The countdown is on, with less than 48 hours to secure your tickets to New Zealand’s first-ever beauty festival – Beauty Nation.
Taking place at Auckland’s Queens Wharf (Shed 10) this weekend (6 and 7 May), Beauty Nation offers everything from an exciting beauty retail lane to seminars and masterclasses, a pamper lounge and man cave, a chillout zone, a special Aotearoa-made section, and the immersive Drag Zone.
The fantastical line-up has excitement building around the country and with this in mind, we check in with some of the key people behind the event, as well as some of the guest presenters and participants, as to what they are most looking forward to.
Chrissy Ve
Chrissy Ve is the creative mind behind the amazing Beauty Nation event. Her role involves being across every aspect of New Zealand’s first-ever beauty festival. In its first year and being managed and run by an impressively efficient but small team, Chrissy wears many hats during her daily involvement, from conceptualising the event experience for beauty lovers to signing up amazing sponsors and brands to showcase their products, plus managing event operations, social media, marketing, exhibitor management, and much more.
What are the top two things you are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
There is so much to look forward to but if I had to choose just two things, it would be hearing all of our incredible presenters and experiencing our interactive spaces. We have some phenomenal people sharing their knowledge and stories over the course of the weekend, including Anne Reeve (global alopecia ambassador), GeeGee Pikiga (makeup guru and judge on Glow Up NZ), and Elizabeth Barbalich (Founder of Antipodes Natural Skincare). I also can’t wait to see our insta-spaces come to life. We have designed the most epic scenes, including a Coachella theme, a 90’s Baby theme, including free festival makeup, and a giant New Zealand native flower garden. Don’t forget your camera.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people may be surprised about?
I think people will be blown away by the drag transformations by Rupal’s Drag Race Down Under contestants Kita Mean and Yuri Guaii. Drag makeup really is complex and time-consuming, and I think beauty lovers will walk away with a new appreciation for the Art of Drag.
Carena West
Carena West is the Co-founder of Clique Fitness, a New Zealand-founded activewear company. As one of the guest speakers on the Kiwi Owned Panel, Carena will be chatting about being a Kiwi entrepreneur.
What are the top two things you personally are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
I can’t wait to walk into the Drag District and witness the art of drag in action. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the experiential side of the festival with colourful themes and backdrops; it’s something a bit different from the traditional trade shows I’ve been to.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people may be surprised about?
I think people will be blown away with the whole experience, and by how much is on offer. There is so much to do and see over the course of the weekend.
Vibeke O’Donnell
Vibeke O’Donnell is the Account Manager for Beauty Nation, working alongside a host of amazing exhibitors and talent, speakers, and presenters.
What are the top two things you personally are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
I am really interested in listening in on the Beauty Sleep Panel. I have realised a lot more about how important sleep is for my mental health, which directly relates to how I feel about myself, inside and out. I am also buzzing to see some of our amazing drag makeup transformations, with Kita Mean, Yuri Guaii, and we have Lane Worrall doing a drag makeup showcase. I find this fascinating and it really is an art form that requires so much talent and skill.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people will really connect with?
We very much want to create an experience for festival attendees, where you can shop, talk with brands, and have meaningful interactions. Where you can take pictures in some of our zone activation spaces to create lasting memories with friends along with listening to some inspiring and heartfelt messages from our panellists. We really want you to walk away feeling inspired, connected, and part of a diverse culture of beauty lovers.
Kennedy Anderson
Kennedy Anderson is the Co-founder and Creative Director of The Whitening Co, as well as being a panellist speaker and retail lane exhibitor with his brand The Whitening Co. All about confident smiles, his brand also fits in perfectly with the Confidence Panel is he part of, where he will be sharing his personal journey around confidence.
What are the top two things you personally are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
I’m over the moon to finally bring our newest product launch to life at our stall at the festival – The E-Brush by TWC. This has been two years in the making, so it seems like the perfect place to launch the new device into the hands of our wicked beauty community
We are also really looking forward to seeing all of the incredibly insightful Kiwis share their inside knowledge of beauty, their own journeys, and tips and tricks they have all learnt along the way during the panels and masterclasses.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people will really connect with?
The insane amount of value all of the retailers have put into their stalls, deals, and offerings. I’ve been lucky enough to see behind the scenes of a few brands that have put in months of effort to bring this festival to life and I’m honestly pumped to see it all come together on the day.
Kris Fox
Kris Fox is a content creator and beauty muse, along with being a guest speaker on the Power Panel, which includes Anna Reeves and Karin Horen. Kris will be chatting about all things beauty including her individual journey and what beauty means to her.
What are the top two things you personally are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
The first thing I’m excited about is speaking on a panel with other powerful women and hopefully inspiring the audience to be confident in themselves. The second thing I am excited about is meeting some of my audience and other beauty lovers, as well as people who are like myself.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people will really connect with?
I think people would be surprised that this is Aotearoa’s first-ever public beauty festival that brings all things beauty and beauty lovers together in one space. I also think it’s really special that Beauty Nation is catering to all beauty lovers, including men and the LGBTQ+ community. Beauty does not just conform to women but is inclusive of everyone including men and anyone who is gender diverse.
Kasey Taylor
Award-winning makeup artist, Kasey Taylor is bringing beauty to life at Beauty Nation, sharing her expertise across special effects, prosthetics, and hosting a Beauty Make Up Masterclass. Kasey is also a guest speaker sharing her experience as a professional makeup artist in the New Zealand television and film industry. She will also be carrying out a full head-to-toe body paint prosthetic makeup look on Sunday and transforming her model into a work of art.
What are the top two things you personally are most looking forward to at Beauty Nation?
Firstly the speakers and exhibitors. Super excited to see my talented friend Kennedy Anderson who has created endless businesses including The Whitening Co walk the stage and share his experiences/knowledge with us all. Plus see his incredible booth. Also, my amazing friend Fiona Sole, who will have her Sole Wig Works booth at Beauty Nation – a one-stop shop for wigs and film kits/accessories.
Secondly the activation spaces. The 90’s Baby Zone is going to be amazing. My two talented friends Zara and Sarah will be doing makeup touchups, body art, and glitter. Get glammed up at the Beauty Festival and then head to the beauty school and watch some masterclasses go down by industry professionals.
What’s something about Beauty Nation you think people will really connect with?
I cannot wait to hear the stories from fellow Kiwis and their successes. Although we are a small country, we produce huge talent. Sharing the struggles we all face in the process of getting to where we are today is going to be hella inspiring. I’m sure there will be a lot of jaw-dropping and heartfelt stories. I’m beyond excited and grateful for this festival.
Images supplied