SUITCASE SERIES: Carla Oates Founder of The Beauty Chef

Carla Oates is the founder and CEO of The Beauty Chef and a skincare innovator in the beauty and wellness industry. In 2009, Carla created GLOW Inner Beauty Powder which revolutionised the global edible beauty category. As the winner of the 2017 InStyle & Audi Women of Style Awards in Beauty, The Beauty Chef has won numerous awards for their products. She is also the author of two books, “Feeding Your Skin” and “The Beauty Chef Cookbook”.

Oates is big on ‘gut health’ and has since created a complete ‘inner beauty routine’ using products that nourish the skin and improve digestive health to cultivate glowing, healthy skin and support overall wellbeing. Her mantra is ‘beauty begins in the belly’.

The Beauty Chef’s innovative products are now sold in over 200 retail stores across Australia as well as global stores including Sephora in the US and Selfridges in the UK.

In this week’s Suitcase Series, equipped with The Beauty Chef’s best-selling product – GLOW Inner Beauty Essential we caught up with Carla to dive into her suitcase and travel psyche…

What’s been your most memorable trip and why? 

At an old beach shack that was very basic with a wonky bed in Crescent Head, NSW, with my husband. We stayed there for a week. It was so basic but so rich in experience. We explored Crescent Head and immersed ourselves in nature–swam in the ocean, in estuaries, in tea tree lakes and we walked and walked and walked. We read books and ate delicious food. It was a great reconnection to nature and also to ourselves and our partnership too. 

What’s your favourite ever hotel? 

Soho Hotel in London. The rooms are beautifully and artistically curated, it’s in a great location and the breakfasts are incredible. 

Where or what is your escape? 

Walking. I love walking. It is my mediation, my escape, my catharsis.

If you could go anywhere tomorrow it would be…

Kakadu, in the Northern Territory.

What’s your idea of a luxury wellness holiday? 

Immersed in nature, fresh delicious wholefoods, massage, walking, good company, lots of laughter and pilates and yoga–when I feel like it. No boot camp!

My top bucket-list destination is…

Paradero Hotel in Mexico.

If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – on a long-haul flight, who would it be? 

Michal Pollan, David Bowie, Patti Smith, or Jane Goodall.

What is your jet-lag recovery tip? 

Hydration Inner Beauty Boost and lots of water.

What is your suitcase stalwart? 

Light cashmere shawls. I always take two or three in different colours. They pack well and are excellent for layering and all types of weather. 

What is your number one packing tip? 

If it fits, put it in there, just in case.

I never travel without…

GLOW Inner Beauty Essential. It is the best for your gut, skin, energy, and everything else!

In my beauty/toiletry bag I always bring…

Flora Fix Balm. It is a one-stop-shop beauty fix to soothe chapped skin, hydrate the skin, moisturise, heal and repair. It’s delicious and nourishing. 

For more information visit https://thebeautychef.com