The Vitamin C Oil Married At First Sight Australia’s Martha Kalifatidis Swears By

Landing on our screens back in January, season six of Married At First Sight Australia provided a very welcome dose of drama and entertainment during Lockdown 3.0. Featuring many a twist and turn, the season - which consisted of 40 episodes (yes, 40!) - followed 12 couples as they navigated newly married life to a complete stranger. Of the 12, only two couples remain together now (two years on since it was filmed) including make-up artist, Martha Kalifatidis and teacher turned personal trainer, Michael Brunelli.

If you watched the series, you’ll know all too well that Martha is a self-confessed beauty junkie who admits during her first episode that she likes to look after herself and has ‘a bit of filler, fake nails and chemically straightened hair.’ And if you don't already, she’s definitely worth a follow on Instagram (@marthaa__k) for all her beauty know-how and make-up tutorials. Here, we caught up with the reality TV star to talk all things DIY beauty treatments, the power of changing your hair colour and her go-to high street make-up staples.

On Her Skincare Routine

‘Ok, so how many pages have you dedicated to this interview?!’ she asks in response to what her skincare routine looks like. Extensive and impressive, Martha begins with a double cleanse. ‘I always use an oil cleanser and really massage it in before rinsing and repeating this step.’ Next? ‘From here, I’ll dry my face and apply afacial mistas you should never apply serums to dry skin.’ Martha likes to layer her serums – starting with something hydrating, (like her go-toSand And Sky Tasmanian Spring Water Splash Serum, £49.90), before a vitamin C serum or oil (she adores the Sunday Riley CEO Glow Oil, £34) and SPF to finish. ‘I’ll add a few bronzing drops to my sunscreen and that acts as my foundation for an everyday look.’

In the evening, she’ll add retinol into her regime a few nights a week. ‘It’s only taken me 10 years to stop over-using and obliterating my skin with retinol,’ she laughs. ‘Some nights I’ll just press a nice face oil in and I’m done,’ adds Martha who is obsessed with oils and uses them everywhere - on her skin, hair, body, eyebrows, lips and nails – ‘literally everywhere!’ Her top tip? ‘Listen to what your skin is trying to tell you,’ says Martha, ‘if I'm red and inflamed, I’ll pull back on the actives, and add more dark leafy greens to my diet. If I’m dehydrated, I’ll use heaps of water-based creams and serums, drink more water and take omega supplements. Skincare isn't just cleansers and moisturisers; the majority of your skincare should start on the inside.’

On Her Everyday Beauty Look

Forgoing foundation in favour of SPF and bronzing drops, make-up artist Martha starts off her look with a cream bronzer. ‘I only use cream products,’ she says, ‘I love the Chanel Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, £43 – it’s a little light for me so I’ll add a drop of the Dior Face and Body Foundation, £29.50, in a deep red based shade.’ Admittedly heavy handed with her bronzer, Martha applies it all over and across her nose for that sun-kissed glow. ‘I’ll then apply a cream blush with my fingertips, very high up on my cheeks, where most people apply highlighter – as this creates a lifted look.’ NARS blusher is her go-to.

‘I tend to skip concealer for my everyday routine but if I do reach for one, it has to be the Trinny London BBF Eye Serum-Concealer, £26,’ says Martha who confesses she is a big Trinny London fan. To finish? ‘I dip an old toothbrush in castor oil to brush up my brows and apply a nude lip liner.’

On Her Favourite High Street Staples

‘The Revlon So Fierce Mascara, £8.99, is better than any other mascara I’ve used, and their range of Vinyl Liners are amazing.’ Over on lips, Martha loves anything from NYX professional – ‘they do great lip liners and the most comfortable matte lipsticks. I also love the new Maybelline Lifter Gloss, £8.99 – it’s amazing!’

On Changing Her Hair Colour

Since appearing on Married At First Sight Australia, Martha has really experimented with her hair colour, switching it up from brunette to blonde and now copper. ‘I think the reason why is because I had the same haircut and colour for 30 years, it was a long time coming.’ The reality star also claims that changing her hair was like therapy. ‘I associate my dark hair to a really unhappy time in my life, which is why changing it has been so liberating,’ she says, ‘I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s after a change – physical or emotional.’ Her favourite colour? ‘This current copper colour is my favourite.’

As we know, with colour change and bleach comes damage – something that Martha has learned to treat with various masks and treatments. ‘Olaplex No3, £26, Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Mask, £54, and Iles Formula Shampoo and Conditioner, £35 each, are all really good when your hair needs some love. I also blend my own concoction of oils for my scalp which I apply weekly before using a metal bristled brush to stimulate blood flow – I’m like a mad scientist in the bathroom.’

On Her Signature Scent

A cult classic, Martha is a big fan of CK One, £44 for 100ml. ‘My dad wore it in the ‘90s and it reminds me of him,’ she says, ‘he would douse himself in fragrance while getting ready for work and it takes me back to those mornings before school.’

On DIY Beauty Treatments And Self-Care

Serious about skincare, Martha likes to dial up her regime with the latest beauty gadgets. ‘I have an LED mask that I use at home, a derma roller and also a few Gua sha tools for facial massage.’ On the subject of rollers, Martha was recently sent one by US brand Lonvitalite – ‘it is the best thing I’ve used; it takes down all the swelling and puffiness from faceplanting the pillow at night.’

On the importance of self-care, Martha’s advice is to not think about your skincare regime or evening shower as a chore. ‘Think of it as a 15-minute trip to the spa instead,’ she says, ‘light a candle, play Spotify playlist “shower”, make a tea for afterwards and get ready to tune out. I feel brand new after a shower or bath – it’s funny how physically washing our body can simultaneously cleanse us emotionally, too.’

SHOP: Martha's Go-To Beauty Products

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