Transforming Local Skincare and Wellness

Richmond Skin and Beauty brings a fresh approach to beauty and skincare under the expert guidance of Annelise Stemmer. With a decade of experience in Perth, Australia, Annelise returned to her hometown of Motueka with a mission to introduce innovative, results-driven treatments to the region. In July 2023, she acquired the beauty arm of Nelson Brows and Beauty on Queen Street, Richmond, allowing its founders, Sophie and Rachel Ham, to focus exclusively on cosmetic tattooing while she expanded her salon's offerings.

Annelise honed her skills in award-winning Australian clinics, where she mastered advanced beauty treatments, developing a keen understanding of both technique and customer care. She brought this expertise back to New Zealand, adding to her salon’s repertoire with treatments like medi-peels, body sculpting, radio frequency, and plasma fibroblast skin tightening—services rarely seen locally but popular overseas. Her body sculpting treatment, which uses sound waves and radio frequency to target and reduce fat, was an instant success, with her bookings filling up weeks in advance. “Body sculpting has proved just as popular here, booking me out for six weeks when I first introduced it,” says Annelise. “Using sound waves to break down fat and then tightening the area with radio frequency, clients can lose inches in a single session.”

Her approach combines relaxation with real results, ensuring clients not only feel rejuvenated but also see progress toward their skincare goals. Working with local naturopaths, like Health and Herbs, Annelise creates personalised programs to improve skin from the inside out, reflecting her belief that “if the gut is compromised, so is the skin.” Each client receives a tailored plan, including a skin diagnosis, a 6- to 12-week treatment plan, and a customised skincare routine. Addressing common concerns, Annelise also developed LUSH LASH, a natural lash serum free from hormones and prostaglandins. “Many clients were reacting to other serums, so I created one with plant extracts only,” she explains, offering a gentle yet effective alternative.

Richmond Skin and Beauty’s comprehensive menu includes everything from medi-peels, dermal needling, and microdermabrasion to hybrid brows, lash lifts, and teeth whitening. Annelise works alongside local naturopaths and dietitians, Health and Herbs, to offer customised skin programs to improve skin health, and welcomes clients to explore a wide range of treatments designed to enhance both confidence and well-being.