For Aussie esthetician, Melanie Grant, beauty was always at the forefront for her career-wise. “I always knew I’d work in beauty, even as a little girl,” she says. “I’d read the beauty pages in glossy magazines next to pictures of the It nineties supermodels. I studied skin therapy straight out of school, earned my international qualifications, and went on to study postgraduate courses in clinical skin therapies. It’s the only job I’ve ever had.”
The skin expert splits her time between Australia (she has two studios, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne), Los Angeles (she just opened her space on Melrose Place in February), and Paris (where she has residency with Chanel). Clients (think Victoria Beckham, Cate Blanchett, our very own Cassandra Grey, Phoebe Tonkin, and Lara Worthington, among others) flock to Grant for the fresh, healthy glow she imparts. “This is my rendition of Australian Beauty and it’s a look a lot of my clients love back home,” she adds. “And because everyone’s natural look is different and individual, you have to have a very custom or bespoke approach to your work. I guess I’m known for a signature look rather than a signature ‘treatment’.”
Grant has no plans to slow down. She hopes to open her next studio in New York City and something permanent in Paris. And she’s planning to launch her first sunscreen later this year. “It’s important that my boys see me work hard and always strive to be better,” says Grant. “I’m grateful for any success within my business and never take anything for granted. I feel incredibly lucky for the trust and support of my wonderful clients.” Here, Grant reveals her skin care staples, what Dirty Dancing has to do with her hidden talent, and her signature smoothie recipe for glowing skin.
First thing you do when you wake up?
If I’m at home, I always go and check on my boys and sneak a cuddle before they wake up. Next, I have hot water in bed while replying to emails.
It’s so crazy. I used to sleep for eight to 10 hours every night. However, the last couple of years, I’m grateful for six.
Not long at all. I always get stuck on the phone or email before realizing I have to leave the house in 20 minutes. I never wear foundation or tints, so at most, it’s a smudge of crayon eye shadow and always mascara with a little brow pencil and lip balm. On the weekends, I wear no makeup at all. I only wash my hair twice a week and always at night, so I blow-dry in the evening. This way, I just brush it out in the morning and tie it back.
Typical skincare regimen?
I cleanse in the shower, apply an antioxidant serum, and then my SPF moisturizer. Evenings are pretty simple, too. I always wash my face with an oil or milk as my first cleanse. My second cleanse, I use an exfoliating cleanser. I love to apply micellar water to my skin after cleansing to ensure it’s perfectly clean. Then, I spritz a mist and apply a retinol serum followed by my eye cream and oil or a moisturizer. I’m constantly changing out my products and trying different things, although I do have a few staples like Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water, IS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum, Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400 Lotion and Creme Masque Vernix, Chanel La Solution 10 and Hydra Beauty Lip Balm, and Sisle-Paris Supremÿa Baume.
Hair situation in the a.m.?
I never have time in the morning to do anything crazy. I generally brush it out, apply dry shampoo (Klorane is the best), and tie it back for work. I sometimes wear a beautiful CHANEL clip or a black velvet ribbon to jazz it up.
Your signature beauty look?
Natural, simple, and effortless. I’m not into too much makeup or injectables or anything like that. I love clean skin with either a smudged eye and lip balm or a nude eye with a bold lip. And I don’t like my hair to look too done, as in too blow-dried, curled, styled, or bleached. I prefer a more undone look with a super fresh, beautiful cut, which is annoying as my hair grows so fast!
In all honesty, I hate exercise. But as I get older, I know I need to step it up before everything drops! I don’t mind pilates and I love the feeling of strength that comes after a few classes.
Go-to breakfast and a.m. beverage?
Warm water with a squeeze of lemon, followed by two to three coffees with a dash of almond milk (I love coffee!). For breakfast, I usually have a smoothie with baby spinach, zucchini, blueberries, beef bone broth cubes, water, ice, Thorne Medi Clear Pea Protein, Sun Potion Yin Power, a sachet of Proghurt, and a collagen powder.
Foolproof self-care move?
A hot bath full of magnesium and essential oils (I love rose or lavender) with a gin and tonic if some stress relief is in order.
Armani Privé Rose D’Arabie.
An expensive-but-worth-it product or treatment?
Augustinus Bader The Cream.
Bioderma Micellar Water. It’s one of my all time favorite products and a staple on my vanity for years!
Cuticle oil, lip balm, alkaline water, and a silk sleep mask.
