BY SHOREYANN RAGOSO
For Corina Dettke, beauty has never been just about makeup. It is about helping people feel confident, expressing creativity, and giving back to the community.
As the founder of CVD Beauty, Corina is building a local beauty brand in the Solomon Islands that combines professional training, creativity and affordable services. Along the way, she hopes to inspire other young Solomon Islanders to believe in their dreams and turn their passions into successful careers.
Based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, CVD Beauty is a locally owned business committed to high-quality, affordable care using trusted products. As a certified Beauty Therapist, Makeup Artist, and Skin Specialist, she offers: Full glam, soft glam, and bridal makeup, Lash applications and brow shaping Waxing, facials, and skincare consultations and Mini massages and professional beauty advice.
Born in Guadalcanal Province, Corina comes from a rich cultural background. Her father is a Solomon Islander of German heritage, while her mother has Tongan and English roots. She grew up in Honiara and attended Woodford International School until Year 9 before completing her college education overseas.
Looking back, Corina says her love for beauty began much earlier than many people realise.
She started hula dancing when she was only five years old and performed at local events as well as around the Pacific. Those performances introduced her to makeup, costumes and the power of self-expression.
“Performing taught me that makeup could enhance confidence and creativity. It became something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to learn more about,” told SOLOMON WOMEN.
Her biggest inspiration came from the women in her family.
Her Tongan grandmother was an entertainer, while her Guadalcanal grandmother owned a beauty salon. Watching them work showed her how beauty could bring joy and confidence to others.
She also credits her father for teaching her the importance of serving the community through his work with Solomon Noni.
These strong family influences helped shape the person and businesswoman she is today.
After finishing college, Corina decided to turn her passion into a profession.
She completed a Dual Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Salon Management and became a certified Makeup Artist, Bridal Makeup Artist and Skin Specialist. She also trained in reflexology, aromatherapy and Swedish massage.
Her dedication to learning paid off when she graduated at the top of her class during her practical examinations.
“I invested years into education, practical training, and professional qualifications because I wanted to provide services that were safe, professional, and delivered to Australian industry standards,” she says.
“Every challenge taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of continuing to learn.”
While building her beauty career, Corina also pursued another passion—fitness.
She entered competitive bodybuilding and became the first female bodybuilder to represent the Solomon Islands at a regional competition.
Her hard work earned her a silver medal at the South Pacific Games, and she also finished three times as the Ms. Solomon runner-up.
Rather than hiring professionals, Corina prepared herself for every competition.
“Throughout every competition, I did my own makeup, hair, outfits, and styling. Everything came from my own creativity and vision. That experience reinforced my passion for beauty and gave me confidence in my skills.”
Today, those experiences have become the foundation of CVD Beauty.
Her business offers a wide range of professional services, including full glam and soft glam makeup, bridal makeup, lash applications, brow shaping, waxing, facials, mini massages and personalised skincare consultations.
Corina believes beauty should always go hand in hand with education.
“As a Skin Specialist, I believe education is just as important as beauty,” she explains.
“Many people are unaware of the importance of hygiene, skin health, contraindications, and disease prevention.”
She says professional qualifications allow her to safely perform treatments while teaching clients how to care for their skin properly.
“Being professionally certified means I can safely provide treatments while educating clients about proper skincare and beauty practices.”
To make quality beauty services available to more people, Corina keeps her prices affordable. None of her regular beauty services cost more than SBD $500.
She also sells carefully selected beauty products that she has personally tested and regularly offers discounted services at the YECSI Markets, held most Sundays at the Troppo Markets at the King Solomon Hotel.
Making beauty affordable is an important part of her mission because she wants everyone to have access to professional care.
Running CVD Beauty, however, is only one part of her busy life.
She also works full-time as Floor and Assistant Manager at her family’s business, ITA Hardware.
Balancing both roles means she often works six or seven days every week while also making time for fitness, market stalls and planning future studies at the University of the South Pacific.
She admits that managing her time has been one of her greatest challenges.
“For me, CVD Beauty is more than a business. It allows me to express my creativity, connect with people, and provide affordable professional services that help others feel confident.”
One moment that remains close to her heart happened during her beauty training.
After completing her practical examinations, one of her lecturers shared words she has never forgotten.
“Your energy and your aura are to heal and help people.”
Those words reminded Corina that beauty is not only about appearance but also about making people feel cared for, respected and valued.
Another milestone came during the Alen Riddim Festival when international Melanesian artists Shazza and Danielle became some of her very first clients.
“It was an honour to collaborate with and support fellow Pacific women.”
The experience strengthened her belief that local businesses can work alongside artists, designers and professionals from across the Pacific.
Looking ahead, Corina hopes to work with fashion designers, photographers, beauty pageants, brides, models, actors, corporate professionals and event hosts.
She also wants people to know that CVD Beauty is not just for women.
Her services are available to everyone, including men seeking facials, skincare advice, eyebrow grooming or skin treatments.
As CVD Beauty continues to grow, Corina hopes it will become one of the Solomon Islands’ trusted local beauty brands while creating jobs and opportunities for others.
She dreams of more partnerships with local designers, photographers and models, along with participating in more markets, workshops and business expos that celebrate local talent.
As a member of YECSI, Corina says the organisation has played an important role in helping her business grow. She has also completed customer service training through Pacific Australia Skills.
“YECSI has provided me with opportunities to showcase my business, connect with other entrepreneurs, and become involved in initiatives that support youth and local businesses.”
With around 70 percent of the country’s population under the age of 30, Corina believes supporting young entrepreneurs is more important than ever.
She hopes her own journey encourages young people to follow their dreams, whether in beauty, fashion, agriculture, technology, music, education, science, cooking or any other field.
“Even if someone doesn’t plan to become an entrepreneur, organisations like YECSI can provide valuable opportunities, training, networking, and support that help build stronger local businesses and communities.”
Her message to young Solomon Islanders is simple but powerful.
“Find what you’re passionate about. It may begin as a hobby or side hustle, but with commitment, education, and hard work, it can become a successful career.”
“Be creative, believe in yourself, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to think differently.”
“Most importantly, support one another. When we shop local, collaborate with each other, and invest in our own people, we build a stronger Solomon Islands for future generations.”
Through CVD Beauty, Corina Dettke is proving that success is about more than building a business. It is about serving people, sharing knowledge, inspiring others and helping create a brighter future for the Solomon Islands—one client, one opportunity and one dream at a time.
