Undeniably one of the beauty world's hottest trends right now is the TikTok coined Clean Girl Aesthetic. Influenced by some of the globe's most famed ‘it’ girls and makeup mavens, the idea of less is more is at an all-time high and doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.
Now, we’re not afraid of a little bold beauty here at Cool Pretty Cool, previously creating bright neon eye looks and sticker-adorned face ensembles. But this time we thought we’d pair things right back and lean into the fresh-faced phenomenon, highlighting glowing skin, soft touseled curls, bright eyes, bushy brows and plush lips.
The products and style wasn't the only thing we flipped the switch on for this feature. Turning the tables on the traditional editorial interview style, we talked to the team behind the shoot about their earliest beauty memories, favourite fragrances that spark nostalgic notes and of course, their professional view on the best beauty must-haves.
Plus, it wouldn't be a Cool Pretty Cool shoot without some old friends, would it? Previous CPC models Nabila and Sadie joined us for lots of laughs, accompanied by newbies Kitiibwa and Billie to sport the artistry of makeup artist Tammi Mayhew, hairstylist Stephanie Dell, stylist Lynn Mathuthu and photographer Olivia Repaci.
Tammi Mayhew
Can you give us the Tammi elevator pitch?
I am a Sydney-based makeup artist working across advertising, fashion and beauty. My style would be described as fresh, skin-focused with elements of refined detail. I am definitely a minimalist when it comes to makeup.
What’s your earliest beauty memory?
My mother applying a simple, perfect red lip without a mirror before leaving the house.
At school were there any particular trending beauty products that imprinted on your memory?
Red Earth matt lipstick in the red/brown shade Rosewood and Calvin Klein iconic nude lipliners of the time. The Body Shop shimmering eye shadows and bronzing beads.
Does nostalgia play in part in your creative process? And if so, how?
I’m still heavily influenced by ‘retro’ beauty as I experienced it, watching the women in my family and icons of my youth. Beauty trends from the ’70s, ’80s and '90s very much inform my creative thinking and personal style. When I’m creating a makeup, I tend to gravitate to a past influence, take one focal point or colour story that still feels relevant and give it a modern context.
Your top three beauty products you use every week?
Skinesis Facialift by Sarah Chapman — I use this every morning in the shower with my cleanser to release tension and massage my face before skin prep.
Dr Natasha Cook Concentrated Moisturiser — this keeps my skin firm and comfortable all year round. It also balances my oil levels at the same time it manages to keep my skin plumped all day. Wondrous under makeup.
Environ Focus Care Youth+ Revival Mask — this is the ultimate facial in a jar. I pop it on at night over my moisturiser and wake up to glassy, refined skin. Perfect for resurfacing and refreshing lacklustre skin.
Can you give us a rundown on your speedy beauty routine when you’re in a rush to leave the house?
I never skip my skincare, but my makeup is quick — 10 min max. I create a light-tinted base by mixing my SPF with Drunk Elephant Di Bronzi drops and a drop of Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation.
Then I’ll add coverage as needed under eyes and t-zone, and create a healthy flush by blending Benefit Benetint into the apples of my cheeks. Finally, I set my t-zone with a dusting of translucent powder and a quick mist of setting spray.
I can’t leave the house without my brows done, so I fill in any gaps and set with tinted gel. If there’s time I’ll curl my lashes and add a coat of black mascara.
If I need a lip gloss or balm to finish and add volume to my lips. My forever favourite is nude, light-reflecting lip like Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in #54 Boy.
Is there a particular fragrance that brings back memories when you walk past someone wearing it?
Narcisso Rodriguez reminds me of my first full-time job working in the city. The feeling of being completely put-together and beautifully confident.
Have you made any beauty swaps to more environmentally friendly products, or do you have any planet-friendly tips to share?
I have removed makeup wipes from my routine in favour of oil-based cleanser and a good old washcloth.
What's your go-to tune when you're getting ready for a night out?
Anything disco or 90s RnB. It would probably be between 'Dance Tonight' by Lucy Pearl or 'Bad Girls' by Donna Summer.
If you were to go back in time and give 14-year-old you a piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Double cleanse.
Wear the sunscreen.
Put the tweezers down.
You are enough.
Lynn Mathuthu
Can you give us The Lynn elevator pitch?
My name is Lynn and I’m a Sydney-based stylist & self-appointed socialite! I’ve been styling professionally for around 5 months but have loved fashion since Carrie wore her naked dress.
What’s your earliest beauty memory?
My earliest beauty memory would be the obscene makeover challenges on the show that birthed a million spin-offs, America's Next Top Model. The earlier seasons, seemingly sponsored by Revlon or MAC (who knows) fuelled my obsession with this incredibly vain and glamorous industry. This slowly trickled down and gave rise to my obsession with YouTube beauty influencers. Michelle Phan for example, I’m no makeup connoisseur, however, I’d watch her tutorials routinely.
At school were there any particular trending beauty products that imprinted on your memory?
I don’t remember the brand, but I remember a brow gel dominating the school playground in 2012. The girls with their tinted brows & high arches… images sprawling on my Tumblr home page, of course, that’s now a distant memory in our self-preserved archives.
Can you give us a rundown on your speedy beauty routine when you’re in a rush to leave the house?
Simple:
Cleanse
Moisturise
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Go!
Is there a particular fragrance that brings back memories when you walk past someone wearing it?
Sí Giorgio Armani, as my English teacher would often drench herself in it before leaving the house.
What was your all-time favourite beauty ad you remember from your childhood?
This might not necessarily apply as a beauty ad but those Proactiv skin care celebrity endorsements were always a pleasure to behold.
What's your go-to tune when you're getting ready for a night out?
Fantasy (Sweet dub mix) by Mariah Carey.
If you were to go back in time and give 14-year-old you a piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Wear sunscreen.
Olivia Repaci
Can you give us the Olivia elevator pitch?
I'm a Sydney photographer hoping to create images that focus on the female gaze/perspective in an authentic and unique way.
What’s your earliest beauty memory?
Watching as a child my grandmother powdering her face with foundation, doing her eyebrows with a pencil and wearing a nude lipstick. And my mother brushing her extra curly hair with a special wooden comb every morning.
At school were there any particular trending beauty products that imprinted on your memory?
Girls in year 7 and 8 wearing Impulse body spray as perfume (I wasn't allowed Impulse, only roll-on deodorant, only the cool girls got Impulse.) And the heavy use of tanning products — along with the very particular scent that at-home gradual tanner has.
Does nostalgia play in part in your creative process? And if so, how?
I think it plays a massive part. I shoot predominantly on film to get a really nostalgic and soft feeling to my photos. And I often shoot in places that I have a special connection to / feel really at home in. For example local parks, streets I grew up on, my grandparent's house - I like to shoot in a location within personal history, and create what I used to imagine and feel there.
Your top three beauty products you use every week?
Mascara every day - currently I'm using the Nars Climax mascara and loving. A light concealer — Kosas is working a treat. And finally, some powder to set my face — my Laura Mercier powder foundation is almost done!
Can you give us a rundown on your speedy beauty routine when you’re in a rush to leave the house?
In the morning I am looking for max sleep-in time and minimum get-ready time. In about 10 minutes I brush my teeth, apply sunscreen (on top of all the serums and creams I put on the evening before — I don't wash that off!) and then I add mascara. That's the bare minimum. If I have 8-10 more minutes I'll add the concealer just under the eyes and a quick powder, but often I run out of time...
Is there a particular fragrance that brings back memories when you walk past someone wearing it?
Chanel No. 5 reminds me of my grandmother, always. Or anything fruity that resembles my absolute favourite childhood fragrance — Harajuku Lovers Lil' Angel!!
What was your all-time favourite beauty ad you remember from your childhood?
Any Maybelline ad — the slogan of "Maybe She's Born With It, Maybe It's Maybelline" is burned into my memory.
Have you made any beauty swaps to more environmentally friendly products, or do you have any planet-friendly tips to share?
I buy very minimal beauty products, and I use them until the very end — regardless of the use-by date. Making sure I'm not wasting products is the very smallest thing I can do. Things last me a very long time and I don't find myself having to purchase too many beauty products, so the waste is low on this front!
What's your go-to tune when you're getting ready for a night out?
'7/11' by Beyonce. Watching that music video gives me all the pre-night-out energy I need.
If you were to go back in time and give 14-year-old you a piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Your curly hair is not the curse you think it is. You will learn to embrace it, give it time!
Stephanie Dell
Can you give us the Stephanie elevator pitch?
I’m Stephanie Dell, a hairstylist on Eora Nation.
What’s your earliest beauty memory?
Asking my mum for highlights at the age of 4, for my preschool photos. She did it!
At school were there any particular trending beauty products that imprinted on your memory?
Baby Lips in HS, you weren’t cool unless u had baby lips!
Does nostalgia play in part in your creative process? And if so, how?
Absolutely, I feel like I tap into my inner child basically every time I play with hair. It allows me to create within concepts and consistently helps push my creative ability which is super important to my growth and evolution.
Your top three beauty products you use every week?
By terry Baumé de rose (only thing saving my lips from dry coldness).
Elisabeth Arden 8 hour cream (I use it on everything).
Ultra Violette Queen Screen 50+ (it may be freezing cold but the UV is still HOT).
Is there a particular fragrance that brings back memories when you walk past someone wearing it?
Yes! Tom Ford Electric Cherry, it reminds me of dousing myself in hello kitty cherry body spray in grade 6! Ah!!
What's your go-to tune when you're getting ready for a night out?
'Candy' by Mandy Moore. Speaking of nostalgia, It’s my tween tacky classic move.
Have you made any beauty swaps to more environmentally friendly products, or do you have any planet-friendly tips to share?
My planet-friendly tip would be to be aware or ask your hairstylist/colourist if their creative space is a part of sustainable salons. It’s an incredible company that recycles all salon waste. Hair is turned into wigs for children and the excess is put into large stockings that help soak oil spills in the ocean. Chemically colour-contaminated water is reversed for grey water usage and foil is recycled back into more foil!
If you were to go back in time and give 14-year-old you a piece of beauty advice, what would it be?
Cleanse! Water! And Smile!
Features Editor: Orion Scott Photos: Olivia Repaci Makeup: Tammi Mayhew Hair: Stephanie Dell Fashion: Lynn Mathuthu
Kitiibwa is represented by Stone Street Agency
Nabila is Represented by IMG
Billie and Sadie are represented by Kult & The Scouted
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
