Meet Françoise: The Woman Behind Vivéa and her Menopause Journey

Behind every thoughtful brand is a real story. At Vivéa, that story belongs to Françoise, the woman who understands menopause not from textbooks or trends, but from lived experience.

Françoise and her husband, Jean-Charles, are originally from Belgium and have been entrepreneurs since the late 1980s. In 2001, they made New Zealand their home, bringing with them a deep appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and purpose-driven businesses. But Vivéa wasn’t born from a business plan. It was born from frustration, relief, and the realisation that women going through menopause deserved better support.

Françoise entered perimenopause around 18 years ago. Like many women, she wasn’t prepared for what was coming. The changes felt confusing, overwhelming, and at times frightening. Hormones that had quietly done their job for decades suddenly shifted, and symptoms appeared with little warning. Anxiety crept in where confidence once lived. Sleep became unreliable. Skin changed in ways she didn’t recognise. Her body no longer responded the way it used to, and she often found herself wondering, “What’s wrong with me?”

Françoise later learned that there was nothing wrong with her - her hormones were changing.

Over the years, Françoise experienced a wide range of menopause symptoms. Anxiety and low mood were among the hardest. She felt lost, tearful for no clear reason, and mentally exhausted many times. At one point, the symptoms became so intense that she could no longer function day to day. With the support of her gynaecologist, she used HRT for a short period to help her through the most difficult stage. It helped her regain balance and perspective, and eventually she was able to stop.

Menopause also brought physical changes that many women quietly struggle with. Allergies worsened. Bloating and food intolerances appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Brain fog made conversations and work more challenging.

Her skin became noticeably drier, thinner, and less resilient. Products she had trusted for years no longer worked. Anti-ageing creams felt too heavy, too harsh, or simply ineffective.

Even now, as a post-menopausal woman, some symptoms remain. Hot flushes haven’t fully disappeared, and Françoise often jokes that she’s following in her mother’s footsteps, who still experiences them in her 80s. Menopause, she realised, isn’t a short phase. It’s a long transition that deserves ongoing care and understanding.

This is why she's so passionate about Vivéa. Products with targeted, thoughtful formulations were developed by a female scientist to precisely understand women in this challenging stage of life - support their skin during dryness, loss of elasticity, and sensitivity - products that acknowledged how menopause feels, not just how it looks.

For Françoise, Vivéa is personal. It’s the skincare she wishes had existed when her own journey began. Her goal is simple and heartfelt: to help women feel understood, supported, and confident during this powerful stage of life.

Here are Françoise's tips for looking and feeling great during peri and menopause:

Skincare rituals: Establish a gentle, consistent routine with products designed for your changing skin. The Vivéa Gentle Creamy Cleanser and Vivéa Cooling Day & Night Gel Creams create a calming and easy daily ritual that reminds you that you matter.

Prioritise sleep: Hormonal shifts disrupt rest, but quality sleep is everything. Vivéa® fragrances are designed with sleep-optimising technology to support deeper, more restorative rest.

Move your body: Gentle movement—walking, yoga, pilates, swimming—boosts mood, supports skin health, and helps you feel grounded.

Nourish from within: Balanced nutrition, hydration, and managing stress all reflect in your skin and energy.

Talk about it: Share your experience with your partner, family, friends or a support group. You're not alone, and connection matters.

Seek support if needed: From GPs to menopause specialists, there are options and treatments available.

Remember, this isn't the end of your story—it's a new chapter. You're stronger than you think, and taking time to care for yourself is an act of self-respect. You are not done, you are just getting started!