Where better to find fresh beauty and style inspiration than from OFF & ON Country Manager Hayley Williams. With a career in what is possibly the fastest-paced industry, she has worked on glamour brands such as M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone, along with some of New Zealand's brightest minds and most prominent celebrities. From the tools, she's never without to the make-up brands she loves and how a blended family has taught her valuable life lessons. Here you can step into her gorgeous home and covet her exquisite style by editor Trudi Brewer.
Hayley Williams in her family living room wearing an Aje linen dress, Chloè wedge sandals and Balenciaga vintage gold necklace.
Known for her honest approach to beauty and sound business acumen, Williams is a beauty expert. Lucky enough to be able to road-test all the latest products and treatments in her role as Country Manager for one of New Zealand most successful beauty destinations, OFF & ON, she knows what works and what to invest in when it comes to style and confidence. We sat down with her to talk about all things beauty – from top advice to the products she's never without while on a tour of her beautiful family home. Read on to learn more.
Career
What's been your career high to date, and what do you still dream of achieving?
I've been fortunate; there's been a few. I worked with Jo Malone in London on her exquisite fragrance brand, and a definite highlight was becoming the Brand General Manager for MAC Cosmetics. Recently I took over the reins as country manager of OFF & ON, bringing brow grooming essentials and cosmetic medicine solutions in a super approachable way to women of all ages. In terms of what's next, I would like to write a book on becoming a solid blended family; from my experiences, I have discovered so many families in need of support.
What's a typical working day for you?
These days it's pretty different working from home. First, I'm up early with my husband Cam and puppy Hawk walking before a coffee outside on the deck. However, I still like some professional routine in the morning, so I shower and put on makeup just like I was heading to the office. Then it's a raft of Zoom meetings before ending the day with a boxing class.
What have you been most surprised by working in the beauty industry?
I thought I would get to a stage where the excitement for new treatments and products fades, but it never has. Instead, innovation in the beauty industry is constant and impressive.
If you could choose one lesson you have learned in business to pass on, what would that be?
Build a great team of loyal and smart people; a leader is only as good as the team that surrounds you.
Williams in her home office.
Beauty
Who is your beauty icon, and why?
Sophia Lauren and Dita von Teese, both exotic, sexy yet elegant.
What's the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do before you go to sleep?
Wish that I had more hours to sleep.
What are your secrets to staying healthy and looking great?
Jazz hands, the reality is that I could do better. So I've currently been working out online with Shadowcamps, a fantastic program for women run by two of the best, Moni Meredith and Amy McCully. It's a holistic, online personal training session that covers everything from shadow boxing to mental wellbeing - I'm hooked.
When you're tired or feeling rundown: what is your best beauty hack?
Estèe Lauder Advanced Night Repair eye masks are game-changing. Adashiko Ultra Collagen, a beauty treatment from the inside out. And when all else fails – MAC Studio Fix 24 Hour Smooth Wear Concealer - it works wonders.
What are your favourite beauty buys?
Revitalash Serum and Mascara – both have transformed my lashes.
OFF & ON – Brow Fixx, it's excellent for brow hair hold without stiffness and Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus for my skin.
Williams makeup and fragrance collection in her custom-built dressing room, made by her dad.
What is the best advice on beauty you've received?
The eyebrows frame the face. So invest time getting your brows professionally measured and groomed to get the right shape to suit your face. I'm a big fan of the OFF & ON Brow Lift when it comes to brows; for me, the fluffier they are, the better.
What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?
Botox, unashamedly.
Do you have a makeup routine you follow?
I've used the same foundation for about 25 years, MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation; other than that, I try to mix it up, particularly with eyeshadow colours. I will always dress my brows and apply a slick of mascara regardless of what I am doing day-to-day.
What would we find in your makeup bag?
Too much. Having worked in the cosmetic industry my entire career, I have never lost the excitement of trying something new.
What's your favourite fragrance?
TOM FORD Tobacco & Oud, in fact, any fragrance from TOM FORD, I'm obsessed.
“I would like to write a book on becoming a solid blended family; from my experiences, I have discovered so many families in need of support.”
Williams in the garden with her puppy Hawk, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Home
How would you describe your home?
Ours. It reflects my style and is a place my family enjoy being together.
What do you think makes a great interior?
A space that reflects your style and not someone else.
Are you a neutral or colour girl when it comes to interior style?
I'm more of a neutral girl but variations on that theme, with cinnamon, tan, gold, tobacco, and marble shades.
What's your most treasured possession?
My marble pedestal. It used to sit in my family homestead in Ponsonby. My great grandparents bought it with them from Greece.
What's your favourite room in your home?
My dressing room, which my dad lovingly built for me.
What do you collect?
Snake anything. Lamps, candle holders, cushions, jewellery it's an obsession of mine.
What makes a house a home?
Laughter, with a policy that welcomes everyone into our home.
Fashion
What is your fashion weakness?
Shoes, glorious shoes (and bikinis).
What is your one fashion indulgence?
I'm not sure; I've ever just stopped at one, but possibly handbags.
William’s in her living room wearing her Zimmermann pantsuit with her most treasured possession the vintage marble pedestal.
“Always accessorise - for me the devil is in the details. ”
What are your favourite local and international fashion designers?
I adore Zoe & Morgan's beautiful jewellery; my collection has meaning and heart. Mahsa, for the best shirts ever. Zimmerman. Each piece is an investment, but they never date. I'm still wearing those buys I purchased fifteen years ago, and Aje, for the best puffy statement sleeve.
Best fashion tip?
Always accessorise - for me the devil is in the detail.
Williams fashion and fragrance collection in her custom built dressing room off the master bedroom.
And discover her French beauty brand that has just launched in NZ.