Iced Lattes, ’90s Dressing and the Perfect Self-Tan: How Nadia Bartel Prepares for Summer
September 14 | 4 minute read
Words by Danielle Gay
The founder of Australian fashion label Henne and co-founder of self-tan brand Spray Aus knows nothing says summer like radiant skin: “When the weather heats up, my beauty routine becomes so much lighter and more focused on fresh, glowing skin,” Bartel tells us. “I also introduce a little self-tan. It evens out my skin and gives me that glow.”
This sets the foundation for the no-fuss, low-maintenance approach that extends to her wardrobe – and beyond. In pursuit of our best summer ever, we compared notes with Bartel on the fashion edits, beauty routine swaps and menu staples she reaches for when the weather warms up. Screenshot this: her self-tanning secret weapon? A clear mousse.
Summer-Ready Skin
Come summer, Bartel makes the natural shift towards just-back-from-the-beach beauty – expertly navigating the razor-thin line between dewy and shiny: “I have quite oily skin, and it gets even oilier in the heat, so I need to be careful with the products I use,” she tells us, revealing she swaps heavy moisturisers for the lighter The Water Cream from Tatcha and always keeps her Naked Sundays SPF topped up.*
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.
Her makeup bag holds the answer to her glow: “In summer, I really love bronzy skin, brushed-up brows and quite a lot of blush across my cheeks and nose to create that sunkissed look.” She recommends using a blush with “a reddish tone” to achieve the same finish.
The Faux Glow That's Good to Go
A great self-tan is Bartel’s repeat staple in the summer months. As a co-founder of Melbourne-born tanning brand Spray Aus, she has her self-tan routine down to a fine art.
“I want a lightweight formula that dries quickly, feels comfortable on my skin and doesn’t leave me feeling sticky,” Bartel explains. “That’s why I love a clear mousse, especially because there’s minimal transfer.” To get her quintessential glow, Bartel relies on the Spray Aus Clear Self Tan Mousse: “It has no [visible] bronzing agents or scent, so I can pop my clothes straight on and get on with my day.”
To prep, she exfoliates (with the Spray Aus Exfoliating Mitt, of course), ensuring her skin is clean and dry before adding a Nécessaire moisturiser to elbows, knees and ankles to help the colour apply evenly. Bartel then goes in with her Clear Self Tan Mousse, a streak-free formula which uses aloe vera to boost hydration and raspberry seed oil to keep skin soft and supple.
“Lastly, I love my face to look tanned and glowing, so I always use our Natural Tanning Mist. It allows me to gradually build the colour, and the organic rosewater and coconut water leave my skin feeling hydrated at the same time,” Bartel adds.
For a consistent glow, she applies a light layer of Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (intentionally with no active ingredients) to her face and lets it absorb before misting: “This creates a smooth, hydrated base and helps prevent the tan from developing unevenly or looking patchy.”
A Taste of Summer
There’s something about warmer temperatures that make us all want to reach for something fresh, and Bartel is no different. On the menu: “I’m big on salads with grilled chicken, salmon and hard-boiled eggs," she tells us, adding, “I also make chia puddings topped with Greek yoghurt and berries. And I definitely reach for an iced coffee more often when the weather warms up.”
Breakfast features a lineup of superfoods like coconut yoghurt, avocado, blueberries and kimchi, plus colostrum and collagen protein. Meanwhile, a lean beef protein bowl with roasted sweet potato, more avocado and lots of spinach – topped with cottage cheese or Greek yoghurt – is her signature summer lunch: “It’s really filling without feeling too heavy, and I love that I’m getting a good amount of protein.”
Dress Code: Relaxed Tailoring
When it comes to summer dressing, Bartel leans towards lightweight cottons and natural fibres in more relaxed silhouettes: “It’s comfortable but still feels polished and put together,” she explains, adding, “This summer, I’m really drawn to that ’90s way of dressing, and we have taken so much inspiration from that era for summer at Henne. I’ll be wearing lots of just above-the-knee length skirts, sleeveless high-necks and cotton tailored jackets, paired back with simple V-neck tees.”
Her favourite heatwave outfit? A pair of wide-leg pants with a simple thin-strap tank and a belt: “I love something oversized on the bottom with something really minimal on top,” she says. “I also love set dressing. There’s something so easy about having two pieces that work together, but that I can also split up and wear in completely different ways.”
