In conversation with Raaie
Inspired by the sun, and our love/hate relationship with it, Katey Mandy, founder of Raaie skincare, is on a mission to harness its all important rays, whilst minimising the harm it can cause. Combining the evolved power of natural botanicals with scientifically backed skincare ingredients, Raaie champions glowy, radiant and healthy skin. We spoke with Katey about these all important ingredients, her future plans and New Zealands effortless take on style.
Tell us about the RAAIE brand, your inspiration and how it all started?
The brand is inspired by our complex relationship with the sun. On the one hand, we adore it, we worship its warmth and light. It’s good for our mood. It's good for our immune systems. It’s good for our gut. It regulates melatonin, which regulates sleep, which regulates skin repair.
But on the other hand, it damages our skin and makes us look wrinkly and old (80% of extrinsic aging is caused by UV exposure). It’s like a toxic relationship with your ex; we know it’s damaging us, but we can’t stay away. This duality of our relationship with the sun really inspired the whole brand and notions of sun worship and cosmic deities are reflected in every part of RAAIE , from the logo to the campaign imagery and, of course, our pagan inspired symbols.
And all our products are designed to help us get the benefit of the sun while minimising the harm. Our AM/PM treatment system reverses sun damage and protects against future damage with the resilient power of New Zealand botanicals that thrive in our harsh UV environment; backed by and the best of cosmeceutical science.
What is your beauty routine & do you have any non-negotiables?
My non-negotiables are (of course) the Morning Dew Vitamin C Serum in the morning and the Moonbeam Retinal Elixir in the evening. We wanted to launch with two serums because serums are the products in your skincare routine that deliver the best results. They’re made up of small molecules that penetrate deep into your skin, delivering high concentrations of active ingredients where they are needed most.
When it comes to routine, because we’ve combined so many potent ingredients into our serums, I keep the other products around that pretty simple. So a good cleanser, the appropriate serum, then a ceramide moisturiser or oil afterwards to lock it all in. And if it is the morning, I’ll finish with a lightweight, mineral SPF. Once a week I do a glycolic peel as well to resurface the skin.
Tell us about incorporating NZ botanicals to your range, what is different about these ingredients compared to other skincare brands.
New Zealand botanicals are unique in that they survive – and even thrive - in our harsh UV environment. In response, they have developed a defensive mechanism: they generate higher levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants benefit our skin in the same way they benefit the plants, protecting against future damage and repairing damaged skin cells to promote healthy, clear, luminous skin.
We combine our New Zealand botanicals with the latest in cutting edge cosmeceutical science. Ingredients like pro-grade vitamin A (retinaldehyde) and vitamin C (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), squalene, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B (niacinamide). For us, it’s about the best of both worlds: the finest natural ingredients backed up with the most effective scientific breakthroughs
Will we be seeing any new products added to the RAAIE Collection any time soon?
Yes we have an amazing SPF launching in the summer. It is still a bit top secret at the moment but I can say that it is mineral and very lightweight and velvety. I can’t wait to share it with you soon. And after that we have another four products in the pipeline that will complete people’s skin care regime. They’ll all be designed and delivered with the same visual aesthetic, environmental ethos and formulation philosophy as our first two products.
What is inspiring you right now? Are there any designers, artists or musicians you're watching right now?
I have been lusting after the paintings from Ben Crase @_gummy_beats_ - I love the humour in his work and the beautiful colour combinations A still-life from Australian artist, Emma Gale is also pretty high up on my list. I’m currently listening Ravyn Lenae’s new album. I’m also inspired by the network of female designers we have here Aotearoa, like Emma Winter from La Tribe, Juliet Souter from Marle and Frances Shoemack from Abel Fragrances. There is an effortlessness to New Zealand style which I think is unique and making the world take notice.
