Taking a holistic approach to ageing, Kay Roby lives and breathes her beauty brand Osmosis. Editor Trudi Brewer visited Roby at her West Auckland ranch-style home where she manages to mix family and business over one roof.
Photography Milana Radojcic
Career
What’s a typical working day for you?
My French bulldogs Mavis and Sid wake me up at around 6 am (my barking alarm clocks), then I do a bit of exercise on the machine planted next to my bed. I’m in the office by 9 am. My days vary which I love, some days I’m training a group of therapists at our head office or I'm hosting VIP days in clinics around the country, other days I’m working at my desk. I hate routine, so this works perfectly for me.
What do you love most about your career?
It’s fun, and it doesn’t feel like work. My team at Osmosis are so dedicated and passionate about what they do, and it’s humbling to see. I’m so grateful to be working alongside them. I love the positive energy and everything about Osmosis - it's continuing to grow and evolve and that progress is something we all love.
How has your career influenced your style?
It has probably kept my style conservative, but I was born to love fashion, shoes and makeup.
What is the one thing that is not negotiable when it comes to your business?
I do what I love. Life is too short to be working in a job you don’t like.
What lessons have you learned on your way to the top?
Treat others the way I want to be treated - I try to be fair and kind every day. I like to sleep well at night.
Home
How would you describe your home?
My best kept secret. It’s my hidden, tropical oasis where you would least expect it.
Where do you look for inspiration when starting a home project?
I am the worst at home projects. I’d ask my sister she has incredible taste in that department.
What makes a great interior?
Simple, clean lines. I love big furniture, high ceilings, lots of windows and open spaces.
What do you always have on your bedside table?
My iPhone, laptop and the TV remote. Flowers if I’m lucky, and a good read.
What is your favourite room?
My bedroom.
Where would you send women for home inspiration?
Los Angeles based designer Jeff Andrews, I love Khloe Kardashian's house.
Beauty
What are the top skin concerns women over 30 face today?
Sensitive skin is a big one, then sun damage (pigmentation) and ageing.
What is your philosophy when it comes to age management?
Keep your routine holistic. The skin (being our biggest organ) requires nourishment, so eat well and stop wounding the skin with quick-fix temporary treatments. Focus on increasing collagen production, and supporting wound repair that deliver safe permanent results. Focus on eating a healthy anti-inflammatory diet, and avoid eating processed food and sugar. Keep your hormones balanced with Hormone Health Harmonized Water. Most skin issues are triggered internally; I take a holistic approach to health working from the inside out to keep my body and skin healthy. I constantly watch my thoughts and I am kinder to myself these days... stress can make you look like hell.
What's always in your beauty bag?
A chemical free sunblock would be the most obvious answer, as we all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun. However, women don't want to remove makeup to reapply sunblock during the day, so the next best thing is a makeup with SPF protection. Mineral Pressed Base Foundation ticks all the boxes for me, I carry Translucent Finishing Powder in my bag for touch-ups during the day, my Nude Lip Gloss and my signature fragrance Chanel Les Exclusifs De Chanel Sycomore.
What is the best beauty regime for any woman worried about dark spots and wrinkles?
To correct this issue permanently, you must reverse the DNA damage that causes the skin to produce the brown spots. The only serum proven to do this is Osmosis Catalyst. As well as seeing those dark spots disappear, broken capillaries will also begin to vanish, and the general skin’s texture and firmness will improve.
Roby's beauty essentials
What are the latest buzz ingredients in skincare right now that you are excited about?
Stem cell derived collagen and elastin, and exosome encapsulated growth factors. You will find this only in Osmosis Stem Factor for guaranteed age reversal. A must for all skin over 35.
What is your top anti-ageing tip?
Don’t wound your skin, ever. Instead focus on feeding your skin active nutrients with effective delivery systems, so these ingredients reach the target – the dermis where new skin grows.
Finally, do you take beauty supplements?
Yes. I love Yellow Diamonds, these naturally increase cellular energy and DNA repair. Most people don’t realise how important this is. They make me feel full of energy without the need for artificial stimulants like caffeine.
Style
Who is the one fashion icon you are most inspired by?
Coco Chanel. Love those pearls, and we may not have the little black dress if it weren't for her.
Describe your signature stye?
Structured but edgy.
Your fashion weakness?
Designer shoes and handbags.
Photography Milana Radojcic