Early origins

Good morrow!

I'm Evie, a qualified archaeologist and chemist. Welcome to Ada Botanica, the zenith of a lifelong interest in skincare, scent, and their natural origins.

From a young age, many hours were spent reading natural remedy books, experimenting with their recipes, and smelling soaps and cosmetics at every store I encountered. Of particular fascination was a recipe for Galen's Cold Cream, which was intriguing for both its historical and mythic essence.

These pastimes became so integral to my personality that I was gifted a soap making kit for my seventh birthday. This provided countless hours of entertainment and learning. For a family excursion, we ventured to New Directions in Marrickville to explore ingredients, essential oils, and packaging. It was like visiting a wonderland.

In Second Grade, I turned my hobby into a business by completing an entrepreneurial course and selling soaps, lip balms, and bath bombs at Paddington Market. My mum—a graphic designer—encouraged my interests by creating a website for my first brand, Evieada, with a portion of profits donated to charity.

Recent epiphanies

I have recently become aware that these youthful fascinations contributed to a sincere curiosity for chemistry and cosmetics as they have developed throughout history. My aspiration to become an archaeological scientist arose when reading an article about chemically identified contents in a perfume bottle from Tutankhamun's tomb. 

However, the passion to share my historical cosmetics knowledge remained dormant throughout my university studies of chemistry and archaeology until 2024, when my boyfriend gifted me home-produced beeswax and I began to experiment with producing the very same Galen's Cold Cream that I first saw many years ago! This resulted in what my family and friends came to know as "Ancient Cream".

Since then, I have researched ancient cosmetics and their intimate connections to ancient societies as both an academic and entrepreneurial passion.

My philosophy

A key sensibility of cosmetics from ancient and medieval history is the guarantee of natural ingredients. Thus, my formulations are at the very least naturally-derived, and informed by ancient textual sources, archaeological discoveries, myths, and visual depictions from throughout history. Whilst exact replicas of ancient cosmetics have been created by scholars, I am strongly motivated to concoct products that are commercially suitable for modern noses and needs.

As a (very pasty) Australian who knows what it's like to live in the unpredictable Australian climate, I also aspire to produce products that soothe, protect, and regenerate skin in this unique environment.

Thank you for joining me on this journey to ancient elegance with modern sensibilities. 

Evie 🧡