We chat with four women who inspire us about their morning routines, evening rituals and the essential daily moments that set them up for success.
There is nothing more pleasurably voyeuristic than a peek into the daily routines of women who inspire. That’s why we’ve tapped four extraordinary women from various fields to uncover the routines and rituals they swear by. From the first thing they do in the morning, to the wind-down moments that generate rest, these women reveal the everyday practices and intentional habits that keep them focused and grounded. You might want to write this down…
Emma Lewisham, Founder, Emma Lewisham
What does your morning routine look like?
“My day starts early, usually between 5am-6am (as we are early risers in our house). Having this time in the morning before meetings and phone calls start is cherished and it gives me the opportunity to have family time and get anchored in some peace and quiet to take on the day ahead.
A morning practice I have recently been loving is a new weights and cardio class at Sala in Auckland, which is inspired by the impact of colour on the body’s energy fields. I love exercise and incorporate some form daily; it helps to energise and empower me before I’m at the office.
If I don’t go to exercise, another one of my current favourite morning rituals is taking a walk with my daughter around the neighbourhood before school. Sometimes we also visit the playground while it’s still quiet and peaceful. I love her inquisitive mind and our conversations.
My go-to breakfast is muesli with whole grains, berries, and Greek protein yoghurt, and I also make a smoothie. I try to get as many fruits, vegetables and healthy fats into my day, as I have recently read and loved the book by Dr Mark Hyman – he talks about the power of lots of colourful, phytochemically-rich vegetables, nuts and seeds, and protein.”
Can you take us through your morning skincare routine?
“I start my routine with our Illuminating Oil Cleanser, followed by our Skin Reset Serum (which is five years old now and my favourite product). I finish with the most important step: our newest innovation, which took us eight years to develop, the SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème. Protecting my skin is non-negotiable, and I’m incredibly proud to have brought this mineral SPF with advanced skincare benefits to market.”
What techniques or tools do you draw on to stay present and manage your busy schedule throughout the day?
“We’re fortunate to have a beautiful park nearby. I often take walking meetings there with team members – it’s a beautiful way to get some fresh air while catching up.”
Can you share one piece of advice that has helped you in your career?
“One piece of advice that has been so important in building this business is the value of consistency and patience. Often in business, and in life, people think that it is that one big thing you do that makes an impact or drives success. In fact, success is built from an unwavering commitment to consistency – day in and day out – brick by brick. It’s the little things you do that lay the foundations for a strong and prosperous business, relationship or lifestyle.”
What does your evening routine look like? Are there any rituals you like to follow before bed?
“Aside from putting my daughter to bed and reading our favourite books together, I love ending the night with my book, tea, and my Emma Lewisham skincare routine. I cleanse with our Illuminating Oil Cleanser and then apply our Supernatural Blemish Serum, which contains over 20 years of research and is incredible for general skin health. I follow it with our latest innovation, the Supernatural Vitale Elixir, which our customers have coined nature’s botox in a bottle. I finish with the Supernatural Face Crème Riche, which locks in hydration overnight.”
If you had to tell us one secret to your success, what would it be?
“To know your purpose and hold yourself to this. When I take a step back to what our purpose truly is, it always comes back to people and wanting to provide something fundamentally better that means they don’t have to compromise. My North Star is to deliver products that work, are good for us, and the world around us. I am relentless in wanting to develop the very best products in the world but am determined to do so without compromising on our values.
When we started, so many people told us that it couldn’t be done. That it wasn’t possible to produce luxurious, natural, high-performing, circular skincare and that we could never compete with the well-established skincare giants. Yet, fast forward to today and in many instances our formulations have been proven to outperform these brands and we are right up there competing with them in the retailers we are in.”
Donna Bartoli, Content Creator & Wellness Expert
What does your morning routine look like?
“Before anything else, I hydrate with a large glass of filtered water and electrolytes. It’s a simple but essential way to wake up my body, replenish minerals and set the tone for the day.
My morning is about intention – no phone for at least 30 minutes, a few deep breaths, and when possible, a cold plunge. It sharpens my focus, calms my nervous system and sets me up for clarity.
I also move my body – whether it’s a short strength session, a long walk, or stretching. I take my time preparing a nourishing, protein-rich breakfast that supports my energy and blood sugar stability. My breakfast is always whole food based and high in protein to keep my energy balanced. Often, it’s organic eggs with avocado or a protein smoothie packed with healthy fats, collagen and adaptogens.”
Can you take us through your morning skincare routine?
“Less is more. I start with a gentle cleanse, followed by a high-quality vitamin C serum, hydration from a hyaluronic acid or peptide-based serum and always SPF. My skincare is an extension of my health – what I put on my skin is just as important as what I feed my body.”
What techniques or tools do you draw on to stay present and manage your busy schedule throughout the day?
“I prioritise breaks – stepping away from screens, deep breathing, and sometimes even a short grounding session outdoors. Nutrition plays a huge role too; balanced meals help keep my energy and focus steady.”
Can you share one piece of advice that has helped you in your career?
“Consistency over intensity. Small, sustainable habits lead to lasting results, whether in health, business, or personal growth. Wellness isn’t about perfection – it’s about showing up for yourself every day.
Health is about simplicity – real food, movement, good sleep, and self-awareness. It doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.”
What does your evening routine look like? Are there any rituals you like to follow before bed?
“My evenings are about slowing down. Blue light is off at least an hour before bed and I focus on nervous system regulation – magnesium, herbal teas, red light therapy, or even journaling. Good sleep starts long before you get into bed.”
If you had to tell us one secret to your success, what would it be?
“Alignment. I stay true to what I believe in, what I share and what I stand for. Authenticity breeds longevity.”
Frances Shoemack, Founder, Abel Fragrance
What does your morning routine look like?
“At the moment, the first thing I do is often hide myself under the duvet cover as our giant puppy runs into the room and leaps up onto our bed!
Because we have several of our team based in Europe, often my mornings are very much work-oriented. I love to get into work really early and get a head start on the day, so normally I’m up and out of the house quite early. I do have a wonderful commute – basically a 20 minute bushwalk into work, which is always super grounding.
Once I arrive at the office, I brew a pot of coffee and quietly get into my work, ideally before the interruptions start for the day! I tend to intermittently fast and so don’t normally eat until later in the day. In saying that, a favourite Friday ritual for me (that we’ve been doing for over 10 years) is a croissant breakfast at our local cafe together as a family together before work and school.”
Can you take us through your morning skincare routine?
“My beauty routine is equal parts lo-fi and also something I care very deeply about. I get a lot of pleasure out of using beautiful, natural skincare and makeup every morning and a spray of fragrance that reflects my mood and the day to come – it’s definitely a moment for myself. My current go-to scent is Abel’s Laundry Day – its fresh and zesty scent profile is invigorating for the summer months.”
What techniques or tools do you draw on to stay present and manage your busy schedule throughout the day?
“I try to get fresh air during the day even if it’s just popping out for a coffee or onto our Abel roof terrace for a bit of vitamin D. Sometimes I have Sherlock, our puppy, with me at work and I’ll take him out for a walk to the dog park at lunchtime. Also being very aware and in the moment, so making sure I’m breathing, pausing, getting up from my desk, drinking lots of water and just not losing sight of what we’re trying to achieve – even on the hardest days, perspective is a good teacher!
There are a few things I’ve learnt for travel along the way too – hydrate really well before and during a flight; Green Cedar is a very grounding scent for on my eye pillow; getting my legs up a wall in transit and on a flight (ignoring the strange looks!); carrying a thick balm moisturiser. Then a couple of rules for when I land: I always make sure I adjust to the time zone by staying up until the normal bed time and trying to get my diet on track as quickly as possible. I think jet lag can wreak havoc on your mental and emotional state, but also your physical and digestive system – so that’s super important. And I always carry a very high dosage vitamin C!”
What does your evening routine look like? Are there any rituals you like to follow before bed?
“Evenings are really a wind-down time for me. We don’t have phones in our bedroom. My husband and I are avid readers so we read a lot before bedtime; we make sure that we’re going to bed in a relaxed state. I have a skincare routine before bed and I tend to spritz our sheets with one of our room sprays as well. Again, it’s nice connecting that emotional scent to the relaxation moment.”
If you had to tell us one secret to your success, what would it be?
“Stay curious and keep learning. I think that’s the only way to keep growing as a human and also with your business. It’s just taking every day as a new opportunity for learning and personal growth and supporting the people around you. I sense the moment you lose your curiosity, things will go downhill.”
Demi Mae Yip, Founder, DMY Studios
What does your morning routine look like?
“First, I think about how terrible my night’s sleep was with my baby! But once I’m over that, I give him a cuddle, change his nappy and then check my emails.
I can’t start my day without my morning oat matcha. About two years ago, I was a devoted coffee drinker, but I wanted a more sustained caffeine release, so I switched to matcha – and I’ve never looked back. It definitely keeps me more alert and focused throughout the day.
If I don’t have any super early meetings to prep for, I always try to fit in a reformer class. It’s the perfect way to start the day – I’ve been doing Pilates for almost two years now and I fell in love with it from day one. I find that the style of exercise suits me much better than the gym because it’s not just about building strength, but also helps with flexibility and alignment.
My two favourite breakfast smoothies are a classic green and a mango turmeric blend. The green smoothie – made with kale, spinach, mango, and banana – is my go-to when I want something super clean and revitalising. On days when I need something more filling or a nutrient boost, I opt for my mango turmeric smoothie, which is a thicker, creamier mix of mango, banana, coconut milk, lemon juice, and turmeric.”
Can you take us through your morning skincare routine?
“I like to keep my skincare routine as simple as possible. I’ve found that using too many products doesn’t always agree with my skin, so I stick to a few essentials. I start with the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, followed by La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Eye Cream – I have incredibly dry under-eyes and after a lot of research and testing, this is the one product I swear by (even though it’s a splurge!). I finish with Omorovicza’s Illuminating Moisturizer for a healthy, hydrated glow. I don’t use a serum because someone once told me to only use one if I have a specific concern and right now, my skin is in a good place – so I try to avoid unnecessary products when I can!”
What techniques or tools do you draw on to stay present and manage your busy schedule throughout the day?
“I rely on lists. As the founder of a small brand, I’m still very much involved in every aspect of the business – from design and marketing to sales and accounts. With so many different roles to juggle, my to-do list is always overflowing. The only way I’ve found to effectively manage my workload and stay productive is by writing everything down. Having a clear visual of what needs to be done helps me prioritise, stay focused and, honestly, there is nothing more satisfying than checking things off at the end of each day.”
Can you share one piece of advice that has helped you in your career?
“I always come back to staying true to my principles. When I started DMY, it was with the intention of creating something meaningful and purposeful. I never wanted our designs to be trend-driven – I wanted to contribute to a more thoughtful and responsible fashion industry. That mindset led us to source sustainable raw materials and focus on designing timeless silhouettes, which I believe has been a huge part of the brand’s success today.”
What does your evening routine look like? Are there any rituals you like to follow before bed?
“At the end of each day, I love a warm bath with magnesium sea salts – a ritual I started during my pregnancy. I was initially nervous about taking baths while pregnant, but a friend recommended them when I was struggling with sciatica in my third trimester, and now I’m obsessed. It gives me ten minutes of pure zen after a hectic day.
I also recently got a Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask for Christmas and was determined not to let it gather dust, so I use it every evening after cleansing, followed by my favourite Tata Harper Crème Riche. And before bed – without fail – I always have a hot chamomile tea. It helps with digestion and sets me up for a better night’s sleep.”
If you had to tell us one secret to your success, what would it be?
“Resilience. It’s easy to fall into a negative headspace when things don’t go your way – whether it’s production delays, slow sales periods, or missed opportunities. As humans, we thrive on success, but the reality is that business comes with both highs and lows. The key is to stay positive, push forward, and adapt when things don’t go to plan. Every setback is a learning curve, and there’s no single formula for success. Don’t let challenges overwhelm you – use them as fuel to grow, pivot, and keep moving forward.”
