We chat with Nicki Hanning, founder of the amazing certified organic skincare brand, True!
What inspired you to start your own skincare brand, and what is True’s point of difference?
I have spent the past 20 years living and breathing all things natural. In 2002, I began my love affair with making natural plant based skincare while operating my own natural therapies business here in Wanaka and I always knew launching my own brand was a natural progression and a lot easier to navigate with young children – well that was my rationale.
I wanted to create more than just another skincare brand. My holistic and authentic approach to beauty, in which women’s health and wellbeing is supported comes through in the true brand. Our ‘My Handful of Quiet “inserts are inside every product to inspire you to celebrate the everyday small things.
I also believe in total transparency and am frustrated by the lack of regulations around so called natural and organic skincare, where only 1 or 2 ingredients are natural or organic on the ingredient list.
All true products have received third party, BIOGRO organic certification to prove our commitment to you and to ensure the quality, authenticity and sustainability of our ingredients.
All true formulations are one of a kind, and developed from scratch by myself. Every ingredient has a purpose and I understand and respects the true physiology and individuality of your skin.
Your skin is as unique as you are. It will often change the way it looks, feels and behaves based on your overall health, lifestyle, age, stress levels, and many subtle factors in the environment.
What is a typical day behind the scenes at True?
I am a mum of 2 gorgeous kids Miela 5 and Arlo 8 so the day starts with getting them ready for school which is pretty battle free in our house thankfully.
As pretty much a one man band my day starts the night before writing up a to-do list for the coming day. This follows along the lines of: check emails, pack orders, answer any customer questions and potential retailer enquires. Attend to accounts, plan social media, blog and newsletter content for the coming weeks, order ingredients for any upcoming manufacturing, research and make new products I am working on, writing press releases for the media, and the list goes on.
No matter how much work I have to get through in my day, I have one non-negotiable and that is taking my chocolate lab Piko for a walk by the lake to breathe lungfuls of fresh mountain air and clear the mind. It’s also a creative space for new ideas and to dream big.
I then pick up the kids from school and do a courier drop of our orders. Once kids are home I tend to drop work for a few hours to spend time with them. My day usually finishes with a few hours in the evening once kids are in bed working on the business. It can be easy to get caught up in the day to day running and lose sight of the bigger picture so I will spend this time working on strategies and planning. I try to make sure I clock out of any screens by 9pm to have some quiet time to ensure a well-rested sleep. Nothing beats a great conversation with hubby or a good book.
Which are your favourite products from the range, and which are your bestsellers?
I have 3 favourites from the range: my Hydrate facial cleansing cream which is great to remove makeup and leaves your skin soft and hydrated. True wonder balm, our 3 in 1 multi-tasker. I interchange this with my cream cleanser and also use it daily as an all over body balm and lastly my Hydrate face cream, light in texture, rapidly absorbed and provides instant comfort. Divine.
Being a new brand all our products are consistently bestsellers at the moment.
Talk us through a True skincare routine?
Less is more when it comes to the true skincare routine.
1. Cleanse (AM & PM) You day should start and end with a cleansing ritual. A morning cleanse freshens the skin as the day begins and removes the oil and secretions your skin releases overnight, while an evening cleanse removes the day’s grime and makeup.
Imagine for a moment your place of bliss.
2. Moisturise & Nourish (AM & PM) Environmental ageing accounts for 80% of all damage to the skin and moisturisers play a key role in helping to protect the skin from its daily assaults by locking moisture in and keeping pollutants out. While skin is still damp take your time to gently and lovingly press dots of face cream in an upward motion onto face, neck and décolletage.
Breathe deeply to enhance your wellbeing.
3. Treat & Protect Intensive treatments such as facial oils nourish, restore and protect skin by maintaining the skin’s natural oil balance. Natural, plant-based oils do not clog pores and can actually help to dissolve sebum and follicular debris, while balancing your pH. Apply a few drops of oil to your face and décolletage as a boosting treatment at night.
Being you is being beautiful.
Where would you like to see True, in say, 5 years time?
My vision for true is to build a movement and continue to combine amazing high quality certified organic skincare products with our holistic philosophy on skin health. To inspire women to honour and celebrate their true authentic selves and to make SELF-CARE a part of every women’s day in an easy simple way. Bring on the world!
What, in your opinion, are the most important things you can do to enhance your overall health and wellbeing?
Stress less and celebrate the small everyday moments. Let go of the huge expectations that we can as women place on ourselves and know there will always be something else to add to your to –do list. Prioritise what is the most important and let go of everything else. Have fun and laugh often.
And, what’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
My entire life I have never drunk a cup of coffee due to not liking the smell of it. A herbal tea girl all the way Image may be NSFW.
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GIVEAWAY!
Image may be NSFW.
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Try True for yourself!
Up for grabs is a cute wee gift set which includes a True Wonder Balm (3 in 1 cleanser + moisturiser + treatment) and a muslin cloth!
To enter, simply fill out the entry form below!
Giveaway closes Thursday 27th August 2015. Winner will be randomly drawn and notified by email and announced on our Facebook page.
Good luck! Image may be NSFW.
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The post 5 Minutes with Nicki Hanning… Founder of True Holistic Beauty appeared first on Oh Natural.