As part of the inaugural Bianca Spender Suncare Awareness campaign, we are proud to join voices with RAAIE Founder, Katey Mandy, whose brand is built on the belief that sun protection should be more than an afterthought – it should be a daily act of self-care.

RAAIE reimagines SPF not as a seasonal necessity but as a ritual of protection and preservation, blending science and sensorial beauty to empower conscious choices. In conversation with Katey, we explore why reframing sun safety is so vital, what small steps consumers can take each day, and how embracing suncare as a ritual can create lasting change for our skin and our health.

Scroll on to dive into Katey’s insights on sun, skin, and the power of daily protection.

RAAIE IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF SUN PROTECTION AS SELF-CARE. CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND AND WHY YOU CHOSE TO CENTRE IT AROUND SUNCARE?

“I grew up in New Zealand, under one of the harshest UV environments in the world and where I learned early on that sun protection is non-negotiable. It was only when I later lived abroad in London and New York, that I was struck by how often SPF was treated as a seasonal extra, reserved only for holidays. With RAAIE, I set out to change that conversation, and to reimagine sun protection not as a chore, but as a daily ritual of self-care and preservation. That meant creating formulas that aren’t just protective, but a joy to use; light, sensorial textures that you actually look forward to applying each morning. Because daily habits stick when they’re something you actually enjoy.”

MANY PEOPLE THINK OF SPF AS SOMETHING RESERVED FOR SUMMER OR THE BEACH. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO REFRAME SUN PROTECTION AS A YEAR-ROUND, DAILY RITUAL?

“The sun doesn’t take a break. UVA damage builds up quietly, day after day - even in winter, even when it’s cloudy, even on those short walks to the car. That’s why SPF shouldn’t be seen as something for summer, but as a simple act of daily care. It’s not about fear, it’s about protecting the skin you’ll thank yourself for in the future.”

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE, AND WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THE LINK BETWEEN DAILY SUN CARE AND LONG-TERM SKIN HEALTH?

The biggest misconception is that sun damage only happens when you feel it, such as when you burn, or when the sun is strong. The truth is, 80-90% of visible skin aging is linked to cumulative sun exposure, much of it happening invisibly. I wish more people understood that even those short bursts of unprotected exposure all add up. Consistency really is everything.”

WE OFTEN THINK OF SUN DAMAGE ONLY HAPPENING AT THE BEACH OR OUTDOORS. WHAT EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES SHOULD WE BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF, AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES IN THOSE MOMENTS?

“It’s often the little moments that catch people out. Sun damage doesn’t just happen at the beach – it can reach you through glass, on cloudy days, or even while you’re dashing out to grab a coffee. All of those small exposures add up over time. The simplest way to stay protected is to make SPF the last step of your morning routine, so you’re covered no matter what the day throws at you.”

THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND EMPOWERMENT. VALUES WE KNOW RAAIE SHARES. WHY IS PARTNERING WITH BIANCA SPENDER ON THE SUNCARE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN MEANINGFUL TO YOU, AND WHAT CHANGE DO YOU HOPE IT INSPIRES?

“I deeply admire Bianca for speaking openly about her own skin cancer journey, it takes real courage to turn something so personal into a message that can help others. This cause is also close to my heart, as I recently lost a dear family friend to a quick and vicious melanoma. Partnering on this campaign is meaningful because it’s about making prevention and education accessible, not intimidating. We’re especially impressed by the complimentary in-store skin checks Bianca Spender is offering this October. They make the act of checking up simple and less of a barrier for people and that accessibility can truly save lives.”

BEYOND SUNSCREEN, WHAT OTHER CONSCIOUS CHOICES CAN PEOPLE MAKE DAILY TO HELP REDUCE THEIR RISK OF SUN DAMAGE AND SKIN CANCER?

“Think holistically. Seek shade where you can, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and avoid prolonged exposure during peak UV hours. And just as importantly, make regular skin checks part of your routine. Prevention isn’t only about what you put on your skin, it’s also about early detection and awareness of changes.”

SUN PROTECTION IS ABOUT LONG-TERM HABITS. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS ON HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT AND MOTIVATED TO MAKE SUNCARE A DAILY ACT OF SELF-CARE?

“Find joy in the ritual. For me, my morning routine is a grounding moment before the day begins – it’s not just about products, it’s about starting my day intentionally. When SPF feels like a beautiful part of that ritual, it stops being something you “should” do and becomes something you want to do. Consistency comes naturally when the ritual itself feels good.”

The Bianca Spender Suncare Awareness Campaign is grounded in tangible action. This October, we invite our community to take part:

• Complimentary in-store skin checks will be available at our Mosman (NSW) and Armadale (VIC) boutiques in partnership with MoleMap, Australia’s leading cancer detection specialists, on Saturday 4th October.
• 10% of all swimwear sales during October 2025 and annually thereafter will be donated to the Melanoma Institute Australia, supporting world-leading research, treatment, and prevention.
• Educational content and resources will be shared across our digital channels and boutiques, encouraging conscious choices around sun care and early detection.

This campaign is more than an initiative. It is an invitation to lead with awareness, to place wellbeing at the centre of beauty, and to reframe suncare as an act of daily self-care.