The 'Green Skincare' Queen: Tata Harper

Named the "Queen of Green Skincare" by Forbes Magazine, Tata Harper is the founder of 100% natural and non-toxic skincare brand Tata Harper Skincare. Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Harper now lives and works on a 1,200 acre farm in Vermont where her company is based as part of her brand’s farm-to-face philosophy. Here we catch up with Tata...

Want a Good Night's Sleep?

Sleep matters – it’s what all the experts are saying. But how can we get better sleep, with such hectic busy schedules? Jo Foster, founder of Kiss the Moon, led a fast-faced life in a high profile corporate job, and was in search of the answer to that very question. Discover her innovative range here...

The Eye Cream You've Been Asking For

The most requested Pinks Boutique product over the last few years...it's finally here!

Introducing the ultimate eye cream formulated with the anti-oxidant super stars - Buriti, Baobab and Pomegranate - to help cellular rejuvenation, prevent and smooth fine lines and wrinkles and leave the delicate eye area illuminated.

With a lovely, light formula Pinks Boutique Ultimate Renewal Eye Cream is formulated with a powerful dose of anti-oxidant ingredients and a unique rich combination of omega fatty acids aid to cell regeneration and proliferation. And you won't find any toxic residues or ingredients on this 100% natural eye cream which is also fragrance free, anti-inflammatory and suitable for even the most delicate of eyes.

10 Years of Skincare Innovation

Balance Me champions innovation by sourcing cutting-edge natural ingredients and creating unique, high performance products that push the boundaries of natural beauty.  And this year ‘Balance Me Beauty’ is turning 10 years old... Happy Anniversary! Here we catch up with Sian Jones, Balance Me Co-Creator... 

Sian Jones, Balance Me Co-creator

How did you start out?

Balance Me was founded ten years ago in 2005 after Co-Creator sisters Rebecca and Clare left their respective corporate careers behind and retrained in the holistic field in the search for a better work-life balance. They had originally created an events business called “Balance Being” where they offered companies holistic treatments and catering at their client entertaining events. They were making products in their kitchen to use at these events when they were spotted by a high street retailer and British Vogue. Within a year I joined as the third partner, bringing my retail experience and aromatherapy passion to the brand, and Balance Me was born. 10 years on, we are determined to continue pushing the boundaries of natural beauty to create unique, high performance products that solve skin concerns without creating others.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Creating natural products that give fantastic results and skin benefits. Whilst training to be an aromatherapist I developed a natural flare and passion for mixing essential oils and creating beautiful, aromatherapy inspired products that give benefits to both the body and mind. I love researching into new technologies and advances to natural beauty that allow us to push the boundaries, as we did with our new cutting-edge Collagen Boost range, which contains a unique natural peptide complex, that stimulates the skin’s ability to produce collagen(sadly women in their 40’s have 50% less collagen in their skin than women in their 20’s). It is always very rewarding when we hear stories from customers about how our products have boosted their skin confidence, it makes the years of hard work, love and passion that we put into each and every product come to life.

Purity & Results: The Super Serums

 A healthy beauty solution does not have to mean forgoing real results. Enter the latest Super Serums that will transform your skin and change your beauty routine for ever...

Artisan Luxury Skincare: Inlight

Through 30 years of meticulous research, Inlight products have been created to be the perfect complement to natural and alternative therapies. Lovingly hand crafted & 100% organic, Inlight is formulated by medical doctor, homeopath and herbalist Dr Mariano Spiezia who gives us an insight into his world...

What do you wish you’d known when you started?

Nothing more than I knew at that time. Life is an adventure and I like to discover it step by step by being surprised by what happens. By observing life’s phenomena I realised that there is an innate intelligence in everything and it is fascinating to let it express itself without too much control. It knows what to do and how to do it.

What drew you to the beauty industry?

My belief that beauty shines from health. When in Italy I was heavily involved in the flourishing of the organic movement and had no doubt that this would be the right path for a better and healthier future so my commitment started then. As a doctor and medical herbalist I understand both physiology and the genius of Nature and for years I have experienced their interconnection. My ingenuity flourished with some ointments I made for some patients with skin complaints when I started my British journey with my family living at Higher Boden - an organic farm in Cornwall. Those early day results sparked the idea of developing a pure, organic, effective skin care line. The aim was to bring health back into the beauty industry proving that healthy skin can only be beautiful. We were the first UK Company certified 100% organic across the whole range by the Soil Association: a great joy and achievement.

Baobab & Blueberry Smoothie - Recipe

Baobab is ‘The Feel Good Fruit’. Baobab has one of the highest antioxidant levels in the world, and the highest among all its fruity friends. Antioxidants are incredibly anti-inflammatory and fight disease inducing free radicals in our body. Meaning they're incredibly anti cancerous! Combined with the added benefits of blueberries, you’ve got yourself a nutrient packed treat!

Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder is a 100% natural, nutrient-dense, raw wholefood. It is also almost 50% fibre and a rich source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium and thiamin. There is no such thing as a baobab plantation; every tree is community-owned and wild harvested.

This recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams (Naturally Sassy) shared with us via Aduna’s blog is the easy and tasty way to incorporate baobab into your diet. Blueberries are one of her favourite fruits and go incredibly well with baobab. 

Ingredients:

1 tsp Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder

1 banana

1 cup blueberries

2 medjool dates

1 cup almond milk

Method: Just blend!

Shop here for: Aduna Baobab Powder (from £7.99)

The 'Food-Grown' Expert Supplements

Wild Nutrition is a food supplement range changing the face of vitamins. Founded by husband and wife team, Charlie and Henrietta Norton, this Food-State range offers the highest quality supplements available today. Here we catch up with expert Nutritional Therapist, Henrietta. 

  

How did you choose the name ‘Wild Nutrition’? 

It was a very organic process really. We wanted something that would be reflective of the natural ingredients inside the products and we were sitting around the kitchen table with our family and someone just shouted out ‘Wild Health’ which we immediately turned into Wild Nutrition. It was a light bulb moment and we’ve never looked back.

The Top 5 Clean Exfoliators

Exfoliators can work wonders for your complexion, unclogging pores, minimizing the signs of aging and brightening skin. Using the wrong formula, however, can leave your skin feeling sorry for itself. Like with any facial treatment, effective exfoliation lies in finding the right product targeted for your skin type. Here's what to use...

Health, Beauty & Social Responsibility

Aduna is an Africa-inspired health and beauty brand and social business. Aduna's products feature extraordinary and unique natural ingredients from across the continent. Here we catch up with co-founder Andrew Hunt. 

Aduna means ‘life’ or ‘world’ in Wolof – what one thing can’t you live without in your daily life?

The most important thing for me by far is to wake up every morning and be inspired about what I am doing with my life. As long as I have this, then the rest slots easily into place. And thankfully with Aduna, inspiration is never in short supply. 

How often do you get to go back and visit the African communities that Aduna work with?

Not enough. Ironically, since co-founding Aduna I have spent less time in Africa than ever before. However this year I have already been to Africa twice, which is amazing. When I arrive there I am often feeling like an iPhone on low battery, but after a week of being plugged back in, I come home fully charged.
 

The Ultimate Skin-Renewal Rituals

This range of 4 targeted masks offers the perfect cocktail of treatments where vine extracts meet highly purifying clays, with exfoliating and nourishing ingredients for the ultimate skin-renewing ritual.

Modern Nails with an Edge

INTENSAE is modern and luxurious with an edge: a range of high-performance nail lacquers using an exclusive 5-free formula and combining equal measures of work and play for a healthy yet indulgent lifestyle. Here we catch up with co-founders, Christian and James.

Where do you see your (brand/self) in 5 years?

Christian: Happy, independent and being able to share with others, same goes for the brand.

James: We will continue to develop INTENSAE with even more exciting and innovative products. It’s important we give back and remain committed to the creation of coveted products that remain healthy and safe to use.

The Top 6 Clean Bronzers

There is one safe way to get that golden glow, and it's in your makeup bag: bronzer. Our natural mineral bronzers will give you a touch of light, or a deep golden tan without the toxins.

The Perfect Night's Sleep: Sleepy Cow

Drift off into a perfect night’s sleep with our new Cowshed Sleepy Cow Calming collection. Here is the answer to all your dreams!

The Colours of Spring

Spring makeup tends to look like peachy lips, pastel eyes and bronze skin, but the beauty looks this season is throwing us a few surprises in the form of vivid lips and strokes of brilliant color. 

Best of British: Skin & Tonic

Like all magnificent things, it’s very simple. New brand Skin& Tonic creates hand-crafted, organic skincare created free from all synthetics and preservatives with never more than 7 ingredients. 

Simple is best

Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. Surely we can do without the parabens, the ETDA’s, the mineral oils, the dioxins, the phthalates, the gender discrimination, the cheap labour, the exotic ingredients and, let’s not forget, all that excessive, wasteful packaging?

Why is organic so awesome?

The organic ingredients used at Skin & Tonic are highly therapeutic when retained in their natural, unadulterated state. The plant oils used have all been grown to international organic standards (as certified by The Soil Association) and have NOT been sprayed by nasty chemical pesticides. Skin & Tonic use ingredients that are packed full of nutrients, anti-oxidants and omegas that help maintain cellular growth. They also help fight the free radicals that we’re all exposed to every day through pollution and are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Skin & Tonic products are as unisex and as multifunctional as possible. Check out Skin & Tonic Gentle Scrub that doubles up as a face mask or Skin & Tonic Calm Balm to calm both your dry skin and your mood.

 
From Sarah, the founder

I created Skin & Tonic with help from Josh (my boyfriend/partner-in-crime) and with inspiration and support from Deirdre (my master soap-making super mum). Josh and I met at a party in 2009 over a glass of Gin & Tonic and that was that – the unwitting union of two little like-minded dreamers/believers took place.

Together, we’ve been through some ups and some downs. Life can really suck at times and this was most definitely the case in 2010 when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Getting sick made me realise that I needed to simplify my lifestyle and pay more attention to what I was putting into AND onto my body. I researched skincare and soon discovered that much of what I was using was full of nasty synthetic chemicals that were carcinogenic and endocrine disrupters.

I started to make skincare for myself using simple, organic ingredients. Within no time, a persistent case of dermatitis disappeared and my skin looked, and felt, great. So why couldn’t I buy something similar to this in the shops? I couldn’t find a single product that was completely free from synthetics and preservatives, or silly-frilly names and promises. Instead, all I found was overt gender discrimination and huge amounts of excess packaging. There was nothing out there that was simple, straight-talking, organic and cool! So I decided to do something about it. I quit my career in TV and re-trained in Aromatherapy and Skincare Formulation. Skin & Tonic was born…Thank you so much for joining our little skincare revolution.

Shop here for: Skin & Tonic from £3.90

La Potion Infinie by Argentum

ARgENTUM uses the timeless strength of silver to deliver la potion infinie. After many years of research in the field of anti-ageing ARgENTUM has formulated a patent pending fusion of two vital ingredients – Silver Hydrosol & DNA HP. The result is a natural, super hydrating cream that may visibly improve fine lines, wrinkles and the overall texture of your skin. la potion infinie is 99.5% from natural origins. Here we catch up with CEO & Founder, Joy Isaacs.

Tell us a little bit about the story behind La Potion Infinie?

The idea to start ARgENTUM came to me a few years ago when I had an actual dream about Colloidal Silver with its extraordinary antibacterial and healing properties and using it in skincare. Prior to this dream I experienced a severe infection after major surgery and my saving grace was the Doctors agreeing to use expensive silver wound dressings, which ended up being miraculous in their healing power. This traumatic experience must have stayed in my subconscious, only to resurface at a later time as an empowering dream. Since then the journey to deliver a magical product with integrity and love, has been an inspiring one.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started?

I could say I wish I’d known this or that, but the story of ARgENTUM has been all about the journey and the joy of learning, every step of the way. I try and stay focused on the moment-by moment creating whilst holding a vision of the end result, which is easier said than done. I don’t know everything, nor do I feel I need to; instead I make a point of being guided by my intuition.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I love all the different aspects and involvement that come with being an entrepreneur. For me, the hardest part is trying to juggle being a mother and pursuing a corporate career. I have three very active boys who take me far away from the world of beauty…maybe that brings in the balance I so desperately crave.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

What matters, is what you make matter. We always have a choice, even if it’s how we choose to feel about something. I try and focus my energy only on what I want to matter, what is important to me and what is positive. Self-help authors like Neale Donald Walsch explain this notion beautifully. I have applied this concept to ARgENTUM, making sure we focus on our core belief of beauty delivered with integrity and love, because I wholeheartedly believe what you give out, you get back.

What are your everyday beauty essentials?

That would have to be mascara first and my runner up is eyeliner. As I have gotten older, I have become more aware of protecting my eyes from the daily barrage of black kohl and gunk we plaster in and around this delicate area, so I am always on the lookout for new and natural eye make-up that is non-toxic and gentle.

Who do you admire and why?

There are so many admirable people out there, but today one of them stands out for me and she is Stephanie Thierry, the co-founder of ARgENTUM. Since the start of this journey when I shared my dream with her, she has given me unwavering support and belief in everything we do. When you hold a dream, you are blessed to have the support of dream believers, people who share your passion. I admire her focus and determination in helping to deliver such a natural product.

What’s your favourite holiday spot?

That would have to be Cape Town, South Africa. There is something so unique about being at the most Southern tip of the world, sandwiched between the ocean and table mountain. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

If you would treat yourself to one thing this month it would be…

Well I’m lucky enough to have an endless supply of la potion infinie, so I think I would splash out on a manicure and pedicure. The summer is nearly over and I’m going to try and wear sandals until the frostbite sets in.

Shop here for: Argentum La Potion Infinie, £147. Sample available here.

Beyond organic: Ila Skincare

Bringing purity, energy and balance into everyday life is an aim we share our brand 'ila'. This British brand' creates luxurious skincare products that work at every level and go 'beyond organic'. Everything is cruelty free and comes directly from supreme quality plants or minerals to support holistic wellbeing. 

The brand’s signature cult product is the Ila Face Oil for Glowing Radiance, £75. This organic face oil has been called a 'little miracle' because it helps skin rediscover its natural bloom. As it deeply nourishes, it gives an instant healthy glow to your face.

The Ila range is quite expensive and one of the best way to try the range is their Ila Spa Travel Essentials Collection, 12. This is lovely travel essentials and utterly pampering collection of natural skin, hair and bodycare presented in a convenient, zipped travel bag.
Shop here for: Ila Skincare.