7 under-the-radar Australian beauty brands you need to try

Wish you could wake up every morning and transform into a 21^st century Hollywood star (without spending hours in a makeup chair)? Then Garbo & Kelly (named after on-screen icons Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly) is the makeup brand for you. Created by renowned brow expert, Carolyn Fox, Garbo & Kelly features a wide range of PETA verified, vegan, and cruelty-free makeup products (including nut-free lip formulas) designed to give you effortlessly flawless brows, defined lips and beautifully contoured, polished skin.

Our product pick: Garbo & Kelly Femme Fatale Dual Ended Eyeliner

If you’re the type to alternate between a dramatic winged liner look and a sultry smoky eye on a daily basis, this dual-ended eyeliner is a makeup bag essential. The quill pen works to create long-lasting and highly pigmented winged liner looks and has been formulated with a vegan lash-growing serum to help promote growth at the root of your lashes. On the other end, the pencil features a retractable and refillable creamy kohl, perfect for adding a touch of smokiness or subtle definition to eyes.

Side note: This liner was the winner of the Best Eye Product at the Pure Beauty Global Awards – so it’s not just us who thinks it’s amazing!

This organic and vegan brand combines the best plant-based ingredients with to-die-for packaging, guaranteed to take your ‘shelfie’ game to the next level. From facial oils to bath soaks, hair mists and cleansing bars, Salt by Hendrix brings together a collection of products that will energise, nourish and revive both your body and soul.

Our product pick: Salt by Hendrix Soak Infusion – Lavender + Hibiscus

In addition to making your tub worthy of a spot on your Instagram feed, this bath soak is formulated with lavender, hibiscus and both Epsom and Dead Sea salts to relax the nervous system, relieve aches and pains, and assist in extracting toxins from the body.

Founded by cosmetic chemist Ee Ting Ng, hop & cotton specialises in customised skin care solutions for all skin types (even sensitive skin). With a focus on including only the highest quality ingredients, hop & cotton has an interactive website where customers can enter their skin type, current products they use as well as any issues and concerns – they’ll then be provided with a recommended hop & cotton skin care routine that’s completely personalised. 

Our product pick: hop & cotton The Smooth Operator

This leave-on, non-abrasive face exfoliator has been formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid to speed up the skin renewal process, brighten skin, improve texture, clear clogged pores, reduce acne scarring, minimise hyperpigmentation and age spots as well as increase hydration levels and encourage collagen synthesis. Phew!

With packaging inspired by the dynamic Australian landscape and the fragrances inside them designed to capture the spirit of our country’s pristine beaches and endless red dirt plains, Goldfield & Banks is all Aussie at heart. Their fragrances combine high quality ingredients from across the globe with natural Australian essences to create truly memorable and unique scents.

Our product pick: Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Moss

Inspired by the crashing waves off the southern coastline of New South Wales, this unisex fragrance combines a rich base of cedarwood with a fresh sea spray scent that speaks of long summer days that transition into warm nights.

While we’ve become more aware and informed about the ingredients we’re putting on our skin and hair, we still want to make sure the products we’re using are going to deliver impressive results now – as well as benefit us in the long run. One brand that promises to do just that is m a k e - an Australian haircare company that formulates cruelty-free and natural products packed full of silk and wheat proteins to nourish, protect and repair hair.

Our pick: m a k e Blonde Shampoo

This luxurious formula uses violet pigments to remove any unwanted brassy and yellow tones, leaving both natural and/or coloured blonde hair looking brighter. The wheat and silk proteins work to smooth and soothe each cuticle, effectively maintaining the essential moisture levels that keep hair soft and hydrated.

Biologi is shaking up the skin care game. In fact, the brand is the first in the world to launch 100 per cent active, single-ingredient and plant-based products. While the range is limited (only three products are currently available), the trio of serums work to tackle everything from acne to redness, dehydration and premature signs of ageing. 

Our product pick: Biologi Bd Luminosity Face Serum

Formulated with nothing but 100 per cent active Davidson plum, this brightening serum is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants that leave skin looking refreshed, radiant and luminous.

The aim of this lifestyle brand is to provide consumers with a wide range of no-nasties beauty products that do exactly what they say they’re going to do. Founded in 2016, The Base Collective formulates organically derived, non-toxic body care products designed to fit seamlessly into anyone’s life. 

Our product pick: The Base Collective Magnesium + White Tea Hand & Body Wash

While we love that the brand has a pet care range that features a wellness spray and wash formulated to treat and revitalise our pet’s sore muscles, our top product pick would have to be this magnesium-infused hand and body wash. In addition to leaving skin feeling thoroughly cleansed, it is suitable for sensitive skin types who find traditional body cleansers leave their skin itchy and irritated. 

Now your beauty kit is sorted, check out the six high-tech facials guaranteed to deliver real results.

Have you tried any of these brands before? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.

Main image credit: Getty