Escaping the Southland Mud: How a Polynesian Summer Inspired Our Tropical Botanical Collection
There is a moment during a relentless Southern winter when you look out the window at the rain, look down at your mud-caked boots, and realize your soul just needs a little sun.
Back in 1971, Dewey Bunnell of the band America found himself sitting in a cold, grey, rain-soaked London studio. Longing for the heat and dry air of his childhood home in California, he channeled that homesickness into writing "A Horse with No Name"—a song born out of a desire to mentally escape a bleak winter day.
This year, Southland experienced its wettest winter in 46 years. With water pooled across the paddocks and endless mud underfoot, we found ourselves in that exact same frame of mind. Our minds didn't drift to California, though—they went straight back to our last holiday in Samoa. We remembered the heavy, warm ocean air, the vibrant green foliage, the scent of fresh tropical blossoms, and the simple, grounded feeling of island life.
Unable to hop on a plane, we did the next best thing: we brought the islands to the apothecary.
Crafting Island Magic in the Apothecary
We wanted to capture that warm, dry, sun-drenched feeling and turn it into a daily skincare ritual designed to revive winter-weary skin. Here is how our "Horse with No Name" tropical creations came to life:
1. Island Bloom Tallow Soap
To combat the harshness of wet, cold weather on the hands, we needed a bar that felt luxurious and deeply protective.
The Base: Formulated with a high proportion of pure tallow to create an extraordinarily hard, long-lasting bar.
The Island Twist: We blended in thick coconut cream and authentic Noni (Nonu) juice—a prized traditional Polynesian remedy.
The Lather: The result is a dense, velvety, lotion-like lather that thoroughly cleanses without stripping away your skin’s natural oils.
2. Whipped Tropical Tallow Balm
Winter skin needs deep, barrier-restoring nutrition, but nobody likes a heavy, sticky feel.
Botanical Infusions: We started by infusing organic Pawpaw (Papaya) and Soursop (Graviola) leaves into pure Jojoba oil. Pawpaw brings natural enzymes to gently smooth texture, while Soursop offers powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant care.
Island Oils: We added nutrient-dense Kukui nut oil, a traditional Hawaiian secret for softening weathered skin.
The Whipped Finish: Blended with grass-fed tallow and whipped until soft and airy, this balm melts effortlessly on contact, leaving your skin soft, supple, and deeply hydrated.
3. Ylang Ylang Natural Fragrance
No tropical getaway is complete without scent. To top off the collection, we used pure Ylang Ylang essential oil. With its exotic, sweet, and intoxicating floral notes, a single dab transports your senses straight to a balmy Polynesian garden at sunset.
Bringing the Sunshine to You
We created these products to give ourselves a slice of sunshine during a dreary season, and now we want to share that warmth with you.
To celebrate the launch, we are giving away Free Tropical Sample Packs featuring mini versions of our Island Bloom Soap, Whipped Tropical Tallow Balm, and Ylang Ylang Natural Fragrance.
Whether you’re wiping off Southland mud or just dreaming of warmer, drier days ahead, take a moment to pause, breathe in the ylang ylang, and let your mind drift to the Pacific islands.
Every sample pack helps support our passion for traditional apothecary craftsmanship and directly contributes to the restoration and preservation of our historic Pukerau church building.
Ready for your mini escape? Claim your free tropical sample pack on our shop today!
Comments