One of the many fantastic changemakers we featured in our Winter 2019/20 issue was Natalie Balmond, founder of sensitive skincare company Balmonds. She discussed how she first began to make soothing creams and lotions to help her daughter Lula overcome eczema, and how Balmonds has gone from strength to strength ever since!
skin care
By Alison McEvoy
Born of the combined passion of its co-founders for genuine, natural skincare and fair principles, Lavera celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year. Co-founder Thomas Haas had suffered from the itchy skin condition, neurodermatitis, since he was a child.
He began his skincare journey by cultivating plants and developing formulae for natural products that might help
his skin. After ten years of research he launched the original company, Laverna. At around the same time, in Germany, Klara Ahlers had set up a natural cosmetics speciality retail business named Cremetopf (‘Cream Jar’). It wasn’t long before these two joined forces and in 1997 they set forth together as Lavera – ‘the real thing’ in Latin.
Lavera now produces a massive range of skincare products, from deodorants and make-up, to skin care for babies and children, which it ships to over forty countries worldwide. This global distribution thread remains rooted in the Hanover region in Germany, meaning that production can stay thoroughly regulated to ensure organic, cruelty-free and eco-friendly manufacturing standards are kept. Ingredients are also locally harvested in that region; “Some 300 organic extracts are obtained from natural sources such as flowers, freeze-dried fruits and herbs, hence a high level of quality control is possible, which has been confirmed many times by top ratings from independent testing bodies.”
Given their history of pioneering work in Germany, having been involved in the creation of the first certifying body
for natural cosmetics, NATRUE, and being the first world-wide producer of 100% mineral-based sun protection, Lavera will no doubt continue to grow and innovate over the decades to come.
Positive Vibes Outstanding October: Lovely Events, Recommendations and more!
Outstanding October! The long nights have returned bringing with them a delightfully chilled breeze. We begin to see cozy sweaters and coats here and there on the street and we welcome the wonderfully mysterious month of October. All hallows eve is around the corner and we are all excited to celebrate that night in our own way. After experiencing the recent black full moon, we have for you some amazing upcoming events, including our upcoming Positive Nights events; interesting retreats, great remedies and natural beauty tips. Check it out and enjoy!
Positive Nights Presents Dawn Cartwright
Date: Thursday, October 6th
Place: Powerscourt Theater, Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2
Dawn Cartwright is on her way back to Positive Nights for an experiential evening of discovery. You will be guided through exquisitely beautiful Tantric practices designed for singles and couples alike, a journey into the far reaches of the heart.
Upcoming events:
Geoff Fitzpatrick October 13th
Roisin Fitzpatrick: October 20th
Alison Canavan: October 27th
If you would like to book, please visit here for more info or email us at positivenights@gmail.com
Magical Chocolate
Magic Mayan Chocolate is a beautifully hand made raw chocolate with all the deliciousness that this definition implies! These bars are amazing. Magic Mayan provides 14 different organically sourced, deeply dark, dairy-, gluten- and soya free raw chocolate bars to health stores and raw chocolate fans.
Visit their site for more info if you feel like a treat!
Nature Retreats with Crann Og Eco Farm
Date for the upcoming retreat: 17th to 20th November 2016
Crann Og Eco Farm has worked together with nature to create an organic paradise in which people of all ages can slow down and reconnect naturally. Their re-nature retreats are technology free and combine yoga with nature therapy. A perfect antidote to urban living.
BEAUTIFUL….
For more info and future retreat dates visit here.
Nua Naturals Superfood
An incredible healthy food business! Nua Naturals are at the cutting edge of the growing global trends of health and wellness such as ‘Raw foods’, ‘Lactose Free’ and ‘Vegan’. They are lovers and producers of organic health and super foods across the globe.We met them recently at the natural health expo and tried some of their new products, Turmeric milk was the standout, golden deliciousness.
Visit here to see all of her fabulous products!
Dr. Maher Skin Care line
This Award Winning Skin Care line is perfectly crafted. All of Doctor Maher’s products are 100% natural, made with highly nourishing, edible ingredients, each in effective amounts. As a Biochemist, Dr. Neil Maher took care into sourcing the finest, safest natural ingredients available for his products.Congrats to them on winning the NATURAL HEALTH EXPO AWARD, best skincare.
Magic…
Check out the lovely line here.
Angie & YogaWay
Angie is based in Co. Wicklow and is passionate about living a sustainable & resilient way of life in harmony with her natural surroundings. Angie runs retreats from her home, and teaches Yoga, does digital detox, foraging walks, vegetarian cooking classes and plenty more!
Check angie’s many talents here