Tulita is Lucy Bradshaw’s love letter to scent, ritual, and feeling good, all without compromise.
Name: Lucy Bradshaw
Pronouns: She/Her
Day job: Founder of Tulita & Mumma
Location: Melbourne
Your background spans beauty, yoga and brand building. What connects it all?
I have always been subconsciously drawn to the essence of elevating mood, whether it be an amazing lipstick, a powerful pranayama practice, or now mood-enhancing natural fragrances. It’s special to feel a small part of someone’s joy.
Why fragrance? What pulled you in?
During my fertility journey, I wanted all-natural beauty products, especially natural fragrance, as I was researching so much about the hormone-disrupting toxins and chemicals. But I struggled to find an all-natural option that felt on par with my luxury fragrances. From there, the inspiration sparked, and the extra magic of chakra balancing came from my teachings as a yoga teacher and the energetic work I was already weaving into my classes. The fusion of crystals, botanicals, and scent was meant to be; the rest is history.
What’s the biggest myth about natural perfume?
That they don’t last or they are not luxurious. This is my mission, as it's all just about quality, skill, and craftsmanship. Only the most skilled perfumers can work with plant-based ingredients, and during the creative process, my brief was to create the natural fragrance that would convert the savviest luxe fragrance lover. We also doubled the concentration of our essential ingredients to ensure long wear on the skin (but without the harmful chemicals).
Endocrine disruptors: how serious are they, and what should we watch for?
The key ingredient to look out for is phytates. They are in most synthetic fragrances, and sadly, it’s really hard to check because the fragrance industry doesn’t require companies to disclose their full ingredient list. This is why I would recommend an all-plant-based or natural product to be safe, not just "clean." Phytates are like a plastic lasting agent - they bind to the skin to help the scent last. But when absorbed into the bloodstream, they wreak havoc on the internal hormone system.
How does yoga shape your approach to life and work?
It allows me to help shift stagnant energy, welcome new energy, and reflect and consider deeply. I value these moments of deep reflection, as I’m on a quest for evolution, curiosity, and discovery. This requires me to stop, listen, and learn as much as possible. Yoga gives me this space.
Can fragrance help with hormones or PMS?
Switching to natural fragrance removes a huge toxic load, which will likely lead to more regular periods.
Ginger, Fennel, Cumin, and Coriander are all great botanicals to integrate during your cycle. Agati is a really wonderful scent of ours that incorporates many of these ingredients.
Is the beauty industry really going clean, or just rebranding?
The challenge lies in the definition of “clean,” which is completely undefined and unregulated. So, brands interpret their own definition, which makes it so hard for the consumer to navigate. For one big brand, “clean” could mean no parabens but yes to everything else: for me, clean means only using plant-based ingredients. But sadly, this will likely not hit mainstream commercial brands, as it’s just too expensive to manufacture in that way.
Where should someone start if they want to switch to cleaner products?
There are some great clean beauty stores emerging that curate only the best clean options. The Yuka app can also be a great place to assess the toxicity of your current beauty cupboard and prioritise where to start switching.
Best wellness advice you’ve ever received?
No one can do you better than you. (simple & liberating).
What’s your go-to period self-care ritual?
I tune into my cycle within my business and home life. Days 1-2 are typically very inward-focused. I seek nourishment, full rest, and warmth, and I keep my workload to a minimum. I avoid cold and raw foods and drink ginger tea. Days 3-5, I tap into my creative feminine energy, and this is usually when I do my best work creatively.
Why are periods still so taboo?
I honestly don’t know, other than we should be celebrating this reminder of all the things women are building, creating, cultivating, and growing internally and externally. I sense some shift; some wonderful ethical companies I admire offer menstrual leave for employees on the first day of their cycle, and if anything, this is a small level of acknowledgement of its existence in a business space.
If every womxn was listening, what’s the one health message you’d share?
Love fully, laugh hysterically, cry unapologetically, wear sunscreen, and avoid synthetic fragrance.
YOUR WISHLIST RIGHT NOW...
- TO HEAR… Jazz in my favourite bar in Paris
- TO SEE… The Bolshoi performing Swan Lake
- TO HOLD… My kids, always
- TO VISIT… Mount Hakusan, Japan
- TO SMELL… Any plant, flower, or botanical I haven’t smelled before. Scent is my superpower, and I love filling it with new inspiration.
- TO TASTE… My hubby’s truffle pasta.
