We all know that feeling when you jump out of the shower and go to apply your morning skin routine to find you are out of moisturiser! You instantly swear to get more organised and stock up before hand next time.

I must confess this happens to me ALL the time, and is what prompted a very overdue meet and greet with one of our local gift box suppliers, Lara and Dan of Matakana Skincare.

In a delightfully spacious unit tucked away behind Waipu’s retail hub is Matakana Skincare. The smell of essential oils welcome you as you enter the building. There is a hive of activity as Dan prepares product and I sit down with Lara over a coffee and a chat.

Where did the idea of Matakana Skincare come from?

I am a registered acupuncturist and I was looking for a natural product to supplement cosmetic acupuncture treatments at my clinic. I chose the Matakana Skincare face range as I was also using them for my own use and loved the results. When Matakana Skincare came up for sale in 2018, and with two small kids in tow, we saw the potential and decided to go for it!

What changes have you made to the business to put your own mark on it?

Because the existing formulations were so good we mainly focused on being more eco-friendly. Like upgrading the packaging from plastic to glass, aluminium and cardboard. We re-badged our labels/branding and website and introduced new products such as: shampoo and conditioner bars, soaps, deodorant and magnesium gel.I initially created the magnesium gel to apply to clients feet after acupuncture treatment.

Where is Matakana Skincare HQ?

We manufacture everything here in Waipu. We decided to keep the brand name because it has such a good customer following and reputation. It was a home based business for two years, and just before baby number three came along, we thankfully moved to commercial premises making home life a lot easier.

How do you cope running the business with three small children?

Dan is a lifesaver especially with the three boys as being a mum is a full time job in itself. Most of the admin and business planning happens at night when the kids are in bed. I am also returning to acupuncture very soon and our new premises will be nicely renovated to accommodate the perfect clinic space.

Authors note: lucky clients will experience those divine fragrances free of charge!

How do you choose which fragrances to use in your product range?

It mostly comes with experience and trialing combinations of oils. There is a science to the art however. We research base, middle and top notes which make up a fragrance, in order to get a good, safe balance of oils.

What is the future of Matakana Skincare?

The future really is about showing our kids that hard work pays off, then we can reward ourselves, have fun and go on holidays later on.

We are also currently working on a new selective line….Watch this space!

Where can people buy your products?

We like to keep things personal and local and have a few local pharmacies, online NZ gift box companies and boutique retail gift stores who stock our product, including Beauty therapists in the South Island too. Customers can also purchase product from our website which get shipped directly to their door.

FUN FACTS

Fave product: Night cream and body scrub

Fave fragrance: Lara “orange, vanilla, ylang ylang” as in the Face Polisher/ Dan “clary sage”

Fave part of the job: coming up with new scents and being creative

Fave place: Lara “Italy”/ Dan “ LOVE LOVE Raro”

Fave food: Dark chocolate

Fave TV series: Dan & Lara “ Game of Thrones, Vikings, oh and Ertugrul which has Turkish subtitles and took over a year to watch. Totally obsessed over it :)”

Matakana Skincare’s refreshing Rose & Geranium toner is featured in our Gift boxes for Her and as part of Gratitude’s Build your own Gift box range of products.

Love the Skin You're In