How Jimmy told Nadia about domestic violence
WHY she doesn’t mind the WAG title, the one thing she’ll never eat or drink, and the thing that annoys her most about Jimmy.
NADIA BARTEL is used to life in the spotlight.
She was already a well-known style blogger before her marriage to AFL star Jimmy Bartel propelled her even further into the public eye.
She has had to adapt to her personal life becoming public property. A big example of this came recently when her husband spoke out about the domestic violence he experienced growing up.
Instead of resenting the public interest, the Bartels chose to embrace it.
“We are very passionate about highlighting the issue of domestic violence ... Jim has done amazing work,” she tells news.com.au.
She recalls the way her husband eventually opened up about the violence he had experienced.
“I always knew there were issues with his Dad, but it was something that Jim never spoke about in full detail,” she says.
“At the end of 2015 he opened up about it, in greater detail and that’s when I fully understood the situation which helped me understand Jim’s personality and the way he acts in more depth and the reason why he is the man he is.”
The Geelong football star played the whole of 2016 without shaving as a way to highlight the issue. Each time someone remarked on his ‘terrible’ bushy beard, they spoke about the reasons he was growing it — highlighting the scourge of domestic violence in our community.
“I thought it was a fantastic idea from the start, and I couldn’t be more proud of what he did,” says Bartel.
Since having a son, Aston, life has become even more hectic for Nadia. And now she has taken on a new beauty project — she will co-host an “Architects of Beauty” makeup masterclass at Melbourne’s Highpoint shopping centre on Saturday 13 May where she will host a live makeup demonstration, and unveil the Dior makeup must-haves Beauty Box she has curated.
To spruik the event she agreed to a quick Q&A with news.com.au about beauty, fashion, motherhood and life with Jimmy.
1. What does your daily diet/exercise routine look like?
I love to keep fit and healthy. I have to admit I haven’t been able to work out for quite a few months, as I have been busy with work and Aston. When I find time, I like to mix it up with pilates and boxing a few times a week. I love that you can push yourself to be so competitive with boxing, as it is a high-intensity cardio workout. Pilates is great for toning and lengthening my body. I am not too strict with my diet. I try to eat healthy most the time, but I am not going to deny myself something I want, as I do have a massive sweet tooth.
2. Did your attitude towards health/fitness/beauty change at all after having a baby?
Staying fit was always a part of my lifestyle before getting pregnant, but I have definitely become more aware of what I put into my body since having Aston. When I was pregnant, I wanted to make sure I was nourishing my body with the healthiest possible food. I now take more interest what is in my beauty products and what I use on Aston, as I want to make sure that everything is paraben and cruelty-free. I don’t want those nasty ingredients in my house.
3. What food/drink would you never eat or consume?
Beer and red meat. I haven’t eaten red meat in about 16 years.
4. Do you get annoyed by the WAG label, or do you embrace it
Honestly, I don’t spend any time thinking about it. It is a label which I have no control over. When you break it down, everyone is a wife or girlfriend in any industry, and I feel it’s a throwaway title. If people delve more deeply into some of the partners of athletes, they will release there are some pretty special women.
5. What do you think is the key to a successful relationship?
Making time for each other and putting the phone down and talking. It’s pretty simple, but it’s so easy to get caught up in our busy lives, but when we are home together after work that’s our time.
6. What annoys you most about Jimmy?
It might be the Geelong in him, but he never seems to get out of first gear. He is too relaxed sometimes and can sleep anywhere and everywhere, which can be annoying when I want to watch a movie together or when we are travelling.
7. Tell us one trend that you love and another you hate
I am loving the emphasis on shirting this season. There has been a big push to new styles like the one-shoulder, shirtdresses, graphic lines etc. I am really over the peplum trend, so hopefully we see no more peplums for a long time.
8. What are your top five beauty products that you can’t live without?
1. Dry Shampoo- to add volume and keep my hair fresh when I don’t have time to wash it.
2. Makeup Wipes- I am lost without them.
3. Eyelash Curler. I have long but straight lashes, so I love using my eyelash curler, even on those days when I am not wearing makeup.
4. Highlighter like DiorSkin Nude Air Luminizer Powder, to highlight my cheekbones and brow bone.
5. My BHA liquid exfoliant from Paula’s Choice, it is amazing at keeping my skin smooth and healthy
9. Tell us about your hardest moment as a mother
Those first few months, not knowing if I was doing a good job and not understanding what all those different cries meant. Was he hungry, in pain, too cold, etc.?! Luckily, it didn’t take too long for me to find my groove.
10. What’s the best bit of beauty advice (or hack) you’ve been given? any tricks you want to share that you consider to be game-changers?
Tinting your eyebrows to make them fuller- it makes a massive difference to shaping your face. I also like popping highlighter directly under the brow bone to give my eyes and instant lifted look. I suffer from bad eye bags so I use concealer in an inverted triangle under my eyes and then use a translucent powder (that I apply with a beauty blender) to set and bake my concealer in place so it doesn’t move all day, and keeps my skin looking fresh.