Behind the Brand

At Smother Me, we’re going back to basics with New Zealand-grown ingredients, omitting alcohol, water, preservatives, and additives. Our aim is to create a high-end skincare product that embraces natural self-preserving elements and repurposes overlooked byproducts.

Smother Me originated from participation in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), a high school program designed to teach students the ins and outs of launching a business. Through YES, we secured mentors and built a network, facilitating the expansion of our product line, navigating store placements, and honing our skills in presenting products to potential investors in a Dragon’s Den-style setting.

I participated in the programme in 2015 and 2016. During this period, we successfully secured product placement in a local chemist in Picton.

After the remarkable reception of our products on Dragon’s Den, hailed as the “best in the market to date”, I took a pause to revamp the business strategy. I pursued studies in Business Management at the Southern Institute of Technology with the goal of transcending the ordinary in the skincare industry. My aim was not merely to establish another skincare business but to craft unparalleled products. Through experimentation and extensive research into locally cultivable ingredients in New Zealand, I believe I have achieved just that.

As a result, over the following years, I successfully accumulated a deposit to acquire land in the Marlborough Sounds. This acquisition empowered me to craft made-to-order skincare products. Our vision is to embrace wild ingredients, positioning Smother Me as the embodiment of the new organic ‘wild,’ cultivated amidst the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds.

Adhering to the principle that ‘wild’ signifies a departure from civilization, our aim is to craft products derived solely from nature, ensuring they are as fresh and natural as possible. This approach not only minimizes excess stock awaiting sale but also contributes to waste reduction. By producing only what is necessary based on orders and avoiding overproduction, we actively contribute to environmental sustainability.

In a recent stride forward, our company has introduced a noteworthy innovation: the formulation of fragrances that proudly exclude both alcohol and water from their composition. This groundbreaking development represents our commitment to redefining traditional norms in the fragrance industry.

Captivated by the idea of utilizing a byproduct from essential oil production, our focus turned to hydrosols—a self-preserving alternative. These unique compounds mimic the characteristics of traditional alcohol-based perfumes but offer superior performance while minimizing waste. Despite being less commonly utilized due to their limited application in essential oil distillation, we ventured into incorporating hydrosols into perfumes. To our delight, incorporating hydrosols into perfumes revealed unexpected success, defying conventional norms and introducing a compelling and eco-conscious dimension to our fragrance endeavours.

Elevate your self-care routine with Smother Me—where innovation meets indulgence. Come, immerse yourself in the extraordinary.