What inspired you to create ELES?

I’ve always had a passion for luxury products, I’m a sybarite at heart but I’m equally passionate about products that are therapeutic and beneficial for the skin and body.  I created ELES Mineral Makeup because I’d searched in vain for three years for the right makeup line to enhance the great results of Pevonia skin care and I couldn’t find it.  Don’t get me wrong, there are many great products out there but nothing that met the criteria I’d set which was pretty demanding.

What sets ELES apart from other mineral makeup brands in the market place?

It has all of the benefits of the best Mineral Makeup lines such as triple-milled minerals and other protective ingredients but is so much easier to use and apply because it’s pressed the same way traditional makeup is.  It’s mineral but not messy.  In addition it includes some of the most potent anti-aging ingredients available which makes it more like a skin care line than a cosmetic cover-up.  It treat’s while it conceals flaws.

Your company, Universal Aesthetics, has been the sole distributor of Pevonia Botanica products in Australia for the past 17 years, what was it that attracted you to their products initially?

It was the developer of Pevonia that attracted me to the products; Dr Sylvie Hennessey was an inspiration to me, her background in dermatology and cosmetic biology was extensive and I attended her lectures whenever I had the opportunity.  Not only was she an encyclopaedia of fascinating information she was refreshingly honest about cosmetics and what they could do.  When I found out she had created her own line I jumped at the opportunity to introduce them to Australia.  I knew they would be wonderful and Pevonia didn’t disappoint.  It’s still one of the most advanced products on the market due to her association as a Gatfosse biologist (leading cosmetic development group), yet it contains  features that other brands pin their entire marketing campaigns on such as organic ingredients and paraben free.  These are still the basis of the entire range and have been long before they became popular.

What advice would you give to aspiring spa and beauty product designers?

1) Never compromise on quality – it’s what keeps your clients loyal to your product, the fact that it works, is safe and is value for money and 2) Listen to your customers – finding out what people want and delivering that time and time again means you’ll never have to convince people to buy your products, they will speak for themselves 

How important do you think botanical and natural ingredients are in beauty products?

There is so much dispute about whether “natural is better”, “chemicals are dangerous” and “which ingredients we should all avoid” and it’s no wonder we all get a little befuddled over it all. Rather than adding to confusion with more marketing hype I will say that I believe nature is much smarter than we will ever be, that there is a delicate balance in nature which makes it the most cutting edge pharmacy in the entire world. When we create our own ingredients we can never be sure we are not disturbing an innate balance somehow, that something that may correct a problem may also create a new one.  We’ve seen the same thing in medicine and are making a shift back towards natural therapies and we’ve even witnessed a similar principle in the foods we eat.  Anything we put on or inside our body will affect it’s holistic balance. For my part I love natural ingredients and prefer to use them because I think they are smarter.

What are your ‘can’t live without’ Pevonia and ELES products?

That’s easy, I cannot live without my Pevonia Caviar Eye Cream, it’s so light yet so effective.  I can’t say I look younger since I first used it several years ago but I can honestly attest my eyes and the area around them has not aged all since I started using it, I will never give this up! My all-time favourite ELES product is my Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation, it’s like cashmere in a tube, has great coverage yet feels like you are not wearing any makeup at all.

How do you balance your home and work life?

I could lie and say “Like a pro” but truth is I’m a disaster at balancing home and work, I work when I should be relaxing and run around doing home stuff in the middle of the day when I should be working! I have great people helping me do the things I do every day, the team at work for one who not only remind me what I should be doing but help me do it and my family who understand that I’m a modern mum and don’t iron underwear. We all pitch in and I couldn’t do without them.  Each day I always make sure I exercise and eat well and I try to sleep eight hours a night, in between I’m on the go for 12 hours straight so need to stay fit and healthy. I might be disorganised but overall I’m optimistic and somehow it all gets done in the end.

What is your top make up tip?

Something that was an epiphany for me was “concealer is a girl’s best friend”, if you successfully conceal any flaws like dark circles or blemishes you need very little makeup at all!

Do you have a top tip for overall wellness?

All of those things my grandma told me that I thought were so basic at the time; eat well, sleep well and exercise every day, they not only keep your body in balance but also your mind.

Do you have a favourite Aussie day spa or retreat?

I don’t have a favourite, there are too many to mention and they all have unique attributes.  One thing they all have in common however is their commitment to providing great service and passion for what they do.  For me it’s not about décor or prestige but an unwavering dedication to great client care.

If you hadn’t been in the beauty and skincare industry what else do you think you would have done?

I would have been a painter, I paint and draw every moment I can and time ceases to exist when I’m doing it, maybe that’s why I love painting faces so much.

What are your plans for ELES and Pevonia Botanica Australia in 2012 and beyond?

ELES and Pevonia will continue to grow with new products and innovations and with new technology. We’ve expanded into Asia and will continue to expand internationally.  My goal is to empower our clients to look and feel their best so our focus will be on education through “how to” videos and through the salons and spas that provide our brands.  We’ll be more accessible to the end consumer through our online sites, however our passion has always been for working with our professional partners and we work with the best.