Clean hands, clean Earth.
Clean hands, clean Earth.
At this point in time, we the people collectively have cleaner hands than anyone has ever had. We are obsessively washing, sanitizing and generally wreaking havoc on our hands in a bid to fend off any and all unwanted germs.
The result is yes, less germs but also dry, sad hands, it’s probably best we don’t touch anyone else with anyway.
Until now. While the rest of us were perfecting our baking skills and finishing Netflix, a few local lads decided they wanted dry, sad hands no longer and set about creating a product that would ensure we could wash all we wanted, be good for the planet and look super cute beside your bathroom sink.
It’s called Hoap and it’s soap but not as you know it.
Each handbag-friendly sized, fully biodegradable container holds 100 cleansing leaves, scientifically formulated using 100% natural, predominately plant-based ingredients, which will kill harmful germs and bacteria while moisturising the skin.
HOW GOOD.
Simply pop a leaf in the palm of your hands, rub your hands together with water for a slow, 20 second dissolve then you have both clean soft hands and you smell pretty good too.
A winning combination.
Hoap is the brainchild of three passionate Australian entrepreneurs and pals, two of whom are Gold Coasters. Kev Painter and brothers Jase and Mark Alpen created Hoap because they were concerned that millions of single-use plastic hand sanitiser bottles are destined for landfill. Not to mention they were keen to make a product that was non-toxic for their friends and families and as you’d expect of some local lads, came up with the concept over a beer or two.
The boys say that after the Australian summer bushfires, they noticed a a real push to improve our footprint and to be more environmentally conscious with our consumption. Followed immediately by the concern over health and hygiene during the pandemic, the issue of single-use plastics went out the window.
This forced them to think about a way they could be better and do better for our health, the health of our families and the planet.
Which is so great.
Now it’s your turn. If you’re into helping out Mama Nature and getting yourself some soft, clean hands while you’re at it, Hoap is the answer.
Get yours here.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
It's an organic beauty bonanza.
In happy news for everyone with skin, a beauty emporium has opened in Nobbys Beach (land of the good vibes and beautiful people).
Not any old skincare store though, the glowy-skinned team at Clean Beauty Market are experts in non-toxic, natural and organic products that are free from animal testing. How fun.
The store, found next to Sparrow Eating House, is as pretty as you’d expect, decked out in white with blush accents and a glowing pink sign declaring “you are magic”. And magic is exactly what you’ll find once you’ve stepped inside the delightfully scented space that’s packed with countless natural makeup and skincare brands.
It’s pure heaven to be honest and it’s entirely possible you’ll spend your life savings in one visit. YOLO.
While buying all of the good-for-you skincare is always a smart idea, you can also book yourself in for some pampering. There’s makeup lessons, skin regime consultations and makeup applications for special occasions (or, you know, work on Monday).
PLUS, you and your gals can indulge in a makeover party should you so desire.
Owner Erin Norden is a Coast local and former freelance makeup artist who (sensibly, let’s be real) saw an opportunity, found the perfect space in Nobbys and made the magic happen.
Clean Beauty Market is the first (and hopefully not the last) store of its kind on the Gold Coast and it’s a solid step in the right direction for the many ladies who are choosing natural products to slather all over their skin (and the rest who should jump on that bandwagon ASAP).
Great news for the Gold Coast, the Earth and your face.
LOCATION: 1/32 Lavarack Rd, Nobbys Beach
HOURS: 9am to 5pm daily.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
They’ve come to the rescue Gold Coasters.
In one of the biggest glow ups of 2020, hand sanitizer has fast become a hot commodity with approximately zero bottles available in local supermarkets. You know where there are bottles available though? Distilleries. Who would’ve thought our beloved local distributors would come through for us even more than usual?
They have though, with several switching things up to create their very own brand of hand sanitizer to alleviate the stress of mass unavailability world (and indeed Gold Coast) wide.
A big pat on the back to these local brands who have come up with the goods in terms of keeping our hands fresh and clean.
Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery
The gin and whisky distillery were already serving up the goods when it came to delicious alcoholic beverages and now they’re keeping us free of germs too. The team began creating their own liquid hand and surface sanitizer just this week and they sold out quick smart, such is the demand. They’re releasing the 1L goods online every day at 12pm, as they only have limited numbers, but you can also join the online waiting list. They’re making up to one litre of beautifully scented Lemon Myrtle, Grapefruit & Rose Hip bottles and you know you want that! Get in quick here. May as well add a bottle of delicious gin too…
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
The beloved distillers found up on Tamborine Mountain have also come to the rescue with their new liquid hand sanitizer, with scents of Tea Tree, Eucalyptus and Lavender Essential Oils and ranging from 100ml to 700ml bottles. The bottles are the same as those that their liqueuers are presented in so once you’ve used up all your sanitizer, you can keep the bottle for a lovely little house decoration. Pre-order is open now and you’re also able to pickup from the distillery. Grab yourself some here.
Husk Distillery
Down south a little further, Husk Distillery is doing their part to fill in the gap in the hand sanitizer market with their very own brand of the liquid gold in a lemon myrtle scent. Beautifully branded, the new product is available in a square gin bottle, also perfect for displays once you’re all done with it. The team at Husk have an online ordering system available for delivery and a drive thru pick up service too. You get 200ml for $10 and it’s a limit of three bottles per person for obvious reasons. Pick yours up here.
Wildflower Gin Distilling
A newbie that hasn’t even had the chance to release their new goodness to the public thanks to the virus which we shall not name, have instead launched with hand sanitizer and we are all very grateful for it. Wildflower Gin Distilling are adding their own Wildflower botanicals and the distillers own backyard honey to the mix, making it a little bit more magical than you might expect. Available from April 14th, you can support them here.
See, there is some good in the world.
Words by Kirra Smith
GIFTSPO (gift inspo) for awesome gifts and supporting local Gold Coast businesses.
Okay friends, we need to talk.
There are very few sleeps until Christmas day and yes, our hearts started pounding too. Firstly because it’s legit our favourite time of the year and secondly coz crap, we need to get our rears into gear and sort presents stat.
If you’re like us and running way behind in this department (every.darn.year), here’s a roundup of inspo to help you get a wriggle on.
Being the proud Gold Coasters that we are, each of our suggestions is based in our ‘hood, coz #supportlocal will forever be our favourite hashtag (and we do love a good hashtag, in case you hadn’t noticed).
Here we go….
Spirits and Beer
Get in the spirit this Christmas – quite literally! Who doesn’t love a tipple so a pressie from one of these local booze-bosses, you’ll be the golden child/friend/niece/nephew/co-worker…you get the gist.
Starting with to the central power players, Granddad Jack’s in Miami will sort you out with a selection of extra special Christmas gift packs. Or hit up a rising fave which has been attracting attention for all the right reasons, Burleigh’s Familiar Spirits. We highly recommend their limited-edition Pudding Gin (you’re welcome).
For beer enthusiasts who want both the sips and the swag, the Coast has you sorted. Burleigh Brewing Co. (their Twisted Palm Tropical Pale Ale is basically summer in a can) and Balter are classics, while newcomers Roji Cat and Padre are quickly building a cult following. And if someone’s craving a proper Belgian-style brew, Ashmore’s Madlocke Beer Brewing Company is the go-to.
Coffee
For anyone who runs on caffeine (so, most of us), the Gold Coast has some seriously gift-worthy coffee options. Local roasters like Social Espresso in Burleigh, Willy’s Beans in Burleigh Heads, and Miami’s Whyld Coffee Roastery are serving up freshly roasted beans that make your morning brew feel like a celebration. Perfect for popping straight into a machine at home or gifting to a mate who appreciates a quality cuppa, these roasters combine passion, flavour, and a little bit of Gold Coast magic in every bag. Whether you’re gifting a single bag or a subscription, it’s a present that keeps the energy (and smiles) flowing.
Apparel
Like booze, we all love threads, so when in doubt, look to these local legends!
PJ’s are a go-to for a well-received Chrissie gift and Homebodii specialises in thoughtfully created, elegant sleepwear which, bonus, can be personalised.
Head for Rhythm in Burleigh or online to Olas Supply Co for the coastal surfy vibing missus or mister.
You can never have too much activewear, making it a quintessential GC gift. Local (and local-ish) favourites like KEEPTHATPUMP, Cleo Harper and LSKD have you covered, whether they’re hitting the gym or just rocking the athleisure look.
The lads at Alfred’s Apartment are providing our local men with an ever-growing range of curated fashion and accessories. And, on a totally unrelated note, you NEED to drop in and check out their coffee slushies stat. #thankuslater.
Take it from us, an oversized T from Sabbi is on every GC girl’s wish list!
For the ultimate #supportlocal nod, you cannot go past The Undercurrent. Stocking men’s and women’s unique, high quality tees, singlets and caps designed exclusively by Gold Coast artists who share a passion for our city’s culture, it’s the perfect stocking filler.
Uggs are the quintessential Aussie must-have and the genuine, original version are crafted right here on the GC at Ugg Since 1974. Our tip: personalise your Ugg for a truly unforgettable gift!
Homewares
We all love homewares (verified fact) and both Kira and Kira in Miami and Burleigh and St Barts in Burleigh and Southport stock the highest quality, timeless homewares, décor, artwork, and furniture.
For linen lovers (AKA e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e), I Love Linen has a long list of goodies for the bedroom, the kitchen, and beyond.
For the greenery enthusiast, pop into Greenfolk Botany Shop in Burleigh for plants, cacti, succulents, pots, home and garden wares.
Now these guys aren’t strictly Gold Coaster’s (hailing from just over the border) but we reckon Clubbies Prints Gold Coast surf series are so spesh they need to be included #soznotsoz.
Head to our list of Pinterest-worthy Gold Coast homewares stores for more inspo.
Vouchers & experiences
For the friend who already owns everything (including three air fryers and a suspicious number of beach umbrellas), experiences are where it’s at. Think memberships to the Gold Coast Suns for the footy fan who lives for game day, animal encounters at the theme parks for anyone who melts at the sight of a meerkat, or a voucher to check out the soon-to-open cliff park Happitat, because who doesn’t want bragging rights as “one of the first in”? These gifts don’t just unwrap well… they make you look like an absolute gifting genius.
Other Gifts
Annabel Trends is your go to for funky giftware and gorgeous home accessories! Every Gold Coaster appreciates a lush, premium quality beach or bath towel, just like those at Mayde Towels and no-one does environmentally-friendly natural skincare like Sabbia Co.
Give the gift of an instant bar with locally crafted The Bench Bar – a sleek bar that hooks over any railing. Perfect for summer gatherings, sunset drinks and easy entertaining.
Mermaid Beach-based STYLD. is always a great option for effortless gifting, and their Baby, Let’s Go Outside collection is a sunshine-soaked tribute to the Australian summer. With pieces that blur the line between indoor lounging and alfresco living, STYLD. nails that sweet spot where playful meets polished.
Small-batch, locally crafted jewellery from YCL Jewels is a great stocking filler, as is luxury hand-made artisan chocolate from Little Cocoa, who collaborate with esteemed local distilleries, artisans, and farmers to create bespoke chocolate experiences that reflect the essence of the Gold Coast.
And, last but not least, if you’ve yet to discover Good Neighbours, now’s the time! This Gold Coast gem curates the best selection of unique, Gold Coast goodies into beautifully packed boxes – handmade treats, boutique finds and thoughtful products that make the perfect stress-free Christmas gift while supporting local makers.
HAPPY SHOPPING!
Words by Bianca Trathen & Belinda Symons
