 and now she’s back, applying her signature style to this year’s Mother’s Day Gift Set, Jurlique Rose Luxe Edition Hand Cream and Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Deluxe EditionUsing the Jurlique Rose and native Australian botanicals as inspiration, Adriana has used her hand-drawn, free-flowing style to create original, exclusive packaging that are artworks in themselves. We sat down her to find out more about her creative process, and what went into creating these illustrations.Why did you choose the path of becoming an artist?I don’t think in the end it was something I chose; it was something that I fell into organically - a direction I was pushed along and decided to follow. After High School I studied Design with the intention of starting a career in the film industry as a designer. Whilst completing my degree I sought work in film and found work as a Costume Illustrator on films like The Great Gatsby and Mad Max: Fury Road.Doing this work that relied on my more natural talents as an Illustrator rather than my learned design skills made me realised where my true passions lay, that I could potentially make a living as an Illustrator and that it was something I wanted to pursue. I am very lucky to have a family that places great value on creativity. Adriana Picker wearing red and white stiped dress in flower garden How would you describe your illustrative style?Lush, detailed, densely saturated, romantic.What is your most important artistic tool and why?Very unromantically it is my iPad! I draw everything on it now and it comes absolutely everywhere with me. On a plane, a park, the beach! It is utterly freeing.What is it about botanicals that inspires you the most?The unending and incredible variations created by the greatest muse: Nature.How do you think art and creativity makes the world a better place?What is more important than beauty to the human soul? It is a balm and a refuge. It is my great aim in life to make everything around me beautiful in one way or another - purposefully curated or spontaneously enjoyed, just like discoveries in Nature.What process did you follow to get started on the Jurlique artwork?The first thing I did after receiving the brief was go into my Mother's garden and take an enormous amount of reference photos. I happened to be in Australia at the time of starting the work so the ability to do this - interacting with the actual plants themselves - was crucial to the success of the artwork. The heart of the Jurlique brand focuses on the unusual, less seen view of botanicals, so I was able to seek my own unique perspective of the Rose to use as reference. Adriana Picker wearing red and white stripe dress in flower garden What do you love the most about the work you’ve created for Jurlique?I love that it has such a strong connection to my family, that it literally is drawings of plants from my Mother’s garden. Little memories of her. I love the Rose mist artwork in particular as it focuses not on the blooms but more on the leaves and buds and hips. It highlights that the beauty of a Rose comes not only from its much-celebrated flowers but also the entirety of the plant, that grows and exists and supports the plant year-round, even in the absence of the bloom. I like the view this allows of seeking and finding beauty in overlooked places, the seemingly mundane. Having the ability to find beauty in the unremarkable, the everyday is a lovely way to live one’s life.You’re a busy woman. How do you build self-care into your life?As I get a bit more experienced and further along in my career, I have realised how important a self-care routine is for professional productivity. When I first began freelancing as an Illustrator, as many people at the beginnings of their careers, I worked constantly, regularly pulling all-nighters and not taking weekends off.Now I have realised the importance of taking time to enjoy the life I have created for myself and trying to cultivate relationships and interests that fall outside of work. Self-care is about having a mindfulness routine of rest, exercise and activities that are not work related that bring me joy. Mental health needs work like anything else.Take a piece of Adriana Picker’s work home and shop our Mother’s Day Gift Set, Jurlique Rose Luxe Edition Hand Cream and Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Deluxe Edition.
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WHY YOU SHOULD USE ROSE-INFUSED SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
There’s a reason we use Rose in so many of our products. More than just a sweet-smelling flower (although their scent is a natural mood-booster), rose petals contain a valuable oil that hydrates, soothes and tones the skin. It’s nothing new either – rose petals have been prized for their beauty benefits for centuries (with that claim to fame, they must be doing something right). So, what exactly makes roses so powerful? Our experts fill us in on the best Rose skin care benefits. Tray of rose petals They deeply hydrate skinRose essential oil - extracted from the petals - is an emollient. It has hydrating properties and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss. Moisture Plus Rare Rose Serum and Moisture Plus Rare Rose Cream are some of our best Rose skin care products – try incorporating them into your daily skin care ritual to experience hydrated, healthy-looking skin.They protect and restore skinRose extract contains antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. When used in skin care, Rose extract helps your skin to combat and recover from the damage caused by pollution. It’s also high in vitamins A and C, which helps to keep skin firm and supple. What’s more, vitamin C helps to brighten skin, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores - boost the results with a weekly Rose-based mask, such as our Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cream Mask.They have calming propertiesRose extract helps to reduce redness and calm the skin for a more even-toned complexion and is great for rebalancing dry, irritated and sensitive skin. And it’s not just Rose extract that does wonders for your skin – rosewater tones the skin and shrinks the appearance of pores without drying it out (there’s a reason our Rosewater Balancing Mist has such a cult following). Tray of rose petals with white card It boosts your skin’s radianceFeel as though your skin has lost its natural radiance? It could be a sign it’s undernourished and dehydrated. Rose extracts revive the skin and give it a ‘lit from within’ glow, nourishing the skin and filling it with moisture. To instantly refresh and hydrate your skin, try our Moisture Plus Rare Rose Lotion.It naturally improves your moodNot only is smelling beautiful fragrances a pleasant experience but they can have a powerful and immediate effect on our wellbeing. Rose is known to reduce stress and create a sense of calm (in fact, rose petals are used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote relaxation), so think of applying rose-infused products as a form of self-care. Try diffusing Rose Pure Essential Oil at home to reap even more benefits of this powerful botanical.Treat your complexion to the skin-loving goodness of Rose. Shop our Rose skin care range here.
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