Five major beauty brands are celebrating big anniversaries this year. We look at why they’re still loved and adored, and how they continue to innovate. See the October issue of Top Santè for the rest! 

LIVING NATURE

Date of establishment: 1987

Founder: Suzanne Hall, who set up the brand in 1987 to pioneer the use of manuka honey in natural skincare. Suzanne was inspired by Maori knowledge of the healing properties of native plants and initially created products in her kitchen to help ease her own skin conditions. Driven by the improvement in her skin and a desire to produce a natural remedial range everyone could benefit from, she set up Living Nature.

Brand’s ethos: Living Nature was New Zealand’s first certified-natural manuka honey skincare brand. For the past 30 years it has harnessed the nourishing, hydrating, healing and protective properties of this ingredient together with other New Zealand botanicals to create safe, effective natural skincare. The company’s philosophy is ‘nature works’, taking the best of natural ingredients to care for the skin. All products are certified natural by BDIH Germany, contain only 100 per cent natural ingredients, preservatives and fragrances, and are so pure they currently have one of the safest ratings on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

First product: The first product produced by Suzanne was Manuka Honey Gel (£13 for 10ml, botanicalbrands.com). It contains active manuka honey and manuka oil, both known for their powerful antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as restorative and protective powers to help cleanse, soothe and heal damaged skin. It remains their best-seller in the UK today.

Brand evolution: From lowly beginnings at Suzanne’s kitchen table, Living Nature has grown into a global leader in the manuka skincare market. Over the years the skincare range has expanded and a mineral cosmetics line added. Living Nature is now available in more than 14 countries but still manufactures all its own products and remains true to the its roots of creating 100 per cent natural, safe skincare.

Anniversary range: To mark the big 30, Living Nature has extended its highly popular manuka honey lip care range, with the addition of new Lush Tinted Lip Hydrator (£15). The perfect balance between care and colour, the subtle coral red of this carmine-free tint will flatter all skin tones, while keeping lips hydrated and smooth.