How Imbibe Living's Felicity Evans Balances Work, Motherhood, and Staying Healthy
Welcome to Bedtime Stories, an interview series where we ask inspiring individuals to share their nighttime routine and sleep secrets – from the beauty products they can’t live without to the tricks they swear by when they’re too tired to function (no coffee needed). For this instalment, founder of clean beauty brand Imbibe Living, Felicity Evans, shares how she manages to stay on top of work, be a mother, and prioritise her health.
Life as a mum, particularly with a newborn is a fulltime job in itself, but for Felicity Evans it's one of two jobs she juggles on a daily basis. The founder of Byron Bay-based clean beauty brand, Imbibe Living, is a strong female figure whose story provides a lesson in resilience and turning your goals into a reality.
After being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that was affecting nearly every aspect of her life and reaching breaking point in her wellness journey, Felicity took things into her own hands and created Imbibe Living. The idea was born out of a need for clean, effective and clinically performing products that actually worked. Driven by efficacy, naturally-sourced ingredients, clean design, science-backed formulations and sustainable choices, Imbibe has now grown into the inner beauty, skincare and sexual wellness powerhouse it is today.
As someone who has struggled with and been frustrated by her health issues, Felicity understands the importance of looking after herself even when busy. Below, we chat with Felicity about how she navigates the chaos of owning a business, being a mum of three, and prioritising her health.
Hi Felicity! Welcome to Bedtime Stories. Can you walk us through your bedtime routine? Walk us through your bedtime ritual.
With a new baby in the house I try to get to bed as early as I can - in a best case scenario by 9pm - because I never know what type of night I’m going to have. Sometimes I can be up feeding 6-7 times a night! Not fun!
With three daughters it's often a merry-go-round of homework, dinner, cleaning up, hot tea, a documentary, more tea, stories, bathtime, cleaning up, and then finally a deep exhale. Often my older daughters aren’t in bed until 9pm so sometimes I just have to close my bedroom door and let them wind down whilst I get some shut eye with the baby - she sleeps in a bassinet next to my bed.
I would love to say I have a specific bedtime ritual and maybe one day when my kids are older I’ll have some space to create more of an extended ritual but for now, I just have to go with the chaos.
Among the chaos, there are some things I always do, without fail. I turn my phone off as early as possible in the evening to allow my nervous system to have a breather. Pinging phone? No good for sleep or stress.
Then, I always have a glass of our vegan immunity and collagen protecting formula, Protect, while I try to disconnect from the world with a book (At the moment I’m loving Just Like You by Nick Hornby - but anything juicy will do). Protect is a super delicious drink that helps heal the gut and promote collagen formation - it also contains adaptogens which help to manage cortisol so it’s perfect pre-sleep. If I want something a little warmer - I make a cinnamon and collagen laced hot cacao with honey.
Lastly, our skin repairs and rejuvenates while we sleep (there’s a reason they call it Beauty Sleep) , so I always take a minute to saturate my skin with natural serums and oils - at the moment my favourite is our Collagen Protect Oil Serum - which I follow up with a bit of facial lymphatic drainage using Imbibe’s Sculpting tool. It’s my 30 second at-home facial that makes me look as though I’ve had a full night's sleep!
What sleep or beauty products do you swear by that you won’t go a night without?
Our Collagen Restore gel-serum and Collagen Protect oil-serum followed by our Sculpting vibrating Beauty Tool is my ride-or-die ritual. These products have literally changed my skin, keeping it plump, buoyant and luminous - No easy task when I’m so sleep deprived!
I also enjoy using a linen eye mask to help keep me asleep for longer and keep the light to a minimum.
Randomly, I bought my baby a red night light that makes the sound of the ocean when you turn it on and now I can't seem to get to sleep without it on!
What is your solution for those nights you simply can’t nod off to sleep?
I bought some melatonin homeopathic drops from my local health food store. It only takes 4 drops under the tongue (sometimes I double the dose!) I also make a warm macadamia mylk drink with honey and vanilla and eat some toast with salt and butter. This combo tends to send me into a deep slumber pretty quickly.
If this really doesn’t work, it’s back on with the reading lamp and I pick my book back up - reading is a failsafe to lull me into sleep.
What time does your alarm go off in the morning? Walk us through your morning routine.
My alarm is my 6 month old baby, our Chocolate Labrador and two older children! My baby gets me up at around 5/6am then it’s straight to breastfeed her and then either a pour over coffee with Collagen at home or matcha made with coconut mylk and honey (Again with the Collagen) - I'm a hot drinks fanatic.
Afterwards it’s all systems go to walk the dog, feed my three daughters, make all the lunches, get them ready for school and onto the bus by 8.15am! Usually I have breakfast around 9/10am.
What are three things (besides coffee) that help when you’re too tired to function?
1. A 2-minute cold shower.2. A blast of cardio (and/or or Beyonce).
3. Dark Chocolate.
What do you normally eat for breakfast to kickstart your day?
This depends on the season, the day and my diary. At the moment I try to load up on protein and fat, especially as I am breastfeeding. So either it’s a smoothie with Miracle Collagen, nuts, chia seeds and berries or a cooked breakfast of eggs, avocado and some gluten free toast with hemp seed oil and Himalayan pink salt. I also generally make a hot adaptogenic ceremonial cacao and have this with my brekkie - keeps me going for the morning and makes me feel so good!
What are your top tips for hitting the reset button?
Go away on an adventure and turn the phone off! Never underestimate the power of presence and adventure. Even just for a weekend. Getting out and doing something you’ve never done before or been before is a sure way to reset. Maybe that's a surf lesson, or a stand up paddle board lesson. Maybe it's doing a pottery course or going to a new art gallery. Anything that you've never done before, or loved doing as a kid is a great way to hit the happiness and reset button.
For more from Imbibe Living, follow their Instagram @imbibeliving