Meet Belinda the hardworking and creative mind behind online magazine Natural Beauty Expert. A professional beauty therapist who has a passion for toxic free beauty products, health and wellbeing, and a desire to share her knowledge and talk about the best natural products on the market for her readers. So thrilled to welcome her to the Twosixmag Community!

Belinda, can you tell us a little about you?
I am a professional beauty therapist who has always worked with and loved natural products. I have spent the last four years working in spa and wellness with some of Australias most amazing spas through Eminence Organic Skin Care. From this almost 10 year history I have a real passion for natural products and finding the best available on the market.

And now about Natural Beauty Expert?
Natural Beauty Expert is an accumulation of all this experience. I love to write and help to help people find the right solutions for their skin care. My vision is that we will be the go-to independent guide on the best toxic free products available making it easy to purchase with one click. Additional to this I would like to influence change in the market place to assist brands to go toxic free, weed out green washing and provide accurate information for our readers.

Have you always been conscious of your own health and wellbeing?
Not really. I was raised eating well, minimal junk food and being active like most kids, but I did suffer with quite bad stomachaches right up until my 30s and didn’t know why. Only after a major pelvic operation to have cysts removed from my ovaries, pre-cancer cells taken off my cervix and an endometrioses polyp cut out of my uterus did I start to explore the link between diet and good gut and pelvic health.

Can you tell us about the motivation behind creating a magazine that exposes the misleading nature of the beauty industry?
I’m so tired of seeing blatant lies on packaging and marketing. This is misleading for consumers and is incredibly confusing. It’s frustrating for consumers who are looking for a toxic free solution and don’t know what to purchase; this is part of my mission to provide correct information.

There is huge emphasis on understanding and learning what goes into our bodies, what can you tell us about understanding what goes on the outside?
Well our skin is our largest organ and also our largest detoxifier. So whatever you put into your body eventually comes out through your pores. Clean healthy body = clean healthy pores. Inflammation, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues from illness or poor diet are key contributors to bad skin. Partnering with acupuncturists and naturopaths is integral to my clinic for my clients; this is also a message that is carried through the magazine.

For those of us who are clueless, what are the first and most important changes/or habits we should modify to better our understanding of beauty products?
It sounds complicated but learning how to read product labels. This is the only way you will know what you’re purchasing. Start with becoming familiar with the most common chemicals used like sulfates, PEGs and parabens and build from there. Start purchasing from your health food store or online toxic free websites where a level of screening has already occurred for you. I also still refer to an app called The Chemical Maze to cross check ingredients I’m not sure of.

When do you feel most balanced?
When I’m walking my dog, this means I’ve taken some time out to get some fresh air and exercise, I find it revitalizing. When I feel healthier I’m less stressed and rest better.

Who has been an important influence in your life?
I think my mum made a huge impression on me to really do what I wanted to do, she always pushed me to do my best and really commit to what I wanted in life. She is sadly no longer with us.

What do you believe is the most important change people should make if they want to be kinder to themselves?
Start loving yourself. When you care about yourself you take care of your body better, you nurture yourself with good food, your mood is lighter in general and you’re less likely to abuse yourself through over work, alcohol, or lack of sleep.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m very social I love catching up with friends and sharing a meal, going out dancing and getting that feeling of being connected with others.

What are the most important things you’ve experienced so far?
Learning to really take control of my life through self-leadership, self-love and taking responsibility for my life. When I spent time exploring these personal development issues I really started to grow, and discover the real me, learning how to thrive in my life, my way. The magazine wouldn’t exist without having gone through that process first.

What are your beauty + skin care essentials?
A good milky cleanser
A gentle rice based exfoliator
A hydrating anti ageing serum
Deeply hydrating moisturizer
Tinted moisturizer, mineral makeup
Lip Balm!

Lastly. Do you have a life philosophy or favorite quote?
I’d rather be completely ridiculous than completely boring!

 

Head over to People + Profiles to read Belinda’s 26 things… 

www.naturalbeautyexpert.com.au
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Visit Belinda at: Naturally U –  138 Coppin St Richmond, Botancia Medicines 228 Glenferrie Rd Malvern

Services offered: I offer a range of high-performance organic facials using a professional line Eminence Organic Skin Care. Treatments include peels, micro currant and traditional European style facials. A full treatment menu can be found at www.belindahughes.com.au