Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2026 i Marie Claire Australia

Welcome to our first issue of 2026. If you’re reading this somewhere between sunscreen and a spritzer, excellent. I’ll be doing the same. To open the year, we’re celebrating Australian icon Megan Gale, who has just turned 50 (I know, she looks extraordinary). Megan’s career has been defined by reinvention: model, actor, designer, TV personality, David Jones brand ambassador, and of course, mother. No matter what chapter her life has entered, she’s always been warm, incisive, funny and unpretentious. I’ve known Megan for years, and when we decided to theme this issue around joy, she was the obvious choice as the cover star. She sparks joy for us all. And then, unexpectedly, came the news she’s managed to keep private for more than a year. Megan got married! In December…

1 The combination of terracotta and blue spells Mediterranean coast, while smooth silk keeps things polished, whether you’re poolside or dining out. 2 Who says your stripes must all go in the same direction? A mix of horizontal and vertical lines in summery pastels is nautical but nice. 3 Chilling by the pool when you realise you need to run to the store? A collared shirt worn open and a cool slip skirt will get you there and back, all fashion, no fuss. 4 The fastest way to get ready for post-beach drinks is to ensure your swimmers double as a going out top. Leave your hair wet, add some jewellery and you’re done. 5 The cut-out tops (or swimsuits) and thong heels that have been dominating the fashion world lately are perfectly at home…

A recent survey found that eight in 10 millennials and gen Zs believe in cosmic guidance, including for their careers and finances As a young hedge-fund analyst working on Wall Street, Hae Jun “HeyJune” Jeon always sensed she had an edge. Her job was to crunch numbers, track markets and advise on trades. But what set her apart, she says, wasn’t what she could see in her spreadsheets – it’s what she could feel. “I just knew who would call me that day. I knew which client would reach out. I knew where the market would move,” Jeon says. “And every single time, my gut was right.” Still, no amount of perfect forecasts could fix the burnout that came with the hedge-fund life. In 2017, hoping for a reset, she…

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If you feel flat when you get a cluster of pimples on your chin, or cancel a date with friends when a rash crops up, you’re not alone. Thanks to an uptick in psychodermatology in the past decade, the link between skin health and mental health is now well-established. Today, dermatologists and psychologists almost unanimously agree that there is a two-way relationship between mental health and skin conditions, and that one can exacerbate the other. Mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety and depression have been found to worsen skin concerns, while on the flip side, living with visible skin concerns can impact confidence, mood and overall wellbeing. Research suggests that between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of people with skin conditions experience mental health issues, while a…

If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get through 2026 with a healthy life balance rather than limping towards the finish line come November, you’re probably not alone. Last year, a study found that 60 per cent of employees had experienced burnout. And feelings of overwhelm affects more women than men: 42 per cent of women have reported feeling wiped out compared with 30 per cent of men. Juggling career, family and personal goals has never felt more challenging. And for many of us, “busy” has simply become our default phrase when others ask us how we’ve been. Thankfully, there are ways to not just cope but thrive. According to leadership strategist James Laughlin, the secret to performing at our best isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing…

In recent years, the vagina has become a lifestyle category; positioned as feminist, funny and, increasingly, profitable. Kim Kardashian unveiled faux-pubic hair G-strings for Skims in October, while Goop’s infamous This Candle Smells Like My Vagina home aroma still flickers in cultural memory. Social feeds are increasingly filled with creators sharing their “kitty routine”, featuring products that promise to make down there much softer, smoother and more radiant. Between brightening serums, pH-balancing washes and intimate mists, it seems retailers have taken note too. No longer an afterthought in the family-planning aisle, intimate skincare now sits on coveted eye-level shelves alongside mainstream beauty staples. And while demand might be high, the topic of intimate skincare remains a touchy one, as it straddles the tricky intersection between body politics, misogynistic beauty standards…

BEST FOR FLEX Did you know that type II collagen can help with flexibility, joint health and mobility? Whether you’re keen to stay workout ready or just want to keep up your mobility, this new magnesiumand turmeric-spiked collagen by The Beauty Chef is designed for staying limber. BEST FOR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS If your days are a roller-coaster of sugar cravings, Eve’s oral powder can help level out blood sugar, support hormones and boost skin health. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. BEST FOR NEW MUMS Add this daily powder from MotherDaily into the post-baby routine when your mind is cotton wool and you’re utterly exhausted. While it won’t change nappies, it is packed with vitamins and nutrients to help new mums get back on their…

ARIES YOUR 2026 MANTRA: I live in truth, anchored in reality. POWER DATES: January 27, February 14, February 21, December 11 WHAT’S IN YOUR STARS? This is your year of crystal-clear vision and claiming your throne. Saturn and Neptune’s merger strips away any illusions and this reality check allows you to see exactly what’s been blocking your path: outdated narratives, toxic patterns or maybe certain people. May’s blue moon offers a do-over on a course or dream trip you previously couldn’t afford. In October, Venus’ retrograde awakens your psychic powers. If you can dream it, you can do it in 2026. ROMANCE & RELATIONSHIPS In January, Venus introduces a badarse who champions your favourite cause. February’s solar eclipse calls time on that energy vampire you’ve been tolerating. Midyear, Mercury’s retrograde…

Welcome to our mini summer issue of marie claire Lifestyle. We figured that it’s January, the sun’s out, and hopefully you’re reading this while you’re poolside, seaside or at least on the sofa. In other words, peak escapism mode. So we’ve built a little escape for you – a mini issue devoted to dreamy homes, beautiful places and the art of taking a breath. Inside, you’ll find a heavenly mix of interiors – from Tamarama to California – each offering something different to inspire. On page 4, our Tamarama story begins with an “intense New Yorker” who buys a beach house without ever stepping inside, only to discover he has absolutely no interest in living in the stereotypical bleached-out coastal fantasy. What unfolds is a blend of character, craftsmanship and…

ELEGANCE LIVES HERE NOW Set within a grand Bellevue Hill estate, the garden unfolds like a private resort. At its heart is a creamy-toned limestone pool framed by palms, bismarck pines and a sculptural cabbage tree palm. The newly redesigned area feels serene yet sun-soaked, an elegant blend of classic landscaping and quietly luxurious, swim-all-day energy. A GARDEN-FRAMED OASIS The front garden of this home in Mosman draws the eye with dynamic, layered planting, while the pool area opens up into a bright, airy oasis. A perfectly levelled lawn of Sir Grange Zoysia stretches seamlessly to the pool, creating a sleek, verdant foreground. Surrounding the water, a weeping lilly pilly hedge and cascading hydrangeas add softness and charm, with potted geraniums punctuating the space with subtle, vibrant accents. SANCTUARY MEETS…

As a writer, I’ve always gained a sense of calm and perspective from putting pen to paper. But as I’ve got older, the opportunities for some good old-fashioned writing have become fewer – I’m either tapping away online for my job or doing one of the gazillion other things that adulting requires. But I know that the act of physically writing soothes me: as a child, I was a voracious diary-keeper and writing helped me work through problems, escape reality and open up new avenues of thought. And I’m not alone; in fact, journalling is having a moment right now, and there’s a growing body of research backing it as a legitimate mental health tool. Studies show that journalling can help alleviate the symptoms of emotional distress and might even…

Design Destination Australian interior stylist and designer Kerrie-Ann Jones has opened the doors to her debut showroom and studio space in Southern Sydney. Here you can shop her curated selection of mid-century furniture, contemporary art and handmade ceramics. Visit the showroom at shop 3/347 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah, Sydney. kerrieannjones.com LADY LUCK Creative director Jonathan Anderson takes the prim and proper Lady Dior bag out to play with a new spin on the house’s iconic accessory. Inspired by his Irish roots, Anderson has introduced the bags as his lucky charms, featuring three-dimensional clovers and buttercups. Take a cue from the travel black books of Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Pomellato and Ginori 1735 as cruise line company Ponant Explorations unveils an insiders-only Italian escape through Florence, Capri and Venice. Expect private…

Office ready Slept in? You can keep those jammies on, just add a chic heel, a professional bag and a pair of sunnies for the commute. Bonus points for a collared pyjama top. Hot nights The summer heat calls for light-as-air breathable silk. A cami with lace or a shirt and shorts set are kept cool with some gold jewellery and brown accents. Everyday, elevated Pyjama shorts can be elevated to elegant status with the right jewellery (think: string of pearls), shoes (shiny leather please), and bag (the bigger the better). Uber casual Next time you’re making a dash to the corner store or running late to Sunday brunch, simply throw on a baseball cap and a ballet flat for some we’re-in-public polish.…

This is pretty dark. Are you sure you want to hear it?” These were the words of an interviewee for this story, before she opened up about her childhood in a violent household, hearing and watching her mum being abused. The subject matter is dark, but necessary to talk about, because so are the statistics. According to The Australian Child Maltreatment Study, one in three Australian children experience physical abuse, and two in five are exposed to domestic violence. The impact can be devastating across generations. Young people in the critical stages of cognitive, emotional and social development are particularly vulnerable to the effects of trauma, which, if left unaddressed, may manifest in repeating cycles of violence. And yet dedicated services for youth experiencing or witnessing family and domestic violence…

Let’s get right to the point: I hit puberty around 12. My boobs went straight past bug bites to melons in nine months tops. My double-A cup friends were mesmerised – such is the tween way. But with one breast resembling a rockmelon and the other a watermelon, hiding my wildly unsymmetrical boobs became my number one priority. Minimisers bras were my best friend, and my wardrobe was exclusively filled with flowy tops and high necklines. Cleavage? Yeah, never showed her. Getting a breast reduction was always top of mind. Not only did I have all the usual complaints like back pain, difficulty sleeping comfortably and constant irritation when working out, but plastic surgery was a never-taboo topic in my household. (My uncle is a plastic surgeon, my father is…

As a child, Natalie Kyriacou was always outside, searching for interesting insects and spotting wildlife. Little did she know, but these were the moments that would, in turn, transform into a lifelong calling to protect nature and its inhabitants. Today, Kyriacou is an environmentalist, social justice advocate, entrepreneur and author. Her list of accolades is impressive: a Medal of the Order of Australia, finalist of the UN Environment Programme’s Young Champions of the Earth, UNESCO Green Citizens Pathfinder, and board director at both the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife and CARE Australia. She has also served as a delegate at the G20 global forum spotlighting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in 2023. As the founder and chair of My Green World, Kyriacou leads a charity dedicated to addressing…

IN THE SAFE SERENITY OF HER BEDROOM IN BRIGHTON, England, Miriam Petche breathes a sigh of relief. “I love it here. Brighton is the place I always run back to whenever I’m overstimulated,” says the actor, who grew up in the bohemian seaside city. The 27-year-old has just returned home from London, where she has spent several months navigating the cortisol-raising energy of a trading room floor for Industry’s fourth season. The high-stakes series, which also stars Kit Harington, Marisa Abela and Myha’la Herrold, follows a group of ambitious young bankers navigating the cutthroat world of London’s elite investment scene. Petche plays the firm’s newest sales recruit, Sweetpea Golightly, an unassuming yet razor-sharp gen Z influencer. “I didn’t really grow up knowing anyone in that world, so it’s a completely…

Some icons are born glamorous. Others are born in basements, rejected by their own creators, then resurrected decades later as objects of obsession. Penfolds Grange is firmly in the latter camp. Seventy-five years after its first experimental vintage, it remains Australia’s most storied wine, now listed as a heritage icon of South Australia. Grange is also the ultimate expression of Penfolds’ multi-vineyard, multi-regional blending philosophy, crafted from fully ripe, intensely flavoured shiraz to deliver a distinctly Australian style that’s earned acclaim among the world’s greatest wines. To celebrate its anniversary, we head to Magill Estate, the spiritual home of Penfolds. The Penfolds story starts in the mid-1800s with Mary Penfold and husband Christopher. Mary’s blending style and uncompromising standards laid the foundation for everything Penfolds would become. Walking through the…

“You’ll never guess what’s behind this square door,” Megan Gale declares, pointing to a white building the size of a garage just beyond the glass fence of her swimming pool. “It’s my 50th birthday present from Shaun. He’s painted it, installed sconces, laid floorboards, sourced a table … It’s an art studio! Just somewhere I can work on my watercolours and maybe explore acrylics. I got into painting during Covid and have become obsessed with it.” Megan hasn’t yet decided if she’ll eventually sell her works, but her “happy place” is what fulfills the Melbourne-based modelling icon these days. That is, when a jam-packed schedule – juggling 11-year-old son River and eight-year-old daughter Rosie’s school pickups and extracurricular activities, or ambassadorial commitments for clients such as David Jones, Western Australian…

If ever there was a moment to want to repair your hair, now would be it. Bond technology has come so far it is now possible to protect strands under fire from heat styling, air conditioning, a hectic lifestyle and even sun exposure. We talk to Anna Lahey, co-founder of Typebea and founder of Vida Glow, about her struggles with her own hair health and her new range that heralds the next chapter in bond technology. What are your best tips for achieving shiny and healthy hair? “Damaged hair often feels dry, frizzy and fragile. It’s important to not only prevent damage but also support the needs of damaged hair at every step. Consistency is everything. Treat your hair like you do your skin: with a routine. Prioritise scalp health,…

Love it or loathe it, TikTok’s algorithm decides what belongs in today’s beauty canon. What once felt niche or nostalgic – razor-thin brows, brown lip liner, a bombshell blowout – can suddenly find revival in the For You Page. The app’s endless feed has evolved into beauty’s most powerful focus group, as fresh cultural obsessions develop in real time. Such is TikTok’s power that beauty brands can boom (or bust) overnight. Entire product categories are created from a single viral hack, and brands no longer wait for runway trends or glossy campaigns to dictate demand. From the products we bought to the trends we tried, here’s how TikTok shaped the industry’s cultural lexicon in 2025. The app’s endless feed has evolved into beauty’s most powerful focus group TOASTY MAKEUP A…

Nail art may spawn a thousand microtrends a minute on TikTok, but certain styles stay booked season after season (and with good reason). We asked the talented artists at cult studio Painted Nails in Sydney to break down the most-requested designs right now, as well as the subtle style twists that’ll instantly elevate your nails. The classic French manicure A simple French tip remains a much-loved staple. “It’s timeless and works well for many occasions,” explains senior nail artist Alix Alexander. For weddings, keep it classic in nude and white, or add a modern twist with coloured tips or a chrome overlay. It’s the kind of design that quite literally signals polish and sophistication. Glazed doughnut More than three years on, Hailey Bieber’s viral nail trend is alive and well.…

DARK MAGIC It’s Rouge Noir, but not as you know it. If you grew up with an enduring lust for Chanel’s Le Vernis nail polish in Rouge Noir, which became a global phenomenon after launching at the 1994/95 Chanel A/W Ready to Wear show, then you will be happy to know that 30 years later the shade is having a smouldering revival. Ammy Drammeh from Chanel’s Cometes Collective and Chanel’s Makeup Creation Studio have created a new collection devoted to the garnet shade, and gives us plenty to love all over again. The star could be the generously sized palette of four shades that reflect the nuances of the unique colour. Or experience the shade in the house’s velvet textured lipstick or the limitededition mascara – all of which are…

What was the last film that moved you? Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. When it finished, everyone left the cinema and I just sat there alone, crying and contemplating life. What’s been the most challenging thing to unlearn in life? Not putting expectations on things and people. I blame it on being a Pisces because I’m a bit of a dreamer and I love deeply. I used to think that if I gave everything to someone, they’d do the same for me. Breaking that pattern has been one of the hardest yet most liberating lessons of my life. Your most overused phrase? “Both things can be true.” I’m frustrated by the oversimplification of people and things. [It’s] a strangely judgemental era, when one action or decision becomes someone’s entire definition. What…

Collar value Shimmery fabric in various shades of pink, topped off with a dramatic rose collar is regal but real. Just add a power pose. Play the tulle The naked-dress trend isn’t going anywhere, but if a full-body look is not your style, go for a diaphanous maxiskirt with a perfectly tailored jacket. On trend and chic? Two ticks. Frill seeker Why should your hemline have all the frilly fun? Turn what’s usually a finishing touch into the main character of your outfit with a dress that is made almost entirely of frills. More is more. Bright fuchsia A layered scallopededge skirt in a punchy shade of pink is the perfect contrast for a neutral knit. Go easy on the shoes and be sure to pop the collar.…

Subscribe to marie claire for your chance* to WIN $50,000 SAVE 22% SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS Pay just $94.99 for 12 ISSUES via automatic renewal** • SAVE 22% off the retail price FREE home delivery • NEVER miss an issue. Cancel anytime. SUBSCRIBE TODAY VISIT magshop.com.au/XMAS3 or CALL 136 116 and quote M25XMCM Conditions apply, see magshop.com.au/competition. Commences October 30, 2025. Ends 11:59pm AEST/AEDST on January 28, 2026. AU & NZ residents 18+. *This is a game of chance. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Authorised under permit number: NSW: TP/03786, ACT: TP 25/02448, SA: T25/1831. **Your subscription will be subject to continued auto-renewal. Your credit card will continue to be charged as per the above rate and term…

Start 2026 on a more joyful note WORDS JACQUI LEWIS We so often convince ourselves happiness could be ours if we could just get “all of this stuff” in front of us sorted. It’s a process called Future Projecting, the art of creating an imagined place in the future where happiness could be ours. It’s interesting how often we place happiness in the future, and then also change the goalposts. And that’s the thing about happiness: as delightful as it is, it’s temporary, and attached to something. We are happy because of X, Y or Z, or in spite of it. We rationalise happiness. Joy, though, has a different resonance, creating a frequency in our lives that shifts our minds, our bodies and our hearts. Joy is a connection to…

Balancing my plate, glass and cutlery with the grace of a rookie waiter, I walk into breakfast and scan the space for somewhere to sit. Every table is full, chatter and laughter resonating around me, and suddenly I’m back at school camp in a retro Australian seaside town. I’m in Grade 7, the year my friends were all split into different weeks, and mealtimes at long communal tables fill me with angst. I start hatching a plan to back away slowly and feign a mysterious stomach bug, or maybe melt into the floor like a drizzle of maple syrup when … “Kathryn, over here!” A woman with kind eyes and an American accent snaps me out of my daydream, gesturing towards her table and briskly rearranging the seats to squeeze…

Subscribe to marie claire for your chance* to WIN $50,000 SAVE 22% SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS Pay just $94.99 for 12 ISSUES via automatic renewal** • SAVE 22% off the retail price FREE home delivery • NEVER miss an issue. Cancel anytime. SUBSCRIBE TODAY VISIT magshop.com.au/XMAS3 or CALL 136 116 and quote M25XMCM Conditions apply, see magshop.com.au/competition. Commences October 30, 2025. Ends 11:59pm AEST/AEDST on January 28, 2026. AU & NZ residents 18+. *This is a game of chance. The Promoter is Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546) of 54 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Authorised under permit number: NSW: TP/03786, ACT: TP 25/02448, SA: T25/1831. **Your subscription will be subject to continued auto-renewal. Your credit card will continue to be charged as per the above rate and term…

Most Australians could probably recite the statistics from memory: two in three of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer in our lifetimes, making us the world-leaders in skin cancer rates (yay us). This translates into some 2000 deaths a year, with estimates of 17,400 melanoma diagnoses in 2025. Every day, 49 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. And yet, a golden glow remains an aspirational summer accessory, and “many Australians have an alarming attitude to suntanning, in particular young people”, says Melody Chew, director of marketing at Cancer Council Australia. A quick scroll through TikTok, where hashtags like #UVindex, #tanlines and #sunburntotan are surging, confirms 2023 research from the Australian government and Cancer Council that almost 9 in 10 Aussies aged 18-30 suntan intentionally…

By now we’re all well-versed in the benefits of skincare for the face. We’ve learnt about protecting our barrier, hydrating our complexion, arming skin with peptides and exosomes to help it rebuild, and diligently shielded it with SPF, sunnies and hats. All in the name of long-lasting glow. But while we give our face the royal treatment, the neck is often left to battle it out on its own. And frankly, it can feel the diss. If our face is Queen, then our neck would be its loyal, slightly overlooked and long-suffering servant. Dutifully holding up our head and serving as a type of prelude to our face, our neck weathers the environmental onslaught without the protective armour we give our face. The question is: do we really need an…

FOR THE LONG TERM I love science in my skincare, and these formulations come with a doctorate’s worth of tech to tackle some common issues. Best for wrinkles Dosed with a power trio of NAD+ Longevity Booster, Growth Factor Mini Protein and Anti-A.G.E. Peptide, this high performance cream from Mekik8 will help smooth out the look of lines after just seven days. Best for perimenopause Powered with high-dose active ingredients built to tackle weakening skin, dryness and fine lines, Aesthetics Rx’s glow-making cream can help get the glow back into skin during perimenopause and menopause. Best for dark spots: Aiming to boost skin clarity and lessen the look of dark spots, post-acne marks and pigmentation, Kiehl’s potent serum is dosed with activated C and Proxylane to help skin look glassy,…

Texture breathes empathy into design, affecting our senses in ways colour and form can’t always reach. By blending smooth and rugged, shiny and matte, soft and sturdy, you can create a tapestry of sensation that resonates on a deeply human level. Just as a masterful chef combines creamy and crunchy elements to make a balanced dish, a skilled designer orchestrates textures so that each corner of a room invites exploration. In the gentle friction between surfaces, we find warmth, memory and a sense of home. This tactile heartbeat makes a space feel alive. From the outside, Sonoma Barn sits quietly, a humble silhouette in a golden sprawl of olive groves and vineyards. But when you step through its doors, the world shifts. What was once a simple, rectangular structure is…

Sunday. It’s the day I wait for all week. No alarms, no sport drop-offs, no social commitments (don’t call me on Sunday, please). Now imagine a place where every day is designed to feel like that – minus the Sunday Scaries. Tucked into the lush palms at the northern end of Catseye Beach, The Sundays is Hamilton Island’s newest boutique hideaway, a 59-room retreat that redefines what a tropical escape looks like in Australia. The Sundays isn’t your typical island resort. It feels elevated but still utterly relaxed, with that uniquely Australian kind of warmth: open doors, salty air, golden light. Designer Carrie Williams has crafted spaces that feel sculptural and soft, where stone meets timber and tropical gardens spill around a winding boardwalk leading to the hotel’s private beach.…