Comfortably up there, headlining alongside the most memorable stand-outs among the thousands of products and brands we’ve tested in 10 years of The Beauty Shortlist, is new Australian spa range Retreatment Botanics.
It’s the in-house skincare range at Olivia Newton-John’s multi award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa set in bucolic, sun-lit countryside in Byron Bay’s breathtaking, rolling hills hinterland.
“Pure performance skincare inspired by the heart of Gaia Retreat & Spa in beautiful Byron Bay”
And it didn’t just win one of the biggest brand category awards (Best International Natural/Organic Brand), Retreatment Botanics picked up seven awards in total – really quite something when the backstory is that this skincare collection only launched very recently.
Olivia shares her favourites from the range in a special message following Retreatment Botanics’ multiple Beauty Shortlist wins.
Good luck, Gaia Retreat & Spa on 21 October at the World Spa Awards in Dubai!
Crowned “2018 HOTEL OF THE YEAR” at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, Gaia Retreat is in the running for another accolade – “Australia’s Best Wellness Retreat” – at the 2019 World Spa Awards this autumn.
Relax, reset, reflect, retreat, recharge, renew…
A CLOSER LOOK: the KADAKU BRIGHTENING SERUM
My favourite from the range – the one I’d pick if I had to give the others up – is Retreatment’s (oil-free) Kadaku Brightening Serum. It’s light yet full of potent plant goodness and used daily, the “reveal” is fresher, brighter, more even-toned, dewier, more “alive”, more energised looking skin.
A side note about our Awards judging system
We don’t convene and discuss products, marks or feedback while judging the Awards, and I think it’s important to point this out.
So what this means is that when the judging sheets come in from various panel members and all are unanimously raving about the products, with “10s” as scores, you know this brand or specific product is a clear and confident winner across the board.
“This serum is an answered prayer for anyone not keen on oil-based elixirs and facial oils”
I think this serum is an answered prayer for anyone not keen on the (prolific number of) oil-based elixirs/facial oils that have been dominating the skincare market in recent years. It’s oil-free to the touch and lighter, thanks to the first ingredient aloe vera leaf juice, a hard-working hydrator, and glycerin and suitable for all skin types (and ages).
BELOW: Another cruelty-free, palm oil free high performer and winner, Retreatment’s Instant Glow Face Masque
I personally like both oil-centric and oil-free serums – depending on the season, i.e. oils in winter, then lighter serums in summer as a basic divide – and for “oil-free” fans this plant-powered, Vitamin C oil-free winner really does deliver when the end goal is brightening. It’s more than happy tackling hyperpigmentation, blemishes, darker patches and sunspots, and the result as you’d expect is an overall more even skin tone, with increased luminosity.
The scent I find a bit hard to describe. To me it’s like a juicy “awake” and uplifting but quite subtle aromatherapy hit, influenced by Australian tropical woodland botanical star kadaku plum, joined by natural notes of mandarin, grapefruit, orange and rose. A hint of tart plum, but rich and warm. A delight, in front of the mirror first thing in the morning.
Here’s the FULL INGREDIENTS list
(Suitable for all skin types)
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Glycerin (Plant-derived), Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Extract, Citrus Australasica (Finger Lime Caviar) Extract, Citrus Glauca (Desert Lime) Extract, Olea europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic acid), Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil, Citrus paradise (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Rosa damascena (Rose) Oil, Citrus aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol. Naturally occurring in essential oils: d-Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol
Retreatment’s CELLULAR BIOMIMICRY TECHNOLOGY™
The collection harnesses Australian native extracts with “True to Nature” Cellular Biomimicry™ technology. To survive in the harshest places on earth, Australian plants intelligently store high concentrations of antioxidants and natural vitamins.
Cellular Extraction™ captures these powerful phyto-actives to help prolong the youthful vitality of skin, completely naturally.
Super-sized at 100ml this light, satisfyingly hydrating moisturiser (again, its natural kadaku plum scent is similar to the serum’s) was another popular winner at the Awards in June. Brilliant after the serum for a double layered, locked-in hydration treat, or on its own.
Yoga in the hills comes with million dollar views at Gaia Retreat & Spa #SoulReviver
Sleep, the ultimate luxury
It all starts with the breath…
Gaia’s 12 Day Meditation Daily Plan
As far as the eye can see…
Another 2019 beauty hero: the Firming Eye Contour Cream
Retreatment Botanics has a brand new home at Australian natural online retailer Nourished Life and you can also discover the entire collection at both RetreatmentBotanics.com and Gaia Retreat & Spa.
Fingers crossed Olivia and Gaia Retreat’s beautiful plant-fuelled, feel-good collection will be winging its way to the US and UK soon.
Keep a lookout…