Melanie Grant’s Everyday Beauty, Health And Wellness Routine

…I drink a large glass of warm water with an entire lemon squeezed into it. Then, it’s straight to my morning coffee; I like it strong, hot and with a dash of homemade almond milk. I’ll quickly catch up on emails and make a plan for my day, do an abridged skincare regimen, and then I take a brisk walk around the neighborhood with my dogs before jumping back online for calls with my team.

I’m actually quite efficient when it comes to my own routine. I prefer to rely on a small number of high-performance and multi-functional formulas to do the heavy lifting for me, so I don’t need to do as much. In the morning, I focus on prevention with hydration, antioxidants and SPF; and in the evenings, I incorporate ingredients that are more active or corrective, such as AHAs, BHAs and retinol.

I do this a couple of times a week. I love the Augustinus Bader Face Cream Mask – I massage it into my skin after a double cleanse, let it infuse, and then blot off the excess before hopping into bed. That’s probably my biggest skincare indulgence; it’s only three steps, yet I still wake up with super-plump, hydrated and nourished skin.

Never underestimate the power of your own hands. Massage oxygenates the tissues, flushes stagnant lymph, boosts circulation and sculpts the complexion. I also carry a NuFace Trinity device in my kit [to use] for an extra lift. Microcurrent is a great way to improve muscle tone, so it’s both preventative and corrective if you’re concerned with skin laxity and density.

My favorite clinical treatment is LED light therapy. I’ve been working with it for well over a decade and, to this day, I’m still impressed by the results it’s capable of in terms of wound-healing, curbing inflammation and promoting collagen and elastin synthesis – and all without any downtime.

…I see the improvement in a few weeks. The quality of my skin is better and everything ‘lifts’, as it gets rid of puffiness around the ankles and knees. I wish I could say I follow this with a cold plunge, as the benefits are incredible, but it’s just not for me. I slather on a body oil every day, then lightly rinse it off in the shower before massaging it in – this conditions my skin without leaving it greasy. I love Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and, twice a week, I use black Aleppo soap with a Charme d’Orient Moroccan exfoliating glove that I got from its beautiful hammam spa in Paris.

…because I get highlights on and off throughout the year, so I always go back to using Olaplex. It’s the only thing that works on brittle and damaged hair. I try to use only silk hair ties and pillowcases for this reason, too. Slip is the original and the best; I’ve been using the brand for as long as I can remember.

…but I’ve been having more fun with it lately. To me, a bold red lip is a sign of confidence. Pairing it with a bare face and tidy brows has been my go-to look lately. I love products with a natural texture but a high payoff, such as Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Lip Definer in Number 2, Contour Stylus and Cheeky Posh – they’re my everyday trio without fail. I love anything that accentuates our unique features – like a rosy cheek, a sprinkle of freckles, or a few smile lines here and there – which ultimately are what make us who we are and, in my opinion, most beautiful. I think that’s a very Australian thing – easy, natural and honest.

If my skin is dull or lackluster, I’ll do an enzyme treatment to get rid of dead skin and boost circulation. It gives the healthy glow of a good gym session without the effort. Lately, I’ve been using Auteur’s Definitive Enzyme Cleanser – it completely revives my complexion. I’ll follow this with an old-school ice plunge. This boosts vascular constriction, de-puffing, lifting and tightening; it’s like an at-home cryo-facial. I simply fill a large bowl with clean, cold water and empty a tray or two of ice into it. Then I submerge my face in the cold water around five times at 10 second intervals. There are so many fancy tools on the market, but ice is easy, free and almost always available, even if you’re traveling. Plus, it works every time.

…as it boosts lymphatic circulation, so it’s good for detoxing, circulation and elevating your heart rate – and it’s super-fun! When I can fit it into my schedule, I love what reformer Pilates does to my body. In my line of work, when I’m leaning over a treatment bed for most of the day, prioritizing posture and spinal mobility is so important.

…but just eat when I’m hungry. I have a coffee first thing and then usually don’t eat until noon. It might not work for some people, but I think it’s important to listen to your body. I feel my best when prioritizing hydration and sticking to an anti-inflammatory diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, high-quality protein, and lots of healthy fats, such as avocado and cold-pressed olive oil. I don’t believe in deprivation, so there’s always room for dark chocolate or a glass of red wine.

“Your team never work for you; they work with you.” It’s an attitude I’ve always carried.