Luna Beauty and Apothecary in Surry Hills specialises in natural beauty from a terrace on Bourke Street. Qualified herbalist, nutritionist and beauty therapist Fay Halkitis has created a stylish and friendly space in which to shop for natural skincare and beauty products, enjoy a facial treatment or engage in a naturopathic consultation.

A carefully chosen selection of local and international products is presented in mainly vintage and antique pieces of furniture; an old tea cupboard, or an apothecary table from the ’20s. It feels warm and relaxed, like a living room. The international brands stocked here (such as Josh Rosebrook and Kypris from the USA, and Therapie from the UK) have previously only been available to buy online in Australia, and Halkitis wanted to bring them into a more personal environment. “People like to come for advice, have a chat and feel the product on their skin,” she says. Locally made products include skincare from Mudgee-based Wildcrafted Organics and reduced-toxin nail polish from Sienna Byron Bay.

Halkitis is passionate about botanical-based products: “they’re a pleasure to use and they work. And there’s absolutely no caution around them,” she says, referring to the ambiguity surrounding particular synthetic ingredients – from parabens to petrolatum – often found in cosmetics. She acknowledges the term “natural” itself often falls into a grey area. “It’s such a vague term, it’s tossed around a lot,” she says, but vouches for the integrity of each brand she stocks. (A recent blog post she wrote decodes this topic further in plain English.)

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Halkitis uses blends of these products during her bespoke facial treatments. Following an initial consultation and skin analysis, Halkitis will tailor an hour-long facial to suit different skin types and concerns. Combining lymphatic drainage (good for circulation), aromatherapy, exfoliation, steam, mask, eye treatment and massage, it’s a deeply relaxing experience.

The third strand of Luna’s services is naturopathic consultation; a holistic health assessment which looks at what you’re eating, how you’re sleeping and how you’re moving in order to prescribe skin-health tips and recommendations. Naturopathy is “all encompassing” according to Halkitis. She believes it has benefits whether you are ill, well or just want to feel your best. “We look at nutrition but also lifestyle and then formulate a plan for each individual based on what works for them,” she says.

Halkitis’s holistic philosophy translates to every detail – right down to a treatment bed handmade from Australian wood using no chemical glues. It’s about careful consideration: of ourselves and of the world around us.

545A Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday, 9.30am-6pm
Saturday, 9.30am-3pm

+61 448 844 166

lunanaturopath.com/