Who we are

17 Aug 2007 00:52 AM | Posted by bh'sTracey

Welcome to beautyheaven, Australia's leading beauty destination and the beauty addict's best friend. If you've got a penchant for all things pretty, lust after the latest make-up look or simply need to know which buys are best for you, you're in the right place.

And you'll never, ever want to leave. Because this site puts an entire glittering beautiverse at the tip of your manicured finger. You're only ever a tiny click away from:

• An ever-expanding database of luxury, popular and cult beauty products that will help you find the perfect match for your skin, hair, style and budget. Search and it will deliver essential, unbiased info and real-life reviews.
• Professional tips and tricks, up-to-the-minute beauty reports, expert advice and articles by the insiders' insiders.
• A codebreaker for beauty speak and baffling ingredient lists. Our glossary will boost your beauty IQ in a matter of seconds.
• An updated events calendar to key you in on what, who and where is hot before everybody else.
• Our all-knowing, all-searching salon & beauty services guide.

Bh is much more than an online magazine – it's a community. A glamorous one, where you can count on your neighbours for latest goss. Members can customise their personal beautyheaven, trade tips, news and gotta-gets in the forum, review buys, comment on and contribute articles, save their faves and sound off in polls. Members also get VIP access to exclusive giveaways and can talk with our panel of celebrity hairdressers, make-up artists, skin specialists and all-round beauty gurus.

Beautyheaven's about you getting all the beauty news and know-how you want, when you want it. Think instant gratification. Cosmetic satisfaction. Go on, indulge your addiction – you're among friends…

The brains behind beautyheaven

Okay, so we're certifiable beauty nuts. We're obsessed with lotions, potions and powders and gush about our favourite finds like most people talk about family. It's love.

But we're also clued up. We've got a combined history of more than 20 years in the beauty industry and, in our other lives, run beautydirectory.com.au, the Australian beauty editors' research tool and secret weapon. So suffice to say the Bh team has the contacts and the cred, not to mention some rather impressive make-up moves…

Managing Director: Jackie Maxted

Having spent a decade developing beautydirectory.com.au into a beauty insider's must-read, Jackie thought it was time to expand her online empire. And to give the public a one-stop beauty shop. Beautyheaven is Jackie's brainchild. But she doesn't just love raising virtual babies; she's got four kids in the real world too. When she's not being managing director or mum, Jackie's standing on her head in yoga class trying to find absolute Enlightenment. She's still looking.

Sign: Gemini
Skin: Olive toned and normal. "And patient. It tolerates me trying everything and anything."
Hair: Dark and quite thick.
Signature scent: "Spaghetti bolognaise Monday to Friday, but Chanel No19 the rest of the time."
Beauty icon: "Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
Desert island essential: "A rich facial moisturiser. I love Gatineau for a little luxury, A'kin for a natural option and good old Nivea for value."
Beauty is… "A sleeping child."
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Fridays! It starts with group yoga and finishes with treats and girly goss about the weekend."

Managing Editor: Leanne Philpott

With a background in newspaper journalism and a divine gift for multi-tasking, Welsh-born Leanne makes the impossible happen. On time. Her inner-reporter loves to get to the bottom of new skincare technologies but she ultimately believes in holistic beauty from the inside out. Unsurprisingly then, Leanne's an après-office gym junkie, yoga addict and weekend beachcomber. Inspired by a challenge, she simply can't stand staying still, which shouldn't be a problem since she's just become a mum for the first time.

Sign: Scorpio
Skin: Normal and medium toned, it tans easily without burning. "I'm lucky to have been given a pretty clear complexion, though it's becoming drier as I age."
Hair: Thick, brunette and curly.
Signature scent: "It depends on my frame of mind, though I have a few favourites. For special occasions I love Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, in summer I wear Tahitian by Venustus and I always have a bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique on my dresser.
Beauty icon: Helena Christensen. "She has a fresh and natural appeal with amazing bone structure and incredible eyes."
Desert island essential: "Jojoba and rosehip oils are my daily saviours."
Beauty is… "About making the most of what Mother Nature has given you. Sure, I'd love to wake up looking like Helena Christensen, but it's never going to happen. So why waste time fretting? I think you should have fun with beauty products and use make-up tricks to feel confident."
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Hearing the feedback from members and seeing them interacting with the website. We work hard to create a fun environment that offers real reviews, trustworthy information, interesting editorial articles and sought-after expert advice, so seeing new members joining up and enjoying beautyheaven makes it all worthwhile. Tell all your friends!"

National Advertising Manager: Laina O'Donnell

A communications degree + years in beauty retail + a passion for all things gorgeous = Bh's behind-the-scenes dynamo. Balancing an addiction to all things pretty with practicality, Laina's the sort of girl who has a straightener plugged in alongside her laptop and can use both while closing a deal on the phone. When she's not living and breathing beauty, she's into yoga, swimming and kicking back with her husband. If you want to list or advertise your products in beautyheaven, Laina's your go-to girl.

Sign: Capricorn
Skin: Fairly pale and prone to oiliness.
Hair: Straight, dark brunette and long.
Signature scent: "I’m not particularly loyal to one scent, but I love anything that smells like you can eat it, especially anything laced with vanilla, peach or chocolate. Hypnotic Poison by Dior, Angel by Thierry Mugler, Vanilla Cake Batter by Demeter and Fuzzy Peach from The Body Shop are among my faves."
Beauty icon: "Angelina Jolie. Bee stung lips, luminous skin, gorgeous long locks... If I could walk into a plastic surgeon and walk out looking like anyone in the world, it would be her (and it has nothing to do with Brad. Really!). She is elegant, natural and genuinely wants to make the world a better place, adopting multiple orphans, being a UN Goodwill Ambassador and actually spending time in Africa rather than just paying lip service like most celebs."
Desert island essential: "Lip gloss. A sheer, super glossy, very pretty pink. The trouble would be deciding which one – I have at least 10 on rotation at any given moment. Though sunscreen would probably be a more sensible answer..."
Beauty is… "Not to be taken too seriously."
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Getting to see all the latest products before they hit the shelves and being able to surf the internet during work hours in the name of research."

Editor: Alicia Pyke

A beauty and style journalist for 11 years, Alicia adores the glam side of life. She first became a beauty obsessive while working as one of those pesky fragrance promotions girls in a department store cosmetics hall. It’s where Alicia developed a don’t-leave-home-without addiction to YSL Radiant Touch that still exists. By 21, she was a fashion and beauty writer and has interviewed or styled such diverse beauty role models as Elle Macpherson, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (love their thick black eyeliner), Kristy Hinze, Catherine McNeil, Miranda Kerr and Sarah Murdoch. Alicia is a very lucky girl.

Sign: Capricorn
Skin: “Fair and on the oily side of a combination complexion”
Hair: “Fine but there’s lots of it and it’s definitely blonder than it’s meant to be”
Signature scent: “At the moment it’s a choice between Jo Malone White Jasmine and Mint and Coco Mademoiselle”
Beauty icon: “There are many but I simply can’t look at Cate Blanchett without thinking how lovely she is in every way”
Desert island essential: “A well-stocked overnight bag, is that cheating?”
Beauty is… “everywhere thankfully!”
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: “Where do I start? I have a feeling it's going to be our gorgeous new offices which are currently a work in progress thanks to the very clever Claire!"

Editorial Assistant: Sarah Macrae

After training as a features writer in her homeland of England, Sarah packed her bags for Oz. Once in Sydney, Sarah interned on various mags such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Take 5, before realising that she could combine her newfound love for lipstick (having been a gloss girl for years), her infatuation with studio-era glamour and her passion for writing all in one perfect package - she was thrilled to accept the position of Editorial Assistant at beautyheaven. Her need-to-know-now nature suits her role as she endeavours to find the latest beauty must-haves while her random googling of celebrities has actually been given a purpose in beautyheaven’s Get the look feature.

Sign: Aries
Skin: Medium to fair and normal.
Hair: Thick and brunette with a penchant for freaking out and frizzing up come rain or shine.
Signature scent: Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker because it is just that.
Beauty icon: I have three…Ava Gardner, Maggie Gyllenhaal and my Welsh friend, Helen, who always looks immaculate and introduced me to the benefits of Benefit.
Desert island essential: Nivea Sun SPF30+
Beauty is… in the eye of the beholder. And trying whatever takes your fancy.
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: The wealth of products that up until a few weeks ago I’d never heard and now I wonder how I’d live without. And getting to spend my days with the lovely like-minded beautyheaven girls!

Photographer: Kate Moffatt

Kate remembers the moment she realised her interest in beauty had become an obsession: a customs officer at an airport said, "Miss, you're bringing a whole chemist into my country." A media arts degree and a stint in women's fashion later, beautyheaven found Kate and gave her beauty addiction a meaningful purpose. When she's not dabbling in the gorgeous arts, Kate's into photography, travelling and "general arty stuff".

Sign: Cancer
Skin: Fair and normal.
Hair: Fine and blonde.
Signature scent: Chanel Allure or Gucci Envy.
Beauty icon: "Reese Witherspoon because she always looks flawless."
Desert island essential: "Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Masque. It's great after a big night out."
Beauty is… "Feeling good. It's when you look your best!"
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Discovering so many new brands and products!"

Administrative Assistant: Olivia Mackinnon

After studying at fashion college and travelling the globe, Olivia landed an internship at beautydirectory.com.au (bh's sister website and the Beauty Editor’s bible). Three weeks passed and the bh team couldn't bear to see Liv go so we took her on full-time.

Liv gets to do all the fun stuff like managing our competitions, sending out prizes - yep, she's the girl that makes them look all pretty! She also keeps a close eye on the forum and responds kindly to member enquiries.

Sign: Leo
Skin: Normal
Hair: Long and brown
Signature scent: "Femme by Hugo Boss, it’s my best accessory for a night out."
Beauty icon: "Miranda Kerr, she always gets it right and is blessed with sky-high cheekbones and gorgeous dimples. Grr!"
Desert island essential: "Lucas Papaw Ointment - when mixed with sand it’s an exfoliator and on its own a slick lipgloss, cream eye gloss and highlighter in one!"
Beauty is… "A bonus on the outside and a blessing on the inside!"
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Being involved in a beauty community with members that have just as much of a ‘beautyholics anonymous’ situation going on as I do! Also the gorgeous bh girls make it the most beautiful place to work!"

Beauty Insider: Claire Nance

Claire is our resident beauty insider (and Editor of our sister website beautydirectory.com.au). She constantly exercises her well-honed research skills to bring you the most up-to-the-minute beauty news and trends from here and afar. And when Claire’s not sniffing out the latest beauty scoops, she’s at the gym giving her muscles a work out or going for a run. There’s no stopping our Claire!

Sign: Taurus
Skin: Normal
Hair: Thick, long and highlighted
Signature scent: Bvlgari White Tea. "It’s simple and sophisticated."
Beauty icon: "Gwyneth – she keeps it classic and rarely gets it wrong. I was obsessed with her hair in Sliding Doors for ages."
Desert island essential: "SPF 30+ sunscreen (even when it’s cloudy!), bronzer and nail polish – the brighter the better."
Beauty is… "Fun!"
Best thing about working in beautyheaven: "Tracking down the very latest beauty news from around the globe and sharing an office with the lovely bh girls."