The confidence that oozes from Natasha Oakley is contagious. The Australian blogger-turned-entrepreneur—you may know her from her A Bikini A Day blog (it launched 10 years ago when Tumblr was still a thing)—has her hands in multiple businesses, an eye for beauty trends, and knows her way around pretty much every major beach in the world. Here, Oakley dishes on how she maintains her famous bikini bod—it’s helped cultivate her 2.7 million Instagram followers—the products she relies on for radiant skin, and more.
What does your skin-care routine look like these days?
“My skin-care routine these days is primarily based on hydration. I have been loving incorporating oils—I like Sunday Riley C.E.O Glow—and serums into my routine, especially at nighttime, to achieve really hydrated and dewy skin. I’ve even started incorporating oils into my makeup routine by mixing them in with my foundation or applying them before starting my makeup routine. This has been game-changing for achieving the dewy look.
I’ve also been big on my face rollers, like Herbivore Jade Roller, especially in the morning. I like to make sure my face is getting enough blood circulation by both working out regularly and stimulating the blood flow to my face using tools such as jade rollers. I know there are mixed reviews for the effectiveness of these tools, but for me, they are meditative and a form of self-love.
For products, I’ve always been loyal to a handful of products that I have on repeat and have been using for years, but I do like to try new products, especially serums and oils. This works out fine since I don’t have sensitive skin, but if you do, I would look into the ingredients of a product before incorporating it into your routine.”
Which beauty trends are on your radar right now?
“I have always been into natural, minimalistic makeup. I hate to admit it, but I’m not a huge fan of the ’90s, glitter-inspired makeup trends that have been really popular lately. I think it is fun, but I personally tend to favor natural, dewy, glowy makeup looks. I’ve also recently purchased a Dyson Airwrap, and it’s all the hype. I’ve been loving the tool to achieve a ’90s blowout look. It definitely takes a bit of practice to master, but once you’ve figured out how to use it, it’s life-changing.”
I know you love the beach, but are any products to credit for your amazing glow?
“At the moment, my tan is entirely thanks to Mother Nature. I use a ton of SPF and stay as safe as possible when I’m in the sun, but owning a swimwear line, Monday Swimwear, and shooting for the brand, has required me to be at the beach quite a bit. During the off-season I use self-tanners or body oils to keep the shimmer alive. My favorites are Ouai Rose Body Oil and Elle Effect. There are so many great ones on the market and they are ultimately the safest way to achieve a nice glow!”
What are your three favorite Instagram accounts to follow right now?
“I have more than three!
@Jamilla.strand: I really love her vibe and style. She is also gorgeous and has a well-curated feed.
@Annarvitiello: Anna is one of my close friends and is huge in the fashion world. Her feed is really fashion-forward and she has amazing style, so following her is very inspirational.
@_yumi_nu: Yumi is gorgeous and doing amazing things in the modeling industry. I love everything she’s accomplishing at the moment and following her gives me a firsthand look into her world, which is fun.
@jenatkinhair: Jen is just a boss! She is so on it with her brands, but also very relatable and real on her Instagram, so following her is really refreshing.”
Is The Pilates Class your go-to for fitness? I need all the details behind those curves!
“The Pilates Class has been my go-to since its launch. I’m a religious Pilates Class member and do the classes at least four to five times per week. The entire technique is based on elongating the body and toning, so it definitely helps me look my best. The platform has so many different classes for every level, so it’s not intimidating for new members and always easy to pick back up if you get off track. The other upside is that all classes are led by Jacqui Kingswell, who has the most soothing yet motivating tone and is an absolutely amazing instructor.”
What about diet? Do you eat clean all the time?
“Diet is huge for me. I see each meal as an opportunity to nourish and fuel my body. I try to eat clean and balanced. For me, this means incorporating as many fruits, vegetables and grains into each meal, and avoiding processed foods. I also try to eat vegan as much as possible. I played a contributing role in the making of Nourish Me—The Pilates Class’s digital cookbook—so a lot of my go-to meals can be found in that book. With all this being said, I do consider myself a foodie and don’t like to restrict myself. I definitely enjoy snacking, eating pastas and cheeses in moderation.”
Let’s talk wellness. What do you do for some Zen?
“I am a huge lover of baths, and I take one almost every night. Baths are my time for meditation and to calm and reground myself. Aside from my baths, I’m really big on my sleep. I have a pretty strict sleep cycle, so I try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. I’m really happy that there is so much awareness of the importance of sleep because this is the ultimate form of wellness. Overall, I like to live a balanced life by eating balanced meals, balancing work with fun/play, and being conscious and intentional of keeping my brain healthy.”
What projects are you working on right now that you’re excited about?
“I’ve recently come on as an investor for a jewelry brand called Emma Pills. This is my most exciting project at this time. The brand was started by a really enthusiastic and savvy Gen-Zer, Emma Pillemer, and her family. They are so excited about life and the brand that it’s contagious. Jewelry is an entirely new category for me, so there’s been a bit of a learning curve. I’m the type of person who enjoys learning, so it’s been fun. Emma Pills is loved by a younger audience and the marketing is more vibrant and lively. The branding is totally different from Monday Swimwear or any other brand I am a part of, so it’s been inspiring to get creative with it.”
