Known for their natural beauty, Pacific Islanders discovered early on the power of exotic drift nuts and flowering plants.
Co-founder Gaëtane Austin shares what salon life is like in Suva City, Fiji, at the Pure Fiji Day Spa.
Tell us about the Pure Fiji Day Spa?
“The Pure Fiji Day Spa opened in 2004 and is a sanctuary in the bustling city of Suva. When you enter the spa you step lightly over running waters – a symbolic beginning to your journey through this oasis – leaving behind cares and the outside world. A warm foot soak in fragrant coconut milk bath await you, a welcoming and cleansing gesture which will leave you feeling serene before your treatment.”
What makes the Pure Fiji Spa unique?
“Using Pure Fiji products made on site with natural, local ingredients and the fact that we are a serene oasis in the centre of Suva, Fiji’s capital.”
Describe the ambiance:
“When you enter the spa you step lightly over running waters in our spa garden entrance which is filled with tropical plants and flowers, along with our signature flower bowls filled with beautiful fresh flowers every day. The spa is located in the heart of Suva but it instantly gives you a feeling of calm once you enter.”
Tell us about the products:
“We have used coconut oil for centuries in the South Pacific to beautify both skin and hair, so we wanted to create products to bring these ancient traditions to spas and treatments. That is how it all began 21 years ago. We then thought why not bring our amazing treatments to our own little haven here in Suva and that is when we opened the Pure Fiji Day Spa.”
What do you love about the beauty industry?
“It is forever changing and evolving, we love sourcing and finding new unique ingredients that can change the way our skin looks and feels.”
What challenges do you see?
“That other companies try to emulate our treatments and products but without having our facilities for proper production in a sterile environment with trained personnel.”
Tell us about your staff?
“They are proud to be working at Pure Fiji and we try and foster this pride and loyalty to our company. The staff have a deep sense of loyalty to the company and many of them have been employed by Pure Fiji since the inception of Pure Fiji.”
What kind of customers do you attract?
“We attract both locals and tourists. We are a very unique spa in Suva city and the only one of its kind so both locals and tourists want to visit.”
What are the signature treatments?
“Our unique Sugar Glow Treatment using Pure Fiji Sugar Rub. Unlike salt scrubs, sugar does not dehydrate the skin. The sugar cane is harvested from the sun drenched plantation in Fiji, before it is combined with exotic tropical nut oils, fruit enzymes and vitamins A, B, C and E to nourish the skin and create the ultimate healthy glow. It provides a great manual exfoliation but also dissolves into the skin using our signature coconut milk bath soak. This creates less disruption in the treatment room and makes it a relaxing exfoliation whilst giving a deeper exfoliation as the sugar releases a naturally occurring AHA when dissolved. New, healthy skin is revealed, strengthening the skin’s elasticity and replenishing moisture loss.
What are the most popular treatments?
“Our Relax and Restore aromatherapy massage which is used to treat the mind, body and spirit. Pure Fiji’s blend of exotic oils infused with therapeutic essential oils help to restore balance, soothe mind and body while moisturising and replenishing the skin with much needed nutrients. A combination of massage techniques is used to relieve muscle tension and restore harmony and inner peace. For couples it’s certainly our Orange Blossom Couples Retreat, where guests lay side by side and retreat into blissful relaxation together. Skin is gently buffed to perfection with a raw cane sugar scrub followed by a deeply relaxing massage. A refresher facial concludes this paradise ritual leaving couples both looking radiant and feeling renewed.”
Tell us about manufacturing:
“We firmly believe in sustainable manufacturing and reducing our carbon footprint. Botanical ingredients such as the blend of nut oils are wildcrafted (harvesting plants from their natural, or ‘wild’ habitat). This reduces our requirement for energy dependent irrigation and fertilisation methods, limiting our carbon impact. When wildcrafting is done sustainably with proper respect, generally only the fruit, flowers or branches from plants are taken and the living plant is left.”
Tell us about the ingredients used?
“Pure Fiji products do not contain ingredients which commonly cause allergies or problems to sensitive skins. Organically produced materials are used where appropriate. We do not test on animals. We involve as many communities as possible in the production of our items. Our products are paraben free, mineral oil free , not tested on animals and are made using organically certified cold pressed oils.”
Recent awards won:
2018 NZ Best In Beauty – Best Scrub – Pure Fiji Coconut Sugar Rub
2018 NZ Best In Beauty – Best Treatment Salon – Pure Fiji Exotic Paradise Spa Pedicure
2017 NZ Best In Beauty – Best Moisturiser – Pure Fiji Hydrating Lotion
2017 NZ Best In Beauty – Best Treatment – Pure Fiji Sugar Glow
2017 DAYSPA Magazine’s Professional’s Choice Awards – Best Body Lotion- Hydrating Body Lotion – Guava and BEST Scrub – Coconut Sugar Scrub- Noni
2016 Excellence in Tourism Award for Services to the Tourism Industry
2016 Prime Minister’s International Business Award for E-Commerce
2016 Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa BEST Product – Hydrating Lotion
2016 Dermascope – Best Body Oil – Noni
2016 New Beauty – Best Body Oil – Coconut
2015 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Body Oil – Coconut Milk and Honey Nourishing Exotic Oil
2015 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Body Scrub/Exfoliator – Coconut Sugar Rub
2015 Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa BEST Product – Nourishing Exotic Oil
2015 Exporter of the Year Award – Import Substitution
2015 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Body Oil – Coconut Milk and Honey Nourishing Exotic Oil
2015 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Body Scrub/Exfoliator – Coconut Sugar Rub
2015 Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa BEST Product – Nourishing Exotic Oil
2014 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Body Lotion Luxe – Coconut Body Butter
2014 NZ Best in Beauty Awards – Best Under $50 Winner – Body Oil
For more news and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.