Less is More, right?


There’s always two sides to every story and the truth, as they say, is somewhere in the inbetween. Skincare is no different. Beauty therapists, dermal clinicians, aestheticians, skincare and cosmeceutical companies all have their own opinions and many are valid. I know in today’s fast paced lifestyle, with our filtered and cropped insta life,  our TikTok attention span, and lofty expectation inflation it’s easy to become overwhelmed by choice and instruction when it comes to our skin.


And with that, I have noticed a growing group of clients that have put down the products, all of them. And, while I am all about the KISS method - that’s, Keep it Stupid Simple, I do feel my anxiety start to rise when a client says they do nothing with their skin.


Our skin is our largest organ, a living, breathing, amazing, self regulating, self protecting organ. It has so many amazing abilities, like stopping our bits falling out obvi, protecting us from bacteria and pathogens, sealing up the cuts and cracks and it has its own built in cooling system, yup it’s sweat! And it does all of that on it’s own, without any consciousness or decision from us, pretty darn cool if you ask me.


But with technology and innovation, we know that skin could do with a little assistance, especially when it comes to preventing dehydration, sun damage and ageing. And, what makes me shudder is when I hear clients in my chair say they have downed all the tools. They’re not washing their face or maybe splashing fresh stream water like their great granny did, they’ve decided that their skin is the best expert on self cleaning and regulating. And while as noted above, the skin does a great many things, one thing is doesn’t do so well is self cleaning.


So what happens when you don’t wash your face or you splash it with water? Build up, oxidisation, dehydration, enlarged pores, and lets not forget our friendly fauna, the demodex mite. All of these can lead to premature ageing, skin irritations, potential acne, blackheads, oilier skin, dryer skin, or inflammation like eczema. When we neglect to wash and cleanse our skin, debris, oil, pollutants and dry and dehydrated skin begin to build up and at the beginning maybe you have more of a glow (umm yeah that’s oil) but over time this buildup enlarges pores and creates irritation. 


I suggest checking with your beauty therapist or dermal clinician for what will work for your skin and concerns. I am guilty of cleansing old school with the likes of St Ives Apricot scrub or Aapri, we tried to scrub our sins and upper dermis away before we knew any better, but as I gather more turns around the sun, I’ve realised that gentle and kindly is the best way to attend to your skin’s needs. I regularly cleanse (morning and night, yup) with a gentle, hydrating cleanser, and then 2 times a week, a gentle exfoliant and then skincare to address dehydration and TEWL. I wear makeup when I work and I will double cleanse to remove all traces of the day but even when I’ve only donned skincare for the day, I cleanse morning and night, because the world is dirty, AND, if you’re applying your daily sun protection (hello, lets reduce premature ageing and potential for cancer) you need a clean slate. I do adjust my skincare as the weather conditions cool down and the humidity leaves for a few short months but I always stick to something, and I urge you to also. Something simple, suited to your skin and lifestyle, but something, please.


Thanks for reading! Until next time.


Carly xx






How’s your Brow game?

Blog Spotlight – Brows, Lashes by me :) Carly Stone


Let’s talk all things brows and lashes. I’ve been a makeup artist and hairstylist for  a few years….*cough going on (lucky for me) 13, yikes! And, I have always been super passionate about making the most of what you have. After the Covid rollercoaster, I decided to, what’s that buzz word, P - I - V - O - T?! 



Enter brow and lash training and, a dedicated luxe space to host my clients.



I now bring you expert brow care and lash lifts to you, my lovely and amazing clients, yay. I love the way these treatments enhance what you already have and, help your body by nourishing your lashes and brows. So what services are available? I’m so glad you asked!



  • Brow care and shaping - ease into your brow journey with our Foundation Brows, or step into your best brows asap with our Reputation Brows!



Expert brow shaping and taming, waxing, tweezing, dyeing and brow lamination by HDBrows to create your best, elevated brows using the hair you have already.



  • Lash lifts and tinting - enhance your own lashes with almost no maintenance and nourish your lashes too!



Create lifted, longer looking lashes with a Nouveau LVL Lash lift to extend and elevate your lashes, wake up ready to go. It’s also perfect for anyone who suffers hayfever (*cough me) no mascara  to smudge or panda when your eyes are irritated thanks to pollen and dust.



These services are perfect to start at any time but if you have a special event, book in a week or two prior. 



Who’s this treatment for?

Ideally you’re looking for a naturally enhanced look. You’d like to utilise your own brows and lashes to their very best, without handing over to a permanent shape that may not suit you in years to come, or may cause damage.



How often should we book in for your brows and lash lifts/tints?

This depends on your own lash and brow growth/cycle. I advise my clients to rebook every 6-8 weeks to get the most out of their treatments, maintain your ideal shape and stay on top of any corrections we are trying to achieve. The more regularly you come, the more polished and maintained your brows will look.



Will the process damage brows?

When the treatment is done by a professional, the treatment will enhance your own brows and in most cases, add to the brow hair health.  


*(I can personally attest to these benefits, my brows are a lot fuller and thicker. Prior to beginning, I was considering brow tattooing as the tails of my brows weren’t much to look at, (they started strong and then just, you know, drifted off, now, they’re thriving and I constantly receive compliments on my brows!)

What other beauty services do you offer?

Other services on offer are Nouveau LVL Lash Lift, lash tinting, brow waxing and facial waxing, makeup and hairstyling for your event, bridal makeup and commercial requirements and photoshoots.


When should I book in to look my best if I have an event coming up?

I would book in a week before your event, so your brows are looking their best and your skin has had time to settle down from any waxing.

Where can clients find you?

512 Hornibrook Highway, Shop 2, Brighton, Queensland, 4017. Right next door to Blume Coffee.


How can I book in with you?

You can book in with me through my website or social pages, preferably a week or two in advanced so I can make sure I can fit you in.


Thanks for reading, if you need help with your brows or you’d like to chat (book in for a complimentary test patch and consultation) about starting a brow journey with me, let’s chat xx

Cropped image of woman's face with before and after HDBrows lamination treatment.

HDBrows Before and After

Brows, lashes, makeup Logo. Est. 2010. Blush pink watercolour background with crescent moon and lunar pattern.

brows lashes makeup logo

Studio interior picturing white curtain, white textured reception desk and small and large alabaster globe lights.

Tranquil beauty space for you to relax and enjoy.


Wedding Day Timing, we need to start when?!


Wait, what? You want to start how early??!


Wedding day preparations are a time to enjoy and relax, to have time to ponder the day, talk to loved ones and feel pampered by your stylist. However, timing is a slippery salmon and can wriggle away at great speed if you’re not careful.


Let’s talk more…..


Ok, I know your daily makeup and hair routine takes 30 minutes or less , or maybe more (I’m not judging) but this is your special day, your DAY of DAYS, a day that will be recorded in the annals of time, forever and ever. You want to look and feel your best, and I want that for you too, that’s why you hired me, right?

Black and white image caught in the mirrors reflection. Hairstylist, Carly Stone making adjustments to a brides hairstyle.

Final touches, beautiful capture by Todd Hunter McGraw Photography



So, let me give you my rundown on how I suggest my bridal parties break down their wedding day timing preparations.


1. Wake up around 10am, the sun is shining (Disney birds and butterflies alight on your windowsill) after your deepest, most restful sleep, ever. NeeeeEEHH!


In all honesty, you may not have had a good night’s rest, thinking about the day ahead and all the things that need to happen tend to keep one up. You may have been sleeping somewhere other than your own bed and you may have been kept up by well meaning loved ones or too many beveraginos in an attempt to relax. 


*Tip - have a notepad and pen (not your phone, bluelight isn’t helpful to a good sleep) on your bedside table for any last minute things so you can release them from your brain.


2. Pop out for coffee and a bagel, or croissant or smashed avo on sourdough with that lemon dukkah that you like. NeeeeeEEHH!


Have your breakfast pre-planned. Have someone else prepare it for you, make some overnight oats, maybe your mum will pop over with fruit and pastries, or order a brekky platter with your venue. This will save you time and stress of deciding and waiting. 


3. Ok, real talk….we need to start early (maybe 6 or 7am). I know, it sucks, but I also know from over 10 years experience that wedding day time travels differently. It literally evaporates. And, one of my hopes for you is that your wedding day will be calm and relaxing. Think about it, brushing teeth - 3 minutes, nervous wees x16 = 32 minutes, finding your antihistamine - 4 minutes, gushing over your flowers (as you well should!) - 7 minutes, answering 3 annoying phone calls - 12 minutes - total 58 minutes, and I could go on but you can easily see how all those moments add up and time just slips away (evaporates!). 


To plan and avoid a jumbling, unsettling rush, we need to know our times. 


What time is the ceremony? 

What time do you want to leave (how long is it going to take you to get from A to B)? 

And, 

What time is your photographer/videographer arriving?


I like to work my timing backwards, taking into consideration our important time stamps, and allowing the necessary time for:


1. Styling

2. Getting dressed

3. Photos

4. Final touches, veil placement, more lippy, etc


And then we can workout our start time.


I know, it may be early start, (98% my wedding bookings by 7am) but it’s important to allow enough time so that your day isn’t an awful blur of screeching and running.


This is YOUR day, for you, about you (and your fiance) but this first part is about relaxing into it, feeling pampered and special, calming and centring yourself so you feel pumped from all the energy and good vibes. 


Happy wedding planning and thanks for reading!



Carly xx

Black and white image of brides sister helping bride into her wedding dress.

Time to get dressed, bride and her sister captured by Todd Hunter McGraw Photography.

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