Wellness is less about quick fixes and more about the sum of our daily rituals. But that doesn't mean a two-day reset is an unworthy indulgence.

It's an idea we've been thinking about a lot in the context of this year's RUSSH Beauty Annual. Our guiding vision has always been ‘beauty that is recognisable to all’ – not as a definition of beauty, but an invitation to see it as something expansive: something we can inhabit, interpret, play with, reject and return to on our own terms. This year, we're exploring where beauty and wellbeing meet – not wellness as optimisation or self-improvement, but the more instinctive ways we care for ourselves. The rituals we inherit and invent. Pleasure and indulgence. Movement and rest. Scent, touch, creativity and connection.

The first-ever RUSSH Retreat was a chance to take those ideas off the printed page and experience them together. So, in line with our new issue, I headed south with a small group of RUSSH Purists to celebrate our third Beauty Annual – and spend two days immersed in beauty, ritual and the simple pleasure of slowing down.

Upon arrival

The experience started with the journey south; we carpooled from Sydney, with the idyllic coastal drive made even more comfortable in a Volvo EX90. The electric four-wheel drive is powerful but reassuring (also, supremely comfortable for the two hours it took to swap city traffic for the rolling hills and ocean beyond). With a 24-minute charge time and 521 km electric range, it's incredibly efficient, with interiors that have a chic, minimalist Scandi feel to them. After an effortless drive south, we arrived – the moody weather serving as the perfect backdrop for slowing down.

Setting intentions

After a mid-morning arrival, our group – Yasmin Suteja, Brooke Kelly, Talisa Sutton, Jamie Nguyen, Laura Halls, Barsha Kabir and Cynthia Taylu – joined me down on the beach for guided breathwork against the scented backdrop of Jo Malone London Sea Salt & Bergamot Cologne. With a top note of bergamot, heart of sea salt and base of driftwood, it was the perfect way to further engage the senses. Jo Malone London is known for fragrance that captures a feeling or a place – something I've always loved about scent is its ability to transport you. Sea Salt & Bergamot is inspired by the British coastline: wild, briny and invigorating, like the exhilarating first few seconds after diving into icy water. With this in mind, a few of us even made it into the water for a wild swim afterwards in Hunza G swimwear (nature's cold plunge, and always worth it).

Intentional hair treatments

Following a family-style lunch, it was time to move into a Kérastase hair ritual using the new Chronologiste collection. Designed to improve scalp and follicle health over time, the ritual focused on hair longevity. I hosted an education session with Kérastase educator Cass, where we spoke about the realities of hair ageing. Hair ageing is unavoidable and is caused by a combination of internal and external factors, from genetics and heat styling to hormonal changes that occur over the course of our lives. While every hair type is different, the signs of ageing – dryness, dullness, lack of volume, lack of thickness and frizz – are universal.

Chronologiste is a new kind of anti-ageing hair care that targets exactly this. The formulas feature a hero ingredient complex, Pro-Xylane and an Ochrophyta algae extract, which, when used long-term, are proven to revitalise and strengthen the scalp, hair follicles and strands. The end game is hair with a longer healthspan – hair that's full, vibrant and healthy, even as we age.

After the session, we each indulged in a self-guided bathe and treatment, before stylists took us through a restorative head massage and personalised styling session focusing on the Chronologiste Longevity Potion, Overnight Youth Serum and L'Huile de Parfum Hair Oil. The end result was hair that felt glossy, nourished and genuinely cared for.

Golden hour makeup rituals

Next on the list was makeup. Artist Susan Lillian walked us through the art of creating a signature look using HAUS LABS favourites, demonstrating expert techniques on me, from shade matching to concealer placement. The general mood was glowy, fresh, golden hour makeup (think dewy skin, lots of blush). HAUS LABS is known for its high-performance but easy-to-use formulas – and alongside Susan's expertise, it made for the perfect pre-dinner ritual.

The Tricolne Skin Tech Concealer was a crowd favourite. The formula is light and natural-looking but has incredible coverage, meaning it can be used all over, or to target things like pigmentation, dark circles and breakouts. The Triclone Skin Tech Foundation is just as effective but provides a slightly more radiant finish that's perfect when buffed into the entire complexion. For a golden hour flush, the Color Fuse Glassy Blush Balm Stick and Color Fuse Blush Powder were essential. The Balm Stick formula has a silky, almost glossy finish that illuminates the skin while imparting fresh-looking colour. It can be used on the lips, as well. The Powder has more of a soft matte finish, pending your preference.

We each left the session with a curation of products expertly matched to our skin tone and colour preferences, applying final touch-ups back in our rooms before aperitivo hour and dinner.

A slow dinner

After said aperitivo (delicious non-alcoholic Heaps Normal High Hopes prosecco), we gathered back in the kitchen for a nourishing dinner prepared by Brooke, a certified nutritionist and incredible home cook. She served up warm village focaccia, whipped butter beans and roasted peppers before a creamy pumpkin dahl. The food was nourishing, and the conversation even more so. There was something particularly lovely about everyone sitting around one table after a day spent swimming, talking, learning and indulging in these small rituals together. A ceremonial cacao and one Loco Love later, it was time for bed (a blissful nine hours, in my case).

Sunrise Pilates

The next morning started with coffee and matcha before mat Pilates with Laura Halls, set against sweeping views of the ocean. Breakfast involved fresh fruit, sourdough, eggs and yoghurt – plus more coffee – followed by a blissful final few hours spent reading the Beauty Annual and soaking in the views before the drive back to Sydney.

What I loved most about the retreat was that none of it felt prescriptive. Wellness can be an ocean swim, an elaborate beauty ritual, a long dinner, turning your phone off or simply giving yourself permission to do very little. There is room for contradiction – in beauty, in wellbeing and in the ways we choose to care for ourselves.

For me, these two days were a reminder that sometimes, that's all you need: a little space to disconnect, recalibrate and come back to yourself.