Simone Kessell is an acclaimed Australia-based actress, model and television presenter, who was born in New Zealand, but calls Bondi home. She has recently starred in Channel Nine’s ‘Fat Tony & Co’, alongside Josh Hartnett and Neve Campbell in the feature film ‘The Lovers’ and is currently appearing in Channel Ten’s Wonderland.
Simone, who is known for her healthy lifestyle, is the Natural Beauty Ambassador for Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics. Here she talks her beauty regime, and how she tries to blend in healthy living to the daily life as a busy working mum.
What is your daily beauty regime?
I always cleanse morning and night. A light spritz of rose water and a light Summer Moisturizer followed with a tinted SPF 30. At night I use an oil (Rosehip) or richer moisturizer. It just feels right. I only wear foundation if I am working or going out at night. I try to keep my skin clean when I can.
How do you keep fit and healthy?
I try to run 4-5 days a week. I find I have to exercise or I go a little crazy. It’s my time to calm my mind. I gym it through Winter as I know I won’t go running, because I’m not a fan of the cold! And I do pilates, and aerobic exercises (rowing machine, stepper and skipping). I think if you move your body for 20 minutes or more every day (or get your heart rate up) then your body and mind will work in harmony. it’s about keeping strong and feeling good about yourself.
You like to eat healthily. What foods do you love to eat?
I love all fruit and veg. I could happily eat them all day. Legumes as well super important. My favourite go-to healthy dish would be lentils, cherry tomatoes, greens – rocket, spinach, avocado and cucumber. All mixed together with flax seed oil, LSA (Linseed, Sunflower seeds, Almonds) and cracked pepper. It’s quick and easy and gets me through the day.
What would be a typical day in terms of what you eat?
I love Breakfast natural Organic oats with blueberries and acidophilus yoghurt. Lunch would be a salad or a wrap filled with quinoa and spinach or sushi. I try to eat smaller meals more often and always have snacks when I’m hungry. Banana, almonds, kiwi etc. I drink coffee once a day and always hydrate with many glasses of water at room temp. That’s not to say I am strict when it comes to chocolate, or an occasional ice cream at the movies with my son; a glass of red wine in the evenings or coconut yoghurt ‘love’. I think you need to eat well, but also to treat well!
Are you vegetarian?
I’m not a vegetarian, but I do limit meats. I decided at the age of 16 that I didn’t want to eat red meat or pork. I never loved the taste and I guess I couldn’t get past the idea of cruelty to animals. I have always had animals in my life; you will never see me without a dog. I adopt them all over the world and find homes for strays. I love animals. I lived on a farm for three years of my childhood and loved the cows and calves on the farm across from us. Every morning I would walk over in my gumboots with an empty milk jug and come back with fresh warm milk with cream on top. The idea of eating them just didn’t feel right to me. So I stopped.
How do you build healthiness into your busy day?
I think being aware of your body’s needs and knowing what fuels you will get you through the day, it is vital especially with young children. Lots of sleep when you can and eating energizing food, high in protein and carbs and lw in bad fats and sugar. Life is to short to waste on empty foods (high salt foods like chips, soda’s, deep fried etc) if you can take the time to nourish and eat well then health and happiness will follow…You will look better as well.
What are your top natural beauty tips?
Maintaining a natural beauty comes from inside as well as out. When I feel tired and grumpy I always need to check in with myself and ask why. I find that the reasons are simple such as sleep deprivation (baby) or red wine at night and not enough water or not exercising.
Once I reset my mind and go running or to the gym or even pushing the stroller up to school to pick up my son I start to feel and look better I’m sure.
Natural beauty is knowing who you are and what makes you happy. Natural beauty is looking after your mind and your body. Nourishing it with natural products and eating well. We have no excuse not to look after ourselves.
Taking 15 mins away from the family to walk or sing or call a friend, read a book, walk in the rain, it doesn’t take much. To know you are loved and loving and to always be the best person you can be. I know sometimes that’s so hard to do and you have piles of washing in front of you and the baby wont sleep and the TV is blaring and life can become too much. That’s when you need to re set and check in with yourself.
I always remind myself what I have not what I don’t. I think of others around the world and know I am so blessed to have my family and friends, career and health. Most times that gets me through.
What is it you love about Ere Perez products and which are your favourite/handbag staples?
I started using Ere Perez products four years ago. I love them. I have sensitive skin and all her products work for me. I like a natural look in the day and a splash of her Real Rosehip Oil Lipbar in LIFE, followed with lashings of her Natural Almond Oil mascara make me feel like I can face anyone I run into!
Ere has nailed the bronzers and highlighters. You always look sun kissed and natural. The pigments and colors she uses are so flattering to any complexion. I love the idea that what I am putting on my face is being absorbed by my body. I feel that if I can nourish and heal my skin with beautiful natural make up then I always want to wear it.
What makes Ere Perez makeup special?
I give it to my girlfriends and say: “Just wait, it does more than make you look good, it makes you feel good and you can eat it”, although I then quickly add ‘But don’t”! We are surrounded every day by all types of pollutions, free radicals and toxins. We don’t need to be putting more on our faces. And if we can get a little more than just colour from our cosmetics why wouldn’t we? When you read what big cosmetic brands put into their lipsticks; then you apply that to your lips it doesn’t seem right. That’s why a splash of Rosehip Oil Lipbar and I know that I am not only healing my lips, but helping them too and I’m not putting animal fats or toxins into my body. Life is way too short for that!
by Sophie Cross.
As seen in http://www.girl.com.au/simon-kessell-ere-perez-natural-cosmetics-interview.htm and http://shesaid.com/au/qa-actress-simone-kessell-2/
The Word Bird 