Agnes & Me

Moving to New Zealand – and specifically to Titirangi – changed my life. I felt more in touch with life and nature. Sustainability, reducing waste, appreciating life all came to the fore. And that’s what drew me to the Sustainable Living Centre in New Lynn. With my husband, Michael, working Saturdays – as sports reporters do – I was always looking for things to do. I found some great classes at the Sustainability Centre: composting, making cleaning products, warming the home

After going along to a talk and workshop on natural cosmetics I started making my own. Two of my friends came with me and we learned to make a balm. It was very basic but I was hooked – I bought the book, ordered the ingredients and made the balm for my friends.

I have developed my products a lot since then but continued to make, use and give away my face cream and body butter to friends. Initially, I was happy to give it away freely and it made me happy people wanted to use it. I used it just to be good to myself – simple as that.

The finest ingredients, organic where possible, are critical to me because I want to give my skin the best nutrition. And when you are making products for yourself and friends it is inherent to use the best you can. Now that I’m making it for others I follow the same principle. Basically what I do at Agnes & Me is exactly what I do for myself.