When you meet Kevin Barratt — Kev, as he introduces himself warmly — you don’t just meet a cosmetic injector. You meet a storyteller working in skin, confidence, and quiet transformation.
The founder of Kev Aesthetics NZ (KANZ), Kev moves between Auckland’s Grey Lynn and the sweeping coastline of Russell in Northland. He carries not just syringes and serums, but something far more powerful: intention.
A Registered Nurse by training, Kev has always been grounded in science, but he admits that something was missing. “Healthcare and science have always been a part of my world,” he says. “But I realised pretty quickly I was craving something more creative.” Injectables offered that perfect hybrid — medical precision with artistic vision. “It’s medicine, but magic,” he grins.
For Kev, aesthetics is never about generating carbon-copy faces. “Every face has a story,” he reflects. “From the very beginning, I knew it was more than just injecting. It’s about helping someone look and feel more refreshed — like themselves, but lighter.” His process is collaborative, deeply personal, and built around celebrating identity rather than masking it.
As a gay man in an industry that can often lean heavily into rigid ideals of beauty, Kev’s perspective feels not just refreshing, but necessary. “I’ve grown up knowing that beauty has no single blueprint,” he says. “My identity helps me see beyond binaries: masculine, feminine, ‘before’ and ‘after’. Whether you want sharper, softer, louder or subtler features, it’s about what makes you feel powerful, not what society expects.”
That philosophy has become the backbone of Kev Aesthetics NZ, a space intentionally designed with queer and gender-diverse clients in mind. “Many LGBTQ+ clients have had experiences where they didn’t feel seen,” Kev says. “At KANZ, safety means more than sterile needles. It’s emotional safety too.” From pronouns to aesthetic goals, Kev ensures clients are met with respect, warmth and zero judgement. “It’s a vibe thing,” he laughs. “I am who I am, and you can totes be who you are.”
Services at KANZ include anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, skin boosters and more. All are offered with a focus on comfort, accessibility and natural results. Kev loves debunking the myths that linger around injectables. First up? Pain. “With the right technique — and a little magic numbing — most clients are surprised at how quick and comfortable it is.” Then there’s the belief that aesthetic treatments are only for celebrities. “Wrong again,” he says. “Treatments can be staged and tailored to different budgets. It’s not about extravagance, it’s about investing in confidence.” And the most persistent fear? Looking “fake”. Kev smiles. “Only if you go to someone who doesn’t get you.”
His clients clearly feel that difference. One story sticks with him. “A client came in post-breakup,” Kev shares. “They’d lost their sparkle. We did some subtle restorative work: soft filler, skin boosters, anti-wrinkle. At the end, I handed them the mirror and they burst into happy tears. We hugged for the longest time. I live for those moments.”
Despite the travel between regions, he says the miles are worth it. “The beautiful connections I get to make with people across Auckland and Northland, that keeps me energised,” he says. “KANZ isn’t just a service. It’s a community energy.”
So, what does he want his queer clients — and anyone considering a treatment — to know? His message is clear: “You are already enough. If you want to celebrate yourself, reclaim your glow or rewrite how you present to the world, do it for you. Nobody else.”
In a world that often tries to define beauty for us, Kev Aesthetics NZ offers something braver: a reminder that beauty, like identity, is personal, expressive and yours to command.
