Beauty: Friends under the skin

Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

When it comes to beautification, there's none of that silly transtasman rivalry that's rife when our two countries go anywhere near each other for sporting purposes.

If there's some skincare or makeup that's going to do wonders, we rise above any of that nonsense. This Australian line-up proves they're right on their game.

1. Natio Spa Absolute Bliss Bubble Bath
$13.95 for 200ml

Bring back bubble-baths. They're such an indulgence. This peppermint-spiked stuff is doing its best to make bubble-baths an everyday occurrence. Pretty fantastic after a long day.

From selected pharmacies and Farmers stores.

2. Becca Rose Quartz Shimmering Skin Perfector
$68 for 50ml

Perth makeup artist and model Rebecca Morrice Williams was on a mission to find the perfect foundation and started the makeup line Becca, which does some truly lovely foundations, powders and blushers. This shimmering moisturiser with SPF20+ was made to replace tired, dull skin with luminous, radiant stuff thanks to its shimmering particles. Use it like a moisturiser or highlight areas over foundation.

From Glamorpuss.

3. Napoleon Perdis Mosaic Bronzing Powder & Puff
$69.95 for 13g

Australian makeup artist Napoleon is passionate about bronzer, calling it "endless summer love". This cute mosaic-pattern compact also makes it fun to use. Right now, bronzer's not about looking like you have a perma-tan but looking healthy, especially if you restrict it to nose, cheeks and forehead.

From Napoleon Perdis, Vulcan Lane and selected Farmers stores.

4. Bloom Cheeky Lips
$35 for 6.5ml

A cunning double-ended cheek cream/cheek colour in Shy and Amour lipgloss at the other end. Particularly like the cheek colour, a rosy take on the blush of innocent maidens. The cute Miss Bloom illustration on the box and repeating Eiffel Tower image is a nice touch.

From Smith & Caughey's and selected pharmacies.

5. Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream
$50 for 120ml

The cult skincare range Aesop is all about using botanicals in a no-nonsense way and steering clear of preservatives, colour additives, animal-derived ingredients and synthetic fragrances. This moisturiser for sensitive and dry skin combines extracts of camellia, rosehip, carrot and macadamia nut to give intense hydration without aggro. Simplicity plus luxury.

From World stores.