Clean lines

Clare, tell us a little about your career move from make-up artist to business owner.

I created Bond Clean Beauty because I became very sick from chemical exposure and was told by my doctors that I would have to leave the hair and make-up industry in which I worked. This devastated me, so I started searching for products and brands that were natural and non-toxic, and that stood up to the conventional norm, so that I could replace my professional kit with these. At the time, it was incredibly hard to find quality products that worked, so I thought I would curate a selection of what I had found and share it with others.

How do natural products vary from regular commercial products and can they achieve the same results?

Natural beauty products generally vary from the conventional norm in terms of ingredients used. With the conventional products, the main differences are the ingredients used for the purpose of longer shelf life, creating a desired texture and, of course, these additives are often cheaper, impacting on cost versus profit. Natural beauty products can absolutely achieve the same results (if not outdo them), as the ingredients are much more nourishing — for example, a natural foundation is literally skincare with pigment. The main difference when working with luxury natural brands is the brand’s integrity and dedication to sourcing quality and sustainable ingredients.

You have opened the Paddington store. How has it been opening a bricks-and-mortar outlet during a pandemic?

It’s certainly strange and surreal to open a shopfront during this time. However, with the type of store I have, some people still prefer to come and shop in person. Beauty products are incredibly tactile and people often love to experience the colour, smell or consistency in person first. Once they love it, then they’re happy to purchase online. It will be great when the borders open up and we can embrace customers from everywhere again, but for now, I love the feeling of the community in Paddington.

In your job as a make-up artist you must have seen it all. What have been some of your best experiences in the industry?

My favourite experiences by far have been with Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann. I worked closely with them when they lived in Australia and was lucky enough to travel with them on press tours as well. My absolute favourite was the Cannes Film Festival, where their film The Great Gatsby opened the festival in 2013. It was a whirlwind couple of days filled with press junkets and photo calls, and of course, the festival itself. I also am excited to collide the world of luxury and glamour with cleaner and natural products with Bond Clean Beauty. Opening the store is by far my biggest accomplishment and definitely the one I am most proud of.

Bond Clean Beauty

37B Elizabeth St Paddington

bondcleanbeauty.com