We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with damaging chemicals. So that’s why mother-of-three Tania Walsh created Vani-T, an organic, chemical-free beauty range, famous for their Liquid Sun tanning range and loved by Kate Ceberano, Holly Brisley and other celebs. Rescu. caught up with Tania as she celebrated the first birthday of her first Vani-T Room concept store.
RESCU: What is your professional background?
Tania Walsh: “From a very young age, I was interested in beauty. As a teenager, I would make my own lip balms with botanical butters and essential oils. I began my career in the beauty industry when I was 17, selling luxury fragrances for four years, after which I enrolled to do a beauty therapy course. After five years as a beauty therapist, I opened my own beauty college in South Australia. I also studied for several cosmetic chemistry courses during this time as I had a thirst for knowledge and understanding ingredients.
During this time, spray tanning was introduced to the Australian market, so I searched for the best tanning solution that I could train the students with. I tried over 60 products from around the world and I still couldn’t find one that met my expectations. I approached a cosmetic formulator who had vast experience creating formulas for leading international beauty brands. I wanted a spray tan that wasn’t laden with chemicals; that faded evenly; that didn’t dry the skin; didn’t have the typical tan odour and that also acted as a skin treatment. In 2004, after 28 attempts – Liquid Sun was born and so began Vani-T.”
RESCU: What made you set-up Vani-T?
Tania Walsh: “I didn’t set out to create a beauty company. I created Liquid Sun purely out of the desire to offer my students a product that I believed in. Word spread very quickly and within four months, I had enquiries from the USA asking where they could buy it. Since then there has been a growing demand for natural and organic products and Vani-T has continued to grow.”
RESCU: What inspires you about the beauty industry?
Tania Walsh: “I’m inspired by the innovation, the continuous technological and scientific advances within the industry. I love making products that empower women by making them feel and look beautiful.
The beauty industry is continually evolving, and cosmeceutical and nutraceutical formulas are blurring the line between science and beauty. It’s an industry that is always advancing and an exciting one to be a part of.”
RESCU: What does your day typically involve?
Tania Walsh: “With three children and a growing business, it can certainly prove to be a juggling act! Lucky for me, I have a very supportive family.
A typical day will involve getting to work between 9 and 10am, answering emails, attending meetings, marketing and financial report/plans, phone calls, R&D [research and development], assessing formulations, trialling samples, approving print samples… the list goes on.
Each day is so exciting because there is always something new to do. I would generally leave work at about 6pm, go home for dinner and spend some time with the children. Once they are asleep, I’m back on the computer and working again until 12 or 1am communicating with our international distributors/suppliers and catching up on work I couldn’t get to during the day.”
RESCU: What motivates you?
Tania Walsh: “I am motivated to do what I can for the environment, educating consumers about natural and organic ingredients and encouraging people to make choices which will help the world in which we live.
I also strongly believe in giving back, so we have a lot of charities which we donate to help make a difference.”
RESCU: What are you excited about?
Tania Walsh: “Our first concept store, the Vani-T Room, in Westfield Marion, South Australia, recently celebrated its first birthday. This represents a milestone for Vani-T as we never expected to have a successful concept store up and running only six years after launching the brand.
The store stocks all Vani-T products including Vani-T Bodywear, a range of bath and at-home tanning products, Krush Mineral Make-up, Gloss Clip-In Hair Extensions and Pure White Teeth Whitening Gloss. The Vani-T Room also received the Westfield Design Award for ‘Best kiosk for the quarter nationally’.”
RESCU: What are your top tips for Spring Racing?
Tania Walsh: “To get a streak-free tan, whether you visit a salon or self tan, follow these simple steps for a longer-lasting, more even colour:
- Create a perfect canvas – remove existing dry, dead skin by loofahing or using a body scrub.
- Make sure you choose the right colour for your skin tone – try not to go too dark so it looks natural.
- Having a tan as close to showering as possible as your skin PH level is at its peak.
- Making sure you are touch dry before dressing.
Wearing mineral make-up to the races will provide truly amazing benefits for all skin types that lasts all day. Use a mineral make up to get weightless, long-lasting coverage. Krush Mineral make-up offers:
- Concealer, foundation, powder and chemical free natural sunscreen all in one!
- Light refractive quality diminishes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, freckles and pigmentation.
- Anti-ageing, hypo-allergenic and anti-inflammatory formula.”
RESCU: What are your favourite brands?
Tania Walsh: “Favourite haircare – Davroe organic haircare range. It leaves my hair looking soft and shiny without all the chemicals typical in other hair products.
Favourite fashion labels – I love Wish and Seduce… but also love Fila or Running Bare for workout gear.
Favourite fragrance – Dolce & Gabbana Red and Lolita Lempicka …fragrances can really make you feel incredible!”
For more info about Vani-T or to browse their products and services, go to https://www.vani-t.com/
And if you’re in South Australia, visit the Vani-T store at Westfield Marion:
Store K106, Level 1.
297 Diagonal Rd
Oaklands Park, SA, 5046
Phone: (08) 8358 2377