If you're looking for an uncomplicated and natural way to care for your skin, new to market New Zealand-based skincare brand, evolu, may just be your answer.
The brand is founded by New Zealander Kati Kasza, a former air stewardess, who used to look to expensive products for her problematic skin that arose from air-conditioned interiors, time-zone changes and nights of abbreviated sleeps.
She finally found the answer in the small batch of botanical products she whipped up in the kitchen sink at home that avoided the use of unnecessary synthetic ingredients. Her background, her father is a winemaker and her mother, a horticulturalist and herbalist, who emigrated to New Zealand from Hungary, also helped.
All in, skincare consists of a basic cream cleanser and toner, with moisturisers for day and night that are suitable for normal, combination to dry and sensitive skin types. If you need a little extra, there are exfoliating and replenishing masks, as well as eye, lip, hand and nail treatments. Additional pampering for skin comes in the form of two facial serums, one an organic rosehip oil, and the other, the label's hero product, the facial serum.
The brand concentrates on the basic skincare regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing, with supplementing treatments for when a little extra help is needed.
Formulas consisting of a unique blend of 100 percent pure cosmetics grade essential oils from New Zealand, such as Kiwifruit Seed Oil, Kawakawa Oil, Kanuka Oil, Manuka Honey, Manuka Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapefruit Essential Oil, Lavender Essential Oil and New Zealand spring water are used.
The brand also recently attained the status of a carboNZero certified small enterprise, balancing effective skincare with an ethical approach, through selective sourcing of safe ingredients, using recyclable packaging, and investing in sustainable practices. This is an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification programme run by the New Zealand government that recognises businesses and individuals for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
What Diva likes: We find the evolu Facial Serum (15ml, $68) to be a real little gem. A serum that has a high potency antioxidant complex, with goodies such as rosehip oil, evening primrose oil for its omega-6 fatty acids, apricot kernel oil, rose absolute essential oil, jojoba oil neroli essential oil to boost your skin's antioxidant levels, soothe irritated skin, hydrate and strengthen skin and promote cell rejuvenation. Vanilla oil gives the product an overall lovely and delicate scent.
Products for face and body are priced between $16.00 to $68.00 and sold at John Little.
