A little bronzed, a little undone and always with a side of attitude. Liz Roberts, Brand Director and Owner of One Teaspoon, approaches beauty much like she approaches fashion: individuality first, perfection optional. We caught up with Liz to talk green smoothies, pale blue nails, her natural beauty favourites and why she still wants to look like herself, just after a very good holiday…
After 26 years of One Teaspoon, Liz Roberts is looking ahead. The iconic Australian cult-label now reaches 68 countries internationally, and with an enormous archive to draw from, she’s thinking about what One Teaspoon looks like for its next generation, from the collections and campaigns to its continued global growth.
“I still love the creative side, designing collections, shoots, campaigns and finding the next great pair of shorts, but these days I get just as excited about building the business,” she says.
Her beauty routine has that same mix of curiosity and instinct. There are trusted favourites, a few experiments and a firm belief that feeling great in what you’re wearing can do as much as anything in your makeup bag.
Here are Liz’s glow & tell tips…
What’s the best beauty tip you’ve ever picked up or learned along the way?
That what you put in your body is probably just as important as what you put on it.
I eat mostly organic and really believe that how you eat and live eventually shows up on the outside. Every night I make a huge green smoothie loaded with greens, mushroom extracts and collagen. I sauna most days, cold plunge and exercise a lot.
I’m also a huge believer in Vitamin Sea and Vitamin Sun. I know that might be slightly controversial in a beauty interview! I always protect my face with SPF, but I personally love getting outside and having about ten minutes of sunshine on my body. And if I can get into the ocean, even better.
For me, beauty has become much more about looking healthy, strong and alive than looking perfect.
What are your go-to beauty products you can’t live without?
I definitely lean towards natural and organic products wherever I can. I love Eco by Sonya. I use their tanning products to keep a really light, natural-looking tan and their Glory Eyes for under my eyes.
For everyday skin, I alternate between LAMAV Organic BB Cream and Dr. Hauschka’s light foundation. I don’t like looking like I’m wearing a lot of makeup. I’d rather still see my skin.
I’m also using a friend of mine’s new range called La Punk, tinted SPF 15+ made with all-natural ingredients and really cool plastic-free packaging. My favourite is the peptide and sweet potato one, which gives your skin this beautiful subtle pink glow. It’s one of those products that just makes you look a little more alive without really knowing why.
For nails, I love Nailberry natural nail polish. I tend to choose cute, slightly unexpected colours rather than the classic nude or red. Pale blue is a favourite.
And one of the least glamorous things in my bathroom is probably also one of my favourites: black sesame oil. I use it for Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic practice of massaging warm oil into the body. It’s messy, but my skin absolutely loves it.
I think my beauty cabinet probably says a lot about me. A little bit natural, a little bit experimental, and always looking for something that makes me look healthy rather than overly done.
Do you have a time-saving beauty trick you swear by?
A light tan, tinted moisturiser and great sunglasses. If my skin has a little colour, I honestly don’t feel like I need very much makeup. Add brushed hair and something great to wear and I’m done.
I actually think fashion can be one of the best beauty tricks of all. If you feel great in what you’re wearing, you can get away with doing very little to everything else
Have you ever had a beauty fail, and what did you learn from it?
I grew up in Australia in the era of baby oil, Sun-In and eyebrows that we plucked almost into extinction, so where would you like me to start?
I’ve definitely tried things over the years that I look back on and wonder what I was thinking.
The biggest thing I’ve learnt as I’ve got older is not to chase perfection. I’m absolutely not anti-treatment. I’m fascinated by new technology and I’ll happily try things, but I think you have to know when to stop. I still want to look like me. Just me after a very good holiday and ten hours’ sleep.
Who’s your ultimate beauty inspiration?
Charlotte Gainsbourg. I love that slightly undone, effortless French beauty where nothing looks too considered or too perfect. She has incredible style, but you never feel like the clothes, hair or makeup are wearing her.
There’s an individuality and confidence to her that I find much more beautiful than conventional perfection. She embraces what makes her different rather than trying to correct it, and she’s only become more interesting as she’s got older.
For me, the most beautiful women always have a little imperfection, a little attitude and look completely comfortable being themselves. Perfect is boring.
Do you have a favourite beauty look you always come back to?
Bronzed, slightly undone and never too polished. A little tan, smoky eyes, a nude or glossy lip, natural hair and probably a pale blue nail somewhere in there.
I don’t like anything that looks as though I’ve tried too hard. It’s actually very similar to how I’ve always approached One Teaspoon. Effortless, with a side of attitude. If everything looks too perfect, I usually want to mess something up.
Connect with Liz
Discover more about Liz and One Teaspoon at oneteaspoon.com.au.
Follow Liz on Instagram at @lizroberts_onetea and One Teaspoon at @oneteaspoon_.