Our Story
A fourth-generation beekeeper and a kitchen designer walk into the Fiordland bush...
How a chance encounter became Bees Brilliance - made from scratch, in Nelson, New Zealand.
Our Story
Created by makers, not marketers.
Most skincare either doesn't work, doesn't feel or smell good to use, or costs a fortune. Sometimes all three.
We started Bees Brilliance because we believed you shouldn't have to choose between effective and affordable, or between natural and results-driven. Skincare that sits on your shelf unused isn't skincare - it's just packaging.
Every product we make starts with one question: will someone actually use this every day? If the answer isn't yes, we go back to the drawing board.
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Nelson Proud
Made in its own factory on Factory Road. Not outsourced, not manufactured by someone else with our label on it. Made here in Nelson for you.
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Quality Ingredients
Every product is developed from scratch by our in-house cosmetic chemists. Ingredients hand-selected for how they perform — not because they’re the latest trend.
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Nature + Chemistry
Mānuka Honey and Propolis from our family hives, formulated by science to actually work on your skin.
CO-FOUNDER | COSMETIC CHEMIST
Matthew
Matthew is a fourth-generation beekeeper. His family have kept bees in the Nelson district for over 100 years. In his not-so-spare time he trained as a cosmetic chemist - because when you understand how propolis and manuka honey actually behave at a molecular level, it turns out you can do things with them that most skincare brands can't.
CO-FOUNDER
Julene
Julene is a creator at heart. When people ask her, "Do you have anything that can help with this?" enough times, it naturally becomes our next development project. Together with Matt, they built a factory from scratch right here in Nelson, employed a local team, and began making skincare that delivers real results.
COMPOUNDER
Rachael
Rachael is a fully trained cosmetic chemist who day-to-day oversees all the production compounding and formulation development projects within the team. She has a natural talent for making things and a level of expertise that only comes through years of dedication, hands-on formulation, and a deep understanding of natural ingredients.
