The Weekly’s Health Editor, Ash, is a keen advocate for incorporating simplicity into her daily routine to make life that little bit easier. She loves to strip back her beauty staples to just the essentials to save time and maximise her days. We asked Ash some quick-fire questions to find out more about what is and isn’t important in keeping her life simple.
1. AWW: You said you like simple, effective products. What are your other health and beauty essentials?
Ash Austen: I have a glass of water mixed with The Beauty Chef’s Glow powder each morning. I’ve sworn by it for years. It has probiotics, vitamin C and zinc to make sure my skin is in good shape and my gut health is ticking along. It’s a quick and simple way to get a hit of vitamins in the morning (and an extra glass of water). I also save time by never blow drying my hair. Each morning, I wash it, apply some styling creme and then let it air dry on the way to work. By the time I get to the office I have lived-in, natural waves without the damage of hot tools.
2. Why is simplicity so important to you in health/beauty/life?
AA: There’s only so many hours in the day! Keeping things simple means, I am more likely to stick to healthy habits and routines instead of starting out with grand plans, only to have the wheels fall off when I get too busy or tired.
3. What are the biggest trends shaping the industry right now?
AA: Multipurpose products like micellar water are huge right now. Another one we’re seeing is creamy, rose-coloured balms and sticks that can be swiped on your cheeks, lips and eyes for a natural flush. Also, full-coverage foundations have really taken a backseat to skin tints. The lighter formulas still provide enough coverage while letting your natural skin shine through.
4. What’s the best health/beauty advice, hack, or tip you’ve ever been given to help save you time?
AA: Don’t overcomplicate things. You don’t need a 10-step skincare routine, you just need a few good products that have active ingredients, and you need to use them every single day. Consistency is key! Another great piece of advice I’ve been given is never, ever go to bed with makeup on. No matter how tired I am, I will still manage to clean my face with micellar water. Nothing works better to lift makeup, dirt and pollution from a big day. Also, always wear SPF – even when it’s cloudy or you plan on being indoors. It’s the best anti-ageing product there is.
5. How do you maintain your routine on a busy schedule?
AA: I never make plans on a Sunday night. That’s my night to cook some chicken and some quinoa as a base for my salads (for the first half of the week anyway) and have a lengthy shower and do a face mask and a hair mask and catch up on any shows I’ve been wanting to watch. Carving time out for self-care is important – and setting up your week to be stress free is a form of self-care in my book. I also always book in my workouts for the coming week on a Sunday night and put them in my calendar so when things get busy, I’ve already committed to some movement.
Brought to you by Garnier, the OG and No 1 Micellar Water brand worldwide and in Australia*, providing accessible greener beauty for all. Garnier is the biggest beauty brand officially approved by Cruelty Free International.
* Based on NielsenIQ RMS data for the Micellar Products category for the 12-month period ending October 2023 (Copyright © 2023, NielsenIQ) and Iqvia, Total Micellar Market Brand, Value & Units, lst 52 weeks, 14.09.2024
