I wrote last week about a fantastic online spa event that my friend held for us. It was fantastic and it’s made me reflect a little on how my beauty routine has changed over the years. I am no longer quite as young as I once was and looking after my skin is important. I have never worn a lot of makeup, but I do moisturise my skin. I use to use Body Shop products but after their sale to L’Oreal a few years back they lost their ethical status for me, so I started to look elsewhere.
For full disclosure, my friend is a Neals Yard Remedies consultant and the links in this post are to her website. I have genuinely bought the items I reference in this post as I am a huge fan of Neals Yard since being introduced to them a couple of years ago. I am not receiving any affiliate commission for items bought via these links.
Why Neals Yard Remedies
Neals Yard Remedies (NYR) are not cheap products. BUT, there is a reason for that. The items are quality items, they last well, they do what they say, and importantly they are as organic as possible and produced and sourced in an ethical way. They have been at the forefront of campaigning on key issues such as the banning of microbeads and are committed to avoiding a range of damaging ingredients. It’s well worth a look at their site for information on this and then checking whether your own beauty products have these items in.
My Favourite Products
I thought I’d share details of some of my fave products here as I know that there are plenty of mums of a similar age to me that read my blog. I will start by acknowledging that NYR isn’t cheap, but it is quality. Plus, when you buy from Tracey you’re supporting another mum, you’re making an ethical purchase and they’re products that will last a long time.
Looking after your skin – for skincare I use a daily moisturising cream, either rose and mallow or Frankincense. Both are lovely subtle scents and do a fantastic job of keeping my skin well hydrated. Also each Saturday night I take a bath whilst Damian prepares our dinner. I have started a proper skincare routine of exfoliating, applying cleansers and oils and it’s made such a big difference. I have always been fortunate to have clear skin, but I am prone to it feeling dry or looking dull. Damian commented over the weekend that my skin seemed brighter and I really do think it’s to do with actually taking the time to exfoliate and properly cleanse. I use the rose facial polish and I have the rose skin care kit and the frankincense one that I alternate between. The oils are amazing and I was a bit sceptical at first but thought I’d give them a try. They’ve worked wonders at keeping my skin super soft.
Relaxation – as mentioned above, I am a big fan of taking a long hot soak. It really relaxes me and it’s an excuse to read a good book for an hour. I have treated myself (and have been treated to!) some fabulous NYR bath goodies, even Damian tries to sneak some when he occasionally takes a bath. The bath salts are AMAZING. Tracey gave me a sample a few months back and I instantly ordered two tubs. I’m nearing the end of my second one so I’ll be placing another order soon. They are amazing and the smell is fantastic. Plus the large jars are great to use afterwards for storing bathroom items in or even using as a small vase. I’ve also been trying out there beauty sleep bath bubbles and the vanilla and ginger shower gel (both are gorgeous but the vanilla and ginger edges if out as my fave).
Other Favourites – Some other favourites of mine that I always make sure I have are the arnica salve. I love this stuff and swear by it for any aches and pain. I really like the smell and it’s amazing how much is really does ease my sore muscles. I do a lot of HIIT training and I can get sore thighs and my hips and sometimes ache. I apply this after a shower or before bed and I wake up ache free. It’s magic and it’s the one thing I make sure I never run out of. The comfrey and mallow foot balm is another one I love. This is great for helping to keep feet in reasonable condition. I use this in the morning every other day.
The Wild Rose Beauty Balm is one I got in the beauty box a few months back and it’s great for a whole range of uses. I tend to use on the scars on my knees and it’s helped to lighten them a bit. I also use on very dry skin and eczema. The same for the skin salve, this is great for any itchy patches of skin or even touches of sunburn.
Bee Lovely Range
And finally, I wanted to save a special spot for the wonderful Bee Lovely Range. These were amongst the first products I ordered and I did so because of the contributions that NYR make to support the bees. They donate 3% of sales from the Bee Lovely range to charities that help protect the bee, which is such a vital insect. The main charity that they support is Bees for Development, which has introduced bee colonies into cashew orchards in Ghana to boost yields, after low yields were found to be a result of poor pollination.
Last year they donated £9,000 to the project, providing training, support and five hives each for 50 cashew farmers. This year they hope to reach a goal of £15,360, through sales of the Bee Lovely collection, to continue supporting these cashew farmers and to fund five more hives for each farmer.
The Bee Lovely range really is every bit as lovely as it sounds and the nourishing collection makes a lovely gift too.
I honestly can’t speak highly enough of Neals Yard and their products and, most importantly, the service that Tracey offers. She is always keen to offer advice (she recommended the mallow and rose cream when I was running a lot last year and it helped against chapped skin) and the online parties that she hosts are fantastic, and the added benefit is you don’t have to be local to her to arrange one. She will send you out a little pamper pack to you and the guests and you simply log on at party time and enjoy. It is honestly such a lovely way to spend an evening in these strange times and in doing so you’re supporting a mum, you’re supporting an ethical business and you’re having fun!
You can ask Tracey more over on her Instagram page or you can contact her via her website here. Tracey is also offering 10% off purchases made by her site (or contacting her direct) with the code LTBS10 AND if you book an online party with her you’ll gain yourself a £10 credit! So do get in touch with her today, and let me know if you discover any new products that I’ve yet to find.
