Self Confidence & Skincare with Melanie Schilling

You may know Melanie Schilling as one of the experts on Channel Nine’s hit (and sometimes controversial) TV show, Married at First Sight, but there is a WHOLE lot more to Mel than her experience in the psychology of love.

With two decade's experience in both the corporate and therapeutic arenas, Mel is a specialist in human behaviour and performance.

Most recently, she's used her experience to create the free video interview series, Corona Confidence, to help us all thrive during iso and has some really exciting work in the pipeline focussing on how we can all build our confidence and courage in day-to-day life.

Pink Hibiscus: What is your greatest achievement? 

Melanie: Creating my own path into a television career, my way, on my terms.  

I grew up on stage, as a dancer, actor and later, a choreographer.  When I became a psychologist I vowed that I would find a way to blend my two passions – performing and psychology.  Over my 15-year career I knocked on doors, applied for opportunities, networked, auditioned, and faced constant REJECTION.  I couldn’t even get an agent as I was considered a ‘nobody’.  I was waiting for the right opportunity to come along and became so frustrated that it just didn’t seem to exist.

So I just kept plugging away, gradually building up a small portfolio of TV appearances and expert commentary in the media.  Over time, I developed a (tiny) reputation as one of the go-to psychologists for media comment in Australia.  But this wasn’t enough for me.

It wasn’t until I shifted my mindset, in fact, tipped it on its head, that my ‘luck’ began to change.  I’m a great believer that we create our own luck and when I chose to take control of my own destiny, to get proactive rather than reactive, I noticed that people started responding differently to me.

Rather than waiting for the next opportunity to fall into my lap, I took the reigns. 

After watching the first season of Married At First Sight, I thought to myself “I could do this”. 

With the support of my sister and partner (cheer squad) I leveraged the relationships I had developed in the TV industry and managed to connect with the people who were casting the show. 

I pitched myself into an existing, fully cast, production.  There was NO JOB VACANCY.  Rather than seeing this as a barrier, I looked past it and focused on all the value I could add to the program, I saw benefits and opportunities rather than blocks.

We’re one of the highest rating shows on Australian television.  I am contacted weekly by journalists in every realm for comment and am considered THE go-to expert on psychology and dating in Australia. 

So, I would say my greatest achievement has been having the courage to back myself and the belief that I am no better or worse than anyone else, but just as capable (and probably twice as determined).  This sense of achievement feels extra sweet now that I’m a mama of a 2 year old girl and I’m paving the way for her to believe she can do and be anything she wants.

Pink Hibiscus: What is the best skincare advice you've been given?

Melanie: Keep drinking water!

Pink Hibiscus: What is the one skincare product you can’t live without and why?

Melanie: Gradual tan moisturiser - I feel so much more alive and bright with a touch of tan on my face, neck and décolletage 

Pink Hibiscus: What does your morning skincare routine look like?

Melanie: Exfoliate in the shower, hydrating serum (allow to absorb while I make tea), moisturiser with SPF, tinted moisturiser, bronzer, mascara, dry shampoo, mum bun - GO!

Pink Hibiscus: What does your evening skincare routine look like?

Melanie: Hydrating serum, rose-hip oil for my eye area and cuticles, Pink Hibiscus Clear Quartz Facial Spritz, hair mask

Pink Hibiscus: If we were to take a sneak peek into your handbag right now, what beauty products would we find?

Melanie: paw paw ointment, breath mints, water bottle, cold sore cream (just in case), tinted lip balm with SPF, nail file, mini perfume, hair elastic

Pink Hibiscus: What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Melanie: Wear sunscreen on your face - every. single. day.

Pink Hibiscus: What is your favourite Pink Hibiscus product?

Melanie: The Clear Quartz Facial Spritz - I love it!

Pink Hibiscus: What is the greatest lesson you have learned? 

Melanie: To trust my gut.

If I’m really honest with myself, I would say that the majority of the ‘oh shit’ moments in my life and career have occurred when I haven’t listened to my intuition.  

We are constantly bombarded with other people’s opinions and expectations, and social media has only compounded this.  It’s so easy to get caught up in ‘comparisonitis’ and before long, we lose sight of what WE actually think, feel and want.

Pink Hibiscus: What is the best bit of advice you have been given? 

Melanie: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Pink Hibiscus: What inspires you? 

Melanie: Women who do their work-out early in the morning!  I really admire those busy, passionate women who commit to their fitness goals and get active early morning, then get on with their day.  

Pink Hibiscus: What is your biggest hope for women in the future? 

Melanie: That we can stand on the shoulders of the women who have gone before us. I really want us to learn from the experience of trailblazers and take responsibility for our own success.  This means stepping up, standing out and being brave enough to take risks.

To keep up to date with Melanie, head to her website or Instagram page!