Taneesa Williamson Ella Baché celebrates 70 years of innovation mirroring Australia’s evolution and changing skin needs.
For more than seven decades, Ella Baché has been at the forefront of skincare innovation, evolving alongside the diverse and changing needs of Australians. In a country as varied as its landscapes, where climates and skin conditions differ significantly, the brand has remained committed to providing targeted solutions for every unique skin type.
With over 100 salons nationwide, Ella Baché’s products and treatments are designed to meet the specific needs of local communities. From the cooler climates of the southern states, which require intensive moisture protection, to the dryness of central and western regions, and the heightened UV exposure in the north, the brand’s offerings are as diverse as the people they serve.
A Legacy of Innovation
When beauty therapist Edith Hallas first arrived from Paris, she immediately recognised the need for skincare products tailored to Australia’s harsher climate. This insight led to the establishment of Australia’s first beauty counter at David Jones Sydney in 1954. As Ella Baché expanded through the 1970s and 1980s, awareness of the sun’s damage and the erosion of the ozone layer prompted the development of their first locally-made sun protection products, tested on the Whale Beach lifesavers.
During this period, the brand also introduced innovative products to match the growing focus on body care, such as the Great Tan Without Sun range and Botanical Oils made from Australian ingredients. This evolution reflected the cultural shift toward body positivity and the active lifestyles of Australian women, with Ella Baché supporting notable sportswomen like Australian Iron Women and sailor Jessica Watson through sponsorships and skincare products.
Addressing Modern Skin Concerns
As knowledge around food sensitivities and dietary changes grew, Ella Baché adapted its product lines to address these new concerns. The introduction of the Sensibeautics range provided solutions for conditions like “inflammaging,” while the A-beauty range, launched in 2018, incorporated natural oils to cater to those seeking gentle, yet powerful skincare.
“Skin inflammation, allergies, and sensitivities have been a focus for Ella Baché in recent years,” says Hallas. “Our salons and Australian-made products use natural ingredients such as Jojoba Seed Oil and Ginger Extract, reflecting the importance of addressing changing skin needs with gentle, effective formulations.”
Celebrating 70 Years of Heritage and Education
The success of Ella Baché is rooted in its commitment to innovation and education. Since the launch of its Beauty School in the 1960s, which has now evolved into the Ella Baché College of Skin and Beauty Therapy, the brand has been dedicated to training the next generation of skincare professionals. This year’s introduction of the Business of Beauty program continues to empower individuals to carve their own paths in the beauty industry.
“Seventy years is a wonderful milestone for Ella Baché,” reflects Hallas. “We have never deviated from Madame Baché’s mantra that no two skins are alike. We remain focused on product innovation that provides salon treatment and product solutions for all Australians as their skin needs change in line with social and climatic evolution, all while remaining true to our heritage and ethos.”
With more than 10 million jars sold of their cult-favorite Special Eye Cream, Ella Baché’s Classics range continues to be a staple for Australians. Today, the brand’s expertise forms the cornerstone of its mission to change lives and help individuals understand their skin’s unique demands, always staying true to the mantra of “being in your own skin.”
Ella Baché CEO, Pippa Hallas, shares her thoughts on the milestone.
“Our expertise in skin underpins our commitment to changing people’s lives by helping them learn what their skin needs to be healthy. Backed by decades of research and development from the last 70 years, our non-invasive personalised Skin Solutions work to improve the condition and health of the skin while delivering maximum results without the harm.
The advancements and need for re-inventions in technology have gone way beyond how we treat the skin. Whilst our business holds relationships at the heart with our customers, technology has changed the way our customers buy products, book treatments, diagnose skin, perform services, and also learn in our education centre.
We have doubled down on our investment in Technology platforms and the whole ecosystem, which has changed our client journey in and out of salons. We live in a connected world and our business is no different. Our marketing is personalised which plays to our philosophy of ‘No Two Skins are Alike’, and technology and data has meant a 1:1 communication approach is possible.
Our college students are educated on an Innovative learning platform, we were the first skin college to launch this more than a decade ago. Our model is Hybrid and many of our students continue to learn the treatments and techniques in our training centres in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Earlier this year we launched the Business of Beauty Diploma. The beauty industry is dynamic and growing, and being an entrepreneur is very appealing to many, so we combined the two skills to bring to life the new diploma. It takes just 64 weeks to complete the Business of Beauty Diploma and be industry ready.
We are more committed than ever to locally based research and development, plus to our Sydney based Manufacturing and Distribution Centre. This allows transparency, agility and to retain resilience in our business regardless of the disruptions occurring across the globe. We are proud of the fact that we have a strong French heritage and Australian business.”
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