To start, tell us about your background and what led you to open your beauty space, honeyroom? 

I’m a Mama to two beautiful kids, a wife to a devine husband, a business owner and woman who like many, am doing my best at juggling all the things while trying to be intentional about my time. 

I’ve always had a deep love for human connection and tranquil space. Honeyroom was created as the perfect vehicle to blend all that I am good at and experienced in (in a work sense) while still looking after my own needs for connection and tranquility. 

I wanted to create a space where people could come, take a load off, chat, laugh, cry all while having a ritualistic treatment that made them feel like they could step out into the world having done something for themselves with a boost of confidence. 

Your work sits at the intersection of beauty, ritual and self-care. How do you approach creating an experience that feels both elevated and deeply personal?

I spent many many years trying ‘all the things’! I personally follow a more ‘feel great in the skin you’re in’ mantra and have adopted this as the core value of Honeyroom. I want our treatments to always reflect a natural yet elevated feeling. I think it’s really important to encourage busy women especially to feel confident in who they are and challenge the common beauty standards that often tell us to change rather than enhance. 

Beyond constantly trying what the market has to offer in our industry and bringing on treatments that align with who we are, I make a concerted effort to have a relationship with our clientele that is deeper than skin deep. 

People trust us with their face, their time and of course their money and I want to always make sure we’re adding value in both treatment and experience. 

Running a business while balancing motherhood brings its own rhythm. How do you navigate that, and what have you learned along the way?

This for me like many small business owners is always the hardest juggle. Some days I feel like my work/life balance couldn’t be better and other days I feel like I’m moments away from being snowed under. I don’t anticipate this feeling will ever stop when you care so deeply about both family and business BUT it is getting easier as the kids are getting a little older. We’re finding it easier to find our rythym and I’m personally finding it easier to remember life is short and what season we’re in, whether good or challenging only lasts so long. 

In an industry that can sometimes focus more on the outside/exterior, how do you keep grounded and connected to your authenticity?

My family unit and community. I don’t let myself get too consumed by what the outside world tells us to care about too much and try to stay tuned in to the people who are in my inner circle. The world is moving and evolving at such a pace that it’s impossible to keep up sometimes and our industry is no different. While staying focused on what’s new and what’s coming (because that too is exciting) I always try to keep in mind the values of our brand and who we are to not stray from what we set out to achieve from the beginning. 

What does a typical day look like for you at the moment, and how do you carve out time to recharge? Are there any rituals you consistently come back to?

A typical day for me is waking up, going for a run or to the gym for some ‘me’ time. Packing school lunches and getting the kids off to school before working the day at honeyroom. Most of the week I’m still on the floor but otherwise doing admin. One thing with a business so small is that 99% of honeyrooms jobs are my jobs so the days are always full of things to do and I’m wearing many different hats. My mama hat comes back on when the kids finish school and I try really hard not to take it off until they go to sleep but I often fail depending on what work needs to be done. Other than exercise which has become non-negotiable for me, I love my skin care, a hot bath and having time with my husband and family outdoors where the noise of reminders of the to-do list are out of sight and therefore out of mind (at least for a little bit).

How do you define your personal approach to beauty?

In general less is more. I’m a sucker for glowy hydrated skin, no makeup look makeup and a textured bushy brow!  

What are you currently feeling inspired by, whether within your work or more broadly?

I’m always inspired by amazing cosmetic tattoo artistry. I never get bored of doing tattoo and find it so inspiring when I see work from around the world. It’s such an art! 

As what we would describe as the brow authority in Tamaki Makaurau, what are some simple brow care tips?

it really depends on the person and their brows and I really believe in tailoring brows on a case by case basis but one thing is for sure! Maintenance is KEY. As we all know good brows can change your whole face and just like a good blow wave - you always feel a million times better when they’re fresh. Getting a good brow gel to see you through in between time is always a good shout though! 

You work with faces and skincare everyday, but we’d love to know more about your bodycare regime - talk us through it. 

 To be honest, until recently I have neglected my body care terribly. I’m often quite time poor and honestly haven’t felt the need to really care for body skin until recent years. HOWEVER two kids later and 40 knocking on my door has been a rude awakening and I have taken notice! The last little while I’ve fallen in love with using my body guasha from Tronque with their body milk and finally feel like I’m treating myself to a ritual that includes more than my face.

Which Tronque product have you been reaching for the most, and what makes it an essential in your routine?

The body milk is to die for and I won’t be letting it leave my sight now. I feel so hydrated and even glowy. Also the natural deodorant has been a total god send. I’ve been on the hunt for a decent natural deodorant for YEARS and none have ever really done the job. Tronque is the first one I’ve ever used and loved. 

You’re recently married and celebrated with what looked like a beautiful, fun day. What are you hoping for in this next chapter?

This next chapter really excites me! I feel more at home and settled in love than ever before and am taking the next little while to lap up this feeling and try to ‘go slow’ for a little bit. This isn’t my forte but I know I need to for a little bit just to soak it all in. I really want this season to represent more intentional time with my little family and make the most of our time together. In saying that we do have a few exciting plans for Honeyroom in the not too distant future and the clogs don’t stop turning but I’m focusing on having more organisation and structure to work life and less of that in my personal life. 

Quickfire questions: 

Favourite self-care indulgence when you need a reset? Going for a run.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? This time too shall pass.
One podcast you’re loving right now? Esther Perel ‘where should we begin’ (I’ve listened to every episode.
If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend, where would you go? Sicily
Last song you had on repeat? Yellow eyes by Yebba.