Oddfellows Dispensary

Story

History of Magic Balm

During the 2nd World War in London, rations were imposed and a famous actress of the time "Angela Wall" needed to keep up her skincare routine, so she enlisted the help of an admiring chemist to make the things she needed.
Her friends and family soon wanted to use the products and so became the range of 'Angela Wall Skincare' that was made beyond the war. "Skin Food " was the signature favourite of the range (Magic Balm is of a similar nature).

Jean Condon (Sam’s mother) was a famous model in the 60's and 70's, on the cover of Vogue London and loved all things beautiful.
On her retirement from the modelling industry she trained to be a beauty therapist and opened her first salon in London in 1978, taking care of London’s rich and famous as well as the royals.
The salon "Secrets" was hugely successful - out selling major department stores in Clarins and other famous brands.

She was introduced to the Angela Wall range through her relationship with the acting and music world, and fell in love with it. She bought the company and all the recipes and started to produce and sell the range herself.
She went into partnership with her best friend who took the range to South Africa as well as the salon in Barnes. It is still, to this day, a very well know and extensive brand in South Africa. Unfortunately Marita Wragge died in 2004 and her will could not be contested to give Sam the rightful and understood ownership of the range.
Jean, however, still had all the recipes and information.

In 1998, after modelling herself, Sam (Jeans daughter) also qualified in beauty therapy and joined her mother in the business and began learning all there was to know about the Angela Wall range.
Sam grew up above the salon in Barnes, working weekends and learning the trade well before she decided to train and qualify in 1989.
She met a Kiwi man (Dave Gent) in London and fell in love. They then moved to Sydney and then on to Auckland when she was just 20 years old. Here she learnt many new talents in the beauty industry.
Sam has owned and operated many salons/spas/clinics in the beauty industry since she was 22 years old. She has had two amazing children, helped Michael Hill build his golf empire at the Hills golf course and has settled in Arrowtown.
Her mother, Jean, was devastated when Sam left so she sold the salon and moved to New Zealand in 1996 to be with her grandchildren, Tane and Nemo. Unfortunately she died 6 years later, but only after helping Sam buy her first salon in Auckland, SAS Clinic.

Through Sam's clients and her relationship with the industry, she explored the idea of recreating the recipes of old and enlisted the help of a patent attorney from Auckland.
So began the reincarnation of the range now called SAS Skincare, with a slightly adapted formula of "Skin Food" as the base for the whole range.

It was successfully pitched to supermarkets and middle markets wanting natural, good products for the face and body. The range started well and was rebranded as "Skin Food" and was successfully sold in most supermarkets and outlets, like Warehouse, throughout New Zealand.
The contracts between Sam and partner meant that she had to relinquished her shareholding and rights and "Skin Food” has gone on to be a very popular and successful brand.



In 2013, Sam started Oddfellows Beauty Lodge is in the heart of Arrowtown and knew, from her many years of experience and speaking to her world exclusive clients, that something was missing. She could find no creams or balms that could help protect the skin from the harsh environment. She decided to go back to the tired and true recipes of old and worked on a Balm that would help and heal the people living with the realities of the South Island.
So "Magic Balm" was reborn and has been loved and used for 4 years now.
With the past behind her and years since her mother died, the growing love and appreciation of the Balm has lead her (whether she wants to or not!)

To start again .......

Present

Magic Balm is sold at Oddfellows Beauty Lodge, Provisions Cafe and other small businesses in Arrowtown, as well as being sold online on our website. It is loved by locals and visitors alike.

It is the top selling product in the salon, above Thalgo France, Butter London, Nellie Tier N.Z and Coola Australia.

The salon also uses the Balm in all its professional treatments helping with the cost and exploring the Honey factor with locally made, organic Honey.

The accolades that the Balm has had from users has caused a huge increase in demands and has meant that production has increased for Sam.
Visitors have been requesting that the Balm be sent abroad and clients have been using it in the equine industry. It is a very popular request that a formula be made for use on babies and children.

Due to the incredible demand for this amazing product, there must be further development and action taken.






Future

Sam's plan is to build on the Magic Balm range, keeping with the history and knowledge passed down to her from her mother many years ago.
We plan to take Magic Balm to the market with Oddfellows as the flagship salon in Arrowtown and Auckland Clinic opening in May 2017, and grow an online presence.


Pharmacies, local salons, wellness centres
Online website facilities to enable growth
Explore the Asian market
Explore the equine market