New week, new NEXT GEN beauty to froth out over, and this time around it’s the amazing Lara Vrkic. Mum to 18-month-old Hudson, she’s also one of the founders of Sydney-based art collective The Ladies Network. Along with three of her good mates, Lara has helped to create a space that celebrates the invaluable contribution female identifying and gender-fluid creatives have to the arts. It’s a pretty special notch to have under your belt.

We hung out with the legend and her beautiful baby son in their home last week. Outside of gawking at her beautifully curated and impeccably organised beauty cabinet, and getting mad envy at her Isabel Marant and Ellery-filled wardrobe, we chatted to her about her beauty routine as a mum and being in love with NYC, among other things. Get to know her better below.

What’s your skincare routine?
I have a 20-month-old son, so I have very little time to take it easy and treat my skin. I do everything in the shower starting with a Sukin exfoliate. I cleanse with Philosophy Purity cleanser and use Dr Bronners on my body. When I jump out, I moisturise with Philosophy Renewed Hope. Once a week when I have time, I’ll use an Aesop face mask and lather my skin with coconut oil. Before I leave the house everyday I also apply Mecca’s To Save Face Sunscreen.

Do you wear make-up? What’s your go-to product?
I never really learnt to apply makeup, and strongly believe that no makeup is better than makeup applied incorrectly. Therefore my go-to products are fairly simple. Bare Minerals concealer and tinted moisturiser for my face, Benefit High Beam on my cheeks and Bobbi Brown colour on my lips, wiped off. I have red eyelashes so I tend to keep my eyes bare. And The Base fake tan when I’m feeling a little too porcelain.

What’s your haircare approach, and what products do you use?
I’ve always had really long hair, until recently, so I’m getting used to having to do absolutely nothing to it in the morning. I run a serum through it in the mornings when it’s looking a little whack, but otherwise I just let it sit naturally.

What’s the biggest beauty mistake you’ve made?
Not taking my makeup off. I didn’t think it was important for so long. Also not wearing enough sunscreen when I was younger.

How do you unwind?
I’m only just learning how important it is to take a break. I love doing laps at Boy Charlton Pool and flipping through POP magazine (which is possibly the most inconvenient mag to take with you anywhere, especially the pool).

What’s your favourite breakfast food?
Coffee.

What’s the one word you can’t stop saying at the moment?
I find myself saying, “Just a minute!” a lot. I wish there were more of them.

Favourite online shopping spot?
Parfemme, Lisa Says Gah, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, and 1stDibs. I can’t choose just one.

Netflix or Spotify? And what are you loving right now?
One of my NY resolutions was to get a record player and start buying music, so no more Spotify for me. I’m re-watching The OC at the moment though and it’s everything I remember and more.

What’s your favourite travel destination and why?
Forever New York. I’ve been twice for a total of 8 weeks and it makes me feel like I’m home. It’s the perfect place to be alone too. I love the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie dates the city, because that’s how I feel when I’m there — totally in love.

Who was your first celeb crush?Kurt Cobain.

What’s your most treausred item of clothing/jewellery?
I’m very sentimental with my things, so I have many treasures. My favourite piece of jewellery though is my mum’s Cartier watch. She got it for her 21st birthday, and it’s such a classic piece.

What does ‘beauty’ mean to you?Feeling comfortable and confident.

Who are your biggest female heroes?
Vivienne Westwood, Joan Didion and my Nonna.

Words, Madeleine Woon. Photography, Darren Luk. Thanks to The Ladies Network and Lara Vrkic.