Creative Director of The Sculpted Look.
Creative Director of The Sculpted Look.
When it comes to creating show-stopping beauty moments, few do it with the artistry and precision of Nina. As the founder of The Sculpted Look, a premier agency of elite hair and makeup professionals, Nina has spent years mastering the craft of making people look and feel unforgettable.
From her early beginnings as a trained hairdresser and cinematographic makeup artist in the film industry to leading major makeup departments for national television networks, Nina’s journey is one of passion, precision, and dedication to beauty in all its forms. Whether it’s a red carpet appearance, a high-profile TV production, or a bride’s big day, Nina and her team bring a level of care, skill, and creativity that sets them apart.
We chatted with Nina to about her career path, her inspiration behind The Sculpted Look, and what it really takes to make someone camera-ready.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local
I have lived on and off from the Gold Coast since I was 18 years old (so a while now), traveling to different states and locations for work but nothing compares to the Gold Coast.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast
The sun, the sand and the endless sunshine. It’s just magic. The energy here is inspiring and effortlessly chic, which is exactly what I channel through my work. It’s the perfect backdrop for beauty, creativity and living a life that feels as good as it looks.
Tell us a little more about yourself
By sunrise, I’m a pilates instructor, road runner and ocean lover. By sunset, I’m in my creative element – creating hair and makeup looks, from television, to red carpet events, weddings and sporting sidelines. Now, I lead The Sculpted Look, a boutique agency bringing high-end beauty to life for everyone to feel that sprinkle of glamour.
We’ve noticed you often use the phrase “Your Look, Elevated” in your work – can you share what that means to you and how it reflects your approach to beauty?
“Your Look, Elevated’ means enhancing your natural beauty in the most refined, effortless way. It’s about helping you feel confident, polished, and truly yourself – just with a little extra glow.
What inspired you to launch The Sculpted Look?
After years of working solo – from international bookings to iconic locations right here at home – I saw a need for something more refined. The Gold Coast has become a global destination for weddings, film, and events. The Sculpted Look is here to deliver high class looks in all aspects of beauty.
You’ve worked with everyone from celebrities to everyday clients – how do you approach creating a look that feels both personal and impactful?
Whether it’s a celebrity or a bride, my approach is always the same – it starts with connection. I take the time to understand who they are and how they want to feel. From there, it’s about enhancing their natural features in a way that feels effortless, elevated, and radiant.
What’s one beauty or styling myth you wish more people knew the truth about?
The biggest myth? That more makeup means more glam. Truth is, no one needs multiple layers to look their best. It’s all about placement, skin prep, and enhancing your features rather than hiding them.
What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in the hair and makeup industry?
Say yes, show up early, and always bring good energy!
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Anywhere serving caffeine (too many goodies)
Restaurant: Siblings
Bar: Nineteen at The Star
Beach: Currumbin dog beach, it’s like Disneyland for dogs
Style creator.
From Melbourne hustle to Gold Coast bustle, Cat Sanz and her fam swapped skyscrapers for surfboards in 2021, and haven’t looked back! She’s a mum of three, entrepreneur and one of our go-tos for all things effortlessly chic.
Cat’s journey from fashion designer to content creator is like a perfectly styled outfit—layered with passion, sprinkled with inspiration and always on-trend. She started sharing her daily real estate office fits on insta and has since built a thriving styling business. Her top tip? Wear what makes you happy—confidence never goes out of style!
Read on to learn more about Cat, including some of her style tips, including that boho is back, sheer is chic, and logos are so last season.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
We moved here in 2021.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
The lifestyle here is what we love so much, we came from Melbourne and life was so hectic in city living. Here on the coast we can cruise into our weekends and spend a lot more time focused on family and nature.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a mum of 3 with a degree in marketing and previously a fashion designer and a social media coach. I have owned and worked in businesses for a long time before creating my own styling content business, which I love. Both hubby and I are entrepreneurs and love to travel, we are lucky enough to have built businesses and life that allows us to work around the world.
You’re one of our go-tos for outfit inspiration. How did you get started as a content creator?
Oh, thank you so much. My content creation started off by sharing my daily outfits whilst working in one of our businesses (real estate). It was a way to share how I was rediscovering my style after having kids, a journey so many women find after having kids and changing careers that our wardrobes and personal style changes so much.
Can you give us your top 3 styling tips?
• Wear what makes you happy, when you feel good in your clothes you will inevitably share that confidence in how you put yourself out there in the world.
• Layering (where possible) will always look chic
• Identify your jewellery style and lean in on it, the most basic of outfits will always be elevated with some jewellery pieces.
What items are you loving at the moment?
• Maxi skirts & column dresses
• Printed Tshirts
• Great sunglasses
What trends do you think will be huge this year coming into spring and summer?
• Sheer outfits
• Crochet
• Boho
• Maxi Skirts and Column dresses
• Thongs (Sandals)
What trend is it time to say goodbye to?
Too many logos in one outfit.
What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Tarte Bakery
Restaurant: Labart and Little Itoshin
Bar: Rosella’s
Beach: Cabarita otherwise Burleigh North
How do you choose to spend your days off?
We hit the Burleigh markets of a Saturday and then generally pick a beach somewhere on the coastline, set up for a few hours to play, collect shells, body surf and hang out before grabbing some lunch and returning home to chill.
Hubby and I try to grab a meal out on a Friday lunch or a weekend when we can.
Presenter and journalist at 9NEWS Gold Coast.
Meet Carla Tooma — queen of the mic. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Carla has been the trusted voice on 1029 Hot Tomato, keeping locals in the loop about all things Gold Coast on air and online. From covering red carpet glam at the Logies to bringing you the latest buzz from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, she’s been there, done that, and still rocks the mic. Not just a radio sensation, Carla is a go-to MC for events across southeast Queensland, effortlessly transitioning from business forums to glam events. And this festive season, she’s taking the GC by storm as part of the 9NEWS Gold Coast team.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I am a proud born and bred Gold Coaster.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Absolutely everything! From the beaches to the laid-back lifestyle, the family-friendly atmosphere, and don’t even get me started on our thriving food scene. Living here is like being on a permanent vacay – every day feels like a weekend. Both my husband and I are hometown enthusiasts and can’t wait to watch our own family grow in this fantastic place we call home.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I would describe myself as a mix of news, family, community, and events!
In the news realm, you’ll find me as a presenter and journalist at 9NEWS Gold Coast. Before that, I had a blast at 1029 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au.
Off camera, I’m a proud mum to an adventurous 15-month-old son, navigating the joys of parenthood alongside my wonderful husband.
My love for the Gold Coast and the performing arts extends to serving as a Board Director for the Gold Coast Eisteddfod. Prior to that, I spent 5 years on the YPGC Board.
I also moonlight as an MC and am fortunate to host some amazing events across our sunny corner of the world. If it is Christmas Carols – I am known to sing a tune or two!
You are joining 9NEWS Gold Coast this festive season. Tell us a bit about that.
I am so thrilled to join the 9NEWS Gold Coast team and fill in while Eva Milic and Paul Taylor enjoy some holiday time.
The legendary Bruce Paige joins me from Boxing Day too which will be so much fun! I grew up watching 9NEWS Gold Coast, so it’s definitely a pinch-me moment to be behind the desk.
How did you get started in journalism and what inspired you to become a presenter?
From a young age, I was captivated by the news. I also had a passion for public speaking and loved the exhilaration of addressing a crowd. This is what led me to pursue a journalism degree at Bond University. Internship stints at the TODAY Show in Washington DC and Cosmopolitan Magazine UK solidified my commitment to a career in the media industry, but I really wanted to work a little closer to home.
I landed my first job at 1029 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au, and spent over a decade there as a presenter and journalist. After becoming a Mum, it was time for a change and I am loving every minute of my new gig at 9NEWS Gold Coast.
What do you love most about your job?
Keeping Gold Coasters informed about the latest happenings in our city. It’s an absolute privilege to be the voice that connects people to vital information. I am also so lucky to work with an amazing team – everyone is passionate, dedicated and a daily source of inspiration. Plus, I am not going to lie, it’s pretty awesome having a glam squad to do my hair and makeup every day!
What advice would you give to aspiring journalists who are looking to enter the field?
My advice revolves around two power moves: intern like your career depends on it and network like there’s no tomorrow. Dive into newsrooms, soak up the hustle, and put your hand up to give it a go – that’s where the real learning happens.
As for networking – it’s not just about schmoozing; it’s about building relationships. Attend events, connect on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out. Who you know can be just as important as what you know. So, intern hard, and network harder.
What are your Gold Coast favourites:
Favourite café: BSKT
Favourite restaurant: Hachi Japanese Restaurant
Favourite bar: At home – with wine thanks to Somm!
Favourite beach: Miami Beach
How do you choose to spend your days off?
On my days off, it’s all about soaking up the sun at the beach or pool with my favourite squad – my husband and son. Before hitting the sand, we usually kickstart the day with a stroll into Nobby Beach for a caffeine fix and acai bowl!
We always try to squeeze in a catch-up with friends and family too, usually at a surf club with a great view.
Powerhouse podcasters from Happy Hour.
Lucy and Nikki first crossed paths while studying marketing in North Queensland, bonding over big ideas and even bigger energy while working at Red Bull. That spark led them to launch their fashion label, JGR & STN, and later, their wildly popular podcast, Happy Hour with Lucy & Nikki – a cheeky, unfiltered show built on real talk, hilarious stories, and their shared adventures.
What started as a side hustle turned into one of Australia’s biggest podcasts for young women. With a cult-like following (yes, there are logo tattoos), sold-out live shows, and a community that hangs on every happy hour, Lucy and Nikki are now household names.
Their latest move? Teaming up with bobby, the better-for-you soft drink brand shaking up the bevvie scene, for a brand-new collaboration that’s as fun and fizz-filled as they are.
We caught up with the powerhouse duo to talk life, business, and what’s bubbling up next.
How long have you been Gold Coast locals?
Nikki: We’ve been on the Gold Coast since 2015 so we’re just coming on to 10 years!
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Nikki: We love the lifestyle! As people that travel a lot it’s nice to come back to a place where you can get into a routine, get up early and enjoy some good weather!
Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Nikki: Luckily enough with our jobs we are able to be the same person when professionally and in real life haha. We always are very grateful that we built our brand on having a good time and being super open about that, so there are no surprises when it comes to seeing us out and about enjoying a good night! With that being said, we also love exercise and routine. So I guess we are pretty balanced.
Happy Hour has become one of Australia’s most listened-to podcasts, what do you think has made it connect with so many people?
Nikki: I think it’s because we’re very relatable and a lot of female friendship duo’s probably know who their Lucy to their Nikki is when they listen.
You’ve always been open and unfiltered with your audience – has that helped shape how you approach business too?
Nikki: We like to consider ourselves professional when it comes to business so probably not AS unfiltered haha. But yes, we do have a pretty open desk dialogue in our office and keep things casual. Let’s just say there’s no corporate jargon happening at JGR & STN HQ.
This is bobby’s first co-created flavour, and your first time stepping into the beverage space. How did this collaboration with come about?
Nikki: We have always LOVED bobby so the brand alignment felt super organic! We’ve been drinking it for years so when we met the team and loved them and the concept it was a no brainer.
Strawberries & Cream is such a nostalgic throwback. What made you land on that flavour?
Nikki: We love the lollies so when they said they could make it sugar free we were like hell yeah!
What’s your advice for anyone looking to turn their online presence into a full-blown business or brand?
Consistency and authenticity. You’re gonna have to work hard at it before you earn the fruits of your labour.
What does the future have in store?
A live show tour at the end of the year!
How do you choose to spend your days off?
It could be anything between wholesome bath houses and boozy lunches into evenings at our favourite bar.
What are your Gold Coast favourites:
Nikki:
Café: Burleigh Surf Club Kiosk is low key epic
Restaurant: Maman & Rickshores in Burleigh Heads
Bar: Moustache in Nobbys
Beach: Burleigh or Greenmount
Lucy
Cafe: Holliday in Nobbys – for a cheese toastie!
Restaurant: Rick Shores for weekends, Goukai Ramen for weeknights
Bar: Moustache in Nobbys as well
Beach: Mermaid Beach
