Social media star Celeste Barber has more than 8 million Instagram followers – which equates to almost a third of Australia’s entire population – and famously raised more than $50 million for bushfire relief last year. The comedian was recently named as the new MCoBeauty ambassador, a brand founded by CEO Shelley Sullivan in 2016, 14 years after creating her first successful beauty brand, ModelCo. Retail Beauty catches up with the mum with the ‘hot husband’ and unlikely beauty influencer whose photos have taken the entire world by storm.
You’re the face of vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand MCoBeauty, which is available at Woolworths, Big W and online – why is this brand a good fit for you and vice versa?
Because I have been a huge fan of MCoBeauty products for years! I first discovered their products at Woolies after I had my kids and, like so many mums, I was wandering through the grocery aisles looking for a pick me up. I use their XTendLash mascara, Magic Brows eyebrow gel, Cheek & Lip Tint and Pout Gloss pretty much every day. They are staples I always buy time and time again.
You famously raised more than $50 million for bushfire relief last year – did you expect that to happen?
Definitely not! But I have recently spent some time with members of the RFS (New South Wales Rural Fire Service) in Eden, where my mother-in-law lives, to see how some of that money has been used. Hearing their stories has been incredible. They are such legends. One bloke was about to spend about $250 of his own money on a new helmet, but now he doesn’t have to.
You’ve said you’re an overnight success 20 years in the making – how do stay motivated?
To be honest, motivation isn’t something I really struggle with that much because I have been working to get to this point for so long. Now I am just really enjoying and sitting in my success. I always knew if I just kept going, did the work and stayed true to what I think is funny, then it would resonate with people and I’d find an audience. I am super selective with what I do and always follow my gut. I lose motivation when I say yes to something that I know in my gut I am not 100% obsessed with, and I always regret it. So now that I am only working on stuff I’m psyched by, the motivation comes pretty easily.
Does more humour need to be injected into the beauty business? Why/why not?
Yew – 100 per cent. A lot of the time brands and the people who endorse those brands take themselves so bloody seriously, when really makeup is just supposed to be fun and accessible. I feel like we have really done that with the MCoBeauty campaign. From the beginning, the MCoBeauty CEO Shelley and her team were like ‘We want to do something different, something funny and we want you to just do your thing.’ And I think that is the reason why people have responded so positively to the partnership.
You have two sons with your ‘Hot Husband Api’ and are also mum to two step-daughters – how do you juggle it all?
It is a lot. I’m never on top of everything. I feel like I am constantly scrambling to keep up.
What advice would you give to future female entrepreneurs?
You are amazing, you can do this, follow your gut and just keep going.
Celeste Barber’s limited-edition makeup collection with MCoBeauty is called Big Beauty Love. The exclusive 28-piece collection, which ranges in price from $8 to $30, was designed in partnership with Barber and MCoBeauty CEO Shelley Sullivan. It is sold exclusively at Woolworths supermarkets across Australia, as well as online at MCoBeauty.