About Finishya
Finishya is a New Zealand brand dedicated to creating refined skincare and fragrance for everyday ritual. Our products are vegan, cruelty-free and thoughtfully formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin.
Our Journey
Finishya began as NES Soap (Natural Ethical Skin and Soap). Soap was our first love, and the very first product we ever created. What started as a small, thoughtful experiment quickly grew into something much more meaningful.
“Soap was where it all began, a small experiment that grew into something deeply personal.”
- Elza Finishya Shaw, Founder
As the brand evolved. so did we.
I wanted the name to feel more personal, more human. Finishya is my middle name, and choosing it marked a shift, not just in name, but in purpose. This brand reflects my journey, my skin, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Finishya is no longer just a soap brand. We are now a skincare and perfume brand created for people with sensitive skin.
"My journey started out of necessity and became a passion to create products that truly make a difference."
- Elza Finishya Shaw, Founder
As someone with sensitive skin myself, I spent years formulating, testing, and refining hundreds eventually thousands of products. Along the way, I learned something important: natural doesn’t always mean gentle. In fact, many natural ingredients especially essential oils can be some of the most irritating for sensitive skin.
That understanding shaped everything we do.
At Finishya, we focus on simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients that are gentle, effective, and actually work. Every formula is created with sensitive skin in mind, balancing performance with comfort, and care with intention.
We believe skincare for sensitive skin doesn’t need to be boring, clinical, or unscented. It can still feel joyful. It can still smell beautiful. And it can still feel like self-care, not a compromise.
All Finishya products are vegan and cruelty-free, thoughtfully made with gentle ingredients that respect both skin and values. From soap to skincare to fragrance, each product reflects our belief that sensitive-skin formulas can be modern, enjoyable, and beautifully made.
Finishya is about evolving, listening to skin, learning as we go, and creating products that feel good to use and good to trust.
About the Founder
Finishya was founded by Elza, a cosmetologist and makeup artist with a lifelong love for colour, beauty, and the creative arts.
Elza studied cosmetology in New York City, where she lived and worked for 15 years. Immersed in a fast-paced beauty industry, she developed a deep understanding of skin, formulation, and the importance of products that truly support skin health, not just appearance.
After moving to Dunedin in 2017, Elza began formulating her own skincare, launching her business in 2020 under the name NES Soap. What started as a passion project quickly became something more intentional, evolving into Finishya.
Living with sensitive skin taught Elza that more isn’t always better. Thoughtful, minimal formulas make the biggest difference. She understands firsthand how easily skin can react, and how important it is to use products that feel safe, gentle, and considered. Every product is created with that understanding at its core, using formulas that are vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for sensitive skin.
When she’s not formulating or creating, Elza draws inspiration from art, colour, and her love of animals. Influences that are reflected in Finishya’s joyful, modern approach to skincare.