We are celebrating International Women’s Day with some of the most inspirational women in our industry. Today’s guest is Zarina Weston of Kenzina.
We’re commemorating International Women’s Day 2024 alongside some of the most remarkable women in our field. This year, our focus is on fostering Inclusive Inspiration. Encouraging understanding and appreciation for women’s inclusion not only empowers others but also cultivates a profound sense of belonging and relevance. Barneys is dedicated to igniting inspiration within our industry and among female salon owners by sharing success stories and insights from leading beauty brands. Today, we have the pleasure of connecting with Zarina Weston, the visionary behind Kenzina, a skincare brand with a conscience!
A little intro on Zarina and her legacy
Zarina’s journey into the world of beauty began with her passion for skincare and her role as an official distributor of some of Australia’s beloved skincare lines. Driven by a desire to make a difference, Zarina envisioned a skincare range that merged her love for beauty with her commitment to sustainability. Thus, Kenzina was born—a skincare enterprise dedicated to crafting professional-grade products for both home and salon use. With a firm stance against animal testing and a dedication to ethical production practices, Kenzina stands as a testament to Zarina’s unwavering values and dedication to her craft.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day holds special significance, especially considering my background in Kazakhstan, where it’s been celebrated as a public holiday for many decades.
On this day, everyone congratulates their mother, grandmother, sisters, friends, teachers, coworkers, etc. Tulips are traditional flowers as it’s spring. Witnessing the recognition of women’s contributions in various spheres is heartening.
In Australia, I’ve seen the evolution of the celebration, which now involves hosting events and campaigns, fostering a sense of unity and empowerment among women.
What or whom has been your inspiration for achieving the career you dreamed of?
I think my mum and dad are a true inspiration. They always believed in me and gave me opportunities to explore ideas and they also gave me the confidence to say yes to opportunities.
Also, my two little girls have been a great inspiration for me. I want to build something for them… a legacy.
What challenges do you feel women in our industry face and how could we look to push through such challenges?
I think as women, we can often underestimate and undervalue ourselves. We contribute to making the world and women’s lives more confident and fulfilling by improving their complexion, offering makeovers with brows and so on, and at the same time, can undervalue ourselves and the input we are making to this world and to each other’s lives by doing what we do in our industry. It goes beyond just the skin and looks, and we need to remember to have confidence in what we do and the positive influence we have.
Tell us about a big achievement that stands out for you, be it personal or career focused.
The significant achievement for me as a brand is that people in the industry believed in my product and supported me through highs and lows. When I launched my product, I did not expect to have so much interest from salons, and so now, my business model is based around salon owners. The retail side is still important, but I didn’t imagine there would be so much take-up from the beauty industry on the wholesale side of the business.
What would you like to share with our beauty industry that may inspire or empower?
I think, just do it. The first time, it will not be perfect, but you need to do it and get better at it. AND DON’T GIVE UP EASILY. THINGS WILL BE HARD, BUT NO ONE SAID IT WILL BE EASY. Ignore the negative people, build a network around those that encourage you, and never lose sight of your vision.