Hey guys, it’s Liana here. This week I’ll turn twenty-nine. My mid-to-late twenties has been a lot of navigating my womanhood and a bit of developing bite to match my bark. As I edge closer to my thirties, and to kind-of ~understanding myself~, autonomy over my body and its presentation have become paramount.

Recently, my friend was watching in awe as I applied my face for a night out. I asked whether he had ever dated women who wore makeup. He replied that he hadn’t because they ‘didn’t need it’. A rant ensued. I’m sure he regretted his comment and learned something about my aesthetic motivations.

I am by no means an artist, but I’ve always known what I liked. Make-up—and the subsequent growth in digital beauty communities—have allowed me to learn to express myself without a discernible talent for concealing and contouring. (I run social media at Mona Museum of Old and New Art, for the record.)

Earlier in my career, I remember performing well in a pitch to then have a Creative Director remark that I had been “surprisingly professional” in the meeting. That was a pivotal moment for me. I realised I could be great at my job whilst also being silly, bright, crass and all the rest. I threw the “dress for the job you want” advice out the window and leaned into who I was, and who I wanted to be.

Change of Climate, Change of Routine

I moved to Tasmania, Australia, in 2017 for work. I couldn’t believe how much my skin changed due to the climate—which is cold and very dry—and basically had to revisit all of my established skin care. Depending on whether I’m feeling sensitive or oily, I’ll alternate between UltraMD Brightening Foaming Cleanser or Kate Sommerville’s ExfoliKate. To avoid single-use wipes, I use a small cotton face washer to remove my makeup most days, then twice a week I’ll use a vibrating wand I picked up at K-Mart (the Australian version of Walmart) for $15. Once a month I microneedle my face with an Ultraceuticals Derma Roller. Aside from the tingly feeling (which I love), I feel like it has been evening my skin tone and reducing fine lines.

My Favourite Product in the Entire World:

Highlighter is probably my favourite product in the entire world and I’ll happily walk around looking like a glistening disco ball. I got this palette from Mecca that I can keep in my handbag to do a light contour, blush and highlight in my car or work toilets and is guaranteed to look bomb. MAC strobe cream, Stilla creme shadows and Fenty sticks are also on heavy rotation. All shimmery, not obviously glittery.

Is Your Endometriosis Getting You Down?

After enduring a few years of excruciating period pain, I visited a gynecologist to talk about it. I had heard murmurs of endometriosis but never really understood it until faced with it myself. A very good friend gave me this device to help with the pain associated with my endo a few months ago. I’ll make a cup of tea, put a sheet mask on, stick it to my lower abdomen, and lie back watching something mindless on Hayu. Like sheet masks, I find the ritual of using the Livia—to take time to prioritise my mental state—as beneficial as its intent.

Should a Pimple SOS Come Calling...

Someone on my Instagram recommended the Niacinamide 10% by The Ordinary for redness and I’ve been seeing nice results from applying it all over, at night. Depending on spots that pop up, I’ll use Ultra MD brightening serum or clear spot treatment. If it’s an SOS sitch, I use EradiKate. I’ve been using The Ordinary caffeine solution under my eyes for about a year and visibly notice the days I forget to apply.

An Excursive Guide to Sun Safety

Growing up Italian-Australian, we were often perched on a beach to tan our limbs but faces were always SPF’d, big sunglasses, and covered with a hat. No exceptions. Thanks, Mum. I use Ultraceuticals or Skinstitut in SPF50+ every day. I’ll pop a bit of Mecca Max Game Face for work which has 30+ coverage, too. It also helps that my best friend Poppy Lissiman designs sunglasses. Because no squinting = less eye cream.