A Moment for Menopause

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What was the defining moment that led you to create Vivéa, and what did you feel was missing from the skincare market at the time? 

Perimenopause and menopause can be a really hard time for some women. On top of all the related symptoms, we realised many women also felt confused and lost when it comes to skincare as a lot of changes can happen in their skin during this transition.  They are often torn between highly clinical products and natural ones that didn't quite deliver the results they hoped for, because they don’t address the specific needs of menopausal skin. Having been through this journey myself, I wished appropriate skincare was available back then.  Vivéa was created to bridge that gap, a safe, luxurious space where you didn't have to compromise on efficacy or purity. Vivéa was born from a deep desire to offer a gentle, results-driven routine using some New Zealand's incredible botanicals and deeply hydrating active ingredients so your skin truly feels understood and cared for.

Vivéa feels very considered in both its formulation and presentation. What philosophy sits at the heart of the brand? 

Every ingredient and formulation was carefully considered, researched and tested to ensure it had a genuine purpose.  The result is a high-quality skincare range featuring effective active ingredients, specifically developed to support the multiple needs of hormonally-changing skin.Our philosophy is to support, nourish, and help women over 40 years old embrace this transformative journey of menopause with confidence. We believe skincare shouldn't feel like a chore, but rather a deeply comforting, sensory ritual of self-love for the skin and the spirit. By grounding our formulas on natural active and bioactive ingredients, we hope to bring a moment of calm and happiness to your everyday life. Every formula is carefully crafted with a blend of ingredients that work together to hydrate, nourish and support skin through the changes that come with perimenopause, menopause and beyond.

As founder and developer, how involved are you in the formulation process, from the first concept through to the finished product? 

Our Christchurch-based team of female cosmetic chemists poured their heart into every single step, from selecting the highest quality natural extracts to perfecting how the gel-creams melt into your skin. We have tested every iteration to ensure the texture, scent, and results bring you pure comfort and confidence.  For me, it’s an incredibly personal journey because I want every product to feel like a bespoke, nurturing treatment just for you. I was involved in the testing, sourcing the packaging and bringing the brand to market.

What makes a Vivéa formulation distinctly Vivéa, and are there particular ingredients or formulation principles you continually return to? 

Vivéa is one of the first end-to-end skincare ranges designed expressly for perimenopausal and menopausal women: built around cooling, lightweight gel textures that directly address hot-flush discomfort while supporting barrier integrity and radiance. Our formulations pair high-naturality compositions with science-backed actives and New Zealand botanicals, including Totarol (NZ Totara tree), natural, certified organic, for its antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties to protect the skin. Products are hormone-free and deliver immediate comfort without heaviness—answering a gap in traditional “anti-ageing” lines that don’t consider hot flushes, sensitivity, or circadian repair in menopause.Skincare consumers are increasingly ingredient aware. 

How do you balance innovation, efficacy and simplicity without overcomplicating a routine? 

We know how overwhelming complex skincare routines can feel, so we designed our products to work harder for you in fewer steps. It’s all about high-quality purposeful actives that work together and multitask beautifully without ever stressing your delicate skin barrier. A two-step routine in the morning and at night; simply massage our effective Gentle Creamy Cleanser into damp skin, and follow with our Cooling Day or Night Gel Cream to lock in all that gorgeous, comforting moisture and protect the skin barrier, which is even more essential during menopause.

What does “effective skincare” mean to you personally, and how do you determine when a product is genuinely ready to carry the Vivéa name? 

To me, effective skincare means looking in the mirror and feeling a genuine sense of peace and confidence in your natural skin. A product is only ready for the Vivéa name when it delivers undeniable, healthy radiance while feeling like an absolute treat to apply. If a formulation doesn't make you close your eyes and sigh with relief, we keep working on it until it does.Developing a beauty brand requires both creativity and science. 

Which side of the process comes most naturally to you, and where have you had to challenge yourself? 

Envisioning the comforting textures, beautiful scents, and overall sensory experience is something that comes very naturally to me. The challenge for our cosmetic chemists comes when translating that creative dream into stable, high-performing botanical science, ensuring our gentle formulas are as brilliantly effective as they are safe. My challenge was to decide to be the face of the brand or not.  

How has your own relationship with skincare evolved since creating Vivéa? Has developing the range changed the way you approach your own skin? 

My approach has become much more intentional, gentle, and minimalist since launching Vivéa. I now completely trust the potent simplicity of our formulations, focusing on consistency rather than overwhelming my skin with every new industry trend.  My personal journey has shifted from chasing quick fixes to deeply listening to what my skin actually needs to feel calm and balanced.  Healthy skin and true radiance come from consistency, nourishment, and a lot of self-compassion, even during menopause and beyond.The beauty industry is moving quickly, from sustainability and transparency to new technologies and active ingredients. 

Where do you believe skincare is heading next? 

I truly believe women are craving more honesty, simplicity, and a return to nature without sacrificing real results. We are moving toward deeply transparent, sustainably sourced ingredients that genuinely honour both our skin and our planet. The future of beauty is about harnessing local treasures, like our New Zealand extracts, and creating holistic wellness rather than just surface-level fixes.

Looking ahead, what is the vision for Vivéa, and what do you ultimately hope women feel when they use the range? 

My deepest hope is that Vivéa becomes a trusted companion for women in their menopause journey and beyond, toward self-confidence and inner calm. Ultimately, I hope every woman to feel deeply cared for, confident, and beautifully radiant in their own skin every time they use our range. My vision is for Vivéa to be recognised as a premium natural, luxury New Zealand brand and trusted by women everywhere.