Latest news with #Gem
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Your siblings don't define you': These twins took their own singular directions
When I'm overseas, I call her once or twice every day and at home we still have sleepovers; just jumping in with each other for a chat until late into the night. Debriefing with someone who knows you so well just makes you feel better. We go for a walk whenever we can, too, but Gem's got a terrible sense of direction, which annoys me. The other day, we walked to the coffee shop we've been going to for 20 years, then we went to leave and she walked the wrong way. How is that even possible? Everyone used to just see us as 'the twins', which invites comparisons, and I think Gem found that hard. As teenagers, our older sister, Sunday, was a world-class trampolinist, and I was a national-level runner, and I remember people at family events going: 'Sunday, that's amazing!' and 'Claudia, how cool!' and 'Gem, what are you up to?' That's why any time she's on stage, I'm so proud because I know how nerve-wracking it is to put yourself in front of people and perform. Whenever Gem gets up and sings, I always cry because now everyone else is seeing what I've seen for so long. Gemma: When Claudy found her love for running in primary school, we were both competitive. I'd win one race, then she would, then I would. It was always this thing – 'Which twin's gonna win?' – but I don't like running, so I dropped it while she took it to another level. When it came to choosing between studying and training, Claudy always chose training. She used to muck around and say, 'Chill out! It's just school.' She was never overly stressed, and such a socialite. Everyone loved her. Claudy can tell you her running schedule a week ahead, down to the hour, but with anything else, she's so disorganised. She loses things constantly – Airpods, make-up, shoes – and don't give her anything because you'll never get it back. She's messy, too. She won't clean until it's just a pile, like a bomb's gone off. We've probably only had one big fight. We used to skate to school and, one day, Claudy didn't bring her skateboard. I was excited to go down this big hill and she took my skateboard and went down it! I was filthy. I screamed at her, and she jumped off and hid for the rest of the walk home. I was so worried, crying, and she jumped out of the bushes to scare me and saw my tears, and she started bawling, too. It was ridiculous and over in five minutes. We both did club footy, playing Interleague, and then for the Sandringham Dragons [an AFLW feeder team], but she knew she wanted to run. I didn't get to choose. When I was 17, I snapped my ACL and MCL and couldn't walk. I remember standing outside our home in my knee brace, crying, and Claudy hugging me. Claudy is an amazing athlete, but the pressure she puts on herself can be overwhelming, and so for her to have someone who's separate from that – not a teammate, coach or parent – is probably special; it's someone she can vent and unload with. Every time she races, I'm super-nervous. It's almost like I'm ready to run. I was so proud of her at the 2024 National Championships in Adelaide. That moment had been building for so long and to come flying through and cross the line first – the best 800-metre runner in Australia – I just died. Loading There were moments, being in that box with high-achieving sisters, where you feel like you have to match these people performing on the world stage. That's why I tried so many things – I had this need to put my fingers in every pie – but your siblings don't define you. You can find your own way. When we shared a room, I used to run 'Gemma's singing school', where Claudy was my student and I'd get her to follow me, so she's always been my No. 1 supporter. Whenever I'm unsure of something I'm performing, or a new song I've written, I always sing it for Claudy first. I love the way it makes her smile.
The Age
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘Your siblings don't define you': These twins took their own singular directions
When I'm overseas, I call her once or twice every day and at home we still have sleepovers; just jumping in with each other for a chat until late into the night. Debriefing with someone who knows you so well just makes you feel better. We go for a walk whenever we can, too, but Gem's got a terrible sense of direction, which annoys me. The other day, we walked to the coffee shop we've been going to for 20 years, then we went to leave and she walked the wrong way. How is that even possible? Everyone used to just see us as 'the twins', which invites comparisons, and I think Gem found that hard. As teenagers, our older sister, Sunday, was a world-class trampolinist, and I was a national-level runner, and I remember people at family events going: 'Sunday, that's amazing!' and 'Claudia, how cool!' and 'Gem, what are you up to?' That's why any time she's on stage, I'm so proud because I know how nerve-wracking it is to put yourself in front of people and perform. Whenever Gem gets up and sings, I always cry because now everyone else is seeing what I've seen for so long. Gemma: When Claudy found her love for running in primary school, we were both competitive. I'd win one race, then she would, then I would. It was always this thing – 'Which twin's gonna win?' – but I don't like running, so I dropped it while she took it to another level. When it came to choosing between studying and training, Claudy always chose training. She used to muck around and say, 'Chill out! It's just school.' She was never overly stressed, and such a socialite. Everyone loved her. Claudy can tell you her running schedule a week ahead, down to the hour, but with anything else, she's so disorganised. She loses things constantly – Airpods, make-up, shoes – and don't give her anything because you'll never get it back. She's messy, too. She won't clean until it's just a pile, like a bomb's gone off. We've probably only had one big fight. We used to skate to school and, one day, Claudy didn't bring her skateboard. I was excited to go down this big hill and she took my skateboard and went down it! I was filthy. I screamed at her, and she jumped off and hid for the rest of the walk home. I was so worried, crying, and she jumped out of the bushes to scare me and saw my tears, and she started bawling, too. It was ridiculous and over in five minutes. We both did club footy, playing Interleague, and then for the Sandringham Dragons [an AFLW feeder team], but she knew she wanted to run. I didn't get to choose. When I was 17, I snapped my ACL and MCL and couldn't walk. I remember standing outside our home in my knee brace, crying, and Claudy hugging me. Claudy is an amazing athlete, but the pressure she puts on herself can be overwhelming, and so for her to have someone who's separate from that – not a teammate, coach or parent – is probably special; it's someone she can vent and unload with. Every time she races, I'm super-nervous. It's almost like I'm ready to run. I was so proud of her at the 2024 National Championships in Adelaide. That moment had been building for so long and to come flying through and cross the line first – the best 800-metre runner in Australia – I just died. Loading There were moments, being in that box with high-achieving sisters, where you feel like you have to match these people performing on the world stage. That's why I tried so many things – I had this need to put my fingers in every pie – but your siblings don't define you. You can find your own way. When we shared a room, I used to run 'Gemma's singing school', where Claudy was my student and I'd get her to follow me, so she's always been my No. 1 supporter. Whenever I'm unsure of something I'm performing, or a new song I've written, I always sing it for Claudy first. I love the way it makes her smile.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gig workers coalition welcomes RON95 price reduction, toll freeze
KUALA LUMPUR: The eHailing Malaysia Coalition (Gem) has welcomed the government's announcement on the reduction of RON95 petrol price and the continuation of current toll rates, calling it a positive step that offers temporary relief to gig workers. Gem chief activist Jose Rizal said the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would slightly ease the daily cost burden faced by e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, many of whom operate on tight margins. "Alhamdulillah, Gem welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement on the RON95 price reduction and toll rate retention. It is a positive move that brings some relief to the e-hailing and p-hailing community in dealing with daily cost pressures," he told the New Straits Times. Earlier, Anwar announced that toll rates for 10 highways would remain unchanged this year. The price of RON95 petrol will also be reduced to RM1.99 per litre when fuel subsidies are rationalised. However, Jose said the impact of the government's move remained relative and subjective, given that wage rates were still dictated by platform companies and regulated by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) under the Transport Ministry. "To date, Apad continues to be seen as rigid and unresponsive to our many demands," he said. He said what the community truly needed was a structural change in wage protection, and urged the government to fast-track the tabling of the Gig Workers' Bill 2025. "Gem places high hopes on the Human Resources Ministry and the commitment of Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong to table the Gig Workers Bill in the upcoming Parliament sitting. We believe this can be a real game changer for the future of the gig economy and its workers," he said. Jose added that gig workers continued to face income instability due to a lack of formal wage protection, and called for stronger regulatory intervention to ensure fairer treatment by digital platforms.
7NEWS
4 days ago
- 7NEWS
Best beauty travel essentials: Bon Patch, Rationale, Maison Louis Marie and more
When packing for your upcoming trip, essentials like passports, charging cables and adaptor plugs are a given, but don't forget to make room for your beauty products. Rather than lugging a full size bottle of shampoo and conditioner across the globe, there are plenty of mini-size formulas that take up less room and abide to plane liquid restriction rules too. From body cleansers to perfume oils, there's an abudance of travel-friendly beauty products across hair, skin and overall wellness that can be packed into your carry-on case — fuss free. We've rounded up the best of the bunch for your next vacay. 1. BonPatch Jetset Sleep and Vitality, was $100 now $75 at Bon Patch BonPatch's JETSET duo is the ultimate travel companion for any upcoming holiday — especially if you have a jam-packed itinerary from the moment you land. Combining two of the brands best-sellers, SLEEP helps you to relax in transit, while VITALITY supports energy levels from the moment you touchdown in a new city. Simply peel, stick and wear for up to 24 hours. 2. Rationale The Discovery Travel Kit, $496 at Rationale Looking for some luxe new additions for your beauty regime? We've found them — and in mini form too. Rationale's six-step beauty ritual includes everything you need for an AM and PM skincare routine, consisting of serums, creams and the award-winning cleanser. All in mini sizes (there's nothing over 50ml), the Discovery Travel Kit even comes with a luxe pouch so you can transport your essentials in style. 3. Maison Louis Marie Perfume Oil Discovery Set, $93 at Sephora Rather than decanting your favourite fragrance into a travel-friendly bottle, treat yourself to a new set of roll on perfume oils for your next vacay. Maison Louis Marie's Discovery Set is a best-seller for a reason, offering five popular scents in a mini roller for your pulse points (chest, neck and wrists). Declared as 'fantastic' by shoppers, there's a range of different fragrances to suit your mood. 4. OUAI Wanna Get A Ouai Kit Mini, $63 at Sephora There's nothing better than a post-ocean shower — especially when you're on holiday. But to crank it up a notch, you need some luxe products on hand. OUAI, best-known for their hair products created by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, has a range of travel-friendly skin and body essentials too. Wanna Get A Ouai Kit contains a body cleanser, creme, and mist to keep skin feeling silky smooth while you're away from home. 5. Gem Skin-Loving Roll-On, $5.50 at Gem Jam-packed with all the good ingredients like hyaluronic acid shea butter and vitamin E, shoppers can't get enough of Gem's Skin-Loving Roll-on antiperspirant. Perfect for keeping odors at bay with up to 48 hours of protection, the 50ml size is perfect for taking on your travels. Available in three of the brand's best-selling scents, choose from Santal, Coconut Vanilla and Vanilla Macadamia. 6. Benefit Cosmetics Once Upon A Beauty Moon Bestsellers, $85 at Sephora Benefit Cosmetics are experts when it comes to beauty on the go, and the Once Upon A Beauty Moon gift set has all of our favourite products bundled into one. Containing the viral Badgal Bang mascara, Benetint, and mini-size Hoola bronzer, you can go from bare-faced to a sun-kissed glam in as little as five minutes.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Finally, a women's razor that's actually as good as a man's
If you had told me as a teenager – awkward, Greek, and growing hair well before anyone else in my class – that one day I'd genuinely be excited about a razor, I would've laughed. From an early age, shaving always felt more like something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. I would eye off my dad's razor brand, only to sneak one into mum's shopping trolley when she wasn't looking. Now, as an adult, I've been known to 'borrow' my husband's men's-grade blades for myself. They've just always felt sharper, more solid, and simply better for my thick, dark hair, which I've been genetically blessed with. Women's razors, on the other hand, have always seemed more like an afterthought – ultralight and flimsy, not particularly sharp, and always a ton more expensive. The condescending 'pink tax' has never felt more obvious than when looking through the shaving aisle in the supermarket. Rows of razors in feminine shades, promising a 'smooth' and 'silky' experience, but what they actually deliver is just ingrowns. And I'm not the only one who has been fed up with this mediocrity. Georgia Geminder, the founder of Aussie personal care brand Gem, tells she saw the same gap. 'There's always been this unspoken belief that men need a 'tougher' shave, and so the industry has historically prioritised blade sharpness and durability for men's razors – while women's razors focus more on aesthetics or comfort,' she said. 'What's frustrating is that women deserve both: performance and beauty.' She wanted to bring something 'innovative, different and millennial-focused' to market, with thoughtful ingredients, beautiful packaging, while still keeping the price accessible. And she did just that. Earlier this month, Gem launched its 'category-disrupting razors' and shaving gels into Coles, after two years in the making. And fans of the brand are already going crazy for them, with one product selling every minute. When I spotted them on the shelves, I was so curious to try them out, having already been converted to their delicious-smelling deodorants. In my eyes, Gem can do no wrong, but having been burned in the past by so many women's shaving brands, I approached with caution. However, after using the Skin-Loving Shaving Kit, which retails for $20, I've fallen in love. It features a durable razor infused with Hyaluronic Acid, vitamin E, and Aloe Vera, a chic holder for the shower and a blade refill. The razor itself feels luxurious in both design and weight, and the five sharp blades and pivoting head gave me the smoothest shave I've ever had. When used with the Skin-Loving Shaving Gel, $10, which lathered generously, my shave lasted about two weeks. Usually, I'm back at it every few days. My husband even commented on how smooth my legs were, which, to be fair, is a rare occurrence (that I have smooth legs, not that he complimented me!). While you might be thinking, 'So what? It's just a razor.' For me, this feels revolutionary to my beauty routine. If you've been anywhere on TikTok recently, you'll have seen that shaving is having a moment right now and being rebranded as 'self-care'. And after using the Gem razor, I'm fully on board with this idea … that shaving can be something we can actually take pleasure in. It's one of those small luxuries that can make a world of difference to your confidence, without involving an expensive, multi-step routine. As Ms Geminder puts it: 'What once felt like a chore is now an opportunity to pause, reset, and feel good in your skin. 'The rise of self-care culture has encouraged people to romanticise the 'mundane' and shaving is the perfect example. 'When you're using beautifully-scented products, enriched with skin-loving ingredients, it becomes less about just hair removal and more about creating a moment for yourself.' It's not just Gem that has realised women want 'tougher' shaves, with other brands also reclaiming this traditionally unsexy ritual, making it feel relevant again. Recent statistics show the Australian shaving market valued at over $528 million in 2024 and expected to reach $785 million by 2034. While a survey from Philips found more than half of women (53 per cent) head to the men's aisle for their shaving needs. For me, Gem razors have made shaving less of a hassle and more of a ritual I actually look forward to. No more waiting for my 'everything shower' to feel put together – because now having smooth legs is an everyday thing. It's about time.
