November 05, 2024

IN CONVERSATION WITH: COLBY MILANO

We chatted with our beautiful friend of the brand, Colby Milano to find out more about her daily beauty and wellness rituals. 

Tell us a little bit about you.
My name is Colby and I’m a Brand Consultant and Content Creator. I was born and raised in New York, just outside the city and close to the beach on Long Island. I now live in Sydney with my husband and new puppy named Kona.

I would describe myself as a patient, honest and loyal person with a quality over quantity attitude in life. I enjoy going with the flow and find myself most at ease when I’m following my intuition and appreciating the process. Quality time is definitely my love language, I care deeply for my family and close friends and value having genuine connections. This year has taught me a lot about love and loss, reminding me the importance of time (or lack thereof) and being present.
 
I have a deep passion for photographing moments in my life, whether mundane or eventful. Finding beauty in the everyday and capturing it inspires and grounds me in that present moment.

I often get asked why I traded New York for Sydney, with so many here doing the opposite. I would be lying if I said I always had plans to leave New York, I didn’t. That’s the beauty of life, sometimes there are moments in time that guide you in a different direction than you ever expected.

Australia has taught me a lot about myself including and not limited to, a deeper connection to nature, slowing down, finding clarity and actively enjoying all that life has to offer. I am grateful to call Sydney home.
What is your morning routine (skincare, wellness etc)?
I like to wake up and sit in the garden, even if it’s for 5 minutes. I enjoy that peaceful time with myself to gather my thoughts, watch/listen to the birds and enjoy the morning sunlight while having a coffee before my day begins. Following that, I almost always do some sort of movement. I switch this up throughout the week but it consists of either a Pilates class, a long coastal walk or a dip in the ocean. 
 
After a shower, I will lather my body with coconut oil and pat dry. I like to take care of my whole body not just my face. Then I apply my skincare which includes the LESSE Ritual Serum, Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Serum, Foile Deep Blue C Cream and EltaMD SPF. 

I generally don’t wear makeup during the day unless I have meetings or shoots and feel I need a bit of a pick-me-up. When this is the case I will use Chantecaille Just Skin, Glossier Brow Flick, the Merit Stretch Concealer and Flush Balm Cream Blush and Makeup Forever lip liner. 
What is your evening routine(skincare, wellness etc)?
I have found integrating a wind down to be really helpful for a good night's sleep. Fortunately, I’ve never been one to struggle with sleep but when I am working late I find it hard to switch off. Getting away from my screens, having a hot shower, cooking dinner and practising deep breathing have helped with this. 

My evening skincare routine starts by removing the day with Dermalogica PreCleanse oil cleanser. I’ve been loving the LESSE Refining Cleanser for a deeper exfoliating cleanse. I use a retinol, the LESSE Ritual Serum and Weleda Skin Food or Emma Lewisham Vitamin A oil to finish. I started incorporating the LESSE Bioactive Mask into my routine every so often when my skin feels congested. 
Afterwards, my partner and I will usually hang out on the couch. I love having a sleepytime tea with a few chocolate chip cookies because balance. 
What is your PEARL ritual?
I add the Coconut flavour of PEARL’s Marine Collagen Superpowder to my morning coffee. The excitement I have adding that scoop to the bottom of my cup before pouring coffee over is a bit silly. It’s just so delicious and adds a beautiful smoothness and coconut taste that I thoroughly enjoy. Plus all the benefits of incorporating collagen daily! 
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is different which I enjoy. I am either in meetings, shooting content, curating content, coordinating shoots, discussing product development, strategising or executing creative concepts and campaigns across social, web and email marketing. I spend a lot of time looking at a screen which is why I like to be organised and block time out in my day to take breaks and get outside. Kona really helps with that. We sometimes head to the park or beach, tend to the garden or just sit and enjoy the sunshine. Little daily rituals help keep me inspired.
What is your go-to skin treatment?
It’s not a “skin treatment” as such but I love infrared saunas. I often visit NIMBUS in Bondi for an infrared sauna and ice bath combo for a full body treatment.
I am happiest when.... 
When…I’m at the beach, laying in the sand and in the sun and swimming in the ocean 
When…my partner and I are cooking at home with our puppy
When…I’m creating content
I calm my nervous system by... 
Having a balance of routine and being still, doing less.
Spending time in nature.
Spending time with loved ones.
Listening to music.
Moving my body. 
I’ve also been practising a still-point breathing meditation. I was introduced to this by Athanasia Spathis, a sound healing practitioner who has helped me reconnect with my sense of self and teach me a new set of skills to calm my nervous system.
I'm currently watching / reading / listening…
Watching; I binged Nobody Wants This and I’m back into Monsters
Listening; This Playlist
In my handbag, you'll find.... 
Phone, keys, airpods, sunglasses, PEARL sachets, Merit stretch concealer, blush, lipliner, and a camera. 
My 3 favourite skincare products are... 
The best beauty advice I have been given... 
I read something recently that said “Be mindful, extremely selective, and very intentional about the people you allow in your life.” It reminded me how fortunate I am to have such a supportive and strong network of family and friends I can rely on and who have positively shaped the person I am today. We can be influenced by those closest to us which can effect our self-worth, confidence and overall beauty. So, I think that’s pretty good advice. On the flip side, don’t forget to be that support system in return.


Follow Colby @colbymilano