Esther Stephens | Singer, Actress & Compulsive Op Shopper

You might know her from Esther Stephens & The Means, When we go to War, Westside or That Bloody Woman. Talent aside, we at Rasasara Skinfood know her as one hell of a special human.  Esther is the first in a series of candid interviews with Women of Rasasara. Get to know the ladies who love our brand as much as we do!

Where do you live?

Out of a suitcase mostly! I travel a fair bit for work. Home base has been Melbourne for the past four years, but just recently my partner and I have settled in our home city of Auckland in New Zealand.

What do you love about living there?

The attraction of moving home was to spend more time with each other (I was away working a lot in New Zealand) and family. Also we both missed spending time in nature, there’s something so special about the New Zealand landscape. Recently we spent a weekend in Banks Peninsula and the beauty of the mountains and coastline is hard to describe, it really recharges you.

Currently reading?

I’ve been working my way through ‘Women In Clothes’, an exploration of personal style with over 600 different contributors. It’s not a style guide, more an investigation into the unique relationship we have with clothing and the different ways we use it to articulate aspects of ourselves.

Favourite season

Changes depending on where I am. Presently I’m in Christchurch, and you cannot beat a cold and crisp, but blue and sunny, Christchurch Winter day. Heaven.

I spend a lot of time…

Pottering and daydreaming. Sometimes to the detriment of other things I should be doing! However I find it very therapeutic, something about little household tasks helps clear my head.

One thing that might surprise people about me is

I have coeliac disease. I was diagnosed about 6 years ago, and my Mother was diagnosed shortly after, so it appears to run in my family. I had been struggling with low immunity, and seemed to be particularly susceptible to colds and flu (which as a performer is terrible when you rely so much on your voice) but changing to a gluten free diet has righted all those issues.

My favourite Rasasara Skinfood product is

Pitta Face Nourishing Oil, I love that I can keep my skin balanced by using more or less depending on what climate I’m in. Auckland is quite humid so I find I don’t need so much, but at present in Christchurch it’s very cold and dry, so I’m using a bit extra at night with wonderful results. I’m also in the middle of a show season, and it feels amazingly nourishing after nights sweating on stage in heavy makeup.

What does self-love mean to you?

Listening to your body, taking note of what it likes and dislikes, and caring for yourself accordingly. I find I am always at my best when I listen and respond to the little signals for more sleep, or water, or an iron boost or whatever.

You can listen to Esther Stephens & The Means here.