Love It: Mishti Makeup shakes-up Australia’s beauty industry

After combining four lipsticks in order to achieve a flattering shade for her skintone, Mishti Rahman knew the beauty industry needed to become more inclusive.

Australian influencer, Mishti Rahman (pictured second left) is helping change the face of the local beauty industry.

With less than a fortnight until Christmas, the mad rush to decorate, buy gifts and organise festive celebrations is well underway.

As the state inches towards a COVID-normal summer, Melburnians are being encouraged to support city businesses where possible, with Christmas catch-ups in the city suggested as way to reunite with colleagues while helping hospitality traders bounce back.

It follows the IGA Christmas Aisle Index report finding Australia’s buying habits have changed in the wake of the pandemic, with 42 per cent of the population wanting their Christmas spending to support local businesses and one in four checking the label of origin when making purchases.

For those in need of some festive inspiration, here’s my picks for the best things to see, do and buy in Melbourne this week.

MAKE-UP THAT MATTERS

After struggling to find the perfect universal lip colour, Australian influencer and creative, Mishti Rahman, set about making one herself.

“I couldn’t find a lip colour that suited my complexion, which led me to using four lipsticks to concoct a flattering shade and that got tiring,” the 28-year-old says. “Then I found a lipstick by MAC Cosmetics, which was good enough, only for it to be discontinued.”

Manufactured in Melbourne, the First Date Lip Crayon provides an affordable Christmas gift option. RRP $29.70

Raised in a Muslim household by hardworking Bengali immigrant parents, the businesswoman hopes to inspire a more diverse and inclusive beauty community.

“I saw the lack of shade diversity within lip products as a problem that I could help solve,” she says.

Mishti Rahman credits the support of friends, including Lewis Hamilton, for the organic success of her brand.

Two years of product development followed before Ms Rahman’s solution came in the form of ‘First Date Lip Crayon’, the debut lip product from her recently launched cosmetics brand, Mishti Makeup.

With a buildable formulation and crayon applicator, the product is a universally flattering rose-brown hue that can be worn as a lip liner or overall lip colour.

Based in Sydney after studying acting in Los Angeles, Ms Rahman is currently in Melbourne, where her family and make-up business are both based.

“Border restrictions have lifted so I was finally able to fly in,” she says. “It was tough navigating a make-up launch from Sydney when your business partner and the brand itself is manufactured in Melbourne; we were doing Zoom calls right through lockdown.”

In addition to supporting the local manufacturing industry, $1 from every Mishti Makeup sale will go to ESSD school in Bangladesh, helping alleviate poverty.

ROOFTOP REVAMP

Rustica founder Brenton Lang has injected new life into a 100 year-old Williamstown pub, transforming the former Hellenic Hotel site into Hobsons Bay Hotel; a three-storey neighbourhood pub and rooftop deck overlooking the bay and city.

Together with partners Drew Gibbs and Matt Cook, the venture was driven by a desire to create a hospitality venue fitting for the waterfront suburb.

The trio behind Hobsons Bay Hotel: Left to right, Drew Gibbs, Brenton Lang and Matt Cook.

“We want to bring the building back to the neighbourhood pub and execute a high-quality venue with a dining and service experience to match,” Mr Lang says. “We knew the expertise of the chef we needed for the venue and we couldn’t be more excited to have teamed up with Ben [Pigott].”

Diners can enjoy refined pub classics such as rotisserie chicken and chips with salsa verde and rocket salad, beer battered fish and chips with chunky tartare and dry-aged striploin on the bone.

Once regulations allow, Hobsons Bay Hotel will seat 240 diners across three levels. The venue is also hosting its first major event on the rooftop for New Year’s Eve, featuring bubbles on arrival, bottomless deluxe drinks, canapes and music to send off 2020. Priced at $250 per person, booking is crucial.

Hobsons Bay Hotel – 28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm til late.

The menu at Hobsons Bay Hotel focuses on refined pub classics.

DREAM RIDE

If you’re stuck on Christmas gift ideas for the ultimate car enthusiast, consider Camp Quality’s inaugural car raffle, which is offering car lovers the chance to win a Maserati GranTurismo Sport Edizione V8 Aspirato, valued at a whopping $345,659.

Each $50 raffle ticket means a one in 20,000 chance of winning the final remaining model of only 23 Maserati GranTurismo models in Australia. A true collector’s item, the model features a classic combination of features from the 50s and 60s, including a F136 4.7-litre V8 engine.

The Maserati GranTurismo Sport Edizione V8 Aspirato is valued at $345,659.

“This particular GranTurismo marks the end of production of one of the greatest Maserati’s ever made,” Glen Sealey, COO of Maserati Australia and New Zealand, says.

“It also marks the end of an era with the last of the normally aspirated, Ferrari-made V8 engine. Ultimately it will be a money can’t buy item as this vehicle cannot be replicated or replaced; there are no more.”

The vehicle in question is the final remaining model of only 23 Maserati GranTurismo models in Australia

In addition to the prospect of winning, each raffle ticker also goes to a worthy cause, helping kids impacted by cancer and their families get a vital break from cancer at a Camp Quality camp or retreat.

“Every ticket sold will help fund wonderful experiences and provide trusted information and coping tools for kids facing cancer and their families,” Camp Quality CEO, Deborah Thomas says.

ROZALIA RETURNS TO APPAREL

Melbourne fashion label Atoir has joined forces with Rozalia Russian for another Apparel by Rozalia collaboration, this time creating a spring/summer capsule collection that’s perfectly catered for the party season ahead.

The consecutive collaboration follows the success of Rozalia’s initial collection both locally and abroad, which sold-out in 20 minutes after its launch and was worn by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Sophia Richie.

The newest Apparel by Rozalia collection is perfect for end of year celebrations.

While comfort was a big factor for the initial drop, the new spring/summer collection reflects the return of social activities and events, featuring timeless slip dresses, chic knitted sets and relaxed tailoring in a tonal palette with pops of champagne and gold.

The Apparel by Rozalia collection ranges in sizes 6-14 in mainline and XS-L in knitwear, with a price range of $69.95-$359.95.

GIFTING GAME-CHANGER

Uninspired by the gifting options available during lockdown, couple Jacob Leung and Sarah-Jane Ho set about launching a gift hamper business of their own and a few months later, Good Day People was born.

Good Day People have embraced the holiday spirit with their Christmas-inspired hamper range.

Good Day People’s Chrissy Missy pack, $69.

On a mission to put the spotlight on Australian small businesses, Good Day People have launched their Christmas hamper range, featuring festive foods, drinks and spreads from leading Melbourne brands such as Hey Tiger, Melbourne Martini, Olsson’s, Strangelove and Tiger Buck, to name a few. Priced from $69 to $299, the packs are selling out so get in quick.