Meet the Go Native NZ Team - The Creative Force Chelsea
Meet Chelsea: The Creative Force Behind Go Native NZ Natural Skincare Innovation
Hi, I’m Chelsea! I’ve been part of Go Native New Zealand full-time since 2011, but my connection to the company goes back to its founding in 2001 by my mum, Elinor McEwan. Watching the business grow and evolve over the years has been an incredible journey, and I’m proud to now play a central role in shaping our natural skincare offerings.
My background is a mix of creativity and science. I started as an actor, balancing rehearsals with part-time work at Go Native, but I quickly became fascinated by the art and science of skincare formulation. Over time, what started as a job to pay the bills turned into a lifelong passion.
I learned all the foundations of formulation from Mum and have been making my own skincare products most of my life, and now most of my own makeup. As I got deeper into the business I became more and more fascinated by the skincare formulation world. I'm committed to lifelong learning and hold a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica I highly recommend this to anyone who who is interested in making their own makeup or starting a side-hustle, or business. I'm currently studying at the School of Natural Skincare for a Diploma in Formulating Natural skincare & Advanced Colour Cosmetics
As I’ve delved deeper into this field, I’ve realised there’s always more to learn—and I love it. Every new insight goes straight into the work we do at Go Native, whether it’s creating new products or helping customers with their formulation questions. I especially enjoy working with customers to solve problems together, turning every query into an opportunity for growth and discovery.
My full-time job is Go Native NZ and I love it!
A Sustainable Approach to Beauty
Sustainability is at the heart of Chelsea’s work. She is deeply passionate about sourcing and selecting eco-friendly, cruelty-free ingredients and minimising waste in production. Chelsea’s efforts reflect her dedication to protecting the environment while delivering products customers can trust.
“It’s important to me that what we create isn’t just good for your skin but also for the planet. Every decision, from ingredient selection to packaging, reflects that commitment.”
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| Chelsea McEwan Millar - Demystifying Cosmetic Ingredients - NZ Makeup Podcast | Actor Chelsea McEwan Millar's Beauty Routine NZ Herald Viva |
Chelsea’s Journey: From Theatre to Formulation
Chelsea’s path to becoming a skincare innovator wasn’t conventional. Her early career in NZ Acting & theatre equipped her with organization and production skills that seamlessly transitioned into her role at Go Native.
“My years in theatre taught me to be resourceful and creative. Now, I get to use those skills to develop products, design formulas, and even create content for our brand. It’s a perfect blend of science, art, and storytelling.”
Today, Chelsea’s focus is on formulation, but she is hands on in many aspects of running the business. From managing social media and email marketing to filling and shipping orders, she plays a pivotal role in keeping Go Native running smoothly.
A Day in the Life of Chelsea at Go Native
As far as personal life goes animal welfare, sustainability and conservation is at the heart of my day to day, I follow a vegan diet, buy second hand clothing as much as possible. This ethos is congruous with Go Native New Zealand. I love being able to put those things into practice on a daily basis, from researching the best possible packaging solutions to choosing what ingredients we decide to stock.
I still enjoy doing acting work. I’m involved in the theatre and comedy industry and am part of a female/non-binary improv group “Heartthrobs”. We perform live long-form improvisation shows based on TV shows and films. In 2020 we won Best Comedy for our show “Lust Island” in the Auckland Fringe Festival and performed the 2022 Basement Christmas Show "Sleigh!".
Comedy is where I met my comedian husband, Rhys. We got married in January 2022, surrounded by friends, family, dogs and donkeys. Most weekends are enjoyed watching a comedy show or theatre production... and I confess to playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends as much as humanly possible, because I’m ultimately a big ol’ nerd at heart.
Rhys and I hold our wedding photos close to our hearts, like this beautifully captured snap, by the talented Kate Little
Discover the Go Native Difference
Chelsea’s passion, expertise, and creativity are key to what makes Go Native stand out. From innovative products, blogs, to personalised customer support, her influence is felt in every corner of the brand. You'll see her in many of our photos and How To Tutorial Videos too
“I’m lucky to do what I love every day, combining creativity with science to help people feel good in their skin while staying kind to the planet.
Let me know if you'd love a specific video tutorial about anything... like product information, DIY skincare or makeup, to level up your glow! 🌟"
