Everything Adore Beauty's Founder Kate Morris Is Adding to Her Staff Order Right Now
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Ever wondered what Adore Beauty's founder Kate Morris buys in her staff orders?
Having started Australia's first online beauty retailer in her garage more than 20 years ago, Kate has tried just about every damn beauty product there is.
So if it makes it into her staff order, you know it's a winner.
You can hear more about how Kate Morris started Adore Beauty in this Beauty Biz episode of our Bite-Sized Beauty podcast below.
Currently, Kate's staff order is skewed towards the little things getting us through lockdown.
Like lighting a comfy candle that smells like you could almost be on holiday somewhere warm (with cocktails).
Or a swipe of lipstick making you feel less like a corpse on work video calls, or a wash-out hair colour for when you get bored and need something to do.
That, and cheese. And tea. So many cups of tea.
Other than her cult favourites (more on those coming soon!!), what other products has Kate been adding to cart lately?
Here's what she said when I asked her exactly that... over to you, boss!
Kate's Favourite Candles & Self Care Products.
I've been burning so many candles in lockdown, my partner has asked that I please don't buy any more.
Really, I'm liking candles that smell like being outside and not in my house.
Jo Loves Log Fires A Home Candle 185g smells woodsy.
Aesop Geranium Leaf Rinse-Free Hand Wash 500mL is great, I've got a big pump because you need hand sanitiser by the door for when you come home, but most look kind of ugly. This one looks nice in the house and doesn't ruin your vibe.
How are my nails doing? They're shot.
Usually, I have gel polish done because my nails are naturally thin and bendy, but with salons closed, I've been using the Essie Nail Polish Gel Treat Love & Color range. It strengthens the nails but also makes them look a bit less scruffy.
Like everyone else, I've been getting a little bit of maskne on my chin so I've been using the Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask when I need it.
I've been going through tubs of that mask for years. It smells like a day spa, which is really all we want right now.
Kate's Favourite Makeup Products.
Personally, I feel really crap if I don't 'get ready for work', even when working from home.
I'm all for chucking my hair in a ponytail and wearing trackies on the weekends, but on week days, I still do my hair and makeup like I would if I was going into the office. I don't feel right otherwise.
I'm also on a lot of work calls and I need to be the representative for Australia's top online beauty retailer. And you can't do that in a messy ponytail.
Makeup-wise, I always use Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen 75ml as my last skincare step.
Even if I'm inside all day, I still use it every day because, sun damage.
I have a bunch of foundations I use depending on what I need that day. If I know I've got calls and I want my base to look flawless all day, MAKE UP FOR EVER HD SKIN FOUNDATION 30ml - 3Y52 or Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation SPF15 are my picks.
If I only want a bit of evening out for my skin tone, MAKE UP FOR EVER Reboot Foundation or Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All In One Glow Foundation are what I reach for.
M.A.C Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot in the shade Groundwork is also brilliant as a quick, easy eye shadow you can whack on with fingers.
I have my eyebrows feather tattooed, but it needs to be redone and God knows when that will be, so the Benefit Gimme Brow + Volumizing Gel does a great job of filling them in.
For lips, I have a stash of lip products at my desk that are basically all the same colour. I pull out whichever one I feel like at the time, but I'm really loving the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint at the moment.
It's an expensive tinted lip balm and I'm angry at it... but I love it.
Shop Kate's Favourite Working From Home Makeup Products:
Kate's Favourite Home Hair Products.
My hair is kind of my signature, which is funny because I used to get frizz-shamed by the house master in high school.
Right now, I'm really digging the AVEDA Sap Moss Weightless Hydration Shampoo 200ml and AVEDA Sap Moss Weightless Hydration Conditioner 200ml - I wash my hair every four days, at night.
I've been trying to refresh the 'rose gold' toner my hairdresser put in my hair during my last appointment (which was yonks ago) with at-home toning products.
Mr. Smith Pigment Peach leaves hair looking so shiny and feeling soft and manageable!
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Frizz Control Styling Hair Cream is another trusted treatment, but I don't use too much because it's very heavy. Just a little bit through the ends is magic.
Because my hair hasn't been coloured or cut in so long, it needs a bit more volume up the top than usual. AVEDA Thickening Tonic sprayed in the roots works a treat.
Before bed, I dry my hair using the paddle brush attachment on the Dyson Airwrap Complete Multi-Styler Fuchsia Nickel to smooth out frizz (I don't use the curling attachments, I end up with massive hair).
I always do this at night so my hair is bone dry when I go to put waves in the next morning. If there's any dampness in my hair when I style it, the waves drop right out. And I need my waves to last for four days. Maybe five.
I add waves using a straightener. Right now, I'm using the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener - Nickel/Fuchsia and evo icon welder heat protection mist 200ml which works as a heat protectant and also sets the style.
Finally, I let all the waves set before brushing them out with my fingers and finishing with hair spray - R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray is a good one.
Then, I actually have to go do some work...
Want more great beauty product recommendations? Here are some stories from our Adore Beauty team below!
