Meet Kio Kio: New Zealand’s eco chic bodycare range

A few weeks ago I was very lucky to be gifted some products by Kio Kio, a range of “innovative, sumptuous, bio-active natural bodycare” that was created right here in lil’ Old New Zealand.
It was the first I’d heard of the lush range, which was launched in America in 2010. It was instantly selected to join the carefully edited beauty offerings at the iconic Californian retail destination, Fred Segal (one of my absolute fave LA shopping spots) and also in the super cool lifestyle store Anthropologie.
Developed by Fiona Terry, a design industry professional and her pharmacist business partner, Liz Young, the Kio Kio range includes fragrant and soothing rich body creams, body lotions and soft SLS free body washes, refreshing, gently perfumed body mists, nourishing handcreams and triple milled creamy soaps. Each range, in its chic, colour-coded package, has a South Pacific-inspired fragrance that is fresh, clean and uplifting— Pacific Tiare & Ti Kauka; Rainforest & Koromiko; Frangipani & Puriri and Citrus Petal and Tarata.
At every step of the production process, the partners have stuck to their mission statement to create a range this is “both green and gorgeous”. Biocompatible, organic, plant-based, anti-oxidant rich, sustainably sourced, Kio Kio utilises wild-harvested New Zealand botanicals and mineral-rich water drawn from ancient aquifers. Kio Kio products contain no parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals, silicones, artificial colours or additives such as PEG, DEA, TEA. The packaging is uncoated, FSC certified and uses water-based dyes. All production is done within New Zealand too, which gets a big tick in my book.
Green whilst still staying pretty damn luxe, the Rainforest & Koromiko body lotion that I’ve been using is a delicate mix that will work for pretty much every skin type. Great for those that want a light, non-greasy formula – you can dress pretty much straight away after application – it is also lightly fragranced, but not so much that it will compete with your own perfume should you feel the need to add it on top. Pretty gorgeous really!
I’ve also got a body wash to crack into when the time comes and I can’t wait. If you haven’t tried this beautiful range before then I suggest that you do so, ASAP.