Disclaimer Alert: The Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo & Conditioner Essentials Kit has been supplied by Vegamour for the purpose of this review, however, all opinions expressed are 100% mine!
THE BRAND
Vegamour is an American company founded in 2016 by Daniel Hodgson. It is a vegan, cruelty free beauty brand of hair products from shampoos, conditioners to hair growth serums. The brand uses an holistic approach to hair wellness that incorporates clinically tested plant -based ingredients – no use of harmful chemicals and ensuring that every product in the Vegamour range as well as each ingredient, works in tandem. Only 100% vegan ingredients and no testing on animals either. According to Vegamour’s website, Vegamour utilises the latest advances in clean, bimolecular technology to ensure that each plant-based ingredient in every product formulated is optimised for maximum efficiency. Sounds impressive, eh?!
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THE WEBSITE
Although Vegamour is an American company, and products are shipped from the USA, the website caters for your particular home country. Here is the UK site: https://uk.vegamour.com For UK shoppers, the price displayed is in pounds £ and has the 20% VAT already added. Although shipping comes from the USA, I waited approximately 10 days for arrival. Currently, Vegamour ship to Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam
As far as the actual website is concerned – the site is clean and uncluttered with photographs of the products, price, reviews, FAQ , and lots of interesting scientific information.
Deep Moisture Repair Mask
THE PRODUCTS
I received the Vegamour Hydr-8 Shampoo and Conditioner Essentials Kit to review. This kit comprises of 3 full size products- hydrating shampoo; hydrate & repair conditioner and a deep moisture repair hair mask. The shampoo is a hydrate and repair shampoo powered by Karmatin ™️, which is a vegan alternative to Keratin. The hair conditioning mask was to be used instead of the conditioner at least once or twice a week. The 3 products have been formulated for use on dry, damaged hair. My hair is highlighted and dry; it suffers from frizz and waviness on humid days; I normally wash my hair once or twice a week so, for this review I used the mask one week instead of the conditioner; and then used the shampoo & conditioner the following week; and so on. I have used these products for approximately a month. The shampoo & conditioner have twisty cap applicators and the repair mask is a thick and buttery cream in a tub. All three items have a strong, pleasant scent to them. Key ingredients: Karmatin ™️, Amino Acids , Marula Oil, Moringa Seed Oil.
Twisty Lid applicator on the shampoo
WHAT IS KARMATIN ™️?
According to Vegamour’s website, Karmatin ™️ is an innovative, encapsulated vegan b-silk ™️ protein that replaces traditional keratin. Many hair products contain keratin, an animal protein that rinses away before it can repair damaged hair. Karmatin ™️ bonds to the hair, nourishing it instantly for a glass like feel.It also deeply nourishes, repairs and protects hair from external aggressors like chlorine
BENEFITS/CLAIMS
Keeps Colour Vibrant – I’m not 100% sure on this claim because my hair colour at the moment is fairly muted and not as blonde as I used to have it in the past. My hair is highlighted though and some of the stronger blonde highlights are definitely vibrant to be fair.
Gently cleanses – Despite the strong smell ( which I loved), the shampoo gently cleansed and all three products didn’t irritate my sensitive skin and scalp. No dandruff either.
Conditioner softens and smooths strands. Reducing frizz. Locking in moisture. Yes, the conditioner definitely performed well. My hair feels very smooth and soft. Despite the recent humid weather, my hair hasn’t succumbed to frizz. Win win.
Deep Moisture Repair Mask – instantly repairing the appearance of damaged hair. The mask felt lovely when applied and my hair doesn’t look dry, even when it is due a wash after a few days! My hair also feels a lot thicker than it used to.
Unparalleled softness and shine. Oh definitely. My hair feels very soft and there is a definite shine.
Before and After
MY CONCLUSION
This haircare range set from Vegamour is impressive, offering an effective solution for those seeking vegan and cruelty-free products. The delightful scent and gorgeous packaging contribute to a luxurious experience, which is reflected in the quality of the products. However, the high cost can be a significant downside. Some Vegamour products cater to specialised hair conditions, such as thickeners etc; justifying their price to some extent. Despite the expense, regular sales on their website can make these products more accessible, and their attractive presentation makes them excellent gift options. Overall, I rate Vegamour products 7/10, deducting points primarily due to their price.
My thanks to Vegamour for supplying the Hydr-8 Shampoo and Conditioner Essentials Kit for reviewing. All photographs are by Linda Hobden.
It will soon be Spring gardening weather and now is a perfect time to introduce a skincare range especially formulated for gardeners and those who love being outside. Using the power of botanicals, my guest Dalia has formulated a powerful skincare range to help repair the appearance of sun damaged skin and to moisturise dry , chapped skin . I caught up with Dalia recently to find out more about her skincare range and her love of botanicals. Hi Dalia!
Hi ! I am Dalia, the founder of a natural skincare brand – Dalia Botanique. I live in Yorkshire with my partner, our cat and chickens.
What was the inspiration behind the setting up of your skincare brand, Dalia Botanique?
I decided to redo my partner’s garden and became really interested in wildflowers and all sorts of stunning botanicals. It was the first year of Covid and I had lost my massage business so I had plenty of time! I decided to undertake some skincare courses as it had been a dream of mine to create products for myself and others. I used to make balms for my family and friends! Whilst doing the courses, I learnt that many of the botanicals I was growing actually had wonderful skincare properties! As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors running, cycling & gardening, I wanted to create a range of products for people like me and use all the botanicals I was growing. A french twist on botanical is ‘botanique’ (I have a French mum)! and dahlias are my favourite flowers so it seemed fitting to put the two together! I love combining botanical art in my product branding too.
Your brand motto is “From Garden To Bottles” – what botanicals do you use in your products and what are their benefits?
I will pick a few of my favourites as there are so many! I discovered Lunaria Annua (Honesty plant) through gardening and studies. It has a really unique chain of fatty acids, sinks in well, feels luxurious and helps improve the appearance of sun damaged skin. Due to it being grown in the UK and cold processed, it has a low environmental impact. It’s also a great pollinator and bees love it! I source my oil from a farm around 100 miles away but I have also started to grow a lot in my own garden. White Poppy is really rich in Omega 6 and other fatty acids. It is also grown in the UK. Borage is another botanical I grow a lot of and I love seeing the blue star flowers bloom. It’s really good for dry skin and full of antioxidants. I must also give a nod to what I call “Old school country cottage favourites!” : Flowers and Evening Primrose, Lavender, Rosemary and Calendula. I remember making a hair rinse with Lavender, Rosemary and Calendula as a child! They have these wonderful healing properties that have been used for centuries!
I do love a good body butter- so what are your most popular products? Do you have a favourite product?
My Lavender and Ylang Ylang body butter sells well in winter! I have favourites for different things. My own cleanser is the first facial cleanser that doesn’t strip my skin. I love the scent of my Rose Geranium body oil. It feels like I am wearing a luxury perfume! I like my Cocoa and Monoi balm as it’s really good for dry patches and I carry it everywhere with me! When I have a cold I pop a bit around my nose where my skin has become dry and irritated. I love my facial oil as it’s so minimal, uses the UK botanicals I mentioned earlier and makes my skin bright and plump. It also has CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant which really helps repair the appearance of my weather damaged skin after long periods outdoors! I can’t imagine using anything else now! I use my own Rosemary and Green Clay shampoo bar and the smell of Rosemary reminds me of making the hair rinses mentioned above as a child. Rosemary is so wonderful for hair too.
Are your products suitable for vegans?
Yes! We use a plant based Keratin in our shampoo bars. We love animals and there is no reason to use them in skincare when there are so many plant alternatives.
What other products are in the pipeline can we look forward to?
I am working behind the scenes on a hand cream incorporating some interesting upcycled ingredients! I also want to work with mushrooms in skincare too as there is some interesting research now coming out about their properties for our skin health.
I love the fact that with every order placed, a tree is planted in association with Ecologi. How important is it to your brand that your ingredients are ethically sourced, where possible?
Very! I like to know how my ingredients are sourced and produced and I have a good relationship with suppliers. My UK botanical supplier is bee friendly and grows pollinators. I also re plant lots of bee friendly flowers myself. I am always looking for ways to reduce how much I take from the environment by cross using oils across my products. There is a future happening now where we can source nature identical ingredients that are produced in a lab. Meaning nature and plants can be left in their natural environment.
Are your products available to purchase & ship worldwide?
My products are available for UK and US customers only at present. After Brexit I was unable to sell in the EU and had to remove my products due to changes in legislation. One day I hope I can sell there again.
Growing up, have you always wanted a career in the skincare business or did you have sights on a different career path?
When I was younger I wanted to go into a more therapeutic and holistic area but I felt like it was more socially acceptable to go into more of an academic role. Throughout life I have had so many different jobs and also wanted to be everything from a Marine Biologist to a physio!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I spend a lot of my time running, cycling and gardening. I also love a good coffee shop and great coffee with friends! My partner is a wonderful photographer so I often go out with him to do photography. I love curing stunning botanical displays for photographing too.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I’m so boring! Working from home in my other job, I’m usually in leggings and fleece top. Other times I will be in cycling, running or gardening gear-trainers, cycling shoes and wellies! It is nice when I do dress up though. I have a beautiful smart coat I LOVE to wear with some smart shoes. I love interesting and unusual clothes.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
My friend has a fantastic clothing brand called Home of the Soul and 80% of wardrobe is from her! I love how well fitting every piece is. I also love any gardening sites!
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I really want some nice trainers, ones I can wear in the summer that are colourful and comfy. All my trainers are for running and I’ve been thinking for far too long now about having some casual but still smart trainers.
Boots or Shoes?
Wellies for the garden! Shoes for adventuring in!
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Dalia Botanique
Thanks for the chat, Dalia – I am really impressed with whatyou have achieved so far. I am also intrigued with the idea of mushroom based skincare – one to watch in the future!
All photographs have been published with kind permission of Dalia Botanique.
This week my guest is Randa Zaid, founder of Hayaty Natural Skincare. Hayaty is a natural, genderless skincare brand inspired by the wellness recipes of the ancient Egyptians. What really impressed me is that each bottle comes with a handmade piece of Egyptian papyrus to inspire us to love ourselves and the environment. Isn’t that cool? ! Without further ado, let us welcome Randa onto the blog… hello Randa!
Hello! My name is Randa Zaid, I am 29 years old and I am an experienced serial entrepreneur in the fields of hospitality, tourism and recently cosmetics as the current founder and CEO of Hayaty Natural, a clean, genderless, vegan, all natural, organic, cruelty-free skincare startup inspired by Ancient Egyptians’ self-care rituals. I hold a degree in cultural heritage from the Catholic University of Milan and I am currently based in the UK, although I was born in Egypt and raised in Italy.
I love remaining true to my roots when developing brands and concepts that can benefit and strengthen the community and I am an advocate for increasing awareness for diversity and inclusion in the work-space and I talk openly about body positivity after personally going through and healing from an eating disorder.
What was the inspiration behind the setting up of your natural genderless skincare brand, Hayat Natural?
When COVID-19 hit the world, I became mindful of the importance of safe and beneficial ingredients, pursuing a healthier lifestyle and ending years of my own personal struggle with eating disorders, and self-image.
Being very passionate about history and inspired by my ancestors, the pharaohs; and with the aim to go back to basics, and adopting a more natural, minimalistic approach to self-care; I started researching the approach Ancient Egyptians had to beauty, ingredients and the secret ancient formulas they used in their daily lives.
What really surprised me was that, for them, beauty was more than only an aesthetic aspect. It was about taking care of their souls and bodies.
Selfcare, back then, was genderless, as it was considered a sign of holiness more than just a beauty thing.
Men and women alike were known to adopt a holistic approach where the physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing were taken into consideration, so that their bodies could function as a whole.
They had strong beliefs on the body’s natural self-healing process, and how important it was to add natural ingredients to support this process, instead of being aggressive or looking for quick fixes to any concern.
Considering that they lived in a very challenging climate, where one of their biggest concerns was how to take care of and protect their biggest organ, the skin, they used some of the first recorded “cosmetics” made from rich formulas using medicinal botanicals such as Black Seed, Lupin oil, Fenugreek oil among others to protect and help the skin recover, and allow it to remain healthy.
After adopting and using these ingredients and seeing how much of a difference they made in my life and how much they helped me in my healing journey, I decided to bring them to life and share them with a larger audience, with the aim of creating a community that believes real beauty is more than just fitting into society’s standards; one that believes in adopting a holistic approach, that uses self-care not only to look good from the outside, but also to feel good from within.
I love finding out the origins of brand names – what does “Hayaty” mean and why did you choose that name? Were there any other contenders?
Hayaty means “My Life” in Arabic. I couldn’t find a better word to express my journey and how starting Hayaty allowed me to get my life back. So, it was the only name I considered since day one. I love to hear it from other people too. It is a name that represents each one of us as it helps us regain control of our lives. An affirmation of life and to empowering others.
You have currently launched your two key products: Egyptian Recovery Night Cream and the Egyptian Blessed Night Seed Oil. What benefits does each product give to us?
We call them THE PHARAONIC DUO. The Pharaonic Duo offers a synergistic, holistic approach to the skin’s natural circadian rhythm and works alongside the skin’s regeneration process while you sleep. Also known as your 24-hour sleep/wake cycle, your circadian rhythm can influence body temperature, cell regeneration, water loss, hormone release, and the skin’s natural healing process.
Egyptian Recovery Face Creamis a well-studied synergistic formula made of nature’s most potent medicinal botanicals backed up by science, including our hero ingredient Black Seed, combined with Plant Stem Cells, Frankincense, Mullein, Vitamin C, Algae extract and Probiotic for extra around-the-clock antioxidant protection and collagen stimulation.
Complemented by our signature antioxidant blend of Aloe vera, Lupin seed oil, Grapeseed oil, Shea butter, Sesame seed oil, Sunflower seed oil and Onion oil.
The aromatherapeutic herbs of Mandarin, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, and Geranium help de-stress and rebalance anxiety levels while easing the circadian rhythm of the skin.
The main benefits of the formula are that it is Restoring, Protecting and Illuminating
Meanwhile, Egyptian Blessed Night Seed Oilharnesses many unique bio-dynamic oils, including Black Seed and Lupin oils, active antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Thymoquinone, carotenoids, polyphenols and endemic desert botanical extracts to help stimulate skin cells, increase ceramide and lipid levels, support optimal skin barrier function.
The main benefits of this formula are that it is nourishing, soothing and balancing.
Why did you decide to launch your brand with night cream and oil?
Regeneration and healing have always been related to the night. Nighttime is truly the moment when we heal and get ready to wake up to a better, fresher version of ourselves each morning. Considering how overly stressed and exposed we are in our daily lives to blue light, digital devices and external aggressors such as free radicals, UV radiation and pollutants, I decided to focus on developing products for the nighttime in order to nurture the skin and strengthen it to fight back and remain resilient to what life may throw to us. Creating a routine that could repair the skin from aggressive beauty routines that compromise our skin’s natural barrier was also one of the core objectives when developing the formulas. The nighttime is the opportunity that our skin has to recover, so it is very important to use effective and rich formulas to support this process. Each night is a night of intense repair and renewal to the damage that happens to your skin barrier throughout the day. Our skin already does so much for us that it is time that we give back to it.
What other products are in the pipeline can we look forward to?
We are developing a cleanser, a face mask and an intake vitamin to boost the skin’s immunity system from the inside out.
I love the fact that each bottle is packaged in recyclable glass & card and comes with a hand made Egyptian papyrus! Also I love that the organic ingredients you use are sourced from local communities in Egypt and Italy. What ingredients are especially found in Egypt and Italy that you use?
We source our Black Seed from the Ancient Cities of Egypt, which is the hero ingredient in our formulas. Other main active ingredients we source from organic farming in Egypt are Lupin extract, onion extracts, frankincense extract, Aloe Vera and fenugreek extract;all of which have been cultivated in Egypt since the Pharaohs’ time.
Other main active ingredients sourced from Italy are plant stem cells derived from apple, sea buckthorn and oak bar, probiotic, Mullein flower extract and algae extract. In addition to those we have other 30 natural ingredients sourced as well from Egypt and Italy divided between both products, all well-studied to work in synergy and to deliver an effective product. We are huge believers in the fact that skincare should be minimalistic.
Personally, I believe that a rich, non-aggressive formulation can deliver more benefits, and can simplify a routine instead of using different products to get the same benefits.
For me this minimalistic approach remains very sustainable for us and our planet.
Are your products available to purchase & ship worldwide?
At the moment, we are available only in the UK and Italy as we have our warehouses in both countries. One of our strategies to reduce our footprint is to have a warehouse or partner with third parties in each country we sell in, in order to avoid shipping long distances to the final customer.
However, we are working very hard to be able to ship worldwide soon in a sustainable way.
Growing up, have you always wanted a career in the skincare business or did you have sights on a different career path?
It was always in the back of my mind, as growing up and visiting my grandma in Egypt during summer break, I remember she was always doing her own special mix of natural ingredients to look after her skin, hair and body . I used to be fascinated by how they were so effective and natural and thought that maybe one day I could bring these magical recipes and ingredients to Europe. However, my path took me to get a degree in cultural heritage, then to work in the hospitality field, until destiny helped me to bring my little girl dreams to life.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Working out is my thing. I like to read a lot and I enjoy listening to interviews or podcasts about inspirational stories as well.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Growing up in Milan and working for Armani for a while helped me understand that it is not what you wear that is important but how you feel wearing it. So, I really pick my outfits based on how I feel that day – of course, keeping my schedule in mind – so sometimes it is casual, corporate or if it is only home office day, can be a tracksuit.
I am a huge, huge fan of shoes. I used to love high heels but lately I am getting into cool trainers and flat boots.
Do you have any favorite shops or online sites?
Usually, I like to shop in Italy, so when I am visiting any city, I like to go around and discover those hidden local shops. They always have cool stuff and for me is a way to support the local economy as well.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
It is a gold dress from the 2020 collection of designer Zuhair Murad inspired by Egypt’s ancient queens. I am so in love with it, I love the details and the cut.
I have promised myself to get it next year to celebrate one year of Hayaty in 2023.
Boots or Shoes?
Shoes. They always go with everything and make a huge difference to an outfit.
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Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Hayat Natural
What do you get when you cross essential oil scents with jewellery? Perfino, of course! Perfino is an innovative natural scent jewellery brand that combines expertly blended, 100% natural pure essential oils with exquisite jewellery. Intrigued? I caught up with founder Kim Brookes to find out more. Hi Kim and welcome…
Hello! My name is Kim, founder of Perfino natural scent jewellery and a natural fragrance obsessive. It’s on the gentler end of addiction but I find it hard to walk past a flower without putting my nose in it and just love the smells of nature.
What inspired the setting up of “Perfino”?
I was always a big fan of perfume until I realised how harmful it can be.
Most perfumes are made of mass-produced synthetic chemicals. It may call itself rose but it won’t have any rose in it. In fact, you won’t know what is in it as ingredients are not disclosed. It seems strange that we are so careful what we put in our bodies but pay little attention to the synthetic chemicals we put on our bodies, some of which can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
So, I looked for a new way to wear natural fragrance so we could still enjoy great scents without compromising our bodies. I worked with some incredible jewellery artisans to find the perfect way to encapsulate natural essential oil blends into jewellery in a sustainable way,and immersed myself in the blending of natural essential oils, until I found the solution, which is Perfino.
I love the idea of natural scent jewellery – wearing scent all day without chemicals touching your skin! Let’s get down to the basics – what does the jewellery set comprise of and where do you put the essential oils?
The set includes a recycled solid silver or gold vermeil necklace, six super absorbent lava stones straight from mother earth, and 10ml of pure natural essential oil which has been blended to provide a fabulous scent. You simply add a drop of the oil to the stone which sits inside the necklace, close it, and wear it. Our essential oil blends give out a much gentler and natural fragrance than perfume, and one that can last all day long. The scent is gentle, discreet, and for the wearer’s own personal enjoyment.
Out of all your essential oils collection, do you have any favourites? What are the popular scents amongst your customers?
My personal favourite is “…and breathe” as it is led by rose absolute, a gorgeous but very precious oil. It takes around 10,000 roses to produce a teaspoon of rose absolute, which I have blended with ingredients which compliment this incredible fragrance.
My customers really love “…deep love”, possibly as it has some wonderful neroli oil in there making it quite romantic and dreamy. It’s very popular as a gift for loved ones as it says it all.
As you are based in the UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?
Yes, we are based in the Somerset but we sell all over the world and have had orders from San Francisco to the Seychelles as there’s really nothing quite like Perfino out there.
A couple of hypothetical questions now! Firstly, if you could go anywhere in the world for inspiration to create a new collection or to capture a new fragrance, where would you goand why?
That’s a tricky one as the essential oils come from all over the world, often in very exotic sounding locations but ones where the harvesting provides badly needed fair trade income to the agricultural workers or pickers. I would love to go to deepest darkest Brazil where they continue to discover new plants and fragrances, and where there is a growing appreciation of how these should be protected.
Secondly, which famous lady would you pick to be the “Face” Of Perfino and why?
Well, like Perfino she’d have to have a cool and subtle style and be a force for good …so I’d pick the Emma Watson, a truly fragrant woman of substance.
Growing up, did you always want to be a jewellery designer or did your career aspirations lie elsewhere?
As a child I loved fabrics and in my dream other life I might have been a fashion or textile designer. I made clothes for my teddy, then myself, and then my kids, but for jewellery design I have been able to spot talent in others rather than being the talent myself!
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I have a mania for natural fabrics particularly linens and silks, and comfort – so anything that hangs well with a pop of colour, and a lovely scented necklace of course! As for shoes, I just adore Superga, but cannot resist a rubber fleece lined Tretorn Chelsea boot, whatever the weather.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
I am a big fan of Ebay as it is such a great way to recycle, and many items are brand new. I enjoy Sezanefor great French style, and am in heaven immersed in any far away market.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
A huge warm coat for immersing myself in after wild swimming which I am dabbling in but not yet convinced…and a new pair of Tretorns.
Boots or Shoes? ( & Why?)
Shoes – boots make me think of winter and I am definitely a summer person
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Bath bombs, wax melts and shampoo bars …. this week I am interviewing Vicky from Simply Soaperior who makes the most delightful artisanal bath products! My teenage son adores the bath bombs, my niece is a Mrs Hinch fanatic so she uses the Mrs Hinch style wax melts and me? Well, I adore the shampoo bars that are specially formulated for different hair types. Hello Vicky and welcome…
Hi! My name is Vicky. I’m 36 with one daughter, who is 11 and called Ella. I moved to Newquay Cornwall from Cheshire 12 years ago, and that was the start of a completely new life for me and a new adventure.
What inspired you to launch Simply Soaperior?
Probably not what you would expect.. Once moving to Cornwall, I began cleaning holiday homes (something I never thought I would do after being a hairdresser in the past) I wanted to do something a little special and add handmade soap for guests, but I thought to my self, I could do that. It became an addiction to making new items and wanting to try new things. I was fortunate that people loved what I made, so it became a completely different business, and 10 years on, I’m still doing something I love, and it is still an addiction. I can’t say I ever have the dread to work!
I love the Mermaids Glamour Bath Bomb & the Yippy Hippy Bath Bomb! What products are proving most popular amongst your customers this year?
The two most popular products are the Shark Attack Bath Bomb, and the Mrs Hinch Inspired Wax Melt Selection, I would say the mermaid’s Glamour is 3rd in line though.
Have you got a personal favourite from your range?
I love a bubble Bar! I’m all about bubbles and feeling all soft after the bath and that is exactly how they make you feel. I’m also a solid shampoo lover, it was my love for them that made me start to make them, I spent nearly 2 years formulation them till they were exactly how I wanted them. so many benefits from zero waste – they have a lower PH to work with hair and scalp unlike soap and a lot of bottle shampoos.
Apart from bath products, you also produce “wax melts”. What are wax melts?
Wax melts are scented, pieces of wax that when gently melted by a wax warmer will fill the surrounding area with a delightful aroma, a scent as pleasant as any candle but without a naked flame (if using an electric warmer)
Have you any other new products in the pipeline to add to your range in the pipeline for 2021/2022?
We are making new bath bombs all time, but our big launch was the solid shampoo bars that went live at the end of May. Living by the sea and trying to do my bit on plastic everyone must try I’m sure you will make the swap!!
Have you always been interested in cosmetics, or did your career aspirations lie elsewhere?
I have always been crafty and loved making things, as a child I use to spend hours in lush and body shop, but I never would have thought it would be what I did for a job but once I started I just couldn’t stop! There’s a lot of science behind making cosmetics so its not as simple as some people think.
As you are based in UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?
It’s something I will offer soon hopefully but after leaving the EU it’s not quite as simple as it was.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
In the winter I would be ugg boots, jeans and normally a t-shirt or jumper.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I’m an Abercrombie jean lover, and I love scrolling through Etsy, its great for inspiration and to buy unique things.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Sandals and flip flops, one thing you must have when living by the beach.
Boots or Shoes?
Boots ,trainers or sandals, because I’m all about comfort.
After this interview took place, Vicky kindly sent me a couple of bath bombs, wax melts and shampoo bar. They are wonderful – I was especially impressed with the bath bombs ! Thank you very much Vicky.
Linda x
All photographs have been published with kind permission of Soaperior apart from the header photo and Pinterest photo which are by Linda Hobden.
Lamonts & Co is a brand that specialises in bringing new products to the UK market first – from zero noodles (calorie free noodles) to the recently developed GoBo – the UK’s first AHA based natural deodorant which uses glycolic acid to neutralise odour whilst allowing the body to perspire naturally. Voted #1 Natural Deodorant by Good Housekeeping Magazine 2021 , this deodorant is ideal for vegans and is cruelty free too. I caught up with Laura Lamont to find out more about her latest creation. Hi Laura and welcome….
Hi, my name is Laura, founder and director of Lamonts and Co.
What inspired the development of your recently launched AHA based natural deodorant, GoBo?
I’m a qualified Nutritional Therapist and so have always beenbig on health and healing through nutrition and plants but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my first child (now 6) that I really started to look at chemicals in cosmetic products and lotions and was horrified at what I learnt. The first thing I tried to change was my deodorant but was constantly disappointed by the results and never managed to find one that actually worked for me until the end of the day. I actually created GoBo by accident as it was never something that I set out to do. One day I decided to try my AHA toner on my underarm to see if it could help with the hyperpigmentation I had and then just happened to notice that after 2 days without showering (I probably shouldn’t admit that) there was no smell what so ever! I was so excited that I spent the start of the first lockdown developing my deodorant recipe so I could share it with the world.
What are the benefits of using GoBo?
Well, the number one benefit is that it’s natural but actually keeps you smelling fresh until the next day. On top of that,the AHAs help to exfoliate the dead skin cells which leave your skin unusually smooth and soft, and it slowly fades pigmentation caused from shaving. It also prevents in-growing hairs. I like to think of it as the first multifunctional deodorant.
Out of the 4 types of GoBo available (Rose, Orange Blossom, Jasmin, Orginal ), which one is proving to be the most popular at the moment?
Surprisingly the Unscented seems to be the winner, I think a lot of people have irritation from deodorant which they tend to put down to the heavy perfumes or essential oils used. But even with our scented varieties we only use pure flower waters which won’t cause any irritation and they are so delicate that they won’t interfere with your perfume.
GoBo was voted #1 Natural Deodorant by Good Housekeeping in 2021. Congratulations! Lamonts & Co have also introduced Zero Noodles (calorie free noodles) to UK. Have you any other new products to add to your range in the pipeline for 2021?
I sure do! I am always working on new products and business ideas but with two young children I can’t always find the time to launch them. Eventually I shall expand the GoBo line and create more natural and functional skin care products as well as extending the Zero Noodles line with more varieties and flavours.
Have you always been interested in developing products or did your career aspirations lie elsewhere?
Yes, I have always been more creative than academic as well as a bit of a dreamer and always wanted to be my own boss. I remember as a teenager having a note pad where I started writing down my business ideas but it wasn’t until I met my husband, who already had his own business, that I had the confidence and support to actually go for it. My first business was as a weight loss clinic, offering diet coaching for weight loss… this led onto Zero Noodles which quickly took over.
As you are based in UK, are your products available to purchase overseas?
No – not yet, we hope to expand across Europe eventually but currently can only just keep up with the UK sales.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Well, I now live in the New Forest which is very casual, which I find refreshing after living in London for so long and feeling like you have to make an effort just to nip to the shops. So I’m very much a jeans and tee kinda girl now, but I love chunky boots and fun colourful belts.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I’m loving Hush and Mint Velvet right now but for the summer I love Free People for a Bohemian look.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Probably some more bright coloured fun tee shirts for the Spring that I can throw on with my jeans and wellies to play in the forest with the kids.
Boots or Shoes?
Boots always.
For Pinning Later
Links you would like to share e.g.website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about GoBo.
Fabulous chatting to you Laura and congratulations on what you have developed so far…. and I am looking forward to seeing your skincare range in the future too!
Linda x
All photographs have been published with kind permission of Laura Lamont.
I hold my hands up and admit that I never realised that the humble tweezer could be sharpened – that is until I recently come across Tweezerfile recently. I have my old faithful tweezer – I have had others but they fell by the wayside. Such a simple idea, and a logical one too – and I caught up with the founder of Tweezerfile, Lucy, to find out more. Welcome Lucy!
Hello! I am Lucy, a mother of two young kids under 5, living in London. I founded the business together with my husband, Wolfgang, over a year ago. We both work full time. I originally trained as a lawyer before moving into finance/business and Wolfgang runs his own design consultancy.
Together, we juggle the competing demands of two full time jobs, two kids and Tweezerfile, which we started over a year ago. I have also recently started a part time course in Climate Transformation at Edinburgh University.
What inspired the founding of Tweezerfile?
Wolfgang and I met over a decade ago. He is a product designer and so design and observing how people use products and how that experience could be improved is very much part of his DNA.
At some point during that time, I found myself before a night out obsessing over a short hair which I couldn’t remove/grip with a pair of fairly old tweezers. It was late at night and there were no chemists open. I would have given up, binned them and bought a new pair the next day but Wolfgang was watching me throughout wondering what I was doing. The idea that I might throw something out which was made of steel was an alien concept to him. His initial thought was… well if you can sharpen knives…. and to be honest, when someone puts it to you like that, there is an obvious light bulb moment.
We googled how to sharpen tweezers and found several million hits and countless magazine articles dedicated to sharpening old/blunt tweezers. We searched and searched for something we could use day-to-day and there was nothing. Every time we spoke to a beautician, they told us the same thing “there used to be this guy who would come and sharpen them… but now, we throw them out and replace them every month”.
This seemed so crazy to us. Such a small thing, but it’s part of a wider narrative of a throw-away culture that is all contributing to the the climate crisis.
The more we researched, the more we realised that any one of the big brands could have come up with this idea and could sell this product but it’s counter-productive to their business models. At one of our first industry events, someone asked us what the point was and how we could make money. The implication being that selling something that people only buy once is a flawed business. Whilst I understand the logic, that is not who we are. We launched Tweezerfile to solve a problem, because no one else had and people were looking for a solution. And as part of that we hoped we could challenge the narrative and help people find better and more sustainable solutions.
To be honest, I never really thought about sharpening my tweezers before – how does it work?
It’s really simple. You hold the Tweezerfile in one hand and then use the other hand to grip the tweezer so that the blades are in contact with either side of the file and then slide up and down slowly. After a couple of strokes, your Tweezer will be good as new. There are lots of “how to” videos on our Instagram page and website if you are stuck.
Probably, a good time to make the point that is also doubles as a pretty amazing nail file. It works incredibly well on gel nails. A close friend swears by it.
I love the colours that the Tweezerfile is available in – the coral and the petrol blue are very “on trend”. Will other colours be introduced in the future?
Absolutely, we plan to launch a whole new colour palette next year as part of next year’s release to coincide with moving all our production to Europe and the launch of new and better materials.
Are your products available to purchase and order worldwide?
Have you always wanted a career in the beauty industry or did you have ambitions elsewhere?
Not at all. We came to beauty from law and design and didn’t have any past experience in beauty. We came to it because we saw a problem that hadn’t been solved and thought we could fill that gap and try to challenge the narrative. Looking back, we were pretty naïve. Ultimately, beauty is a multi-billion-pound business dominated by some very large brands. The business model is predicated on rapid and repeat consumption and it is really hard to break through the noise that this generates (and marketing budgets) to support more mindful purchases.
We are one of a number of small independent brands trying to break through, challenging the narrative around what it means to be successful. According to EuroMonitor, every year, the beauty industry produces 120 billion units of packaging.
In 2020, we all know how damaging these materials are for the environment and so reducing waste, helping people make choices which reduce the need to keep buying is the success story.
Eyebrows – over the years different trends have dominated – from being over plucked in the 50s/60s; to being left natural; to being “manicured” and well defined. Mine are natural but my tweezers are in constant use to keep those stray hairs in check. What eyebrow trend do you follow?
I inherited thick natural eyebrows from both sides of my family which is fortunate as I have been pulling them out with my hands since doing my A-levels twenty years ago. At peak stress, I might end up with a Boyzone break on one side and my husband will find me in bed asleep, with one hand gripping an eyebrow. As a result, I spend most of my time working with my beauty therapists to try and grow them out to look more natural and to keep some sort of shape. As a result, I naturally prefer and aspire to a fuller brow, as modelled by Cara Delevigne. https://www.tweezerfile.com/blogs/news/whats-your-brow-personality
Do you have any “tweezers” tips you can share?
Sometimes and not always tweezers come with little plastic nibs to protect the tips. If you get those, keep them, they are like gold dust. Store your tweezers in them between uses, as it protects them from dirt and any other residues they might pick up in your make up bag.
If your tweezers are dirty, just use your Tweezerfile and then blow on the tips, this will remove all the residue and ensures they are as good as new.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Pre-lockdown, I lived in dresses and heels. But for the last 6 months, my wardrobe has mostly featured variations of ripped boyfriend jeans, trainers (Nike, Veja) and plain t-shirts as we have juggled school and nursery runs. I never leave home without a Sonya Kashmiri handbag. I own 5 in different styles and colours to carry me through the seasons. It’s a small independent brand, promoting the use of vegetable tanned leather which is organic and sustainable.
As we approach winter, I have slightly modified my wardrobe to incorporate a Zara pink fluro beanie and a series of woolly jumpers from Margaret Howell and Another Label.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
For every day, I live in Cos but often find myself in Jigsaw for coats. For unique pieces, I love Gather & See. Setting up our own business has made me really appreciate smaller independent brands who are thinking more holistically about supply chains and communities and so I try to shop as consciously as possible, buying things that will last.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I have a couple of shopping carts on the go at the moment. I am desperately hunting for a puffer coat to get through this winter and struggling to find one that is sustainable and that doesn’t drown me – I am 5ft 1. It turns out that I am late to the party as I focused on sorting the kids out and now everything seems to be sold out.
I am also looking for some winter boots and have been eyeing up a pair of Chloe biker boots for ever. Whilst the philosophy is “buy once, buy well”, they are still really expensive, so I’ve never quite checked them out.
Boots or Shoes?
They both bring different associations, it’s like a great haircut.
When I met my husband, we were both living in Paris and I would think nothing of walking the city in stilettos. It seems crazy to me now, a decade and two kids later but I love the memories that heels bring back and so on a night out with my friends, you will often find me in a ridiculous pair of Lucy Choi’s, walking arm and arm and laughing.
For me, boots are all about winter and I love winter. Slouchy boots and woollen dresses and fires and dark nights. This may be my favourite season of the year.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Tweezerfile.
DISCLAIMER ALERT: The make up remover pads have been supplied by Ecopanda for the purpose of this review however all opinions expressed are 100% mine.
This week I’m looking at make up remover pads. How do you take off your make up? Hands up those who, like me, use wipes to remove your makeup! Or do you use tissues/cotton wool balls to use with your cleanser/toner? I was approached by Ecopanda to try their reusable makeup remover pads…
Ecopanda are a small UK brand that have only just been established this year. They are determined to stop the madness of the disposable use of reusable products – a habit that a lot of people are guilty of. Ecopanda supports the deliberate exchange of plastic for sustainable products made from renewable raw materials. I’m always up for a challenge and so I’ve been using the reusable pads and here’s my opinion:
The Product
When you order the product you get 18 good sized fairly thick cotton pads (you can use both sides) in a pretty cute and handy storage box with a mesh bag. The pads are meant just for removing make up and not for exfoliating… I read one review on Amazon from a customer who bemoaned the fact that the pads were not exfoliating. The pads are dry – you need to add the cleanser/toner – unlike makeup wipes that are already moistened. The pads were soft and removed my makeup adequately. They do the job they were meant to do….. 10/10
Are they convenient/reusable/habit breaking?
Are they convenient? It depends: if you use cleansing lotion/ toners on a regular basis and usually use tissues/cotton wool then the answer is yes. I would use them for home use. Personally, for travelling, I would vouch for the make up wipes – no added baggage and I try to travel as light as possible. I am also aware that wipes are not environmentally friendly – these pads tick the environmentally friendly box. Hard to score. 7/10
The Wash tests
After removing make up, when using wipes, the dirty wipes are then chucked into the bin. With these reusable pads – well they need cleaning. The company admits that after washing, the pads are not snowy white but are clean enough to be reused. The company guidelines are to wash, in the bag provided, in a 60° machine wash, and any stubborn mascara marks, hand wash first. So, I conducted 4 washing tests: machine wash 40° ; handwashed using washing up liquid; handwashed using liquid soap; boiled water machine wash 60°. I decided to try other washing methods because I rarely use a 60° wash on my washing machine and, in this day and age, a lower temperature wash is encouraged. However, I did do a boiled wash test. I used 4 separate clean pads and used to take off my make up on 4 separate days:
Test 1: Machine Wash 40°
Test 1 – Before
Test 1 – after
Test 2 – Handwashed – washing up liquid
Test 2 – before
Test 3 – Handwashed – liquid soap
Test 3 – before
Test 3 – after
Test 4 – boiled wash 60°
So, I found that hand washing with washing up liquid produced the cleaner result. Although the other washing results produced similar results. I didn’t use vanish, ace or other in wash washing machine stain removers – I imagine using a pre wash stain wash would produce better results. Personally, I would reuse the pads because the stains are very slight and the stains don’t affect the work of the pad in any way. However, if you have sensitive skin, think about washing powder/soap reaction from the pads once washed. They don’t look particularly clean either after washing, although they are, so it is a matter of personal taste whether you’d be happy reusing them. 7/10
CONCLUSION
I’m liking these pads the more I’m using them – they are better than using dry tissue or cotton wools. These will be used at home. For travelling though, I think I’d be sticking to the disposable wipes (sorry!) – but never say never! The box they come in is very cute and looks great on the bathroom shelf or dressing table. Price wise – they are not cheap however as you do get 18 pads and you use both sides, that is 36 days…and then a machine wash and use them again… And they are definitely a big nod towards the non disposable idea. Overall score: 8/10
I’m heading down under to New Zealand this week to chat to Susan Stevens, founder & CEO of “Made With Respect”. Made With Respect’s mission is to support sustainable brands from around the world in the areas of fashion, self care, home and outdoor products; as well as educating and informing consumers of the importance of making conscious choices and living more sustainably. Sounds very impressive! Hi Susan & welcome….
Hello! My name is Susan Stevens, I live in NZ with my husband and 3 children (2 girls and a boy) aged 6, 9 and 12. I travelled extensively in my 20s with my husband, experiencing many vibrant cultures and appreciating contrasting landscapes. I have always loved spending time outdoors and at the beach and now with our children we spend almost all our free time in the water surfing. I have a huge appreciation for nature and what it provides us. I am passionate about protecting the amazing natural resources that we have been blessed with, particularly the ocean and the wildlife that we share this planet with.
What was behind the inspiration for Made With Respect?
In 2018 we launched Made With Respect, but my journey really started when I left behind a successful corporate career after experiencing a suppressive work environment and learning the importance of empowering and enabling others. In 2014 when I launched my first business working with artisan brands and overseas suppliers, I saw first hand the transparency (or lack of) in supply chains. Through my work over the past few years I’ve become gravely aware of the negative impact we as consumers have on our planet, it stirred a passion within me to create a business that made a difference whilst supporting and enabling others with a shared vision.
The stats are quite scary. If the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050 (currently 7.5 billion and projected to increase by 1 billion in the next 12 years), the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain our current lifestyles. Given we’ve only got one planet, that is quite a concern. Add to that the WWF 2018 Living Planet report which shows evidence that nature is dying with 60% decline in the animal population across the planet, 83% decline in freshwater species and 90% of seabirds consuming plastic. Alarmingly, if we continue with the current rate of plastic waste there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. We have to stop burying our heads and being ignorant of our behaviour because unless we change, our future looks bleak. I created Made With Respect to not only be a platform that champions sustainable brands who give a damn, but through MWR Movement, we are educating and informing consumers of the crucial role we play in the problems our planet face and through taking consistent conscious actions we can start to be part of the solution.
Your company is a proud member of “1% For The Planet” – what does that entail?
As a member of 1% for the Planet, MWR donates a minimum of 1% total revenue to approved nonprofit partners who do essential work across six core focus areas; climate, food, land, pollution, water and wildlife. So that means that every dollar Made With Respect generates gives back to the health of our planet.
Your website features brands from all around the world – from France, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Spain, Peru, Italy, USA, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, Lithuania. What criteria have you have set for brands to qualify to partner with MWR?
Brands who we partner with that design and manufacture sustainable products in self-care, fashion, home and outdoor must fall within the following 4 pillars;
Devoted to craftsmanship; making quality products that last and can be passed down through the generations.
Transparent supply chain; good working conditions, no child labour
Natural materials & natural ingredients; no chemicals or toxins (organic where possible), recycling, upcycling, regeneration and reduction of waste, embracing renewable resources and preserving the environment
Contributing to make the world a better place; supporting local or disadvantaged communities, being more than a profit driven operation
We have amazing brands who are giving back on so many fronts, not only are they operating in a circular economy, minimising waste and making the most of resources but many are contributing part of their profits to worthy causes or supporting disadvantaged communities.
We absolutely have to embrace these brands, we have to shine the spotlight on them and make them the example.
From clothing to bed linen, and lots of categories inbetween, your website caters for many. To date, what has been the most popular items/products/brands ?
Skin care, followed by children’s & women’s fashion, has been the most popular categories so far. But ideally we want to be known as a place where consumers can conveniently shop (and support) sustainable brands across categories. There are amazing sustainable brands in the market, but often they’re not easy to find as they don’t have the marketing budgets or distribution networks of the multi-nationals that are purely profit driven.
In a world where people tend to be time poor, if we can’t find what we want then we’ll resort to the easiest and most convenient option – the problem with this is often the quickest and easiest is also the most damaging and destructive. One of MWR’s goal, through our partnerships with sustainable brands, is to make it easier for consumers to find, buy and support those brands that are making a positive difference.
What’s your favourite item?
I’ve got so many favourite items and brands that I can’t name just one!
This southern summer I’ve loved wearing my NZ & Brazilian Aurai swimwear top made from bio-degradable and regenerated materials. You’ll also find in my wardrobe my Wolven leggings made from a fabric that is regenerated from recycled plastic bottles, along with myAtode Skater Navy Lace Dress and Atode Audrey Orange Silk Dress. My daughters favourite fashion label is Feather Drum in Australia, they have a selection of timeless, gorgeous organic cotton pieces hanging in their wardrobes too!
In my bathroom you’ll find certified organic skincare products from The Divine Company in Australia, Soley in Iceland and Icelandic brand Hannes Dottir. You’ll also find my husband’s all natural male grooming products from Hunter Lab in Australia, 66°30 in France and C3 in the USA. And I accessorise with my gorgeous Tamara Salman Cherry Red Mini Tote
As Made With Respect is based in New Zealand, are the products on the website available to purchase worldwide?
Absolutely, our brands are located from all around the world and their products are shipped to customers around the world.
At Made With Respect we are conscious of our own carbon footprint. To ensure we operate sustainably and in order to reduce our own impact on the environment, rather than holding our brand’s products in a central warehouse, instead the brand ships directly from their workshop to our customers. There is no double handling of product and no additional packaging wastage.
I noticed on your website you have The MWR 31 Days Of Sustainable Habits Challenge – can you explain this challenge? What habit did you find was the hardest to change?
The objective of MWR 31 Days of Sustainable Habits Challenge is to show consumers we don’t need to go to extreme measures, we simply have to make more conscious choices in our everyday life to make a positive impact, we want to reinforce that small changes ultimately make a difference. I see this as being the crucial place to start, because it’s often the starting that is the hard part, once started it’s much easier to build momentum and once you start something you become more aware and more educated, education is key.
I think people can become overwhelmed when they don’t know what to do and where to start, the mentality then becomes `how can one person possibly make a difference’. What our Sustainable Habits Challenge does, is it shows consumers there are simple things they can easily implement into their lifestyle that will make a difference. For instance;
Place lint in the trash rather than wash it down the drain. Why? Because microfibres, which are too small to be caught by waste treatment plants, are responsible for 85% of shoreline pollution across the globe.
Buy natural fibres instead of synthetics materials. Why? Because they are by-products of petroleum and are non-biodegradable plus during the wash cycle these micro plastic fibres are released into our waterwaste and end up on the shoreline, eaten by wildlife and fish and polluting our foodchain.
Carry a reusable drink bottle. Why? Because 50 billion plastic drink bottles are consumed every year, for every 10 bottles, only 2 end up recycled the rest end up in landfills and polluting our oceans and beaches.
The Sustainable Habits Challenge isn’t just about telling people what to do but also educating and informing them why they need to do it.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I generally wear very neutral colours; white, grey, beige, navy blue and in particular black. I’ve always felt that colour dates and may only be ‘on-trend’ for that particular season whereas neutral colours, especially black is very versatile, timeless and can be dressed up or down.
In summer you’ll mostly find me in shorts & a camisole or a little black floaty summer dress with sandals. In winter I love wearing jeans or black pants, a tee, jacket or blazer and a pair of casual white sneakers or ankle boots.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
Yes, Made With Respect!
I’m a very conscious shopper (I always have been), I prefer to buy less but buy quality pieces that last and look great for years.
With MWR I always support our brands first. If I do find myself browsing in clothing shops and I see something I like I always check the label first, if it’s made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, tencel then I’ll try it on. Once you become aware, it’s amazing how easy it is to spot synthetic materials.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
At the moment I’ve got AmaElla lingerie on my wish list.
I don’t buy a new wardrobe every season. I have pieces that I’ve worn, both clothes and shoes (that get reheeled) year after year, because they are made from quality materials that wear well, wash well and last. They are designed to be timeless so they transcend fashion trends and for any pieces I do chose to take out of my wardrobe, they are always in great condition to recycle at op shops, or loved all over again when passed on to girlfriends, my mum & more recently my daughter.
Boots or Shoes?
I love ankle boots in cooler weather. A good quality & timeless style will last you years, they are so versatile with pants, jeans, dresses and skirts, you can dress them up or down.
For Pinning Later
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Made With Respect.
Thank you for your interview Susan. So many important points to ponder over and the sustainable habits challenge is a start and doable. Your website features some beautiful products too – thank you for introducing us to some quality and sustainable brands.
Linda x
All photographs have been published with kind permission from Susan Stevens (MWR).
Living the Vegan Lifestyle has been in the news a lot recently – January was “veganuary” and the spotlight was on all things Vegan. The reactions from various people have been mixed when the word “vegan” has been mentioned – most people I’ve spoken to hadn’t really got a clue what the Vegan lifestyle entailed; some guessed that it was a more extreme form of being a vegetarian; some have embraced the ethics of being a Vegan wholeheartedly; some were interested and some were not. Personally I am not a Vegan – I do eat meat but I do embrace vegetarian and vegan dishes too. There are a few Vegan restaurants springing up and with thousands of products being granted the coveted Vegan trademark on a daily basis, embracing a Vegan lifestyle is not as daunting as you may think. I caught up with the lovely Dominika of The Vegan Society to find out more about The Vegan Society and living the Vegan lifestyle. Hi Dominika….
Hello! My name is Dominika and I work as media and PR officer at The Vegan Society. We are the world’s oldest vegan society whose co-founder, Donald Watson, came up with the word ‘vegan’ back in 1944. Everything we do is to help people go vegan and remain vegan!
The Vegan Society has produced an app – Veguide App – that covers the basics of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle with 30 short daily videos. What inspired the creation of the app?
We wanted to bring vegan pledges into the 21st century – we know that most new vegans are young people, and this demographic is also the one most likely to use mobile apps and social media. VeGuide features two mentors in the similar age group to our target audience which we thought would help its users to relate to them.
VeGuide is free to download on Android and iOS devices. Its users receive a combination of daily informational videos, motivational quotes, quizzes, recipes and discounts, all of which aim to help them ease into vegan living.
The Vegan Trademark – sunflower symbol – guarantees that products are free from animal ingredients and animal testing. There are now over 30,000 products and services registered with the Vegan Trademark. How does a brand go about registering their products?
Brands can contact our Vegan Trademark team at trademark@vegansociety.com, which will be followed up by some questions that include the number of products a company wants to register, their turnover and size, so that my colleagues can provide them with a quote. After this, the Trademark team carefully checks all the ingredients in the products about to be Trademarked to make sure they’re animal-free. We can also help brands veganise products and suggest alternatives to any animal products their items contain.
From curries to cakes, virtually any recipe could be made suitable for a vegan lifestyle, as long as they are made from plant-based ingredients. Have you got a personal favourite vegan dish or recipe?
I’m all for quick and easy recipes that don’t require tens of ingredients! I’m personally very much into Korean and East Asian cuisine, so I love dishes like kimchi jjigae, ddeokbokki, jjajangmyeon, Japanese curry, mapo tofu, bibimbap, and various side dishes, called muchim in Korean cuisine. For those with a less oriental preferences, I find that making vegan versions of easy classics like lasagne, chilli con carne, shepherd’s pie, enchiladas or roast dinner is best!
I read on your website that honey was the product probably most frequently mistaken as vegan -friendly. I must admit I thought it was! Why is honey excluded? What other foodstuffs are also mistaken as being vegan friendly?
Honey is a product made by animals, so for the sake of consistency is excluded from a vegan diet. Veganism opposes the use and killing of all animals. Other foods that sometimes may not be vegan are alcohol (beer and wine mainly).
What are the nutritional and other benefits of becoming vegan?
Eating a balanced vegan diet helps to limit saturated fat and get plenty of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Research shows vegans have lower blood pressure, lower chances of getting heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. This is partly because animal products, unlike vegan food, contain a significant amount of cholesterol.
In the UK all medicines are required to be tested on animals before being deemed as safe for human use. Obviously, if you are a vegan how are you able to get the medication needed without compromising your beliefs? What are The Vegan Society’s recommendations?
Vegans avoid using animals as far as is practicable and possible. When choosing cosmetics, vegans can pick products that have not been tested on animals but unfortunately we don’t currently have such a choice with medicines or vaccinations. The Vegan Society never advises anyone to stop taking prescribed medicines but we do encourage patients to speak to their doctors to see if a vegan-friendly alternative is available.
What is the hardest part, or the hardest thing to forgo, did you find, of transitioning to follow a vegan lifestyle?
Many people find it difficult to avoid cheese. However, the human tastebuds have a wonderful ability to adapt, so if you resign from cheese for a month or two and then try vegan cheese, you’re very like to enjoy the flavour. Most vegans say the hardest part of going vegan was simply making the decision to do it.P
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
I shop online a lot, on websites like Asos, EMP and Yesstyle which features East Asian fashion. When I go to a shopping mall, I often wander around all the different stores in search of a thing I’m looking for at that moment. It’s amazing how easy it is to find vegan clothes and footwear on the high street!
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I’ve been looking at Luxe Derbys from Will’s Vegan Shoes for a while now. They’re beautiful but pricier because they’re made of eco-friendly, durable vegan leather. I’m just waiting for the right moment to get them!
Boots Or Shoes?
Boots – I get cold very easily so I like footwear that covers my ankles! However, I’m 6ft tall which is a lot for a girl, so I’m not at all interested in adding any more inches which makes it tricky with boots!
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about The Vegan Society.
Thank you for the chat Dominika – those Japanese and Asian dishes really do sound interesting (and no doubt delicious!) I really hope, dear readers, that Dominika has helped to dispel any myths and if you do want to follow the Vegan route, then Dominika has given you some inspiration to go ahead and take that leap!
Linda x
Photo Credits: Pinned Photo by Linda Hobden. The other photos in the article have been published with kind permission from The Vegan Society & Dominika Piasecka
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