Mermaid’s Secret in Viva: The Story Behind Our Post-Water Ritual

Mermaid’s Secret has been featured in Viva as one of four new beauty brands that we predict have a bright future in beauty.

01 — A story shaped by water

“There were many things that Victoria Shin loved about New Zealand after relocating here from Korea in 2009 – not least diving.

Her obsession would drive her to develop a post-water ritual for skin and hair designed to be applied after she’d returned to shore.”

— Ashleigh Cometti, Viva

02 — Born from New Zealand’s ocean lifestyle. Developed in Korea.

For Victoria, Mermaid’s Secret began with life in the water. Bringing it to life meant connecting two parts of her world: the ocean lifestyle she had found in New Zealand and Korean beauty formulation.

Developed and made in Korea, the range was created for people whose lives revolve around the water. For those who swim, dive or surf as part of everyday life, caring for skin and hair afterwards deserves a ritual of its own.

“My dream is to make Mermaid’s Secret the signature beauty ritual for people with a mermaid soul: those who feel most themselves in the water and make it part of their everyday lives.”

— Victoria Shin, Founder of Mermaid’s Secret

03 — The thinking behind MerCell™

MerCell™ Repair Complex brings together Low-Molecular Marine Plant PDRN, Full-Spectrum Centella Complex and 300-Compound Aloe Complex. This shared foundation reflects our focus on marine-derived ingredients, soothing care and hydration for a post-water routine centred on moisture and comfort.

Each formula builds on this foundation with supporting ingredients chosen for its particular role: cleansing skin, replenishing moisture or nourishing hair.

04 — Behind the three formulas

In the words of Victoria Shin, Founder of Mermaid’s Secret

Seafoam Revive Cleanser

“I wanted the oil-to-foam texture to bring two cleansing stages into one bottle, for sunscreen after a swim and everyday makeup. It needed to feel fresh and simple, with moisturising ingredients to keep skin comfort at the heart of the formula.”

Sea Shield Water Cream

“I wanted lasting moisture without a thick, oily coating: something more comforting than a clear gel, but fresh, quick to absorb and comfortable under makeup. My own sensitive, breakout-prone skin shaped that brief.”

Sea Silk Leave-In Hair Serum

“Surveys showed me how many Kiwis struggled with tangled, stiff hair after ocean swims and chlorinated pools. We developed all three products with testing that included real divers, and the serum received especially encouraging feedback early on.”

05 — Your everyday post-water ritual

The First Breath Bundle brings Seafoam, Sea Shield and Sea Silk together in one skin-and-hair ritual. Inspired by her life in and around New Zealand’s ocean, Victoria drew on the advanced beauty formulation expertise of her home country, Korea, to bring her vision to life: a signature beauty ritual for people who feel most themselves in the water.

Explore The First Breath Bundle

Founder photo and product photography: Mermaid’s Secret.