A Day with Gritty Pretty & Aveda
A few months ago the beautiful team at Aveda & Gritty Pretty travelled up to Bryon Bay for a cover shoot. It was a hot & humid day (& a VERY venomous snake popped it's head out midway through my makeup!), but no one complained... and it was truly magical day! I'm actually lucky I made it to the shoot in the first place! My phone decided to reset itself overnight which meant that none of my alarms went off in the morning! Thank god a friend was staying with me & happened to be awake at 4.50am! Note to everyone ... always use two different platforms to set your arms when you have a big day ahead!
This cover issue was a collaboration between Gritty Pretty & Aveda Hair. Aveda is a company I couldn't stand by more if I tried. Their tireless efforts towards sustainability, sourcing the very best ingredients nature has to offer (for the benefit of both their shoppers & the environment), & recycling is simply incredible. Aveda go to the next level to ensure their entire range of products are of the highest quality, while keeping their eco footprint as green as humanly possible. I've worked with Aveda for years now & travelled with them all over the world. These experiences have truly opened my eyes to the fact that some companies do look at more than their bottom line. They look at how their operations affect the world around them and they ask themselves, "how can we do better? What changes and sacrifices can we make for the benefit of the bigger picture?" When you think about this in real terms, it's quite unique & rare as we live in a very commercial world. I am really proud to be associated with such a thoughtful, global company. The Byron shoot was another prime example of who they are as a company... a fearless leader.
And then there is the Gritty Pretty team who are so much fun, so innovative & creative, and who work their tooshies off to produce exquisite content for their readers. Every single little detail is considered, and every single hand is on deck. They are a solid team ... and operate like a very sweet family! I should point out that Gritty Pretty's gem of an editor, Elenaor Pendleton was very pregnant at the time of shooting & despite the heat, the long day and big shot list - Eleanor was graceful, involved & beyond kind spirited from start to wrap. Eleanors publication (GP), is one I now lean on when looking for beauty, skin & general wellness tips and advice. I find she has an honest voice in this industry and her (along with her incredible team), have their finger well and truly on the pulse.
I really do hope you all love these shots as much as I do. Having the opportunity to shoot a cover like this in new hometown Byron Bay was wild! I felt so comfortable & truly grateful that everyone made the journey up.
Thank you to the wonderful creative team who made me LAUGH all day long!!!! A day to remember & a cover to love!
Elyse x
