Olivia Bond is a Sydney-based jeweller with exceptional taste all around. When she’s not dressing her discerning customer set in diamonds, she’s investing time in sacred beauty rituals – elaborate skincare, saunas, the occasional guided meditation and an admirable commitment to oral hygiene.

How do you define beauty?

As I get older, I view beauty as less of a particular look or ideal, and more of an overall sense of confidence and style. That said, healthy skin and an authentic smile will go a long way.

Who was your earliest beauty influence?

My maternal mother and grandmother. My grandmother was the most glamorous woman – she always looked perfectly made up with amazing jewellery and clothes (often that she had made herself.) My mother has always been low maintenance when it comes to beauty, but she taught me that less is often more and to let your natural features shine. Also to stay out of the sun.

What’s your approach to beauty now – do you have a philosophy?

I have always been high on maintenance so that I can be low effort (lazy) day to day. I’m also big on investing in skin and overall health, meaning there’s less need for full on makeup.

How has your relationship with your reflection changed over the years?

I suppose part of getting older – I turned forty this year – is being more accepting of yourself. It’s letting yourself notice the features you like and forgiving the features you don't. One thing I’ve learnt is that a quiet confidence and feeling good within yourself is key to feeling beautiful. Ageing is obviously difficult for everyone so I try to reframe my thinking in that respect if I ever go down that rabbit hole.

Do you think motherhood has influenced that in any capacity?

Motherhood changes you at your core. There’s less time to obsess over little things, it's a complete life reprioritisation. I also want to set a good example for my daughters when it comes to self-acceptance. It's easy to accidentally influence how your children feel about the way they look — I want to project positivity. On a practical note, I wake up earlier than my kids so I have time to look after myself via skincare before they get up.

Do you have a beauty icon?

I’ve never really subscribed to trying to emulate celebrities' looks… but I suppose someone like Jane Birkin comes to mind. I appreciate how effortless she was and how she looked beautiful at every age seemingly without trying too hard.

What makes you feel glamorous?

Fresh glowy skin, good hair, a great outfit and jewels.

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Tell me briefly about your love of jewellery?

This again originated with my maternal Grandmother who had the most amazing collection of jewellery, predominantly costume pieces. She always wore a full look complete with lots of gold.

How do you like to wear your jewellery?

I like pieces that you can layer and group together like a uniform. The pieces you collect over the years can tell a story. I also think a fantastic earring stack that you can hear jingling is an easy way to feel impossibly glamorous.

Any personal pieces that are particularly sentimental?

Other than my engagement ring, my most special piece is probably my diamond scallop necklace. It was the original one and more or less the genesis of the business I have today. It's casual yet substantial and always makes me feel put together.

Do you notice a shift in the energy of your clients when they try on a piece in your showroom?

I know straight away when a client puts on the right piece for them – they stand up straighter, usually there’s a huge smile. A beautiful piece of fine jewellery should bring about a sense of joy.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I’ve become quite big on dental and oral health, so the first thing I do is tongue scrape. Next I’ll do a quick lymphatic drainage massage to try to get rid of facial puffiness.

The last thing you do before bed?

I always read to wind down and then put mouth tape on. I sleep so much better with mouth tape.

What hair care can you not live without?

I get regular blow dries and try to preserve them for as long as possible, so dry shampoo is essential. I’m obsessed with the Living Proof one. I also love the new one from Type Bea. I cannot style my hair to save my life – I’m too impatient. On the off days, my hair is probably in a claw clip.

What’s your favourite lipstick?

I'm not really a lipstick girl but I love the Anfisa lip gloss.

What’s your signature scent?

When I was pregnant with my first daughter it strangely made me averse to artificial scents. For a long time after that I wore nothing, but now my go-to is Ayu Smoking Rose. I get compliments on it all the time. I also am a big fan of Santa Maria Novella, I put on the Idrasol Cream after the shower and love the scent.

Can you share your wellness rituals?

I truly believe saunas are so good for the skin – I try to meditate when I am in one to increase the benefits. I love the way cold plunges make me feel. I’ve recently started oil pulling and I’m big on infrared LED panels, too.

What is the strangest thing you’ve done in the name of wellness?

I went through a phase of walking barefoot in the grass and watching the sunrise. Honestly, it's a lovely way to wake up…

Is there a ritual you lean on when you’re having a crisis, or a bad day?

Dry sauna, guided mediation, watch a great series or film to get my mind off things and go to bed early.

What is the last beauty product you recommended to a friend?

Probably the Medicube, I love it.

And the last product you bought because you were influenced?

I succumbed to purchasing the Crown Affair shampoo and conditioner. It was all over my feed. I am not super fussy when it comes to shampoo as my hair is fairly unproblematic, but it ticks all the boxes for me.

What film do you think has the greatest beauty moments?

That's a tough question… I recently rewatched American Psycho and found Patrick Bateman's morning beauty ritual so dark and hilarious – am I allowed to say that? But I loved Gwyneth Paltrow's short bob with clips and lots of smudgy eye makeup in The Royal Tenenbaums. Also Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface is iconic – pure escapism at its best.

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