Welcome to Take Note – a weekly rolodex of all the best in skin, wellness, and makeup from industry insiders. Each week, we’ll profile one woman who’s privy to beauty, covering everything from recommendations to routines. Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of Phoebe Simmonds, beauty veteran and founder of The Blow, a blow dry bar that opened in Melbourne back in 2018. Phoebe has had a stellar career in beauty, working as the Marketing Director at Benefit Cosmetics before deciding to translate her skills into a business of her own. The premise of The Blow was genius (and a first for Australia): quick, transformative blow dries and dry styles that can be scheduled into your week in the same way a meeting is. You choose from a menu – options like Rich Girl Hair or Va Va Voom – and leave with fresh hair and the confidence that comes with it.
Now off the back of its success, this week see’s Phoebe launch The Blow On The Go: 15 minute dry styles available in Sephora stores. It’s opening at both Sephora Pitt Street and Melbourne Central locations, marking a huge moment for Phoebe, who is revered in beauty for her hard work, great ideas and unwavering support of the women around her: “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Sephora, the global beating heart of beauty, who represent everything The Blow is about: strength, energy, self expression and confidence.”
To celebrate the launch, we asked Phoebe to share her entire beauty routine, because lord knows she’s got the intel. From masking to brow tips and (obviously) some great hair recommendations, this is one Take Note you’ll certainly want to… take note of. And for Sydney-siders, be sure to book in at The Blow On The Go from this week here.
See the interview below.
SKIN
GRAZIA: What does your morning skincare routine look like?
Phoebe: I’m a high maintenance girl. I cleanse my skin with Votary Cleansing Oil. I might use a simple scrub in the shower, like the Bangn Body Smooth Skin Scrub. I follow with the Fresh Rose Hydration Toner. As a serum, I’ll use Alpha H Liquid Gold or Dr. Jart Vita Hydra Solution. For eyes, I love the Arcona Eye Dew Plus – it’s so firming. I’ll then apply an oil like The Ordinary Borage Seed Oil massaged in with my Zove Beauty Gua Sha. Then slap on my fave Ultra Violette Queen Screen and onto the day!
GRAZIA: And evening?
Phoebe: Basically the same, but I’m also a sucker for any kind of mask. Once a week I’ll use a deep cleansing mask – I love the Ole Henriksen Phat Glow Facial Mask. Two to three times a week I’ll use a glow-enhancing mask – the gel sheet masks from Aceology are gorgeous and make me feel like a million bucks. I’ve also become addicted to the Microglow roller, which has little needles to polish and refine the skins surface. That’s a fun treatment after cleansing.
GRAZIA: If you were heading to a deserted island, what three products would make the cut?
Phoebe: Ultra Violette Queen Screen for protection, a really rich body moisturizer (could be as basic as Palmers Cocoa Butter basic) and Benefit Hoola bronzer, because, vibes.
GRAZIA: Favorite SPF formula?
Phoebe: Ultra Violette Queen Screen! It’s the sunscreen that finally got me into the habit of wearing an SPF every day.
GRAZIA: Treatment you love?
Phoebe: I love a bit of LED and microdermabrasion when I get the chance. I also enjoy a good Laneige Sleeping Mask. The gel texture is super soothing and hydrating.
GRAZIA: Skincare cheap thrill?
Phoebe: Garnier BB Cream, for an effortless, no-makeup weekend tint.
GRAZIA: And splurge?
Phoebe: Anything by Votary, I love their oils.
GRAZIA: What’s your go-to method for treating a pimple, fast?
Phoebe: A deep cleaning mask just to get it all out at once, but honestly, just roll with it. It’s natural, it’s our bodies responding to our diet, mood and the moon. No point stressing the small stuff!
MAKEUP
GRAZIA: Do you have a makeup muse?
Phoebe: Rihanna. She’s a total DGAF boss, wearing looks that represent her mood. She’s playful, powerful and assertive and can do big bold color or paired back natural so beautifully. We’re lucky to have her.
GRAZIA: What’s your go-to makeup look?
Phoebe: For an average day, it’s YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, the Zoeva Concealer, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, Benefit Rocketeur Blush, Benefit Bad Gal Bang and Gimme Brow. To amp it up for nighttime or a meeting, I’ll add eyeshadow from a Zoeva palette, a bit of a smoky smudge to act as a liner, Becca Highlighter on the cheekbones, Anastasia’s Contour Kit for definition and maybe a lip!
GRAZIA: Holy grail foundation?
Phoebe: YSL Touche Eclat Foundation.
GRAZIA: And most used lip color?
Phoebe: YSL Le Orange 13.
GRAZIA: Best ever mascara?
Phoebe: Benefit Bad Gal Bang.
GRAZIA: How do you shape and fill your brows?
Phoebe: It starts with a really great wax and tint every three to four weeks. I learned so much about the transformative power of brows from my time at Benefit. My go-to products are Ka Brow to shape and define and Gimme Brow to fill and volumize.
GRAZIA: Makeup trend you’ll never try?
Phoebe: Never say never! Playing with makeup can be really powerful to your creativity and identity. Although one thing I know for sure is I won’t go back to my 2005-2008 orange, muddy bronzer obsession. Yikes.
GRAZIA: Signature fragrance?
Phoebe: Tom Ford Black Orchid.
GRAZIA: What does your vacation makeup kit look like?
Phoebe: Still pretty full! Concealer, foundation, bronzer, blush, mascara, brows, done.
GRAZIA: Is there a quirky makeup trick you can share?
Phoebe: I once learnt to apply my bronzer in the shape of a three, from forehead, to defining under cheekbones, then back and onto the jawline. And repeat on the other side. It’s always stayed with me and I visualize it every morning.
HAIR
GRAZIA: Favorite shampoo and conditioner duo?
Phoebe: Virtue Labs Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner.
GRAZIA: Can’t live without styling product?
Phoebe: Ouai Hair Oil.
GRAZIA: Tip for styling hair of your texture?
Phoebe: All. The. Moisture. My hair needs a lot of nourishment on the ends. I only wash my hair once a week and this will always include a mask like Virtue’s Restorative Treatment Mask.
GRAZIA: Hair tool you can’t live without?
Phoebe: Dyson Supersonic. So much power, so little frizz.
GRAZIA: Who cuts and colors your hair?
Phoebe: Laurianne Schuler in Prahran, Melbourne.
GRAZIA: Dream hair?
Phoebe: Haha anyone but mine! My whole life, my super frizzy curly hair has required a huge amount of effort to maintain and it’s difficult for me to style it in a way where I feel polished and presentable, that’s why I created The Blow. Julia Roberts consistently blows me away with her color and versatility. She does curly haired girls like me proud.
WELLNESS
GRAZIA: In a sentence, what’s your approach to wellness?
Phoebe: Having time with others and time to myself.
GRAZIA: What’s your philosophy when it comes to food?
Phoebe: Relaxed. I don’t really spend any time thinking about food. In my teens and twenties, I was obsessed with what I ate, feeling ashamed if I overate or had a ‘bad day.’ The minute I turned 30, I started to feel a lot more comfortable in my own personality, my own body and relaxed into myself. It was only then that my body took what I feel is its most natural and strongest shape. Counting calories became redundant… life’s too short. For inspiration on this, I recommend reading Bri Lee’s Beauty, it truly changed my life.
GRAZIA: What are some common meals in your food repertoire?
Phoebe: I’m not a good cook and am always on the go so I definitely eat to live, not live to eat. I feed my body with fuel to keep going, meals aren’t planned and aren’t always fresh! It’s either eggs or toast for breakfast with a long black. Tuna with rice and spinach for lunch, carrots and apples when on the go and a diet coke (I know, I know) then dinner will usually be pasta or a steak if I’m home, which doesn’t happen as much as I would like.
GRAZIA: How do you love to move your body?
Phoebe: I have to exercise every day. It’s a balance of yoga, reformer Pilates or a really long, juicy run.
GRAZIA: What would your final meal be?
Phoebe: A Napier Hotel Chicken Parma.
GRAZIA: What would your final meal be?
Phoebe: Vitamin B for energy, Vitamin C for immunity. I really notice a difference.
GRAZIA: What tricks do you put in place to ensure you get a good night’s sleep?
Phoebe: I journal every morning to try to set up the day and clear my thoughts… clean out the email inbox at the end of every day. And always do exercise. Those three things have made a big difference to my mental health since starting my own business.
Shop Phoebe’s Edit Here:
Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara, $44. SHOP NOW
Votary Cleansing Oil, $95. SHOP NOW
YSL Touche Eclat Le Tint, $89. SHOP NOW
