We are so fortunate to have so many inspiring women on our team and of course treat many more in the treatment room. This International Women's Day we wanted to celebrate and share some wisdom from some of the incredible women in leadership roles on our team!
Natasha Bourke, Founder
Skintopia is the result of combining Natasha’s passions for retail innovation, advanced skincare, customer experience, holistic health and wellness. Natasha passionately believes in empowering people with confidence so they can be the best versions of themselves. Constantly seeking ways to evolve herself and her business, she has impressive credentials with a Bachelor of Business Studies degree, Beauty Therapy diploma and a certificate in Health Coaching from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition NYC.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty/skincare industry?
“My journey into the beauty and skincare world is a bit unique! I was fortunate enough to grow up with a mother who was a true powerhouse in the industry. She ran a beauty training school, owned a chain of skin centres, and even launched her own brand. I was constantly surrounded by her passion and creativity, which sparked my own love for the business. From a young age, I knew this was the path for me. It’s been an exciting ride ever since, and I’ve loved every moment of it—no looking back!”
How do you see the role of skincare and self-care in empowering women?
“Having great skin is incredibly empowering! There’s nothing worse than feeling like you need 'warpaint' (aka makeup) just to feel confident in a situation. Taking care of your skin is a form of self-care—not just for the here and now, but for the future, too. Prevention (when it comes to skin care) is everything, and when you prioritise your skin, you’re giving yourself the gift of confidence for your future self.”
Hayley Wilkin, Business Manager, Wellington
A Wellington local and busy Mum to three young girls, Hayley is passionate about seeing you along your skin journey. In fact, a love of making people feel good about themselves drove Hayley to the skincare industry back in 2008, when she trained as a skin therapist. Since then, she's gained Dermalogica Expert status and held various roles that have provided extensive experience in sales, skincare and international travel, meaning she’s well versed in leading both Wellington locations.
Were there any female role models or mentors who were particularly influential in your career path?
“I've always been really ambitious. Listening to female founded business stories (such as Jane Wurwand from Dermalogica) helped inspire me along my chosen career path in the skincare industry and really cemented in my mind that hard work does pay off.”
What is your favourite, must-have skin treatment?
“LED is my absolute fave! I love that it can be added onto a skin treatment to enhance results or be used on its own to help with various skin conditions such as sensitivity, breakouts or hydration.”
Fulvia Beillard, Skintopia Training Manager
Fulvia is an Italian who was born and raised in New Zealand. She has been a beauty therapist for over 8 years, with a strong passion for advanced and holistic skin therapy. Fulvia has helped countless women achieve clear, glowing and beautiful skin through the help of skincare, advanced treatments and education surrounding their skin concerns, and has recently stepped into our Training Manager role where she supports and mentors our incredible team of skin therapists on their education pathway.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership roles in the skincare industry?
“Talk openly with your leaders. Don't be afraid to ask for help and for the tools that you will need to get to where you want to be. Be ruthless and go for it.”
What is your favourite skincare ingredient?
“Hyaluronic acid should be in everyone's skincare routine. Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum is my favourite - hydrated skin is plump, happy and well-functioning. It should be the first port of call.”
Rachel Ryan, Manager and Senior Therapist, Wellington
With over 6 years’ experience, Rachel is a Wellington local through and through (being a coffee snob included). Rachel’s passion is to transform your skin through advanced techniques and technology, allowing you to look and feel your absolute best. As a trained cosmetic tattoo artist she can also bring your ‘wake up with make up’ dreams alive with cosmetic brow, lip or eyeliner tattooing.
Were there any female role models or mentors who were particularly influential in your career path?
“I am the youngest of 6 kids, seeing how my mum not only raised us but still continued to further her career showed me that you can do both, you can be a mum and still be successful in your field, something that people like to say we can't do.”
What is your favourite skincare product?
“My favourite product is a misting toner - absolute game changer. I always thought they were just a gimmicky extra step in a routine but by giving our skin that layer of hydration it means our next skin products can sink into those deeper layers of the skin. Imagine trying to wipe your bench with a dry sponge, not very useful right? A damp/wet sponge, will soak it all right up.”
Victoria Rist, Manager and Senior Therapist, Auckland
Victoria has 17+ years of experience in the industry, as well as a first-class honour’s degree in business management. Bringing a wealth of knowledge, and proficiency to Skintopia. Her speciality is advanced skin treatments and face massage, but she also offers a wider range of different services.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty/skincare industry?
“To help others feel beautiful about themselves, making people more confident in their own skin.”
What is your favourite skincare ingredient?
“Always use a Vitamin A and Vitamin C, to minimise the signs of ageing, give a radiant glow to the skin and plump up your skins collagen”
Chelsea Karl, Manager and Senior Therapist, Auckland
With 15 years of industry experience, Chelsea has been named best in holistic skincare by Verve magazine, twice. She was a finalist for NZ therapist of the year 2023/2024. She is a qualified Dermalogica skin expert and brings her vast knowledge of holistic therapy to Skintopia Mt Eden. Her attention to detail and drive for results, fuels her whole person therapy approach to treating skin concerns relating to symptoms of acne, pigmentation, sensitivity and premature ageing.
How do you see the role of skincare and self-care in empowering women?
“Personally, to empower anyone is to encourage them to rise into their best self.
to achieve this, it takes investing in the time to put effort into yourself. To build self-esteem you must perform estimable tasks... can you think of a better form of selfcare than developing confidence in your own skin?
What is your favourite skin tip?
“Your skin can be a sponge or a wall of protection. Layer products so your skin wants to absorb them in. Its easily done by applying the thinnest to thickest formula with sunscreen as the last layer of protection to rebuild the wall of protection, locking it all in.”
Happy International Women's Day!