Spa it Girl caught up exclusively with Carlia Ashton, Founder of ONNE Beauty to find out why she wanted to become her own #GIRLBOSS and start up ONNE Beauty an Australian Made, Natural Chemical and Cruelty Free Skincare Brand.
Here is our Spa it Girl Exclusive Q&A with Carlia Ashton, Founder of ONNE Beauty:
Can you tell us what inspired you to start up ONNE? I have always had very temperamental skin that changes with different environmental factors such as; weather changes, not enough sun, to much air conditioning or heating etc. Even though I was lucky enough never to have acne, I would have serious problem when using products with harsh synthetic chemicals, my skin would break out in a rash then go oily, dry, then flake off, it was a really horrible experience when it did happen. I finally decided to use more natural products about 6 years ago.
A year later and a little divine intervention, I met this incredible woman who was 65 at the time. She had the most amazing thick long hair, she started to tell me how she stopped using synthetic chemical based shampoo 30 years prior and her hair has never been healthier. It was this conversation that ignited an insatiable urge to read the back of every product I used and google all of the ingredients.
To my horror I found that many of these synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics go untested for long term effects and that some chemicals still used in cosmetics have been linked to different diseases and are known carcinogens. After cleaning out my cosmetics draw I started to search for and trial different brands that were ‘all natural’, I couldn’t find anything that worked and some, after a little research, I found weren’t all natural as they portrayed. That’s when I decided that I wasn’t comfortable using anyone else’s products and I wanted to develop a open and honest brand that had clean, beautiful and effective ingredients.
Can you tell us what ONNE stands for? ONNE signifies simplicity. It signifies taking things back to nature and drawing from these amazing ingredients that mother nature has given us. It’s onne simple skin care solution.
Why did you want to create a vegan and cruelty free skincare?I am really passionate about being cruelty free and animal rights. I feel there is no need for any creature to be harmed for the sake of being ‘beautiful’. At ONNE I wanted to create a company that has strong values and is not afraid to stand up for what we believe in.
We support an amazing charity that I personally have been following for many years. It’s called Save The Survivors, they have a team of vets at the ready day and night to attend to animals in Africa that are victims of poaching. We have recently done a Q&A with one of their vets which we will be publishing later in the year, to help raise awareness. It’s so important for companies to start being the advocates for change rather than the cause for the need to change.
Have you always loved Coconut Oil, we see you use that in your products? This first collection is actually loosely based around coconut oil and the amazing benefits it has on the skin. I wanted to incorporate it and build on it’s benefits.
We see you also use Kakadu Plum? Can you tell us a little bit more about this very Australian Ingredient? I loved the idea of using Australian Native ingredients in the collection. Kakadu Plum has the highest recorded levels of Vitamin C of any fruit in the world, measuring up to 100 times the Vitamin C content found in an orange. It is also antibacterial, anti-fungal, an antiviral agent, great to clear pimple-causing bacteria, aids in Acne free skin and helps to revitalise the skin.
Your Products are Proudly Australian how does that make you Feel? It is great to be able to make our products here in Australia. Australian made skincare really is leading at a global scale, which is super exciting.
Are you products just available on-line in Australia or Worldwide? We do sell worldwide currently via our own website, however we are looking at expanding globally and stocking into stores internationally.
We noticed your products transport you to a Blissful Day at the Australian Beach, do you love going to the Beach? I spent my summers at the beach throughout my childhood, so when I lived abroad for 6 years I always longed for those smells and memories that were unique to Australian beaches. In this collection I wanted to create a range of smells that invoked individual memories for the user, smells that transport them to blissful beach days.
You have so many beautiful products do you have a Favourite one? Or love them all? That’s a hard question as I do love them all. My three that I cannot go a day without using are; The Complexion Cream, Clarifying Cleanser and the Balancing Body Balm.
What is one ONNE product you never leave home without? The Balancing Body Balm. I use it for a hand cream and lip balm also.
How does your skin feel after you personally use your own skincare products ONNE can you share your own Skincare Routine with us? Without my products my skin would be a mess. My daily face routine consists of Cleansing, a gentle exfoliant with the Skin Sparkling Sponge and then moisturising with the Complexion Cream. Weekly I will use the Moisturising Mask at least once, to help reset my skin.
How do you like to Keep Healthy and Well. I eat mostly a plant based diet, drink lots of water and spend time with my husband in nature.
Do you have any Anti-aging Skincare Tips?
Drink enough water daily.
Cut back or if you can.
Cut out dairy and meat.
Eat a lot of vegetables.
Never go to bed with make-up on, no matter how tired you are.
Have a solid skincare regime
Our Founder of Spa it Girl believes that it’s important what we put on our skin because it’s the largest organ and our skin absorbs what we put on it right into our body stream as the founder of ONNE do you tend to agree? Absolutely, this was one of the key reasons for developing a 100% naturally derived brand. There are so many synthetic chemicals in beauty products that have gone untested for long-term effects. We are only now seeing some of these chemicals that were developed and introduced 20-30 years ago to have links to diseases and cancers.
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Every Sunday we Celebrate Spa it Girl Self Love Sunday which is all about loving ourselves unconditionally, self care, relaxing and yes popping on a face mask too. Can you tell us some of the Self Love things you like to do? If I am not pampering myself with all the ONNE products, I will be out in nature either chasing waterfalls with my husband or walking with friends.
What things do you like to do to unwind and switch of from being a #GIRLBOSS and Founder of ONNE? Switching off really doesn’t come easy for me, it is something I actively have to work at. I find Yoga helps (and a big glass of wine).
Can you share any #GIRLBOSS tips to help others prevent burning out when starting their own #GIRLBOSS Business? My advice would be surround yourself with like minded people. Join business groups, go to networking events. By talking to other business owners, learning about their stories and explaining what you do is a great way stay motivated and inspired.
Are you super organised with lists? I have alway been a list maker, its the only way I actually remember all the things I need to get done.
Or do you turn your mobile phone off at night at a certain time? I should, but I don’t. I am from the mind set that if I see the email I might as well reply, regardless of what time of the night it is.
Do you have any lifestyle tips you can personally share? Enjoy the simple things in life, because if you don’t you may never find happiness.
Do you have any Favourite Australian Beaches you wish to share with our readers? I grew up near the Great Ocean Road where there is some spectacular beaches. I have recently found a new appreciation for Bells Beach. There is a section that has the most amazing patch of black sand. This is where we have done our most recent photoshoot.
Favourite Holiday places? This is a hard question as I have been to some incredible places during my time living abroad. I love spending time in Europe as its so rich in history, it’s somewhere I can totally immerse myself and actually switch off.
If you had one wish for everyone what would it be? I have so many wishes. If I had to pick one, it would be for all cultures to value and understand the planet and all creatures that live on it. All other species work in harmony with each other, expect humans. We need to learn that its not our right to take advantage and strip it bare. We need to be the caretakers to make sure all species can thrive, not just our own.
Can you share any words of wisdom for those wanting to live their dreams, but just don’t know how to? Stop over thinking and start doing.
What Makes You Feel Good? When a woman emails to let us know how much ONNE has changed her life. It is a really amazing and humbling feeling to know that the products you developed over 2 years are actually helping people.
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We wanted to personally thank you for supporting our Spa it Girl Wellness Event in 2017 which will see 50 Lucky Spa it Girl’s attend receive one of your full size face mask so they can use it on Spa it Girl Self Love Sunday? Why did you choose to want to help out this Wellness Spa it Girl cause?You are most welcome, it is so wonderful to be able to be part of the Wellness Spa it Girl cause. It’s really important to love yourself and be able to show yourself kindness, by doing so you are then able to show others around you love and kindness. Women need to be able to support each other and thats what we love doing here at ONNE.
What’s installed for 2017? 2017 for ONNE will be great. I can’t give to much away just yet, but I always set big goals and then find the path to achieve them. At the moment we are on a path to some exciting things.
How can we stay in Contact with you ONNE?
Website: www.onnebeauty.com
Instagram: @onne_beauty
FaceBook Page: @onnebeauty
A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Carlia Ashton, Founder of ONNE Beauty for sharing her words of wisdom with our Spa it Girl’s & Boys Globally – you are sincerely Amazing.
Hashtag #iamaspaitgirl an tag @onne_beauty to share your Spa it Girl + ONNE Beauty moments.