In this next golden hour edition, we’ve invited model, mother and fashion icon, Rebecca Burrow into the beauty and fashion conversation.
Our Golden Hour Chats offer a relaxed, candid conversation covering beauty, fashion, and sunless tanning. It's an exclusive chance for our community to dive into the personal stories, insights, and everyday lives of influential beauty and fashion icons who are shaping the industry.
So sit back, relax, while your freshly applied Sontse Golden Hour Self-Tan develops, and take a read…
Q: Ok Rebecca, it's Thursday, an evening of self-care and beauty rituals. What does self-care in beauty look like for you?
A: I take a holistic approach to my self-care. I think you have to go a lot further than just applying products. Firstly, Thursdays are busy around our household with kids' sports and activities.
I find, if I can be organised that is one of my biggest forms of self-care.
I have three businesses, two kids and a very long to-do list, so if I can get myself organised and get dinner ready during the day I am much less stressed and not rushing. I can slow down, eat a nutritious homemade meal, read the girls a book, put them to bed and have a warm herbal tea. I love breathing, practicing gratitude and journaling for manifestation. We moved into a new house that we built last year and one of the best features of the house is an outdoor bathtub on the deck. I will often retreat to have an outdoor bath under the stars while I listen to the sounds of nature. I like to keep my skincare simple, so it doesn't overwhelm me. A simple cleanser, then some LED, then a nourishing nighttime mask.
My favourite beauty ritual is sleep, the easiest one for me. We go to bed early and have around 10 hours of sleep a night, the perfect and cheapest form of self-care (in my opinion).
Q: What do you look for in your beauty products?
A: Oh this one is simple and straightforward. Clean ingredients that work. I love to support Australian brands too.
Q: We would love to take a moment to step back in time; you started your label, Mini Marley Kids (soon-to-be evolving into Moda Mittsu) when Bella was only 12 months old, can you dive into the inspiration behind starting the brand? Did you always know you wanted to create your own label?
A: Believe it or not, it actually wasn't something I had ever pictured I would do for a living. I think I would have always loved to, but never really believed I could. It was definitely something that happened organically. I was always around the fashion industry in my young adult life. It wasn't something that I had any formal training in but I learned so much along the way. When I started a long time ago there were very few local brands and they didn't offer what I wanted to dress my baby in. I saw a gap in the market and I knew I had a passion for it so I jumped in head first.
Q: Recently you made the decision to hit pause on Mini Marley Kids, what ultimately led to making this decision, do you mind sharing more about what this next chapter looks like for you?
A: Absolutely. We had our second child during Covid. To be honest, I am pleasantly surprised that my business even made it through the tough times during lockdown. Whether it was the timing or the fact that I had a new baby and was navigating life with two kids, I lost a lot of my motivation. I was launching seasons later than I usually would and even though I was still in love with the designs I was creating, I was lacking the time and energy to run it alone.
I have now started a new brand called Moda Mittsu and have two incredible business partners. I am taking everything I have learnt over these years and putting it into the new business to make it bigger and better than ever before. But the most beautiful thing about this is being able to share the journey with two other amazing people who bring just as much passion and unique skills to the table.
Q: As a mother, no two days ever quite look the same. What tips can you share on creating balance throughout it all?
A: I think the best way to create a feeling of balance is to be easy on yourself. I have learned that balance is extremely hard to come by and I very rarely feel completely balanced. I now know to give energy to what needs it most at the time. Most times that is family, sometimes it is work, sometimes my social life. I know communication really helps. Explaining to my daughters that I am extra busy at work when I need to, but then also making sure I spend lots of important one-on-one time with them while I am not distracted.
Basically, being fully present in whatever I am committing to in that time. I have learnt to accept help, which used to be hard for me, but it really helps.
As women and mothers we have so much on our plates and the jobs are truly never-ending, but there is only physically so much we can do, so mentally knowing that really helps.
Q: What is your ethos/manifesto when it comes to personal fashion and beauty?
A: Sustainability is definitely at the forefront. I love buying and making products that use natural fabrics and I really focus on not feeding into the over-consumption lifestyle.
We produce in the smallest quantities possible to reduce the amount that could possibly end up in landfills. We make sure that everyone in our supply chain is paid a more than fair wage. We don't believe in creating purely for the sake of selling, we like to create a community that feels supported by us as well.
Personally, I love supporting local brands. I shop second-hand a lot and support my friends' businesses. Once again, trying not to contribute to overconsumption, so I like to buy pieces that I know will be in my wardrobe for a long time, and if not, I pass them on to the next owner and circulate fashion.
Q: In beauty and fashion, we often see so many moving trends - What is a beauty/fashion trend you'll be happy to kiss goodbye forever?
A: Fast fashion and beauty, anything that is created cheaply and quickly for a trend.
Q: A quote you live by?
A: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
From her holistic approach to self-care to her passion for sustainability, Rebecca’s perspective on balancing life’s demands with grace and authenticity is truly refreshing. As she embarks on her next venture with Moda Mittsu, she reminds us of the importance of staying true to our values and embracing the ever-evolving chapters of life. Stay tuned for more insights from remarkable women like Rebecca in our upcoming Golden Hour Chats or catch up on a few recent chats with Chris Dylan – Celeb Hair Stylist and Lili Aghaei – LA Luxury Vintage Reseller.
Written By Liana Pantalone – Beauty & Skincare Copywriter at Climbing Vine Co.
