 BACK in the 1980s and '90s, most ethical beauty products may have been green with a capital G, but they looked dreary with a capital D. And that was a big turn-off for many people. It was OK them actually being ethical, good for the planet and good for you, but did they have to look so worthy and dowdy sitting on the bathroom shelf?
Thankfully, the new generation of ethical, organic and green goodies look as good as anything else on beauty counters - especially when it comes to comparing them to hip and trendy packaging leaders, such as Benefit and Soap & Glory.
Balance Me is a brand that has come to Belfast thanks to Sonja Lowry, the owner of boutique beauty, interiors and accessories shop, Cocoon Yourself, at 70 Bloomfield Avenue (www.cocoonyourself.co.uk ).
She's been stocking beautiful goods ever since she opened the shop in 2006, and it's here you'll find a range of must-haves, including paraben- and SLS-free Potion & Possibilities products, from shower gels to body creams, as well as lovely Arran Aromatics bits and bobs.
All of them come in beautiful packaging, but Balance Me (also available online from www.balanceme.co.uk) really stands out for its pretty simplicity. Once you get past the cute floral swirls on the labels, you notice that the product more than lives up to first impressions too.
Launched in 2005, this luxurious aromatherapy bath and body range uses pure and natural essential oils and enrichers to optimise health, well-being and natural beauty (and the products smell delicious too).
There are no chemical nasties, such as parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, artificial fragrances or colours, and the whole range is made in the UK, so no sweat shops to worry about either!
The ladies behind the brand - sisters Rebecca and Clare Hopkins - also aim to use responsibly-harvested oils and they protect the environment by avoiding unnecessary packaging, where possible.
One of the best-selling products in the range is the Balance Me Super Oil (£15), which boasts bergamot, geranium, juniper and lavender essential oils plus vitamins.
Start by pouring some drops into your palms and rubbing your hands together while you breathe in the lovely essential oils. Then massage the oil into areas prone to congestion (such as thighs and bottoms) to help your circulation (it's also good for pre- and post-weight-loss bodies).
Another best seller is Rose Body Balm (£15), a lovely tub of fragranced body balm, which is even good for dry and very dry skins.
Rebecca, a reflexologist, and Clare, a yoga teacher, think that everyone deserves a little bit of luxury in their lives, so they've priced their products accordingly, which shows that they're ethically minded when it comes to profit too!
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