Finally, that much awaited time of year has arrived – spring! Here in Australia, the flowers are blooming giving a sense of new possibilities and a new lease on life ready to say goodbye to the dull shades of Winter, and hello to the bright colours of spring. 
This time of year to many symbolises a new beginning and a time to refresh, making it the ideal time for experimentation and self-expression. Whether it be trying out bold, but wearable makeup looks or discovering a new floral scent, Natio has you sorted for embracing all that it means to be YOU this spring season.  
Here’s our top picks to help you dust off that winter chill and welcome all that the spring season has to offer:  

Sun protection

The first step after skincare for a flawless base to complete any striking makeup look, is SPF protection. As the warm weather begins to set in again, give yourself a touch of flower power with our, sunscreen skincare from our NEW Natio sun collection. Ideal for wearing under makeup, our Natio Sun Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a fragrance free, lightweight, oil-free sunscreen formulated with Vitamin E and Aloe to keep your skin feeling supple and soft whilst providing a smooth (and protected) base for your makeup application.

Golden glow

For that extra ‘golden hour’ glow, apply a few drops of our Bronze Glow Perfecting Primer after our Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen for a natural bronze tint. This light priming serum will even out your complexion, washing away those winter blues for a ‘lit-from-within’ glow that will have your friends asking what magical elixir of life you’ve been drinking.

Luscious lips

Bring some warmth and colour back to the skin with our Lip Colour in the shade ‘Spring’. As the name suggests, this pink lip shade was purposefully designed and inspired by the beautiful, Australian flora to help you create a more lively, awakened look. To add a touch of shine and some ‘je ne sais quoi’, we recommend layering our Antioxidant Lip Shine on top of your lip colour for that extra boost of confidence. With Natio being named the number one choice for all things lips in pharmacies, and having been awarded Canstar’s five-star rating as the preferred makeup brand for 2022, you’ll have a spring in your step in no time.

Hydrated hands

After a chilly winter, your hands deserve a much-needed pick-me-up just as much as your face does. Rehydrate hardworking hands with some zesty warmth from our I Love Blood Orange Hand Cream. Our NEW I Love Citrus collection is filled with delectable scents that will have you feeling cheerful and enthusiastic about those sweet floral scents, sun rays and spring days.

A new scent awaits

There’s no better way to express yourself and bring in a new season than with a new, signature scent. Discover the elegant mix of our sweet and fragrant Eau de Toilette with the floral notes of Baie Rose and hint of earthy Patchoili from our Wild Flower Eau de Toilette for women. This instant mood-lifter melts beautifully into the skin and reveals itself throughout the day for a luxurious fragrance that gives you the ultimate feeling of femininity and grace.  

And just like that, you’re all set to refresh your look for the spring season.  

As the warmer months roll around and we start spending more time under the sun, it’s important we keep our skin protected. Here’s some handy go must haves for any home to make sure you beat the heat over the festive season.

At home prep for summer skin

Spa Papaya & Cane Sugar Gentle Body Exfoliant

This dual-action body scrub contains both fruit enzymes and exfoliating granules to make your skin silky smooth and radiant. It’s the perfect prep before tanning, shaving or to remove fake tan build up. Scrub & glow.

Spa Nourishing Botanical Body Oil

Lasting hydration in just a pump of a bottle? Maintain your tan x (natural, summer glow) and summer glow with this fast absorbing, light-weight body oil. A mix of Coconut, Rosehip and Jojoba Oils will nourish and hydrate your skin on those long hot summer nights.

Beach beauty on the go

There’s nothing better than spending a relaxing day on the beach, but as we all know, a day under the Australian sun can cause serious damage to unprotected skin.

Did you know that in order for sunscreen to be most effective you need to apply sunscreen at least 10-20 minutes before going outdoors so the sunscreen can form a proper protective layer on your skin?

For ease of application, you could try the Suncare Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 50+ which features a convenient, easy to apply spray nozzle. The Suncare Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 50+ is an ultra light sun lotion which offers very high level UVA/UVB sun protection in a handy format, ideal for use on-the-go.  Dermatologically tested, the spray is suitable for all skin types and being 4 hours water resistant, it is perfect for use by the whole family. Remember always follow the instructions on the packaging and to reapply every two hours, and more often if you’ve been sweating or have been in the water.

In addition to sun protection here’s a couple of go-to’s to help make sure your next day spent on the sand isn’t spoiled.

Rosewater Drench Mineral Face Mist Mini

Hydrate and calm stressed skin with this mini hydrating mist. This ultra fine mist contains Rosewater and Hyaluronate, so will provide lasting hydration and all day freshness – it’s cool, on the go.

Daily Defence Face Moisturiser SPF 50+

Future proof your face & body, protect against premature skin ageing and sun damage with this multipurpose SPF. This non greasy formulation provides UVA & UVB protection so skin will be covered (literally) from head to toe. Don’t be shy, apply liberally. 

Wellness Hand Cream SPF 15

Our hands are one of the first places to show signs of ageing and sun spots, so keeping them under wraps gives your body a youthful touch. Powerful antioxidant Pomegranate and SPF15 combine to regenerate, rejuvenate and brighten those hard working hands.

The slip, slop, slap message is iconic in Australia since its introduction in the 1980s and is more relevant than ever today. These days it’s all about slip (on some sun-protective clothing), slop (on a broad spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50 sunscreen), slap (on a hat), seek (shade from the sun) and slide (on some sunglasses). Making sure you apply these easy to follow directions will help you to truly enjoy your moment in the sun and the great Australian outdoors.

Lifestyle entrepreneur and influencer, Emma Hawkins, is well known for her graceful and easy-going approach to living life in the spotlight. Since marrying her high school sweetheart, champion Geelong footballer - Tom, the pair has been described as the AFL’s ‘golden couple’, having brought two gorgeous girls into the world and now expecting a third little bundle of joy in July.  

“Having daughters, I’m much more aware of my language and how I see myself in the mirror. I’ve become conscious to wear less makeup around them and am cautious of the language I use when I’m getting ready around makeup” says Emma. 

“I don’t want my girls thinking that they need makeup to look pretty, so I might say something like I like wearing makeup to events as it makes me feel a bit fancy and special. I want to keep a very open dialogue in regards to what society deems beautiful and what our household thinks about beauty, around my children. That’s very important to us. Beauty is self-love and embracing who we are.” 

It’s this approach to natural beauty that drew Emma to Natio’s new Ageless range.

“I love the natural ingredients. This has become very important for me. I love that Natio is a family run, Australian business. And most importantly, I’ve seen results.” 

Living on a farm in regional Victoria surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, nature and animals, Emma’s sense of ‘beauty’ has evolved over the years.   

“I know it’s cliché, but beauty for me really starts within, and then embracing all of our differences. When I think of beauty I think of someone with a big heart and beautiful smile” says Emma. 

“I honestly don’t think about ageing much. I must be in the minority. I have been bought up to embrace each birthday and milestone. My Dad has always said, growing older is a gift that is denied to many. In terms of growing older and my own sense of beauty – If anything I have become more confident in my skin and have embraced looking after my skin more, which is very important.” 

In broader support of Natio, Emma also appreciates the fundamental qualities behind the Australian, family-owned, naturals-led brand. 

“I believe we should always support local when we can, to make a positive impact on our own economy and employment opportunities. And in terms of natural, you just can’t deny that it is better for us and the planet. “ 

While Emma says nothing in the world makes her feel more beautiful than her husband does, she’s already noticed the undeniable benefits of a simple Natio Ageless routine. 

Emma’s Ageless Routine   

Emma has stocked her bathroom with the latest range, cleansing in the shower before applying her serum and moisturiser when she can find gaps in the often ‘mad rush’ of a morning.  

Morning:   

TIP: Emma also mix Ageless Antioxidant Rosehip Oil in with my foundation 

In the evenings, Emma loves taking a bit of ‘me time’ with her routine once the kids are down, and before she goes to bed.  

Night:   

It’s a simple routine, packed with natural ingredients that have been scientifically tested to make skin look and feel younger.  

“It’s all about the routine for me. It took me so long to get in a good routine. But now, with a good routine of self-care, I can see the difference it makes. The Hydrating Face fluid SPF 50+ is an absolute favourite of mine – it’s the best sun protection fluid I have used, it doesn’t crumble and my makeup still goes over it really well.” 

Coupled with the power of positivity, Natio’s Ageless range has been transformative for Emma as she embraces motherhood for a third-time. 

“Like most women, I’ve struggled at times with body image – particularly when having children and through my pregnancies. My body has changed so much, I have struggled with embracing it at times. And I am still not immune to this either. Being pregnant at the moment, I must admit, I struggle on certain days with positive body image so I try to remind myself how lucky I am in the mornings to have a healthy body, and switch the tone in my voice from image to health.” 

Embodying the Natio mantra of ‘love being you’ has been pivotal in Emma’s positive approach to life, and feeling confident in her own skin... with a little help from her Ageless skincare routine.  

Sure, nothing beats the feeling of skin that’s been freshly massaged with our Ageless Antioxidant Rosehip Oil, but here at Natio we believe that beauty is more than skin deep.

It’s spending time with friends and family earning those well deserved smile lines. It’s creating a home that you love coming home to and taking good care of your body. It’s taking a moment to meditate when life gets too much and reaching out for a chat when you need it. 

To us, taking care of your insides is just as important as taking care of your outsides, so here are some quick tips to create a home and environment that’s happy and trust us your skin will thank you. 

Get your beauty sleep.

It turns out that getting your beauty sleep isn't just reserved for Disney Princesses.  It's a must do for your body, mind, spirit – and skin. Adequate sleep has been linked to improving blood sugar, regulating cortisol and helping your body repair itself on a cellular level. Not to mention linked to having a brighter, more glowing complexion. 

 So how can you create a home atmosphere that makes catching those Z’s easy? 

• Reduce screen time 2 hours before bed. Around dinner time you can start to turn your electronics off and have dinner with family or friends and catch up. 
• Invest in quality bed linen and a mattress that supports your back. 
• Indulge in heavenly, relaxing scents from our Home Happiness range of oils and diffusers to calm your mind and get your body ready for bed 

Actively manage your stress. 

After living through a once in a lifetime pandemic, it’s safe to say that most of us reading this can relate to feeling stressed! Whila a little bit of stress in life is unavoidable, we can do little things to destress throughout the day and take dedicated self care time to make sure we’re bringing the best we can to every day. 

Plus, when we feel stressed, we’re more likely to opt for sugary or oily food that causes breakouts, skip our skincare routines or suffer from insomnia. Here are some of our favourite ways to bring peace back into our days and create more balance. 

• Set 10 minutes aside to breathe deeply before you start work. This helps to refocus your mindset and clear any annoying thoughts. 
• Try to make lunch 2-3 times a week if you’re notorious for being the office UberEats instigator. This will help to ensure you’re being mindful about what you eat, but still giving yourself the opportunity to treat yourself! 
• Apply some of our focus on wellbeing range to your wrists to bring your focus back to the present on particularly busy days. Our "focus on stress" roll on is our favourite! 

Create your own ritual.

Whether it’s a cooking ritual or a skincare one, finding your own routine is key to bring happiness into your day. Having something to look forward to can do wonders in improving your mood, grounding you and also helping to soothe your mind and body. While there’s no right or wrong way to create a ritual, it’s important that it’s something that brings you joy and relaxes you. You can share it with someone else, such as a weekly group yoga class, or go solo such as nightly bath.

Here are some of our suggestions if you’d like to create your own ritual at home.

• Create a skincare routine to fake your glow on the weeks that are just harder than others! Start with a face wash and toner to cleanse your skin, before infusing it with natural plant based serums to rehydrate and brighten, before sealing it all with a nourishing night cream. Try our skincare finder to create your perfect routine 
• Why not get family or friends involved in a weekly cooking extravaganza!? Each week, choose a recipe that’s simple but tasty and have everyone involved in some way; from chopping to frying to plating. It’s a great way to spend some time offline and connecting with your loved ones. 
• With so many resources on the internet, it’s a great time to learn a new skill or hobby! As the weather gets colder, we have been loving experimenting with our own essential oil blends. If you’d like to try, we have put together our best tips here.

When it comes to 'loving the skin you're in', sometimes its nice to hear how others embrace their beauty and what skincare routines they just can't go without. 

So, we sat down with Natio Head Office team members and asked them what they most love about their skin and how their view of 'beauty' has changed over recent times. Here's a snapshot of what three of our star staff had to say.

Lisa Ding - Product Developer Nature lover, doting mother to 2 beautiful teens, sweet tooth

Lisa, how has your perception of beauty changed over the years? Beauty has definitely evolved over the years and often gets defined by what's trending or what people within a culture group deem as popular, current and sought after. I think beauty has become more inclusive over the past few years as people are more aware and accepting of beauty within a broader age group, skin tones, colour and gender.  There is no longer the need conform to be celebrated .

What is something that you may have struggled with over the years that you have now come to love or embrace? My oily skin! Now that I'm in my 40s, I do appreciate that I do not really have wrinkle issues to deal with and this has helped to slow down the aging process quite a bit!

What makes you feel beautiful? When I am fit and healthy and my skin looks radiant as a result of that. 

What does beauty mean to you? To be confident in your own skin (and self) and to own your best features and strengths inside out!

Lisa Loves

"The Hydrating Face Fluid SPF50+. It is sun protection at its best with all the added benefits. I really like the lightweight texture and how it keeps my skin protected and hydrated throughout the day."

Allison Harvey - Head of Marketing and Product Foodie, knowledge seeker, mum to two cheeky children

What advice you would give your younger self? Wear sunscreen everyday. Never stop learning and always adapt your skincare routine to changes in the season and your life.

What makes you feel beautiful? I don’t have time in my day for an extensive skincare routine throughout the week, I do have a Sunday night skincare ritual where I double cleanse, exfoliate, and apply a mask. My skin always feels so refreshed and I feel relaxed and ready for a busy week of being a working Mum.

How do you embrace beauty or self care daily?  I’m trying to be more intentional in my every day, whether that means enjoying time with special people or reducing my social scrolling! As you grow more experienced at life you come to realise that time is the only thing you cannot get more of.

How do you show yourself love and kindness? I like to prioritise my thoughts. I think a healthy and positive mindset is very important to enjoying what life is all about.

Ali Loves

"I absolutely love the Ageless Antioxidant Rosehip Oil, it’s chock full of goodness, helps to protect and hydrate my dry skin, evens out skin tone and fight free radical damage."

Melissa Stancati – Digital Marketing Executive Pilates gal, documentary buff, secret Nutella lover

What does beauty mean to you? The idea of beauty for me is to feel confident in my own skin, not in the way I look but in who I am as a person. To face the world knowing I can be gracious in defeat, I have compassion, I take pride in what I do, I can laugh at myself, and I always treat my body with respect and love.

What makes you feel beautiful? Practicing yoga and pilates reconnects me with the present moment and my body. It gives me focus and confidence to see what my body can do after a class and that makes me feel beautiful.

What advice would you give your younger self? Not to over pluck my eyebrows in year 9! Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera's thin eyebrows of the early 2000s were not a vibe for me.

 Melissa loves

"I suffer from hormonal breakouts around my chin so I'm always looking for brightening serums that can lighten those post-pimple marks. I found the Ageless Luminous Perfecting Serum does that for me, as it contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Skin is brightened and its moisture barrier is enhanced by Niacinamide – perfect for my skin needs."

We hope you liked getting to know some of the Natio team members, keep an eye out for part 2, where we continue to explore the secrets to embracing the skin you have and love being you.

We all know that getting older is inevitable. Which, actually, isn’t a bad thing. With the privilege of age come all sorts of rewards - wisdom and confidence being two significant gains - and done right, reaching maturity can be downright empowering.

How? Positive Ageing.

Positive Ageing is a practice which encourages maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit, active and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you grow older.

Or in other words, shifting focus from (impossibly) “turning back the clock” to “turning up the dial” - embracing your age, loving yourself and living life to its fullest.

Some smart, simple steps can help set you on a path to ongoing happiness, health and vitality as you march into middle age and beyond.

Physically, looking after our bodies - including consuming a fresh and nutritious diet (more plants, less processed foods), staying hydrated, taking regular exercise, achieving adequate (and good quality) sleep, limiting alcohol intake, not smoking and reducing sun exposure - has a direct impact on how fast or slow our body ages and how good we feel.

Similarly, a good skincare routine can slow the visible signs of ageing and have you feeling comfortable, confident and radiant in your gorgeous, timeless skin. Formulations like those in Natio’s Ageless skincare line gently nourish and actively support the comfort needs and goals of maturing skin with nutritive plant ingredients and potent actives which promote improved skin hydration, texture and glow for your best skin at any age.

Creating a bespoke regimen which fits your lifestyle, complexion goals and makes you feel good - whether that’s a 3 step “cleanse, tone and moisturise (with SPF!)” routine or a more comprehensive regimen including specialised serums and treatment products - can be both enjoyable and empowering, paying dividends for your emotional health and wellbeing as well.

Inextricably linked, looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand. Self-care and investment into safeguarding and supporting your physical, mental and emotional health is incredibly important - at any age.

We thank everyone who entered our competition to win a luxury 3-night trip for two to Marramarra Lodge on the Hawkesbury River, NSW.

To enter, participants were asked to tell us what new product they would like to see in the Natio range and why? The overwhelming number of entries made it difficult to choose only one winner, but one stood out to us, and that was... 

Angela Hall, Australia. 

Congratulations, Angela! You are the winner of an Australian getaway worth more than A$7,000 and a $500 Natio gift voucher. 

Nestled among a breathtaking bush backdrop, a truly unique stay awaits you. With boat transfers, spa treatments and all-inclusive meals and drinks, including gourmet breakfast of locally sourced and house-made produce, lunch and Chef’s degustation dinner each evening.

We hope you and your guest enjoy your stay and return feeling truly revived in soul and spirit.

10 runners-up each receiving a Natio gift pack valued at A$200

1. Alison Smith, New Zealand

2. Diana Wright, Australia

3. Helen Bampton, Australia

4. Luciano Lanham, New Zealand

5. Linda Smith, Australia

6. Gus Lyon, Australia

7. Lynn Latham, Australia

8. Judi Bewster, Australia

9. Ingrid Jensen, New Zealand

10. Jessica Gray, Australia

Thanks again to everyone who participated. 

This month we released our latest limited-edition cosmetics collection, the ‘natural Australian beauty’ colour story. It’s full of must-have makeup products in earthy, floral tones that can be used to create a range of versatile and easy-to-create looks from natural smokey eyes to flattering monochromatic looks, no makeup artist required! 

Inspired by the beauty found in the Australian landscape, from dazzling sunsets to shimmering oceans and breathtaking flora, the Natio team worked with models Peggy and Hannah to bring the 8-piece collection to life. We featured beautiful native florals in the images, which picked up on some of the vibrant eyeshadow and lipstick shades, while also paying homage to the natural inspiration behind the collection.    

Each year we design a colour story collection that features a mix of brand new items, returning customer favourites or best-sellers from our cosmetics range. It’s a great opportunity for Natio shoppers to try something new or see it used in a way they hadn’t thought of before. If you’ve been a fan of our limited edition Luminous Pearl Perfecting Primer or Makeup Setting Spray in the past, you’ll be happy to see these items make a comeback in this year’s collection! And there is an added bonus with this colour story; most of the items are sold in boxed duos that offer savings of up to 30% off RRPs.  

For a guide on how to get the two feature looks of the campaign at home, check out this step-by-step guide from our makeup artist Christina Schroder, and you can take a look at some of the behind-the-scenes images our team captured on the day, and the final images below.  

We hope you love them as much as we do!  

Madonna, Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Kai Gerber, Zoe Kravitz, Barbara Palvin, Alexa Chung … have I got your attention yet?   

International Makeup Artist Ciara O’Shea joins me for a chat about embracing your natural beauty, as well as all things make up and beauty must have’s. 

Ciara, you’re in Sweden today shooting the campaign for Acne Studios Fall/Winter 22.  You’re heading back to London tomorrow and no doubt will be jet setting again very soon.  Thank you for joining me today to talk all things trends, celebrity and make up must haves! 

Natio: You have worked on some of the most recognisable faces in the world, from literal royalty to runway royalty - who’s face would you love to work on next?  

Ciara: I saw Nicole Kidman many years ago at a movie premier in Leicester Square in London, and I had never seen star quality like that before. Nicole was mesmerising, she had movie star quality and anyone I know that has ever worked with her before has just raved about how amazing she is. I would love to work with Nicole.  

Natio: What trends are you seeing in Europe at the moment that you’re loving?  

Ciara: I’m seeing a lot of light textures in makeup and when applying these fine delicate layers, it’s like working with chiffon. It’s fun to see how far you can push these delicate layers to build up a look. Cooler tones in eyeshadows are really taking off here, greys, mauves, cold greens are big in London at the moment.  

Natio: Trends are sometimes just that - which trends do you think are ones that don’t necessarily work for everyone?  

Ciara: I find it really difficult to see women wearing thick foundation in a colour that doesn’t suit their skin tone. Finding the right colour foundation is important, looking at your bare skin in natural light, then trying the shades on your face and then checking the colours in different lighting is important. The right foundation should just blend seamlessly into your skin, it should be in harmony with your skin tone.  

Another trend I’m seeing a lot of is heavy contouring. A soft contour and highlight is more flattering than heavy contour and highlight all over the face.  

Natio: Now you have worked on a lot of big faces, who is the nicest celebrity you’ve had the pleasure to work on?  

Ciara: Zoe Kravitz was absolute heaven, so sweet! Her skin was flawless, a makeup artists dream. Bella & Gigi Hadid, Kai Gerber – they’re all lovely.  

Natio: what would you say is your most underrated beauty product & why?  

Ciara: A hydrating Essence is so underrated. It gets hydration and moisture into the skin on a level a serum and moisturiser can’t. It negates the need for a primer. If your skin is in disrepair or rough in texture, an essence will sort that out and make it silky soft. Fine lines, wrinkles are sorted out fast.  

Natio: What are your 3 must have products for every day? 

Ciara: for my personal use - a concealer, a lip & cheek product & a mascara are my essentials. For my make up kit: an essence, a concealer (which you can build up or sheer down) & a brow product are key. 

Natio: As we open back up to travel, what products would you say you absolutely can’t live without whilst traveling? 

Ciara: A hydrating mist, an eye mask, an eye cream and essential oils for the plane.   

Natio: What are your best techniques & tools to achieve sculpted brows whilst looking natural and not ‘coloured in’..?  

Ciara: I use a mixture of brow products to create texture and dimension. I start with a brow pen to paint in hairs where there are missing gaps. Then I will go in with a brow gel to soften the brows and add hold. I often use a mixture of different colours and products to make the brows look more natural and textured.   

Natio: And finally, what's does beauty mean to you?  

Ciara: beauty to me is about individuality, embracing your unique features and diversity.  

A big thank you to Ciara for her wonderful insights into the world of beauty. You can find Ciara via @ciaradoesmakeup on Instagram.  

Cover image credit: Office Magazine