Conscious Creators is a series to share the people we admire and who inspire us. These people have consciously created businesses, often against the grain of the conventional norm, with spirit and soul.
We discover why they created their brands, their lifestyle and little beauty tricks they’ve learnt along the way.

To kick off this series we asked hair, makeup artist, & our founder of Bond Clean Beauty, Clare McGrowdie to share a little of her world with us. Clare’s beauty philosophy is all about using clean and non-toxic products and ingredients without compromising on luxury.

What did you do before creating Bond Clean Beauty?

Prior to starting Bond Clean Beauty, I was a freelance hair and makeup artist. I worked in a salon a couple of days a week and then on the other days I would go from working on press tours, to film premieres, red carpet events (Cannes Film Festival and The Oscars included!), Film and TV, and fashion weeks/editorials.

What made you decide to do it?

I decided to start Bond Clean Beauty as I because I became very sick from the chemical exposure and was told by my doctors that I would have to leave the hair and makeup industry. 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.

Where did the name come from?

BOND refers to the intrinsic connection between humans and nature.

And what has been your biggest challenge so far?

There have been many! I would say the biggest challenge is people’s misconception that natural products don’t work. This is slowly fading, as so many natural brands have created products that are comparative to the conventional norm, and even outdoing them! I could never go back to using the conventional products I used previously, now that I have been introduced to the amazing brands.

Which three words sum up your approach to beauty?

Less is more!

How do you like to exercise?

I go with the flow. I exercise about 4-5 days a week and it looks different each day. I love yoga, walking, running, pilates, hiking and I also have a membership to Taryn Toomey’s The Class– an online workout that also doubles as a cathartic release!

What is your favourite beauty food?
Home cooked food made from organic ingredients, made with love- shared with those you love.

Are you hooked on any health trends right now?

Clean Beauty!

Which podcasts can you recommend?

I love To Be Magnetic podcast with Lacy Phillips, Ghost of a podcast with Jessica Lanyadoo and The Life Stylist podcast with Luke Storey.

Any must read books or must -see films to share?

I am late to the party, but I just watched Call Me By Your Name, and loved it.
I’ve just started reading Earnest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.

How do you refill your cup at the end of a busy week?

Going for a walk or a run around Centennial Park, reading in the sun and definitely a little meditation.

What kind of energy do you try to bring to daily life? And what do you do to reset on those days when life feels chaotic or out of control?

I am constantly called to ground myself. I have a daily ritual of burning Palo Santo in the morning and also Bodha’s Ground incense. I include 20 minutes of meditation and I also have an incredible team of healers. Currently, I have been working with Chelsey Amber, founder of The Heartspace Connect, who practices Theta Healing.

What’s your all-time favourite beauty trick?

A lick of mascara is like putting on a black dress. It instantly picks you up and you look ready for the day.
I also love the old school trick of blotting your lipstick with a tissue. It gives your lips the look that the colour is coming from within rather than you are wearing a colour.

The best piece of advice you’ve ever read or received?

Be kind.

Where do you go to feel inspired?

Anywhere in nature.

This is a tricky question to answer in 2020, but what is next for you?

I’ll keep rolling with it! I think 2020 has help our world see all the ways things haven’t been working so well for us and if anything can come from this, I hope that it’s a positive change for all.