In Get Glowing With..., we talk to the women catching our eye about what they’re doing, eating and loving right now.
An interior designer and champion of sustainable practices and ethically made finishes, fixtures and furniture, Mariah Burton co-founded design firm Folk Studio with the aim of “nurturing the human condition in every project we undertake.” We visited her apartment in Sydney’s Northern Beaches to talk gut health, redefining self-care in 2020 and the power of salt water.
Folk is... a wellness brand that focuses on good design. We believe your space should be an extension of who you are and where you are going; a well-designed space has the capability to inspire us, comfort us and promote a healthier and happier life. I founded Folk in 2018 with my best friend Chris and it has continued to go from strength to strength.
I like to start my day with… a large glass of water, stirring in my GLOW powder then I head for a walk with my dog baby, Alfi. We always do a coastal walk; I’m an early riser and seeing the ocean first thing in the morning really eases me into the day.
My go-to a.m. beverage is… GLOW or ADAPTOGEN followed by a coffee about 30 minutes later.
When it comes to skincare… I use a daily exfoliant that also works as a cleanser, which doesn’t work for many skin types but my skin responds well. It’s an Aesop cleanser that strips away any excess dirt and makeup. I then moisturise with a Tata Harper Gel, followed by Edible Beauty’s Glowing Skin Smoothie, which just gives my skin a nice glow. I find that my best-kept skin secret is my diet—not eating dairy really works for my skin and gut health.
The most important skincare lesson I’ve learned is… to stick to the basics—your products should be as natural as possible and skincare all starts with what you put into your body.
I feel most ‘glowy’ when... I’ve consistently been eating well, exercising and sticking to a regimented health schedule. I also feel my best when I’ve been in salt water; I feel so refreshed and rejuvenated.
I feel like I’m looking after myself best when... I have a good work/life balance. I’ve realised since COVID that my personal wellness is vital for my business success and for me this means slowing down when I need a break. I often work around the clock and am known to not take a break, so the last few months have been a real eye-opener for me.
I have been really focusing on... monitoring my stress levels and also my anxiety. I think many small business owners absorb many roles and put a lot of pressure on themselves, which can really take a toll. I find any form of exercise my biggest stress reliever, as well as seeing my close-knit group of friends—they really ground me and make me feel at ease.
My favourite workout is… basketball. I have been playing since I was 5 and honestly don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. During lockdown, all team sports were at a halt and I realised how much I rely on basketball for fitness and my mental health. I also do pilates and ballet barre twice a week and absolutely love it. I feel so fit after weeks of pilates and barre, my body responds well to working small muscle groups and I love group exercise—it feels like a team sport in many ways.
The meal that makes me feel most nourished is… a mixed veggie bowl—the uglier the better. I often mix mushroom, kale, chickpeas, broccoli, edamame, tofu, spinach and garlic with a homemade green goddess sauce and some chilli. I go to the organic markets early every Friday and as a result of this, my fridge is always stocked with nourishing foods that I like to experiment with.
In my fridge, you’ll always find… mushrooms and garlic. If I was trapped on a desert island and had to take two foods with me that’s what it would be.
I can’t leave home without… my FLORA FIX BALM, my water bottle and a tape measure—the joys of being a designer!
On my bedside table, there’s always… Australian native flowers and my oil diffuser.
To get a good night’s sleep… I try to stay off social media an hour before bed as this helps me switch off. I always have to have a hot cup of tea before bed, too—it is a must.
Beauty is… listening to what your body and mind need to feel nourished and understanding that this is different for everyone, as well as being kind—it’s the best beauty hack.
