It doesn’t take a genius to realise that Ash Hart is a free spirit. Scroll through her Instagram feed and you’ll be presented with a life well lived. She’s dancing on a cliff top one minute and skydiving the next. She’s often surrounded by friends and always smiling.
But while it’s clear she’s not afraid to let her hair down, Ash’s life is undoubtedly about balance. She prioritises her wellbeing. Meditation and yoga are a daily practice, she exercises at least four times a week and she admits she’s even taught herself to eat intuitively.
We recently got to chat to Ash about, well, her. From her new favourite quasi-dance-cum-meditation workout to the surprising ingredients in her morning tonic, scroll down to find out how Ash stays in shape, remains centred and cultivates beauty—inside and out.
Where are you in the world right now? Why?
I’m in LA at the moment, spending some time at home before my next adventure.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Melbourne, in Australia.
If you weren’t a model, what career would you pursue?
I would love to be a psychologist. I find trying to get an understanding into the internal narratives of people fascinating, and love trying to decipher what makes them tick.
What is the craziest thing you’ve done on a shoot?
Probably jumping off the top of a waterfall while on a shoot in Costa Rica. It was seriously scary, but as the saying goes, I felt the fear and did it anyway!
What makes you feel sexy?
There is something about being on the beach, with that sun-kissed feeling and salty hair from the ocean. Nice music and dancing also make me feel really sensual.
Talk us through your morning routine.
It involves waking up and drinking a huge glass of water, then journaling, meditating, relaxing in the infrared sauna, jumping in the salt pool, and then practising yoga in the morning sun.
Talk us through your weekly exercise regime. What type of workout do you most enjoy and which does your body best respond to?
I try to work out in some form at least four times a week, ideally every day. I love yoga, barre and Pilates, as well as walking and sprinting. I also love dancing and my favourite class at the moment is called 5Rhythms, a moving meditation practice that’s dynamic, creative and invigorating!
Do you follow any particular diet or way of eating? If so, why?
Over time, I’ve learnt how to be in tune with my body when it comes to nourishing it. In the past, I’ve followed a few fads, but I now know what’s good and not good for my body so I eat intuitively.
What does an average day on your plate look like?
- Breakfast: a high-fat, superfood tonic, which incorporates Chinese medicinal herbs and mushrooms, brain octane oil and ghee. I also make my own chocolate from cacao butter and coconut and I have one big square of that.
- Lunch: a superfood smoothie packed with nutrients, protein and high-energy fat.
- Dinner: Grilled fish and salad, or an omelette.
Do you take supplements? If so, what are they?
I take a Swisse Women’s Ultivite and the new Swisse Radiant Skin supplement, daily.
Being a model, you have to be a bit more cautious than most. When you let yourself, what’s your indulgence of choice?
A glass of red wine is always my go to and I have this newfound obsession with Kippy’s ice cream, a delicious vegan ice cream you can get in LA.
If you could give one pearl of beauty wisdom, what would it be?
Self-acceptance is really important. Love who you are, as real beauty comes from the inside.
Talk us through your beauty routine.
- Morning products: Swisse Sweet Almond Cream Cleanser, the new Swisse Hyaluronic Acid Firming Eye Serum, Swisse Blood Orange Brightening Facial Serum, Swisse Rose Hip Facial Moisturiser, Swisse Natural Defence BB Cream SPF30
- Night products: Swisse Micellar Make Up Remover, Swisse Hyaluro-natural Moisturising Facial Serum, Swisse Hibiscus Anti-Aging Night Cream
You lead an active lifestyle and are often on the go, what are your tips for low maintenance beauty?
I’m always on the go and travelling for work, so I often skip makeup and just focus on eating right, drinking plenty of water and taking the Swisse Radiant Skin supplement for a beauty boost. My go-to makeup look includes the Swisse Natural Defence BB Cream SPF 30, Luma Illuminating Highlighter and Luma Just A Touch Lip & Cheek Tint — it looks like I am hardly wearing make-up, however, I have a naturally luminous glow.
10 Questions with Ashley Hart
- Daily mantra: My wellness is my state of being. I really believe that the baseline of my beauty, health and wellness is being present and in touch with my true self.
- Coffee order: Bulletproof coffee
- Favourite café: In Australia, it’s Cali Press Café in Sydney. In LA, it’s Cafecito Organico in Silver Lake, my local!
- Favourite emoji: The little face with eyes rolled up, it can be used in a number of situations, haha!
- 3 things you’ll always find in my fridge: Unsweetened organic almond milk, cultured vegetables and dark chocolate.
- Best new app I’ve used: IIN Learning Centre app, an educational app from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I also love my Kindle app, as I read a lot of books on my phone.
- Most people probably don’t know this about me, but: I feel fear, have insecurities and down days, just like everyone else.
- I binge watch: Nothing, as I don’t own a TV. There are much better things in life to binge on!
- My guilty pleasure: Taking some “me” time – although it feels very necessary!
- Advice I would give my 20-year-old self: Trust everything that is happening, because it is all happening for the greater good.
Want more from Ash Hart? Check out her latest campaign with Swisse Wellness or read our interview with her sister, Jess, too.