There's nothing we love more than seeing homegrown, Australian beauty brands thrive. No matter how many years go by, these cult local brands will always have a place in our beauty cupboards. So, if you're anything like us, frank body has been your scrub of choice for more years than you can remember. Because let's be honest, what's better than the smell of freshly-brewed coffee and an exfoliant that works overtime?
It's true now that the Original Coffee Scrub is far from the only product in the frank body catalogue, and as the brand creeps closer to its 10-year anniversary, it's not hard to see why the mostly vegan, cruelty-free, Australian made products has remained so popular. Which is why, when the opportunity for a peak inside the beauty and wellness routine of one of its co-founders, Jess Hatzis, was offered to us, we couldn't resist.
Here, Hatzis shares her ultimate beauty hack, the products she can't live without and navigating the day-to-day with a toddler.
What is your morning beauty routine?
I have a toddler which means I often wake up with a puffy face, so I start with a 10 minute GuaSha using a beautiful sample oil we have created at frank body. Ellery, my daughter also likes to come over for some Gua Sha on her face, it’s very cute. I cleanse and follow with Hyaluronic Acid on damp skin, Vitamin B, Moisturiser and always SPF. I follow with a BB cream, one pink stick that I use on my cheeks and lips and mascara. I blow out my fringe and start the day.
What is your night beauty routine?
I am religious about cleansing my face; I double cleanse every night with our Cleansing Oil. I bought an LED mask during lockdown and use that every evening as well, it’s nice to carve just a few minutes out for lying there and doing nothing. I swap between retinol and acids in the evening and layer with nourishing products like our Super Ceramide Night Cream after.
Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m the founder of two businesses – frank body and Willow&Blake. I’m also a Mum to a beautiful, bossy and adventurous 18 month old. My day starts with 90 minutes of chaos, trying to play with her, get ready for work etc. Then I usually spend the next 8 hours in the office, bouncing between product development meetings, data analysis, creative sign off and general business happenings. My day ends with my daughter again, we eat dinner together and then I pass out on the couch after she goes to bed #letsbefrank
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What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?
I love Embryolisse lait creme concentre – so cliche.
What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?
I am obsessed with our AHA Body Lotion – I find it really difficult at the moment to dedicate time to scrubbing and cleaning, this does both in one and makes no mess. It’s amazing on really pale skin like mine, helping to even out tone, but is equally as effective on super dry patches and body acne thanks to the Lactic and Glycolic acids in it.
How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?
Honestly, I had a really robust health and fitness routine pre-lockdown and baby. Since then, I consider it a good day if I manage to eat lunch and go for a walk. I am trying better to move my body every day but it doesn’t always happen during this season of my life.
What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?
I am obsessed with skin maintenance: I recently has RF Microneedling and the results were amazing.
What do you do when your body needs to recover?
I have learned how to listen to my body a lot more so I don’t push myself to do workouts. I also try occasionally to get a massage; it’s a luxury but I don’t spend money on other things like nails, hair colour etc – this is my thing.
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You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?
Dry Brushing is incredible at making me feel more energised when I’m run down, it’s so invigorating.
What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?
I will NEVER go to bed with my makeup on, I couldn’t tell you a single time I’ve done that in 20 years.
Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?
I’m very into Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson right now, I think as fellow super pale girls, I love how they are embracing that and not trying to fake tan their skin into oblivion. It took me a long tine to accept the skin I’m in. I think everyone has their own version of that; accepting the natural versions of ourselves can take time when it’s not represented in mainstream media often. This is a particular problem for the LGBTQIA and POC communities.
What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?
Less is more; I do have a giggle when I look at old photos of myself, circa 2005. So much tan.
What is the best advice on health you’ve received?
Get very specific blood tests done so that you can understand what is truly going on in your body, bandaid solutions don’t last.
What is the one product you can’t live without?
You will always find this in my bag: it goes everywhere with me.
