We chat to the owners of the plant-based, Gold Coast skincare brand.
We chat to the owners of the plant-based, Gold Coast skincare brand.
Kate Samson, Keri McKenzie, Anna Hamilton and Amelia Gartner have taken the Gold Coast by storm with their plant-based, chemical free skincare range Cedar + Stone.
The much-loved brand has since grown into an international brand, stocked in over 550 stores worldwide.
We sat down for a chat with the local ladies on experimenting with beautiful, plant-based ingredients and the real meaning of natural skincare.
How long have you been Gold Coast locals?
One of the few born and bred! Although the company is made up of Aussies and Kiwis who travel in and out every chance they get.
What do you love most about our seaside city?
The versatility of our surroundings. You can be in the middle of the rainforest one minute and after a ten-minute drive you’re in the surf. Pretty sure we lucked out living here!
How did Cedar + Stone come about?
Two sisters frustrated with the selection of natural skincare in stores got together and turned a small Currumbin Valley kitchen into the home of C + S. From there Cedar + Stone has grown into an international brand, stocked in over 550 stores worldwide.
What’s the process of creating plant-based, chemical-free products?
Firstly, being a chemical free, cruelty free brand, it’s imperative we know where all of our ingredients are sourced from so we can ensure our products are pure. After that, it’s a fun and wild ride of creating and experimenting with all of the plant based ingredients this amazing world has to offer. It’s lots of fun and hard work mixed into one.
Why is it so important we use such products in our homes and on our skin?
With so many free radicals surrounding us on a day to day basis it makes sense to eliminate as many chemicals as we can, not only for the environment also for our family and little furry friends too.
What did you hope to create with your brand when you started out?
We really disliked walking into stores and seeing the term ‘natural’ being thrown around loosely when really the product was actually riddled with nasties. When we say no bad stuff, we mean it. We also want to spread awareness and knowledge on chemical free living.
Is there a Cedar + Stone product we absolutely must-try?
The Lemon Myrtle & Rose Face Oil, our best seller since, forever! It can be used as directed as a face oil or turned into a cuticle oil or underneath makeup as a primer. We’ve even heard of people using it in their hair for frizz control!
What’s happening with Cedar + Stone for the rest of 2018?
Watch this space! Lots of exciting things are happening within Cedar + Stone this year, but if we told you we’d have to…
What’s your favourite piece of life advice…
Be good to your skin – you’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life!
Tell us your favourites on the Coast:
Beach: Palm Beach
Cafe: BSKT, Spikexx Cafe, Canteen,
Restaurant: Jimmy Wah’s, Greenhouse Canteen, Sticky Rice, Zipang, Govindas
How does your weekend usually look? Sun, ocean, good food, good music, friends and family
So there’s a few ways this stay-at-home business can go. One is that we all eat too much and lay on the floor thinking about all the things we should be doing instead.
The other is that we stay inside but also make inside our new world, bar crawls are now rooms-of-your-house crawls, Friday drinks are FaceTime drinks and exercise will also likely be an inside job.
Which is why we’re all here today. To discuss Gold Coast exercise-based businesses who have taken things online so that we may all stay fit while we have to stay inside.
VIP Lockdown Machine Squad
Run by local legends Machine Life, the online squad is $25 p/w with live daily workouts that can be accessed anytime on your phone or computer, using just your body weight, tips and tricks from the trainers (Jesse and Alyse) and an online community to support you through this time. Trainers help with technique, nutritional guidelines, motivation and accountability so that there’s no slacking off plus you get healthy recipes, live chats, team challenges and tailored workouts for all fitness levels. Join here.
Pilates by Lisa
One Gold Coast gal who has been doing the online thing for quite some time is Lisa, of Pilates by Lisa. Who is offering online pilates classes for all levels of fitness that you can (and should) absolutely get involved in from the comfort of your home with a FREE 10 day trial! Find them here.
Ritual Yoga and Pilates
The ladies at Palmy’s Ritual Yoga & Pilates are in the process of creating an online hub for yoga and pilates classes. They also offer pilates barre classes so you can get that booty all peachy for when we’re allowed outside again. Stay up to date with their progress here.
Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts
Here’s one for the kiddies – CAPA have taken their dances classes online so that’s one way for the little ones to burn some energy. Not to mention they’ll have fun and possibly learn a new skill while they’re at it. Check it out here.
Emily Skye Fitness
No doubt you’ve heard of Emily Skye, she’s been online for a long time now but she offers quite the array of workouts to keep you fit and fabulous. She’s a personal trainer so there’s lots of strength-based workouts, weights and body-weight based exercise. Plenty of variety. Find out more here.
Fluidform Pilates
Full body strength and conditioning is the name of the game at Fluidform Pilates with classes created to have a meaningful and positive impact. Of course, there are all manner of pilates classes on offer and creator Kirsten King is a former Gold Coaster. Get involved here.
We’ll keep updating as we find out about more business moving online but in the meantime, keep moving and take care of yourselves.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
In happy news for everyone with skin, a beauty emporium has opened in Nobbys Beach (land of the good vibes and beautiful people).
Not any old skincare store though, the glowy-skinned team at Clean Beauty Market are experts in non-toxic, natural and organic products that are free from animal testing. How fun.
The store, found next to Sparrow Eating House, is as pretty as you’d expect, decked out in white with blush accents and a glowing pink sign declaring “you are magic”. And magic is exactly what you’ll find once you’ve stepped inside the delightfully scented space that’s packed with countless natural makeup and skincare brands.
It’s pure heaven to be honest and it’s entirely possible you’ll spend your life savings in one visit. YOLO.
While buying all of the good-for-you skincare is always a smart idea, you can also book yourself in for some pampering. There’s makeup lessons, skin regime consultations and makeup applications for special occasions (or, you know, work on Monday).
PLUS, you and your gals can indulge in a makeover party should you so desire.
Owner Erin Norden is a Coast local and former freelance makeup artist who (sensibly, let’s be real) saw an opportunity, found the perfect space in Nobbys and made the magic happen.
Clean Beauty Market is the first (and hopefully not the last) store of its kind on the Gold Coast and it’s a solid step in the right direction for the many ladies who are choosing natural products to slather all over their skin (and the rest who should jump on that bandwagon ASAP).
Great news for the Gold Coast, the Earth and your face.
LOCATION: 1/32 Lavarack Rd, Nobbys Beach
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
