Australian hairdressing’s leading lady, Renya Xydis brings relaxed glamour to the salon floor, never fearing a splash of pink and light glitter on the eye. Her style is modern, effortless and peppered with sweet personal rituals.

It has always been VALONZ-first for this editorial extraordinaire. A dedicated mother, businesswoman and beautiful wife, Renya has well and truly earned her products, penchants and passion for life. These are a few of her favourite things.

HAIR:

Renya sleeps with Wella SP Luxe Oil throughout her ends and then hits her roots with a dry shampoo (and more Luxe Oil) come the morning. A once-weekly-wash girl, Renya also refreshes her signature pink every week.

SKINCARE:

A self-confessed cosmetics queen, Renya puts her radiant skin down to multiple serums applied daily. She swears by CosmMedix Glow Mask followed by the new Augustinus Spray from Melanie Grant, and Dr Spiller Collagen Crème. In the evening it’s a curated concoction including SKII and the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

MAKEUP:

It’s all about Chanel makeup for Renya. Her routine starts with a Chanel foundation and soft powder followed by a Fenty concealer and Charlotte Tilbury bronzer. Eyebrows by Tom Ford and lashes by Shu Uemura. And that signature coloured pout? Charlotte Tilbury Red and YSL Soft Pink are her favourites.

EARRINGS:

Every time Renya travels to New York she adds a new ear piercing and gorgeous jewellery to fit. Each curated ear hosts a myriad of local and international designers including Chloe, By Charlotte and Maria Tash.

ZIMMERMANN:

A valued addition to the touring Zimmermann team, Renya has travelled the world directing hair for the modern bohemian campaigns we love. Beyond this connection, Renya loves the relaxed glamour of a Zimmermann piece. This pink polkadot set the perfect choice for a day at VALONZ.

TATTOOS:

A modern ritualist, Renya has just this year started a tradition whereby every Mother’s Day marks a new tattoo with her two sons. Their names’ Aiden and Paul now residing on the side of her left and right palms respectively.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN RUNNER SNEAKERS – $990

While Renya’s salon years started in heels, these days, you’ll rarely find her outside one of her 15 pairs of sneakers. Splash of pink? Even better.

THE LOCAL LIST, by Renya Xydis

TO SHOP:

Equal parts cool and chic with a dash of haute couture is the winning combination among Renya’s favourite fashion destinations. On the home front, Darlinghurst institution Desodré Boutique and Zimmermann reign supreme. Chock-full of gram-worthy garments, Desodré is a haven for the fashion set. Enter the iconic pink store and step through the looking glass into a couture wonderland. Stocking only the best, the indelible magic of Desodré imprints that je ne said quo on all guests with owner Shannon Thomas’ music roots and rebel youth stamped firmly on every square inch. Australian fashion royalty, Zimmermann is undoubtedly one of our hottest exports, the major label a fan favourite amongst fashion’s elite. With a lilt towards sophisticated femininity, the designer darling weaves delicate detailing, a love for colour and prints and timeless silhouettes. Taking things global, Renya never passes up the opportunity to spend a New York minute at Barney’s, the flagship department store on Madison Avenue presenting a luxury shopping experience like no other with a discerning edit of the world’s top designers on offer. When in LA, Melrose is the place to be with beautifier Violet Grey atop the list of must-visits.

TO EAT:

With a nod to her European heritage, Xydis’ tastebuds crave the homeland. First there is Sydney’s Apollo, the joint venture of Manly Pavilion’s Jonathan Barthelmess and Sam Christie of Longrain. The renowned restaurant showcases the fine Greek cuisine Barthelmess is known for. Think share plates of slow-cooked lamb loin served with traditional accompaniments of yoghurt (my mouth’s not watering yours is). You may also find lady Xydis at Alpha. With a nod to both traditional and contemporary Greek cuisine, the Sydney institution shows off the art of shared feasts, highlighting the generous and hospitable nature so definitive of Greek culture. Moving across the Adriatic, Renya gets her Italian fix at Paddington’s Barbetta. Like walking onto the film set of Roman Holiday, the nostalgia-filled restaurant is a mecca for all things Italian. Hot tip: The Breakfast Carbonara is a must.

TO INDULGE:

With an ever-expanding list of celebrity clientele, there’s no doubt Xydis knows a thing or two about the luxury experience. So when it comes to a little self-love, her favourite pamper parlours are noteworthy for a shared emphasis on true client indulgence. Skin saviour Melanie Grant is the guru of good skin days. Grounded in the idea of clinical beauty, Grant combines therapies with clinical products and procedures to ensure real results in blissful surrounds. Renya’s new favourite? ONDA beauty is the brainchild of co-founders Naomi Watts, Larissa Thomson and Sarah Bryden-Brown, their passion for clean beauty at the heart. The online beauty hub carefully curates its stock, selecting every product for its efficacy, purpose, scent and goodness. Insider guide from Renya, book in for a facial with Gabriella at SALON X SKIN.  Head beauty therapist Gabriella Menegon working her magic on faces such as Cate Blanchet, Ricky Martin and Toni Collette.

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