Beauty and Pleasure: How Richard Christiansen Starts His Day
September 16 | 4 minute read
Words by Elise Loehnen
He grew up in Duranbah, in northern NSW, where his parents are Australia’s biggest beekeepers. It makes sense then that Richard intuitively understands how ideas are pollinated and spread – and the essential role of nature in beauty and pleasure. After all, nature is at the root of everything worth creating. “My grandma used to say how you start your day sets the tone for everything you do. So, my morning routine is very regimented. I do the same thing every day and stick to it by the minute.”
6:00am – Wake Up With the Sun
I am always the first one out of bed. I quietly make a cup of coffee with my French Press using the beans we roast ourselves at Flamingo. Ours is a rich medium roast with a strong flavour, but it won’t give you the jitters. The beans are grown by farmers we know and love.
6:15am – Shower
There’s a ledge in the shower by the window, so I can see the sun come up. My favourite thing is to drink my coffee in the shower and look at the garden. I use our Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick because it’s like a slap in the face – it really wakes me up – followed by two of our body washes, one after the other. Someone once told me you have to surprise your body in the morning. The essential oils in these body washes are so strong, and I love turning on the shower really hot and just inhaling the fragrance.
6:40am – Goat Breakfast
I bring my goats some celery and carrots and slice up some apples. I try to give each of the goats a kiss before I get my day started, if I can catch them.
7:00am – Bike to the Gym
I ride my bicycle from the estate to the gym every morning – it’s about 35 minutes. I don’t like using a lot of products, so the only thing I put on my skin is some Manuka Rich Cream to protect me from the sun and wind. On my face, I use MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen. That’s all I use during the day.
7:30am – Gym
I’m in the gym for an hour, five days a week. This is like church for me. It’s the only time I have to myself all day and I really take advantage of it. I lift weights for a full hour and drink a tonne of water.
8:30am – Quick Shower
After the gym, I take ANOTHER shower just to rinse off. I normally bring a bar soap with me. Right now, I’m using the Marigold bar soap, a limited edition from December. It’s so beautiful. And smells so good.
8:45am – Bike to the Office
I ride my bike for about 45 minutes to get to the office. This is my favorite time of day. I get so many of my ideas on my bike, and I’m always dictating them into the notes on my phone as I cycle. I send all my emails and text messages when I stop at traffic lights and basically get my whole day organised while en route.
9:30am – Office
My number one rule at work: there must be good music playing, and we need to have candles burning. (Roma Heirloom Tomato is a favourite.)
There’s a kitchen in the office, and sometimes I’ll make eggs with olive oil and salsa macha, or just some toast with our honey.
[My partner] Harvey usually brings the dogs to the office around 10.30am and they sit on the floor under my desk all day. What a joy!!!
SPF 50+ is a broad spectrum very high protection sunscreen. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
