The demand for natural skin-care products has grown over thepast few years and Ahwatukee Foothills resident, Caren Teves, hasdefinitely noticed.
To help satisfy this demand, Teves opened the Honi-Honi BalmShop in September. She said she started the business because it wasdifficult to find all-natural products that both contained qualityingredients, and were reasonably priced. She also loved thecreative process, and the endless possibilities of formulation.
“The famous quote (by Bliss Carman) sums it up nicely, ‘Set me atask in which I can put something of my very self and it is a taskno longer; it is joy; it is art,’” Teves said.
The unique name of the shop, “Honi-Honi” comes from a Hawaiianphrase that means “to kiss; a kiss.” Teves said that a true love ofHawaiian culture was the inspiration behind the name. In addition,she said she found it to be a very fitting name for a lip balm.
Teves said that formulating skin care products is a complicated,costly and time-consuming process. In addition, she said that ittook well over a year to find the right blend of all-naturalingredients. She wanted the ingredients be healthy and provideexceptional conditioning properties for the skin. Also, she wantedthe product to feel as wonderful in application and to thetouch.
“It was fun sending samples to people all over the country, andHawaii, to test and rate my products,” Teves said.
She will also be selling her natural skin care products at thisyear’s Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party. At the festival, the shopwill be featuring products such as the popular Conditioning LipBalm, the Aromatherapy Body Balm Moisturizer, and an ExfoliatingCane Sugar Lip Polish.
Teves said the conditioning lip balms are available in 12,all-natural flavors that include Wild Raspberry, Dreamy CreamCoconut, Pomegranate, Peppermint Lemongrass, POG Juice, Chai Latte,Kula Strawberry, and more. She said that Tropical Banana is themost popular flavor with younger children.
The Aromatherapy Body Balm Moisturizer is one of her mostpopular products, and has received rave reviews. She said that thefour, pure essential oil blends provide unique therapeuticaromatherapy benefits. Citrus Ginger Sage and Rosemary Mint, shesaid, are her shop’s best sellers.
Teves is also involved with the community and gives back to anorganization she created, called “Pucker Up! For A Cause.” Creationof the organization has allowed her to give money to The Michael J.Fox Foundation and Team Fox in the fight against Parkinson’sdisease. Also, she donates to Women Helping Women Maui, anorganization that provides emergency shelter and programs forvictims of domestic violence.
Teves also gives back to Hale Kau Kau, a group that feeds thehungry of South Maui since 1991. She said that 100 percent of theprofits from the sale of featured items are being donated.Currently, the POG Juice Lip Balm is the featured item.
Teves said she enjoys that more people are seeking all-naturalingredients, and buying locally. It’s a positive trend in thecommunity, she said, adding that she loves incorporating naturalingredients into her products the most.
“They feel good and are good for you.”
Kirsten Hillhouse is interning this semester for the AhwatukeeFoothills News. She is a senior at Arizona State University.
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