Kate Morris was just 21 when she had her million dollar idea - Australia's first online beauty e-commerce site, Adore Beauty. On this episode, discover how she did it and her own journey through beauty.

Hello and welcome to Beauty Island, the beauty podcast that celebrates life and lipstick.

I'm your host, beauty journalist, Brittany Stewart, and each episode I sit down with a guest to ask them about the 8 beauty products that have a special memory or meaning for them, that they'd take to a desert island, or Beauty Island, that I am sending them off too.

This doesn't necessarily mean practical products but rather the beauty products they've come across throughout their lives that carry significant stories, power or nostalgia for them. The ones that make up a little bit of who they are. Along the way we find out more and their life, career and the people and events that have shaped them into who they are today.

Today my guest is Kate Morris, founder of online beauty retailer, Adore Beauty. At a time when we're obsessed with lady bosses - a controversial term we do talk about in this episode - on paper Kate seems like the ultimate one in a million entrepreneur. And in a way she is - at just 21 years old, not yet graduated from uni, while she was working on the Clarins beauty counter in a department store she realised that there were better and more enjoyable ways customers were looking for to buy their beauty products. Online. Except it was 1999 and it just wasn't a thing that was done in Australia. Kate went for it and nearly 20 years later Adore Beauty stocks established and emerging beauty brands like Dermalogica, Bobbi Brown, The Ordinary, Salt by Hendrix and Iconic London.

But there's so much more to her story. Like how she almost threw in the towel in the first year, the hard work you often don't see shown on social media, the industry recognition that took a decade and Estee Lauder who said no to being stocked on the site for 14 years.

I sat down with Kate in Adore Beauty's Melbourne offices - and the first thing I noticed was how at 6pm on a Monday we were the only two there. You'll find out the excellent reason why when we chat about work life balance. We also talked about how the beauty industry reacted towards a 21 year old from Tasmania trying to revolutionise the industry (spoiler: not well initially), the $19 multi-purpose balm she takes absolutely everywhere with her, and why it's not ideas that are the most important thing but rather actually executing them. She is generous, brilliant and full of incredibly inspiring advice. I hope you enjoy.

Follow Kate:

Instagram: @kateadorebeauty @adorebeautyofficial

Shop Adore Beauty: http://bit.ly/2Cgy5q6

Try out Findation: http://bit.ly/2S5Trf1

Follow host Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts @beautyislandpodcast

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or adve...

With her glossy cherry red hair, my guest on this week's episode of Beauty Island is instantly recognisable.

Glynis Traill-Nash is the Fashion Editor of The Australian, one of Australia's most popular newspapers with a reach of 1.9 million. Her career has spanned a range of magazines and newspapers including Who, Instyle and Grazia, and she's covered numerous local and international fashion weeks.

She invited me into her beautifully-styled Sydney apartment - think a green velvet sofa, wall to wall books, a piano and piles of fashion books - to talk about growing up in Perth, moving to London to pursue her love of acting and singing, juggling her passions and talents for jazz and fashion, the perfume that instantly transports her back to performing at the Edinburgh Festival, working in fashion for newspapers compared to magazines, the state of the Australian fashion industry, interviewing Jean Paul Gaultier, her signature red hair, why you'll never catch her in activewear as leisurewear, her vintage YSL collection and why she describes herself as a 'late bloomer'.

Follow Glynis:

Instagram: @glynistn @youareinmyseat

Read her articles: http://bit.ly/2zSh5EP

Listen to GT Nash After Blues: On Spotify, On iTunes

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Products Glynis spoke about:

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick: http://bit.ly/2E7o9Sw

YSL Paris: http://bit.ly/2E7o9Sw

YSL In Love Again (UK link): http://bit.ly/2EimaKo

Angel by Thierry Mugler: http://bit.ly/2ruAM0J

Embroylisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser: http://bit.ly/2IRzsgh

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in #34 La Rafinée: http://bit.ly/2B8fDxQ

Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector SPF43 - not available in

Australia.

Elumen (in salon): http://bit.ly/2QGwqSF

BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O MICELLE SOLUTION 250ML: http://bit.ly/2zRdyXp

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream: http://bit.ly/2G4KZv6

Chanel Sycomore: http://bit.ly/2Qkpawk

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

From sniper (almost!) to international celebrity makeup artist... meet Nigel Stanislaus.

Nigel is a makeup artist extraordinaire. He was the Makeup Director for Maybelline New York Australia for over a decade, travelling the world, leading the makeup at local and international Fashion Weeks and working with celebrity clients including Gigi and Bella Hadid, Cindy Crawford, Kendall Jenner, Jess Hart, Ruby ROse, Olivia Newton-John, Melissa George, Sir Bob Geldof and Michael Buble. His work has been published in Elle and L'Officiel, and he's appeared as a judge on Australia's Next Top Model and Asia's Next Top Model. But in his early days, he was told he'd never make it as a makeup artist. He's certainly proved otherwise.

As he embarks on his next chapter after finishing with Maybelline earlier this year, we talked about growing up in Singapore, how he almost became a sniper (yes, really!), how he got his break to become Mr Maybelline, all about the jetsetting life (and the reality of it), learning to not let his career define him, his triumphant 'I showed you!' moment, why he thinks we're in the golden age of makeup, his thoughts on ridiculous beauty trend and Instagram makeup, dealing with trolls, the importance of your self-worth and a lot more. Nigel is so candid and funny and an all-round-beautiful human being - and yes, my first male guest on Beauty Island!

A quick note on this episode - we live quite far apart so met in the middle, at a cafe in Collingwood called South of Johnston. As we were talking, the lunch rush came in so there is a bit of background ambience, for the first half of the episode. When it got too noisy, we moved from the cafe to Nigel's car to finish the conversation. (The glamour of podcasts!) So I do apologise for the background noise for some of it, but hope you don't mind - just lean in and imagine you're sat at the the table with us, enjoying the conversation over coffee and maybe a little sweet treat. Enjoy.

What is Beauty Island? Each episode, beauty journalist Brittany Stewart sits down with a guest to find out about their life, career and the 8 desert island beauty products that have a special memory or meaning for them.

Follow Nigel:

Instagram: @nigelstanislaus

Website: nigelstanislaus.com

More about his 'Be Your Own Makeup Artist' masterclass with Rescu Academy: http://bit.ly/2U1cHf8

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Products Nigel spoke about:

Hazelline Snow Moisturising Cream: Not available in Australia but read more about it here.

Dial A Lash: Actually Maybelline (ironic!) not Covergirl as mentioned in the episode. Discontinued but enjoy a flashback here.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara...

Exciting news! Beauty Island has been dubbed a 'new and noteworthy' podcast by Apple!

I'm your host Brittany Stewart, and each episode I sit down with a guest to find out about their life, career and the 8 desert island beauty products that have a special memory or meaning for them. This week, my guest is Stephanie Darling.

Stephanie is the beauty queen, according to her brilliant book Secrets of A Beauty Queen released last year. It's half memoir and half beauty tips, tricks and recommendations.

She's the Beauty Director at Fairfax with a weekly column in Sunday Life, and was the Beauty Director at Vogue Australia for over a decade. She's also worked at Harper's Bazaar, Mode, Cleo and was on the launch team at Madison.

She invited me into her beautiful Sydney home where we talked about the highlights of the over 260 treatments she's trialled including Equine therapy, her decision to get a nose job, thoughts on botox, interviewing Jane Fonda, the, erm, interesting haircuts she's had over the years including a khaki fringe, extravagant beauty press trips, her perfume-smelling skills and a whole lot more.

I hope you enjoy.

Follow Stephanie:

Instagram: @mrssdarling

Buy her book Secrets of A Beauty Queen: https://bit.ly/2pMVGd6

Read her columns in Sunday Life: http://bit.ly/2FCCpDO

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Products Stephanie spoke about:

Chanel No.5: http://bit.ly/5Parfum

Rationale B3-T Super Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50: http://bit.ly/2QlnyS8

Eve Lom Cleanser: http://bit.ly/2zoIbmV

Sodashi Calming Rose Face Mist: http://bit.ly/2r3anXG

Lancome Hypnose Mascara: http://bit.ly/2DVsmrG

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Serum Compact Makeup: http://bit.ly/2DGF1xQ

Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady EDP: http://bit.ly/2TIgcXF

Clinique Almost Black honey Lipstick in Black Honey: http://bit.ly/2E7o9Sw

Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Hair Mask: http://bit.ly/2S4v6pR

Chanel No.22: http://bit.ly/2Akhhfr

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

What does it take to launch not one but three successful businesses? And write a book or two along the way?

Lisa Teh is the founder of Australian fashion and lifestyle blog Couturing, digital marketing agency Tailor Group, co-author of two books, Australian Style and Australian Beauty and most recently co-founder of beauty brand 101 Lifestyle which recently launched in Mecca.

Oh and an influencer with a particular love for white dresses.

She is lovely.

She invited me to her instagram-worthy Melbourne-home where we ate pizza and talked about her career change from tax to fashion, taking the leap in launching a business or idea, the value of a great business partner, eloping to Paris, having Toni Maticevski design your wedding dress, whether Australia is making improvements when it comes to diversity in the beauty industry, carving a career in digital and the people and beauty products that have shaped her story. She even sent me home with a ziplock bag of the hair mask she recommended to try myself!

Follow Lisa:

Instagram: @lisacouturing

Buy her book Australian Beauty: http://bit.ly/2TllKXV

Try 101 Lifestyle: http://bit.ly/2zgFOlS

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Products Lisa spoke about:

101 Lifestyle On-The-Go Essentials Kit: http://bit.ly/2qSAv7O

Stila Smudge Pot in Black: http://bit.ly/2Pw3rBf

Edible Beauty Desert Lime Flawless Micro Exfoliant: http://bit.ly/2BdjBXi

DIPTYQUE Philosykos EDT: http://bit.ly/2FqHuij

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino: http://bit.ly/2zesy15

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil: http://bit.ly/2S4v6pR

Innisfree My Squeeze Aloe Mask: http://bit.ly/2ONEZG0

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream: http://bit.ly/ITcosmetics

L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Mascara

Sound effects obtained from

A foundation actually saved Michelle's life once. No, that's not an exaggeration. The beauty blogger, better known as LabMuffin Beauty Science has a PhD in chemistry, which she uses to give a unique, entertaining and informative reviews and articles on your favourite beauty products. With over 60,000 followers on Instagram alone (and a blog, series of e-books and a YouTube channel to boot) she's the one you go-to for scientific-based evidence and explanations of bold beauty claims, myths and confusing and complex ingredients.

We talked about the beauty myth that is absolute BS, the claim brands make that makes her blood boil, how a MAC foundation literally saved her life (it's a brilliant story!), diversity in the beauty industry (or lack thereof), her struggles to achieve unicorn pastel hair until the invention of olaplaex, the most exciting innovations we're seeing in the beauty space, the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens, whether natural products are actually better for you, how Donald Trump is boosting the self-care skincare industry (yes, really!) and how pole classes have helped her love her body. You'll definitely learn something new from this episode - I know I did!

Follow Michelle:

Read her blog LabMuffin Beauty Science

Download her free e-book on chemical exfoliation

Follow her on Instagram

Watch her on YouTube

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Subscribe to It's A Beauty! Newsletter for no BS beauty reviews, tips and tricks. (It's free!): http://bit.ly/2OE05XB

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Michelle's chosen products:

•Black eyeliner pencil

•Akin Rosehip Oil: http://bit.ly/2AYvG2H

•Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid: http://bit.ly/2T3mpx9

•0.05% Tretinoin Cream: Prescription only

•MAC Cosmetics Studio Tech Foundation: http://bit.ly/2PnDovN

•Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence: Not available in Australia

•Olaplex: Available at salons, with at-home treatments, shampoos and conditioners available to purchase

•YSL Baby Doll: http://bit.ly/2FhCHjg

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

What's it like leaving your 'dream job'? This week host Brittany Stewart sits down with Offline podcast host and former Group Publisher of Who What Wear, Popsugar, Byrdie and MyDomaine, Alison Rice.

Alison is a digital publishing pioneer, responsible for launching a number of huge US media brands in Australia during her time at Allure Media. As a journalist, editor, digital strategist, leader, mentor, career advice columnist and now podcast host, she has some fascinating insights into what it takes to be 'successful' in your career AND life.

Whether you're deciding what you want to do, contemplating a change of career path or need some inspiration to put your hand up for that next step, this is a must-listen. Alison talked about failing her HSC, getting a foot in the door of the industry, the reality behind her glamorous job in women's lifestyle media, her obsession with launching things, the importance of mentors and mentoring, the problems with the cult of the 'Lady Boss', imposter syndrome, how she manifested her success, her decision to walk away from her 'dream job', spirituality, and - of course - her favourite beauty products. It was a privilege to chat with her and hear her take and advice on a range of subjects. I know I'll be listening through again to write down all her brilliant advice!

Follow Alison Rice:

Offline the podcast: Listen to all episodes (also available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify)

Instagram: @alisonlarsenrice

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @brittanybeautybts

Email: [email protected]

Listen to Alison's interview with Jeannie Bourke of Venustus

Listen to Alison's interview with the Lady-Land podcast

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions.

Alison's chosen products:

•IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream: http://bit.ly/ITcosmetics

•IT Cosmetics Foundation Brush: http://bit.ly/ITBrush

•First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturiser: http://bit.ly/FABprimer

•RMS Lip2Cheek: http://bit.ly/RMSduo

•Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil: http://bit.ly/2qtsrda

•Chanel No.5 Parfum: http://bit.ly/5Parfum

•Venustus Cancer Rollerball Perfume: http://bit.ly/2Dk5aTH

•Cosmedix Reflect Natural Sunscreen: http://bit.ly/CosReflect

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

In episode five of Beauty Island, host Brittany Stewart sits down with Erika Geraerts.

You might not know her name, but you definitely know what she's done. Erika was one of the founders of Frank Body, the coffee scrub beauty brand that's gone on to revolutionise the beauty space and make millions in the process. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. At just 29, Erika has done more than most people do in a lifetime - including founding a content agency, writing a children's book, opening a cafe, and launching two unique and successful beauty brands, including her latest baby, Fluff. It's unlike anything else you'll find in the beauty world - and no, not a speck of millennial pink in sight.

Erika welcomed me into the very cool Fluff showroom-cum-office in Melbourne. We talked about her career, forging your own path, the logistics of launching a business, the definition of success, and the problems with the beauty industry as it currently is. We also talked about her decision to leave Frank and launch Fluff, why it's so different, why she ditched millenials for centennials (that's 16-22 year olds) as her ideal customer, her tattoos and much more. I hope you find our chat as fascinating as I did. (And her special products are so unique and interesting!)

Follow Erika Geraerts:

Instagram: @itsall.fluff

Shop Fluff: Fluff

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @beautyislandpodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions. The links below are also not affiliate links - just provided for your ease if you'd like to check them out further. If at any time affiliate links or adverts appear in this podcast, they will be very clearly labelled.

Erika's chosen Beauty Island products:

•Black Afgano by Nasomatto: http://bit.ly/2Oahsiz

•Coconut oil

•Fluff Bronzing Powder: http://bit.ly/2Pwini4

•Agent Nateur Holi Oil: http://bit.ly/2z8PTjX

•Agent Nateur Holi Stick Deodorant: http://bit.ly/2z7CZ5Y

•Frank Body Lip Scrub: http://bit.ly/2CNq0dd

•Mr Smith Sea Salt Spray: http://bit.ly/2JjCjPm

•Little Company: http://bit.ly/2AvZtPH

•Tattoos

•The beach

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

Did you know makeup artists rarely get paid to do makeup for celebrities? And that while doing a Vogue cover may bring you serious industry credit, it will barely make a difference to your bank account?

In episode four of Beauty Island, host Brittany Stewart sits down with makeup artist Shev Kelly to discover these and many more industry gems, tips and stories.

Siobhan (Shev) Kelly is the Global Makeup Artist for Napoleon Perdis. Over 14 years she's worked her way up from the store to her current multi-faceted role. She's bright, bubbly, a whole heap of fun and of course incredibly talented at what she does.

We spoke about getting her break into the industry, why Instagram makeup won't take you far in the fashion world, what happened when she did Usher's makeup, the truth about working backstage at local and international fashion weeks, plus her best tips for the perfect red lip and lots more brilliant makeup tips and recommendations.

She's a favourite of mine, so I hope you enjoy.

Follow Shev Kelly:

Instagram: @shevkellymua

Twitter: @shevkellymua

@napoleonperdis

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @beautyislandpodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions. The links below are also not affiliate links - just provided for your ease if you'd like to check them out further. If at any time affiliate links or adverts appear in this podcast, they will be very clearly labelled.

Shev's chosen Beauty Island products.

Kmart Eyeshadow Palette

Sunflower by Elizabeth Arden: http://bit.ly/2xLU05S

Le Tan Coconut Sunscreen SPF 50+: http://bit.ly/2CVGb8Z

Hair Mascara

Napoleon Perdis Stroke Of Genius Liquid Cashmere Foundation: http://bit.ly/2OzCZGv

Napoleon Perdis Complex Skin Renewal Serum: http://bit.ly/2PMCsgM

Kevin Murphy Doo Over: http://bit.ly/2yPgkez

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: http://bit.ly/2AkCtDq

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain

In episode three of Beauty Island, host Brittany Stewart sits down with Gemma Watts.

Gemma is a beauty writer, influencer, MC and host of fellow Aussie beauty podcast, the Glow Journal podcast.

In a sea of fluffy beauty reviews, Gemma is a breath of fresh air. She's sarcastic, in the best way. After writing for fashion website Couturing and L'Oreal Paris Australia, she launched her own content agency two years ago, working with big brands like Simone Perele, Mecca and Myer.

We talked about her love of (good!) fake tans, launching her own business, why she quit YouTube, her exciting new podcast, why she welcomes the term 'influencer', the rule she has before she reviews any beauty product and why she never wants to feel comfortable.

She's intelligent and hilarious. I hope you enjoy.

Follow Gemma Watts:

Glow Journal: www.glowjournal.com

Instagram: @gemkwatts

Podcast: Search 'Glow Journal' on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Follow Brittany Stewart:

Instagram: @beautyislandpodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please note - all beauty products mentioned in this episode are honest recommendations, with no sponsored or advertised mentions. The links below are also not affiliate links - just provided for your ease if you'd like to check them out further. If at any time affiliate links or adverts appear in this podcast, they will be very clearly labelled.

Gemma's chosen Beauty Island products.

•Cedel Hairspray: http://bit.ly/2Ee901J

•James Read tan: http://bit.ly/2NBF6nJ

•Alpha H Liquid Gold: http://bit.ly/2P1gpGd

•Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting: http://bit.ly/2OT4tG5

•Regular peels/in-salon treatments

•Creme De La Mer: http://bit.ly/2QJcT0f

•EMBRYOLISSE LAIT-CRÈME CONCENTRÉ MOISTURISER: http://bit.ly/2IRzsgh

•YSL Paris: http://bit.ly/2IT4955

Sound effects obtained from Zapsplat

Music: Dexter Britain