Is it just me or has 2016 been one crazy year? I have been busier then ever before with my blogging, a very full wedding season and a now one year old! So when I got invited to start my skincare journey at Haven a few weeks ago I walked in with tense shoulders and congested skin and walked out feeling light and fresh. In my next post I am going to talk about my skin experience and results but first I want to introduce you to Renay Robertson the stunning woman behind one of the most peaceful havens I have been in. I am a big believer that the atmosphere and overall feeling of any company comes directly from the owner. I knew this was true when I met the lovely Renay because she was so happy and peaceful. I hope you enjoy getting to know Renay as much as I have.

1 First tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Auckland where I live with my husband and our cheeky Burmese cat who is 12 years old but behaves like a sprightly young kitten. After university, I spent 14 years working in marketing for various corporates and after several years of working at a senior level, I found myself worn-out and wondering what the point of it all was. I decided to go for a change of pace and felt ready to start and grow my own business.  I opened Haven two years ago and have enjoyed every moment of it, it’s rewarding to watch the business grow and to be creating employment.

I hibernate in winter and come alive in summer.

During summer I try to spend as much time as I can in the Bay of Islands where my days are spent diving, water skiing, sailing and fishing.

2. Are you a tea or coffee person?

Both! I MUST have a cup of tea first thing in the morning – strong with a dash of milk.  Then mid-morning I’m in need of a flat white.

3. How do you start your day?

On a work day I get up around 6am, I wouldn’t say that I spring out of bed exactly, I usually drag myself out but once I’m up I’m ready to go. I like to go for a walk through Westhaven as soon as I’m up – it gives me a good energy boost for the day and gives me time to plan out my day in my head.  Once I’m home it’s time for a cup of tea (of course), then it’s time to get ready for work.

4. How did you find yourself in the beauty industry?

I struggled with my own skin for years and despite seeking professional advice, my skin never improved.  There seemed to be too much focus from the clinics I was seeing on trying to sell me product rather than truly understanding my skin concerns and giving me the right advice to fix it. The aggressive sales approach was too transparent for me and I thought that there must be a better way to approach it. Opening a clinic was an idea that I quietly mulled over for years but once I made the decision to do it, it happened quite quickly.

5. How do you find balance when owning your own business?

I’m not sure that I have yet. Let’s call it a work in progress. When it’s your own business and you enjoy what you do, the work-life balance thing tends not to be such an issue.  You just don’t notice it like you do when you’re tiring yourself out in the corporate world.

6. What is one beauty mistake you see most clients making?

One of the biggest beauty mistakes people make is chopping and changing products and using a little bit from one range and a little bit from another.

Professional, doctor developed skin care ranges that contain active ingredients often work synergistically when layered correctly.  This is why you need professional advice.

7. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their skincare treatment journey but they don’t know where to start?

Get a professional skin consultation with a therapist who specialises in skin and follow their advice for a minimum of three months.  Don’t chop and change otherwise you will never get the result you want.  If you have a budget, be clear with your skin therapist as they will help you prioritise your product and treatment options. If you are finding that you are not enjoying using a product, let your skin therapist know. Everyone’s skin is different and is constantly changing so your skin care regime needs to be monitored and tweaked from time to time.

8. Skin treatment or product you couldn’t live without?

Oh that’s too hard to pick one.  Can I have two?  Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 because it has been clinically proven to permanently repair damage and having been a sun worshipper when I was younger I need all the repair I can get.  Ultraceuticals Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 – I love this product, I finally found a daily sunscreen that doesn’t feel heavy and greasy and sits beautifully under make-up.

9. Your next holiday is?

I will spend Christmas in the Bay of Islands where my parents live.  It’s a gorgeous, remote spot with expansive views that I can spend hours starring at.

10. What do you love most about Haven?

The people – both the clients and the team.  I love the days when I’m working at the clinic and get to chat to our lovely clients. I also love being around the team – they are so genuine and I love that I am always learning from them. ♥