Nelda Farrington

BVI Produces Caribbean Line Of Skin Care Products

The list of items made in the British Virgin Islands is now up by one. Add an exclusive line of skin care products - lotions, soap, perfumes,facial moisturizers, body scrubs, hydrating mist, shampoo, bath gels and massage oils, manufactured and supplied right here in the territory. "Caribbean Essence" is a new company owned by BVIslander Nelda Farrington, the daughter of Mrs. Bernice Farrington of Botanic Station, Road Town, Tortola. Ms. Farrington, who received her early education in the British Virgin Islands and Connecticut, USA and later on at the San Diego State University, is a former Miss BVI (1988). She worked in the motion picture industry for the last 12 years and briefly with the BVI Tourist Board as a film representative in Los Angeles. "Since I've been gone, I have been looking for a reason to come back; it's the only place I'll ever call home, though I've been gone for so long...I have travelled all over the world, but there's something about the islands that calls me back each time," she told The Island Sun Monday.

Ms. Farrington said she came up with a gem of an idea to start a company. "So, never having sold a bar of soap in my life, I decided to go into the skin care business." She said she started her research, hired a chemist to show her the ins and outs of the manufacturing business for skin care products and voila! The next step was to get the products on the market and gauge the response. And so, armed with samples and bags of enthusiasm, she canvassed hotels in the BVI and throughout the Caribbean "and to my surprise, they all bought my products!" Her first appointment netted her first sale. She also sat at the cruise ship dock for about a week and a half and her products "went like hot cakes". The company actually got off the ground about six months ago and is based at Botanic Station.

Caribbean Essence products have since been available in many regional hotels, gift shops and on cruise ships and the response has been tremendous, according to the businesswoman. She said the plan is to set up a manufacturing plant right here in the BVI, so that everything will be done here. She is now going full-fledged into and increasing production as the weeks go by. What is especially noteworthy about this line is that the items are all natural, made with Caribbean products. "I chose the scents, to me, that really give the Caribbean its true character - guavaberry, coconut, mango and passion fruit for the soaps and lotions and hibiscus for the perfumes." One of the comments that she has been receiving is "the products smell good enough to eat". The sun care products have a lot of aloe vera for soothing the skin. Look for the uniquely Caribbean flavour or scent and that logo which depicts palm trees (for the islands), blue (for the ocean) and her version of someone dancing to steel band music. "I am now working hard to identify other products, obtaining additional clients and expanding into other arenas with the same quality type products," said Ms. Farrington. She said the primary focus at this time is to establish a good strong healthy base before expanding internationally. Later on, she hopes to expand into possibly clothing and other gift items, such as handbags etc. Nelda can be contacted at Caribbean Essence, 284 494-2648.