THE FUTURE OF BEAUTY
Fluff is a Melbourne-based cosmetics brand with a different take on beauty. They want women to “create and accept beauty, making it up for themselves”. Their products are all about enhancing what people already love about themselves, encouraging beauty through self-love, not just products. Here’s a little bit about the products:
What makes FLUFF distinctive from other cosmetics brands?
Fluff believes beauty is more than makeup. We want everyone to feel pretty not just look "pretty". We want our audience to make beauty up for themselves. It's also bright and weird. There's only ironic uses of pink even though I love pink but I think it's refreshing when something isn't covered in millennial pink. I wish I had a Fluff in high school. They don't tell me what to do, how to act, how to be.
Are FLUFF’s products ethically produced?
Y. Our products are vegan. No palm oil. Only good stuff. Check out our ingredients: https://itsallfluff.com/products/bronzing-powder/
Our Bronzing Powder is now refillable and we have recently introduced refillable Lip Oils!
Could you tell us about FLUFF’s ‘make-under’ concept?
So a makeunder is like a makeover but different. We don't use foundation so you'll still look like you. We don't cover you up. We make sure to enhance your features. You can book in for an appointment at Fluff's Studio every Saturday. Come hang.
FLUFF emphasises celebrating unique characteristics commonly seen as “flaws” by the mainstream beauty industry. How do FLUFF products help people to celebrate their individuality rather than hiding it?
Fluff's Bronzing Powder is super subtle and light-weight. You can build it up depending on how you're feeling. It has no sparkles so it doesn't look artificial. You can still see your freckles, which is cool. I tell a lot of people our makeup products are a vehicle in which we spread our message. Our message is that beauty is more than makeup. We have an Issues page where people pour their heart out, write poems and tell us what's really on their mind. I wish I had a Fluff is high school because we give girls a voice and ask them for their opinion rather than telling them a way to go or preaching our opinion.
What would you most like to see change about the current beauty industry?
I'd like to see less beauty gurus. Smaller makeup kits. Less foundation. I can't deal with the face and the idea of a girl that makeup brands are pushing. I want everyone to take the younger generation more seriously. Less talking down to consumers. More conversations. More depth.
In the Fluff spirit, we ask our featured models about their self- image, self-love and self-care.
IS THERE A TRANSIENT FACTOR ABOUT YOUR PHYSICALITY THAT HAS CHALLENGED YOU BUT INFLUENCED YOUR SELF CONCEPT?
BILLIE: Definitely my back, I have scoliosis. Unfortunately it runs in the family, especially with the girls - it used to get me down because all I want to do is have the perfect structure and be able to walk the runway but it takes time and I now do exercises to help with my back, which is really good and I think I’m getting better.
WHAT IS YOURSELF CARE RITUAL?
GYULIM: Your feelings are valid and you shouldn’t ignore it.
When I go through life challenging moments, I always make a chance for myself ‘take a step back and trace through back my last steps’ I like to give back to myself to remind me that I’m worthy and loved.
Being a nature has so many benefits. It removes the variables that cause theses tangles for a more honest sense of self and gravity for what really matters.
I find that when I am going through difficult times, writing and drawing my thoughts out really help me to cope with whatever I’m going through. It helps not only guide me to think clearly and makes important connections between my thoughts and feelings, but also be able to reflect and just let go of everything that constantly takes over my mind.
SHELBY: To me, self care is crying when I need to cry, writing when I need to write and eating pasta when I want2t7o eat pasta.
WHAT DO YOU FIND THE MOST INTERESTING PART ABOUT YOURSELF?
MARLENE: What I find the most interesting about myself is that I grew up multicultural. I grew up in Germany, America and here, in Australia, so I feel like I have a wider knowledge of culture and traditions which I am very thankful for because it helps me understand the differences between different countries and peoples upbringings.
GEORGE: Physically, I find the most interesting part of myself to be my hair. It seems to attract a lot of attention because of the colour, as well as the curls, with people usually bringing it up as a topic of conversation.
ELLA: I love self care. I believe everyone should indulge in self care at least once a week. I usually do lots of skincare, masks and oils. I just take the time to relax and listen to music, and focus on myself.
ELSA: The most interesting part of myself would be my imagination, I find I’m able to visualise almost anything instantly which is kind of like a superpower but can also be distracting.
I pick up on other people energies very easily and find myself absorbing their energy regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. Observing and reflecting on my tendency to do so has allowed me to be more aware of this behaviour and act upon it by blocking negativity to protect my own thoughts and emotions. I have been learning about the power of energy through the study of reiki.
Most importantly my self care ritual includes meditating as much as I can, which has really helped my mental health as well as washing my face with cold water and performing abhyanga -an Ayurvedic self oil massage. (Oil=love)
You can learn more about, and purchase Fluff Casual Cosmetics here. See the full story in Astrophe Issue 2.5.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON VIII | CHADWICK MODELS, MARLENE KAFKA, ELSA BRYANT, ELLA MCINNES, GYULIM LEE GIANT MANAGEMENT / IMG, BILLIE SMOLSY | NEUE GEORGE MILLER | NO AGENCY SHELBY HAMILTON. FILM PROCESSING | HALIDE SUPPLY, LOCATION THANKS TO FLUFF CASUAL COSMETICS SHOT ON A MIX OF 35MM AND MEDIUM FORMAT FILM PLUS POLAROIDS WITH NO RETOUCHING
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