Renya Xydis
On her morning routine:
“It’s really important to look after your skin. Even with my crazy schedule, about once every two weeks, especially when I travel, I make time for an SKII Facial Treatment Mask. When it comes to my daily routine, my favourite products are Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara, Makeup Forever Aqua Liner in Gold, M.A.C Mineralise Skin Finish in Dark, Cloud Nine Waving Wand and Wella Luxe Oil.”
On her skincare secrets:
“Sleep & water is the key to good skin and general well being – I just can’t function with them. I also use SK-II masks when travelling on planes so my skin stays hydrated and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.”
On her signature beauty look:
“Pink/lilac hair, usually in a loose wave, Absolutely Black nail polish by Miss Frou Frou, Tom Ford red lipstick and mascara.”
On beauty as part of her style:
“I’m always drawn to a pop of colour. I have pink hair, so if I wear an outfit that is all black, I will of set it with a bright red lip. I love metallics and intense pigments.”
“Whether you have dry, thin, thick or oily hair – try to treat your hair with a hair mask at least once a month. This will really improve your hair’s condition (especially if you regularly colour it) and keep it looking healthy and feeling strong.”
On how she gets inspired:
“Instagram is one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I love it because I can see what is trending all over the world as it happens. I’m not afraid to step outside the box and take risks when it comes to my hair. I take inspiration from everyone and everything around me and like to have fun with it!”
On her beauty treatment regimen:
“It is important to look after yourself and your skin! I often visit Melanie Grant at The Clinic in Double Bay for specific skin treatments, facials and massages. I also go to my beauty therapist Gabriella Menegon at Miss Frou Frou Beauty Parlour once a fortnight and have my nails done by Miss Betty Rose.”
Pictured: Romance Was Born cocoon coat.
On her most loved shoe of the minute:
“My Dior boots – they are a new purchase my husband bought for me when we were last overseas together and I absolutely love them!”
Renya’s a fan of Charlotte Tilbury & this kit was a gift from the master herself. The two met when working on the sass & bide SS13 London Fashion Week show.
Products pictured:
Charlotte Tilbury
Lip Lustre Luxe Color Lasting Lip Lacquer in Unleash Me
Charlotte Tilbury
Luxury Palette Colour Coded Eye Shadows
Pictured: Renya’s Celine blue suede ‘Phantom’ handbag (shop similar here), Louis Vuitton monogram agenda (shop similar here) and Linda Farrow sunglasses.
On her favourite tools:
“I would have to say my foundation brush is one of my favourite as it’s perfect for blending and gives you an even finish every time.”
On her five minute hair whip:
“A loose, effortless looking wave is an easy hairstyle that can take you from day to night. First, prep your hair using a texturizing sea salt spray. I love Wella’s Ocean Spritz because it gives volume and holds the shape of your style. Using my Cloud Nine Waving Wand, I then section my hair and create big loose waves. Once all sections are done, brush through the curls to break them up and give it a more natural look.”
Pictured: Tom Ford heels (shop similar here).
On her secret to lustrous locks:
“Because I colour my hair so often to maintain the pink, my hair does have a tendency to be dry. I love mixing my own essential oils into an oil base and put it through my hair as a way of reinvigorating my hair from root to tip!”
On her most treasured item of clothing:
“At the moment it’s my beautiful new Givenchy dress that my husband bought for me in Paris – I love it!”
Givenchy dress (shop similar here).
On her travel kit essentials:
“I always pack my Cloud Nine Waving Wand, Cloud Nine The Touch, Wella SP Luxe Oil, Wella Ocean Spritz, SKII Facial Treatment Mask, makeup remover, my Tangle Teaser brush, red lipstick and dry shampoo.”
Renya’s array of fine jewellery – spot the Hermes (or three).
On her post-flight recovery plan:
“I always make sure I go out and have a really good meal straight off the plane! Depending on my schedule and the time I land, I also love a quick shopping spree. On the first night, I make sure I am in bed by 8:30pm so I can be ready to go the next day. If I do manage to squeeze in a bit of shopping, my favourite places to go are Selfridges in London, Jeffrey in NYC and Fred Segal in LA.”
On her earliest beauty memory:
“When I was about 14 years old, my girlfriends and I always used to experiment with bright eye shadows and lipsticks – even though we had no idea what we were doing at the time!”
On her product obsessions:
“Wella SP Luxe Oil – I use this almost every day! I believe it’s the best on the market; it’s lightweight and leaves the hair shiny. It smells divine.”
On her favourite designers:
“Dion Lee, Ellery, Givenchy, Christian Dior, Scanlan & Theodore and Tom Ford.”
“Working with so many great models, designers, singers and actors on a daily basis also keeps me connected to the world because they are in the thick of everything and are some of the most watched people in the world. I am very lucky and I love my job.”
On how she keeps her skin and hair on point:
“I try to increase the antioxidants in my diet and incorporate a sachet of vital greens into my day. I also love blueberries and drink lots of water. I also find it helps to wake up early and wash my hair – I always feel fresh when my hair is clean.”
On tending to Cate Blanchett’s locks:
“With Cate, we always go for styles that softly frame her face. She has such beautiful bone structure, so it’s all about finding that balance. Lately, we have been drawn to classic soft romantic waves. I use the Cloud Nine Waving Wand on her a lot.”
Her words to live by:
“Surround yourself with creative, inspiring people and create unforgettable experiences.”
On her signature pink mane:
“For so many years, both here and internationally, I have experimented with some really ‘out there’ styles. When it came to making the decision to go pink, I just wanted to do something different! With my complexion and eye colour, pink suited me best so I went for it.”
Renya wears dress by Scanlan & Theodore.
Renya’s skin saviours, pictured:
On what’s most important to her in life:
“Family! Spending time with my two sons and husband is everything to me and being inspired by my team and staff in my salons.”
If you’ve spotted an Australian woman with ridiculously cool hair lately… or actually any time in the last three decades, there’s an excellent chance she goes to Renya Xydis. Cate does. Nicole does. Miranda does. Everyone does.
In fact, while Renya’s three salons (Valonz, Salon X and Renya Xydis Salon) are located in Sydney, her reputation stretches way beyond Aussie shores. She’s clocked up serious miles on constant trips to London, New York and Paris to style runway shows and editorials and when we arrived at her home in Sydney it’s no different – she’s prepping for a trip to LA & the Paris shows.
So naturally we wanted to get involved in her wardrobe & her beauty gear before anything was packed away. The first thing we spot is her pair of Stella McCartney beige platform oxfords (jealous, us? Never) and it just got better from there. Gucci pumps, Chloe blouses, Isabel Marant pants and vintage Chanel. Her style is tough edged glamour, and she pulls it off like no-one else. Her current favourites –acquired by her husband Jim on a recent trip to Paris – a silk Givenchy dress and a pair of Dior boots. Jim already sounds awesome.
Now someone with a world famous hairdressing empire might sound intimidating, however meeting her is anything but. You know that friend you hang out with that leaves you positive and energized and inspired? That’s Renya. In fact if you wanted to bring a party to life and had the choice of either spiking the punch or bringing Renya, you’d bring Renya. She’s got this warm current of eccentricity that runs through everything she does and with her flamingo pink hair, and flawless skin, there’s an ageless energy to her that’s totally magnetic. She’s cheeky, playful yet deeply maternal and is as well known for nurturing the talents of her 60-strong styling team as she is for her own inimitable portfolio.
And it’s not just her energy that’s youthful. When you take stock of her accomplishments, and then look at her face, you have to wonder if the woman owns a time machine. Her secret? A high antioxidant diet, (she’s a sucker for blueberries) hydration, and regular appointments with Melanie Grant at The Clinic in Double Bay “for specific skin treatments, facials and massages”. She also has a stash of SKII Facial Masks which she uses “about once every two weeks, especially when I travel.”
While her clients and coworkers are constant muses – “they are in the thick of everything and are some of the most watched people in the world” – her method of staying abreast of things is surprisingly accessible. “Instagram is one of my biggest sources of inspiration. I love it because I can see what is trending all over the world as it happens.”
“I am very lucky and I love my job. I take inspiration from everyone and everything around me and like to have fun with it!”
It’s hard to ask Renya “What’s next?” as she’s the sort of woman who’s proven that anything is possible. But her future has one absolute certainty, “spending time with my two sons and husband is everything to me”, and another distinct possibility on: “I think next I would love to dye my hair emerald green… you will have to wait and see!”
Photography by Rudy Zverina.
