The Beautiful Road Taken

by
Shilpa Bhim
for
Gritty Pretty

Let’s get this out of the way: Covid-19 has messed up our international travel plans and the days of perusing a French pharmacy for cult beauty finds are long behind us. But the good news is, you can still enjoy interstate and intrastate travel—even without getting on a plane. We present to you the ultimate Aussie summer escape with a Gritty Pretty twist—we’re sharing the best beauty experiences around the country for the ultimate beauty road trip. Here's your 101 guide to road trips for the uninitiated, plus where to get your beauty fix along the way.

Set The Scene With The Perfect Playlist

Nothing screams summer road trip more than blasting Olivia Rodrigo songs on repeat, with your windows rolled down. Or you can mix things up a little by rotating through Spotify’s Songs of Summer playlist. Spoiler alert: you’ll find Olivia Rodrigo in the mix.

Pack Only The Essentials … Plus A Few Extras

You’re on holiday, of course you’ll be changing outfits three times a day minimum … or is that just us?Summer in Australia calls for easy, breezy, beautiful outfits. Think linen dresses and organic cotton jumpsuits in bright, bold colours. Pack your swimsuit too!Do not, we repeat, do not forget to pack your sun safety essentials. A hat, sunnies and SPF—our go-to is the Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 50. That 30-degree sunshine is no joke. Finally, pack your face mask and hand sanitiser. AKA, must-have basics.

The Beauty-Lovers Aussie Holiday Guide

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. The best beauty destinations around the country. Buckle up, you’re in for a wild, beauty-filled ride.

ACT

A WHOLE LOT OF PAMPERING IS ON THE AGENDA WHILE YOU’RE IN THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY. WE’RE CALLING IT AUSTRALIA’S SPA CAPITAL FROM NOW ON.

MUDD THE SPA

Double up on your spa experiences in the ACT and indulge in a signature package at Mudd The Spa. The five-and-a-half-hour package screams relaxation and comes complete with a vichy shower and signature facial.

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ENDOTA SPA

Endota Spa is a nation-wide favourite. Escape the hustle and bustle of Canberra City and immerse yourself in a full body treatment. We love the Rejuvenate package, which combines the benefits of a creamy body scrub, warm oil cocoon, body massage and a nourishing facial.

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NSW

FOR THOSE EXPLORING NEW SOUTH WALES, START YOUR TRIP AT MELANIE GRANT STUDIO IN SYDNEY’S DOUBLE BAY, HOME OF THE BEST FACIAL YOU’LL EVER HAVE! THE ESSENTIAL BRIGHTENING FACIAL IS A FAVOURITE.

PALOMA SALON

Once your skin is glowing, head out to Paddington and visit the Dry Bar at Paloma Salon for selfie-ready summer hair.

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SANTA MARIA NOVELLA STORE

The Santa Maria Novella Store will be your next stop in Paddington. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the luxurious skincare and bathing products and perfumes.

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AINSLIE WALKER

Looking for hands-on beauty activity on your trip? Book in a perfume workshop with perfumer extraordinaire Ainslie Walker. Create your perfect scent and learn some hot perfume tips along the way.

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NT

BAMURRU PLAINS

No trip to the Northern Territory is complete without a visit to Bamurru Plains—a safari lodge on the edge of Kakadu National Park. It’s designed to help you switch off from the hustle and bustle (the lodge has no wifi).

Byo face products and create your own beauty escape in the bush. Inside scoop: we love to use the merrika face care kit by bush medjina.

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DERMAL ESSENCE

After a full body beauty experience? Head to Dermal Essence Beauty Salon, located in the heart of Darwin.

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QLD

CLEAN BEAUTY MARKET

Heading to Queensland? Shop up a storm at the Clean Beauty Market where you’ll find the best luxury, cruelty-free, high performance and cult clean beauty products. Winning!

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BROOKLYN BEAUTY BAR

The Brooklyn Beauty Bar is the place to be for a beauty salon meets licensed bar experience. Sip on a cocktail while you sit back, relax and enjoy some pampering.

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ON EAGLE WINGS

For a relaxing summer escape, head to On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat and Spa. Take a dip in the infinity lap pool, and enjoy a facial, surrounded by peaceful mountain vistas. So dreamy.

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SA

JURLIQUE

Visit the Jurlique flagship store and spa, located in the iconic Rundle Mall in South Australia’s capital, Adelaide. Product ingredients are sourced from the Jurlique 153 acre farm in the Adelaide Hills.

Relax and enjoy a facial at the Jurlique store spa before browsing the shop for some beautiful skincare. Pro tip: the Rosewater Balancing Mist is a must-have for hydrated, glowy summer skin.

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MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE

After your shopping spree, head for the Adelaide hills to the Gate Keeper’s Day Spa at Mount Lofty House. The Jurlique approved spa offers relaxing and rejuvenating beauty treatments. Enhance your spa session with fine dining and world famous South Australian wine at Mount Lofty House.

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TAS

SAFFIRE FREYCINET

Your luxury beauty experiences await in Tasmania. Start your trip with a stay at the Saffire Freycinet. Take in some of the beautiful local nature experiences on offer before winding down with a pamper session at the Saffire’s signature spa sanctuary.

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INSPARATIONS

Staying in the city? Head to InSPArations for some R&R in between your city activities.

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DOMESCAPE

The Tamar Valley wine region offers a Domescape experience. It’s glamping, but better! Indulge in the relaxation experience, featuring wine tasting and a full body treatment, all while overlooking beautiful vines and rolling hills.

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VIC

MISS FOX

Melbourne’s Miss Fox was named World’s Best Beauty Salon in 2018 and 2019. Treat yourself to a massage and facial at the day spa, before swinging by the salon for a manicure. Enjoy a cheeky glass of champagne or two while you’re at it!

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ONE FINE SECRET

After your pamper session, head to One Fine Secret—Melbourne’s first clean beauty store. The store sells a wide range of natural skin care and makeup products. Trust us, you can spend hours there.

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LE LABO

No trip to Victoria is complete without a visit to Le Labo in Fitzroy. Nothing beats walking into a store that smells like the cult favourite Santal 33. During September you’ll also be able to purchase the City Exclusive scents—yup, the ones that are usually available only in the city they belong to and nowhere else.

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WA

THE LIP LAB

Mix things up a little and create your own makeup at The Lip Lab in Perth, Western Australia. The team of expert makeup mixologists will help you to create your perfect shade of lipstick, lip gloss, foundation and concealer.

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BODHI SPA

For a relaxing spa escape, look no further than Bodhi Spa. Found at six locations across WA, Bodhi offers holistic spa therapies to nurture the mind, body and soul.

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SODASHI

Fun fact: WA is also the home of Sodashi—the glow-inducing skin care that every beauty fanatic needs to try.

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BRB, WE’RE HEADING OFF ON THE ULTIMATE AUSSIE SUMMER ESCAPE!