A friend of mine and former beauty editor Rebecca Dettman traded in the world of glossy magazines with its beauty launches, fancy lunches and never ending deadlines to focus on her once after-hours career as an intuitive.
Now her company, Psyched in Stilettos, is changing how the world views psychics thanks to Rebecca’s fresh, uplifting approach (no crushed velvet or crystal balls to be found, thanks very much).
I wanted to get an insight into how her perspective on beauty has changed now she has left the industry — and also chat about what beauty products she uses now and what’s next in her exciting career as a gifted healer…
What have you been up to since working in magazines, Rebecca Dettman?
I worked for three years at Bride to Be magazine, followed by two years at Who Weekly and another three years at The Adelaide Magazine… As well as freelancing for Girlfriend and The Sun-Herald newspaper. And it’s funny you should mention a book… Because yes, I now have my sights set on publishing one! Cosmic chick-lit, should anyone ask…
I know how busy you were as a beauty editor. How’d you cope with the day-to-day pressures?
The biggest stress came from the personal politics — women who were jealous of your job and wanted to steal it (because of all the freebies), control-freak bosses who hated how much time I spent at out-of-work functions, rival beauty editors who generally behaved like the Fashion Police, and advertiser pressure regarding product placement. The actual deadlines and writing were a breeze compared to all that caper!
From your holistic perspective, what’s your view on the mainstream beauty industry now?
Drastically, radically different. I was so brainwashed as a journalist by impressive multi-national corporations, glossy press releases and distracting celebrity functions / free manicures that I had no idea that 99% of the product sitting on my desk for “free testing” was filled with carcinogenics. The mainstream beauty industry has always been about the dollar. It taps into age-old universal themes: Am I pretty and young enough? If I can be pretty and young enough, will more people like me? Then will I like myself better?!
What were some of the best beauty tips you did learn during those years?
There were lots of innovations coming out in ‘my era’ concerning holistic wellness and new spiritual spa trends. I really adored those — rose quartz crystal facials, colour therapy, toxic-free nail polish, raindrop healing… And learned lots of interesting ways to relax and de-stress myself naturally.
The worst?
I hated going to salons where I got hooked up to pulsing machines, was blasted with rays, sprayed with toxic tans, decked out with smelly acrylic nails, had my face scrubbed with some kind of baby cow excretion (true) and had someone else’s hair glued to my scalp. Plus, I thought the catwalk trends were ludicrous — NOBODY except for an extremely small, avant garde percentage of the population changes their makeup look THAT regularly — and extrovertedly.
What’s your idea of beauty? Has it changed as you’ve gotten older?
Beauty as a teenager was: flawless skin, no fat, perfect teeth, gorgeous clothes and having a boyfriend. Beauty as a 20-something was: flawless skin, no fat, perfect teeth, gorgeous clothes and having a career. Beauty as a 30-something is: deepening my wisdom. Being covered in mud, baby-spew and mashed banana while laughing with my children and falling more deeply in love with my husband.
You have babies, so I know you don’t have a beauty routine as such. But what as some pamper rituals you just won’t do without?
I keep some really gorgeous soaps in the shower, like the Waterchild Natural Hand Milled Soap (it has a huge crystal inside it!) and the soap-loofah combinations by Brooklan Tree. I currently use a Body Crystal deodorant, Kosmea rosehip oil shampoo and conditioner, and Aromababy on my children’s bottoms! All these products have super-‘clean’ ingredient lists. I also book regular massages — even the 20 minute neck-and-shoulder jobs in Chinatown can do the trick on an awful day.
Who do you look at as being the most beautiful people in the world? What makes them that way?
It’s always those National Geographic photos of anonymous children in war-torn countries with the enormous, reflective, soul-deep eyes set in perfect angel faces… And any candid photograph of someone laughing, tossing their hair, rolling in the sunshine, caught in an authentic emotional moment. You don’t have to know the person; they needn’t be famous. Beauty is a moment, a glimpse, a whisper, a universal language, a deeper connection. People being real and showing their true selves through their behaviour and their eyes.
What organic beauty treats would I find in your handbag?
Anything by Gaia, Weleda, Y Natural, Brooklan Tree, InEssence. 100% aloe vera gel for sunburn, Lush lip balm… but you know what? My favorite beauty product this year is home-made deodorant — drops of my favorite essential oils in a water sprizter. Shake and spray. Fun!
What’s next for Miss Psychette?
This year I’m presenting at a number of retreats and wellness events thanks to www.Soul-Enterprises.com, and keeping up with my weekly PowerFM radio show and Cosmic Gossip newsletters. Fun!
Live… grandly, proudly, memorably, happily.
Life… is bloody hard work so it’s your job to make it happy, harmonious and fun.
Love… heals.
