March 18, 2025
8 min read
Marisa Robinson is taking beauty in a slower and intentional direction whilst encouraging compassion and kindness for those who don’t have a voice.
We recently caught up with Marisa to discuss all things beauty, wellbeing and her journey to living an authentic, cruelty free lifestyle.
How did your journey into the beauty industry begin? Is it something you’ve always had an interest in?
It isn’t! In fact, my career and profession was and still is in Digital Marketing, but I have always been a creative at heart with a love for beauty so I wasn’t surprised when my path pivoted into the beauty industry.
My interest in makeup peaked in my early 20’s when I discovered Napoleon Perdis. I remember going into their flagship store on George Street, Sydney looking for my first foundation and the next thing I knew I had a whole new look and left with a bag full of makeup. I probably had sucker written all over me but from that point on I went to every masterclass they offered and took my friends along too. I felt like I had gone to makeup heaven and my obsession for beauty only grew from there.
I have always loved experimenting with colour and creating different looks but it wasn’t until my late 20’s that I decided to pursue working in the beauty industry. While working full time I studied on weekends to get my Diploma of Makeup Artistry and then went on to work at beauty counters so I could get more hands-on experience with people and products and to further enhance my skills and knowledge. During this time I was also doing bridal makeup and I got to work backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week which was such an incredible opportunity.
While doing this I also started beauty blogging, which is known as beauty content creation and UGC work today. I love trialling and discovering new brands and products that I would then introduce to my family, friends and the community I began cultivating on social media. Over the years I have attended countless industry events, workshops and product launches and my beauty collection kept growing.
But it wasn’t until 2018 when I came to a crossroads between my love for animals and my love for cosmetics and there was a huge disconnect when I discovered how many animals are still being used and killed each day for cosmetics testing. While I was so grateful for all these beauty products I had accumulated, I knew I had to make a change so I switched to a Cruelty Free beauty routine and spent endless hours researching and culling any product from my collection that wasn’t cruelty free.
It was a huge transition but the most empowering detox of my life, especially since I finally felt like I was living in true alignment with my values and being my most authentic self while protecting the animals I loved.
This passion then led to the launch of Wild & Cruelty Free, an online destination for Australian Cruelty Free and Vegan Makeup, Skincare and Wellness products which I personally use in my own routine and love. I proudly promote slow beauty routines and simplified self care through my thoughtfully curated selection of ethical beauty products that help women embrace a less is more philosophy. No animal deserves to suffer for our vanity so this allows women to simplify their beauty routines while amplifying their impact as $1 from every sale is donated to an animal sanctuary to help animals in need.
What does a day in the life of you look like? Are there any particular areas of your work that you enjoy the most?
My mindful morning routine is a non negotiable as it helps me to ease into the day without too much stimulation and digital distraction. I predominantly work online so a morning routine off screens consisting of herbal tea, journaling, reading a few pages of a book, a gua sha facial massage and breakfast is a nourishing start to my day.
Each work day looks quite different depending on if I am working with digital marketing clients or not, but usually I will start by checking emails and packing any Wild & Cruelty Free orders with love that I have received overnight before getting into the tasks that require most of my attention.
I will break for lunch, usually when my cat Bear starts meowing for his lunch, and then work for the balance of the afternoon before clocking off and heading to the beach for a cleansing swim. I am so grateful to have beautiful South Coast beaches at my doorstep and I have really enjoyed visiting the various ocean pools lately.
The work I love the most is content creation and coming up with new creative concepts for myself and my clients. A lot goes on behind the scenes to bring you the videos you see on socials and I love coming up with new ideas. In truth, any time I spend working on Wild & Cruelty Free never feels like work to me because I am so aligned to the purpose and the change we are creating.
As a woman, where do you draw your confidence from?
Confidence is something which hasn’t come naturally to me and it is really only now, at 40 that I am truly starting to feel confident in my own skin. The more I have got to know and love myself over the years the more it has increased my self confidence. But I generally feel most confident when I am taking care of my mind, body and soul - if one of these things is out of alignment I can definitely feel the impact on my confidence.
Have you ever lost your confidence? What advice can you give to others who may be lacking confidence?
I have, many times, and it hasn’t always been easy to get back. When I have lost my confidence is usually when I am disconnected from myself so the key is to come back home. Do things that make you feel good, put on your favourite outfit or colour, make time for your skincare routine, be with your favourite people, dance, sing, play - do things that make you FEEL good. Once I focused on feeling good on the inside, that energy radiates on the outside and it’s a magnetic feeling you can’t help but want more of.
How do you stay balanced and healthy? Are there any daily self-care rituals that you practice to clear your mind and support overall health and wellbeing?
While some may think it is selfish or surface level, I am a big believer in sustainable self care practices and I incorporate them in my daily morning and evening routines. In addition to my gua sha and skincare routines, I also engage in red light therapy, saunas and practice meditation and breathwork regularly which helps to clear my mind and open my heart.
Nothing beats getting out and grounding in nature though and I love being in my garden and growing my own vegetables which also contributes to a healthy and balanced diet.
You’ve recently achieved certification as a Gua Sha Teacher. Can you tell us a little more about this and the benefits of practicing Gua Sha?
I have and I am so excited to share this powerful self care practice with more people. I have been practicing Gua Sha in my own self care routine for years and it has delivered incredible benefits to my skin but I wanted to know more and truly understand how this ancient Chinese ritual can benefit our inner and outer wellbeing.
Gua Sha boasts benefits such as improving microcirculation that can help increase elastin and collagen production in our skin which naturally decreases as we age, it can lift and sculpt the face, it can release tension we hold in the face while softening fine lines and wrinkles and helping to promote lymphatic drainage which removes toxins from the body.
Just as we dedicate time to exercising our bodies I believe it is important to exercise the muscles in our face and neck. Qi (energy) gets blocked and stagnant in the body but by encouraging movement with an intentional Gua Sha facial massage you can boost circulation, energy and blood flow to create a healthy and radiant complexion.
But most importantly, I think the main benefit Gua Sha delivers is the connection to self. That you dedicate time to connect with yourself, to understand your body and be guided by what it needs. I find Gua Sha a very therapeutic act of self love.
What’s your secret to confident, glowing skin? Are there any skincare items you can’t live without?
Growing up my mum taught me to cherish and care for the skin you're in and introduced me to a 3 step skincare routine at 14 years old. Cleansing, toning and moisturising has been part of my daily ritual ever since and I am so grateful she instilled this habit in me at such a young age because my skin is definitely thanking me for it now!
In addition to my daily Gua Sha practice, I can’t live without SPF, a gel cleanser, a beautiful rose face mist, a nourishing facial serum or oil and a clay face mask.
But glowing skin is also an inside job so I aim to drink 2L of water a day and eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as I can.
Also, when you are truly happy your energy and essence radiates from the inside out which delivers a healthy and glowing complexion.
Who do you look up to and why?
My mum will forever be my greatest inspiration and hero. She has been through so many trials and tribulations in her life but nothing has dulled her sparkle and she continues to get up and keep going. She is my greatest teacher and inspiration.
Outside of that, any woman who shows up unapologetically as her true authentic self.
What advice would you give to young women who want to express their authentic self but fear what others might think?
While it can be easier said than done, you have to learn to love yourself so deeply that the opinions of others don't phase you. Remember, other people's opinions of you are none of your business and 99% of the time people are more worried about themselves.
Life is too short to play small and be anyone other than your beautiful, authentic self.
Marisa Robinson
Founder of Wild & Cruelty Free and Ethical Beauty Content Creator
https://www.wildandcrueltyfree.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/wildandcrueltyfree_
