Behind the brand
How Skin Juice was born...
Lesson #1: Never forget where you come from
A proud country girl at heart, I have fond memories of growing up on our family property in Australia. I adore being able to sense the life-force of the land, and being close to Mother Nature makes me feel free and energised. Hungry for adventure and with a curious mind, I would explore the bush and delight in the sensory experience: a fresh breeze, the crisp summer aromas, the warmth of the sun upon the earth – the Australian bush defines beauty to me!
Lesson #2: You’ll never do a day’s work in your life if you do something you love
An old billabong ran through our property, a great source of entertainment for us as kids. This billabong was fringed with fascinating evidence of ancient volcanic eruptions and the ocean that had once covered this land, long ago. Left behind were amazing mineral-rich clays, burnt yellow and red ochre in colour, with the most delightful textures and earthy aromas. This remarkable location became my playtime laboratory: I collected and mixed these purifying clays and bottled them as gifts to my family and school friends, to be used for face and body painting as well as skin treatments.
Lesson #3: Learn the rules, then break them!
As I grew up, I realised I wanted to continue and expand my knowledge and fascination with the natural healing powers of the earth. But you know what they say – you have to learn the rules before you can break them! So it was after my very conventional beauty training that I set about doing things ‘my way’.
Lesson #4: Necessity is the mother of invention
For eight years I owned and operated a successful salon with rituals and treatments that focused on holistic and natural choices. At the same time, I struggled to find products that reflected the ethos of my life and my business. So I gradually began to utilise my aromatherapy knowledge, combining this with my fascination for plant oils and their therapeutic effects. I began researching the function and application of various plant oils on the skin and the results when applied using different methods.
Lesson #5: When you’re onto a good thing, stick with it
Skin Juice was founded in 1996 and my loyal clientele became my research group - I’m pleased to say, many of my early ‘guinea pigs’ still use Skin Juice today. It wasn’t long before word spread about this innovative concept which was breaking all the ‘rules’ of skincare with cleansing oils instead of soapy formulas, and night oils in place of night creams, etc.
The support we received was beyond our wildest expectations and we quickly grew to a salon staff of seven with the majority of our business centered on facial treatments and skincare product sales. Now, I’m fortunate enough to be able to focus100% on Skin Juice, nurturing its growth and continuing to reach more customers and stockists.
Now, I’m so proud to re-launch our product line and our site, and we are excited to deliver new and exciting concepts to the industry. I believe we have maintained the personality of the ‘old’ Skinjuice while moving ahead of times with the very best interests of our business, our customers and our employees at heart. After all, Skin Juice has been thirteen years in the making, and we’ve harnessed the struggles and lessons we’ve learnt to bring our dream to fruition. I’m busier than ever but every chance I get, I take time out to stop and smell the earth, and I encourage you to do the same!
With love,
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PS: When boy met girl…
I first met Dion about five years ago and one of the qualities that most impresses me is his passion and belief in Skin Juice.
While Dion doesn’t come from a traditional beauty background (he is a fitter and joiner by trade!), he possesses so many remarkable skills including the essential commitment to helping me establish our family business.
Dion grew up in a small coastal town in Australia before joining the Air Force at the age of 21. If you ever have the opportunity to visit us at a trade show, you might be quite surprised and impressed to see Dion answering beauty therapist’s questions in a very confident and professional manner! His high expectations of quality and his environmental conscience have helped lead Skin Juice on to lusher and greener pastures since we met.
PPS: A partnership + 1…
Our Little Lila joined the Skin Juice team also in 2006. Definitely a girly-girl, she already LOVES the industry and can often be found slathering lotions all over her face and body in our samples area! She is also head of quality control: if the packaging can’t withstand the torture she applies to mechanisms of pumps and so forth, then it’s a no go! And of course, like her Mum, she doesn’t go anywhere unless armed with a tube of moisturiser.
The final member to the Skin Juice family....
As we launched Skin Juice, our little man 'Artie' entered the world, he helps simply by being a divine and calm baby. Must be all those essential oils!
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