Category

Lifestyle

Category

Meet Gemma, the founder of Luna Candles, a small business that offers handmade, eco-friendly soy candles in a variety of delightful scents. Gemma’s passion for creating beautifully scented candles started as a hobby, but her love for it quickly grew, and she turned it into a successful business.

Luna Candles is all about providing customers with natural, sustainable, and cruelty-free products that not only smell amazing but also promote self-care and relaxation. Gemma’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of the business, from using recyclable packaging to sourcing only the finest quality ingredients.

In this interview, we’ll delve deeper into Gemma’s journey and learn more about what makes Luna Candles stand out in the competitive candle market.

Tell us the journey that led you to launching Luna Candles…

I have always been passionate about aromatherapy and wellbeing, dating back to the 90s when I was a teenager writing essential oil recipes in a small notebook. After leaving school, I pursued studies in Accounts and Business Management before ultimately qualifying as a Beauty Therapist. I spent numerous years working in hotel spas and eventually progressed to becoming the spa manager at a luxurious 5-star spa hotel in Edinburgh until I had my eldest daughter 15 years ago.

Since then, I’ve been working for myself as a freelancer, offering services like wedding makeup and facials/massage. When the pandemic struck and I had to cancel all my clients, I saw it as an opportunity to pursue something I’ve always dreamed of – starting my own brand of wellbeing products. I spent countless hours experimenting with different candle formulas and designs, and it was a long process that involved over 120 attempts. But eventually, I found the perfect combination, and the end result was a brand that I am immensely proud of. My products were launched six months later in October 2020, and it has been an incredible journey since then!

How do you want people to feel when they use your products?

My mission is for people to feel cherished and valued, both in themselves and their living spaces. Through my candles, which embody the spirit of “Pause, Light and Unwind,” I strive to create a brief but meaningful moment of peace and tranquillity. I love that people feel a little moment of peace when they light my candles and experience the comfort from the glow of the flame and the joy from the scent.

Have you got plans to expand the range in the future?

I already offer Bath Soaks and Aromarollers, which complement the candle scents, and I hope to expand with Reed Diffusers and Room mists. Stay tuned for upcoming Candle Making Workshops!

You’re an advocate of self-care, what does that look like to you?

Taking little pockets of time to do something that brings you a little bit of joy in your day, it doesn’t have to be big or planned out, whether that is sitting in the sun for 5 minutes with a cuppa, lighting a candle, enjoying a candlelit bath, or taking a longer escape by going on a retreat or spa day.

If you didn’t pursue this career, what else would you have liked to do?

I honestly love what I do, but if I had to do something else, it would be owning a cake shop as I love the joy cakes bring to your taste buds and your eyes!

What advice would you offer any business brand owners who are struggling to get started?

Don’t wait for things to be perfect, know your ideal customer, know your figures, don’t rush, enjoy the process, and show up!

Talk us through an average day in your life…

No two days are the same for me. I have a busy home with two daughters (11 and 15 years old), a two-year-old cocker spaniel, a fluffy black cat, and a very supportive husband who works shifts. During the week, after seeing my daughters off to school in the morning and completing any necessary life admin or chores, I begin fulfilling online orders and preparing them for shipping.

This includes checking stock levels, scheduling product production, and making any necessary supply orders. I also take some time to create Instagram content, share stories, and engage with followers. As a small business owner, I find it important to take breaks, so I take my dog for a walk or fit in some yoga or tai chi, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

On weekends, I often have events or markets to attend where I get to showcase my products, meet customers, and receive feedback on the brand. I try to work around my family as much as possible, and I’m grateful to be available to them as much as possible. My weekly planner is my best friend, and I’d be lost without it.

Who is involved in the brand, and what are their roles?

I pretty much work alone, but I have a very supportive husband who helps out when needed, especially during busy periods like Christmas when there’s a lot to juggle, but it’s also very rewarding.

Looking back since launching the business, is there anything that you would do differently?

I would trust my instincts, which I’m learning to do more now.

Our readers love to travel. What destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Thailand is on my bucket list for its temples, food, and beaches.

Running a business can be non-stop. What do you do to switch off?

I love a spa day, so I try to go every few months. I also enjoy a candlelit bath with my favorite matcha tea, a book, and bath soak to help me unwind. I use the Calm app every day for either sleep stories or guided meditation. One of my favorite things to do with my family is either snuggling up on the sofa watching a movie with snacks or chilling in the garden with good music and tasty food. Heading out with friends for cocktails and food is also a great way to switch off.

In five years from now, where do you see the brand?

I see the brand expanding to more spas, salons, and wellbeing stores to make our products more widely available. I also plan to offer in-person workshops and online courses to help new businesses and candlemakers.

Online www.luna-candles.co.uk

Instagram @lunacandles.scotland

Facebook @LunaCandlesScotland

Do you have a passion for horse racing and want to level up your betting game? If so, you might want to look into in-play betting, which is a fast-growing part of horse racing that has a lot to offer fans and bettors who are serious about the sport. What is in-play betting for horse racing? How does it function? What are the advantages? We’ll answer these questions and more in this post. You shouldn’t ignore in-play betting, whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a new lover of horse racing. The benefits of in-play betting on horse races are numerous; let’s dig in!

1. What Is In-Play Betting, And Why Is It Great for Horse Racing Enthusiasts?

“In-play” betting, also called “live” or “in-running” betting, is for people who want to place bets on sports events while they are happening. Bets may be placed on a horse race at any time, not just before it begins, which is very useful for live events. People who like to bet on horse races often benefit from “in-play” betting because it lets them respond quickly to changing situations and new information.

You’ll have more say over your bets and the ability to adapt to the progress of the race by doing so. If you’re a lover of horse racing and want to improve your betting experience, the in-play betting alternative is the way to go. It offers a number of fascinating chances that aren’t accessible with standard pre-race betting.

2. Tips To Maximize Your Profits With In-Play Betting

Many tactics and ideas may be used to improve your odds of winning during in-play betting and maximize your income. One important piece of advice is to keep in mind the significance of the race conditions and track surfaces. If, for example, the track is wet and muddy, horses that have run well in similar conditions before may have an advantage.

Another piece of advice is to keep a careful eye on the situation and search for smart betting possibilities as they arise. For instance, if you see that a horse that was in the back early on is making up ground, you might wish to wager on it for the finish. If you pay close attention to the race and are ready to adjust your bets depending on what you learn, in-play betting provides you a far higher chance of making the most money possible.

3. Making the Most of In-Play Betting By Understanding Market Movements

Keeping up with how the market changes is one of the most important parts of making money by betting on horse races while they are happening. The performance of the horses, the state of the track, and the wagering habits of other bettors are just a few of the factors that might cause bookmakers’ odds to shift, or “move the market,” during a race.

You might be able to make more money and lose less if you keep track of these changes and take advantage of differences in the odds given by different bookies. You might want to use that bookmaker instead if you discover that their odds on a particular horse are significantly better than those of another bookmaker.

If you keep an eye on the market, you may also modify your wagers in real-time to take advantage of the odds as they change. Ultimately, knowing how the market works is crucial for every in-play bettor, as it allows you to stay one step ahead of the competition and increase your chances of winning.

4. How To Find the Best Value on Your In-Play Bets

If you want to make the most of your betting experience and optimize your winnings, you need to get the greatest value on your in-play bets. One strategy for doing this is to seek out horses with odds that are higher than their true probabilities of winning.

Value bets are placed on these horses because of the high potential returns they offer. Value bets may be found with the use of odds comparison websites, expert analysis and projections, and real-time data feeds, among other methods. By looking at the odds offered by multiple bookies and looking for horses that are being undervalued, you might find high-value chances and increase your profits.

Focusing on a subset of races for which you have a deep knowledge of the horses and conditions can help you spot value bets more quickly. You can get the most out of live betting and increase your chances of winning by doing a lot of research and analysis before you place your bets.

5. Tactics for Minimizing Risk When Placing an In-Play Bet

Bets placed during a race’s progress can be thrilling and pay off well, but beware of the dangers that come along with them. There are several strategies and techniques you can use when betting on a game that is still going on to reduce your risk and protect your bankroll.

Spreading your bets over several horses or races is a common way to lower your risk of losing and increase your chances of winning. Setting strict limits on your betting, like a maximum amount you can lose or a maximum number of bets per race, will help you avoid making hasty or emotional decisions about your bets. In addition, stop-loss orders and hedging tactics might help you cut your losses if the race doesn’t go as planned.

Skylights bring natural light and beauty into your home, making it a more pleasant space to enjoy. But where should you place them in order to maximize these benefits? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best places for installing skylights in your home.

Place #1: Hallways

If you think about it, hallways are usually the dark spots in a home – often not receiving direct sunlight. Installing skylights here can provide natural light for those who pass through them and brighten up the area.

Skylights in hallways can make them look and feel bigger, as well as provide natural light that would otherwise be absent. With a skylight, a hallway will no longer feel like a confined space but instead an open and airy area. Skylights Gold Coast offers a stunning solution to bring natural light into your home, creating a bright and uplifting atmosphere.

Place #2: Living Room

The living room is the heart of most homes, so why not make it even more inviting? Skylights can bring a sense of warmth and brightness to the living room – creating a cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests.

A skylight in your living room can help reduce energy costs by reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. Natural light also brings with it a sense of tranquility that will make the living room an even more enjoyable place to be.

Place #3: Bedrooms

A skylight in your bedroom can provide both natural light and fresh air, making it an ideal spot for installing one. Skylights can also help create a calming atmosphere in the bedroom – allowing you to relax and get a better night’s sleep.

Installing a skylight in your bedroom will bring with it several benefits, including improved ventilation, increased natural light, and reduced energy costs from not having to use as much artificial lighting. Additionally, it can also reduce the need for blackout curtains or other window treatments – creating a more unrestricted view for you to enjoy.

#4: Bathrooms

Skylights can be a great addition to bathrooms as they provide natural light and ventilation. This can make it easier to get ready in the morning, as you won’t have to rely on artificial lighting.

A skylight in your bathroom will provide natural light and fresh air – making it more pleasant for taking care of personal hygiene tasks. Additionally, this type of ventilation can help reduce the buildup of moisture and eliminate any lingering odors in the room.

#5: Home Office

The home office is a great place to install a skylight, as it can provide natural light for work activities and improve the overall ambiance of the space. Skylights also allow for more flexibility when it comes to choosing furniture and decor – making the office an even more inviting area to spend time in.

Skylights in home offices have many benefits, including improved air circulation, reduced energy costs due to less need for artificial lighting, and increased productivity from being able to take advantage of natural light. Additionally, a skylight in your home office can make you feel more connected with nature – creating a peaceful environment for working or studying.

Installation Process

Skylight installation is not a project that should be taken lightly, so it’s important to get in touch with professionals like Mighty Dog Roofing who are experienced in the area. They will ensure that the job is done correctly and safely, ensuring that your skylight lasts for years to come. Here’s what you can expect during the installation process:

  1. A professional installer will first assess the area where the skylight will go and make sure it is suitable for installation.
  2. They will then measure and mark areas on your roof or ceiling where they need to cut away sections of material.
  3. The installer will then drill holes and fit anchors into place before cutting away any necessary material.
  4. Once all of this has been completed, the skylight can be installed.
  5. The installer will then secure the skylight into place and make sure it is properly sealed and waterproofed.
  6. Finally, they will test the skylight to make sure it is functioning correctly before completing the installation process.

Installing a skylight in your home can be a great way to bring natural light and fresh air into your space – so why not take advantage of these benefits today? With proper planning and professional installation, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the advantages that come with having a skylight in your home for years to come.

Ready to boost your Instagram followers without spending a dime? In today’s age of digital marketing, having a strong social media presence can make or break your brand. But with so much competition out there, it can be hard to stand out in the crowd. The good news is that you don’t have to spend money on ads or promotions to grow your following! In this blog post, we’ll share some proven strategies for increasing your Instagram reach and attracting new Instagram followers app organically. From optimizing your profile to leveraging the power of hashtags, you’ll learn everything you need to know about building a loyal audience on this popular platform. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started – it’s time to take your Insta game up a notch!

How to Grow Your Instagram Following Fast

If you’re looking to grow your Instagram following quickly and free, follow these tips!

1. Use Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to help your photos stand out and be found by other users. Add a few relevant hashtags to each of your photos, and make sure to use them in the captions as well. This will help people who are looking for specific content related to those tags find your posts more easily.

2. Follow Other Influencers

Following other influential individuals on Instagram can help you learn what works well on the platform and what doesn’t. By watching their posts and seeing what attracts attention, you can start creating better content that will likely get more likes and followers from people who are already following you.

3. Post Regularly

The key to growing an engaged following is consistency. Make sure to post at least once per day, and vary your content slightly so that viewers don’t get bored with seeing the same thing over and over again. Varying your topics will also keep things interesting for followers, making them more likely to return for future posts.

4. Take Pictures That Look Good on Instagram

How to Use Hashtags for Maximum Impact

Hashtags are a great way to spice up your Instagram photos and videos and help you connect with a wider audience. You don’t need a lot of expensive tools or software to start using hashtags. In fact, you can use basic tools like Google and your keyboard to create hashtags for free.

1. Open up the Instagram app on your phone or computer.

2. Tap on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.

3. Under “Advanced,” tap on “Hashtags.”

4. Enter some keywords or phrases that describe what you’re posting
5. Now, when you post a photo or video that includes one of these keywords, Instagram will automatically add the appropriate hashtag to it.

6. When you’re done tagging your photos and videos, tap on “Done” at the bottom of the screen.

How to Promote Your Posts on Instagram

If you want to be successful on Instagram, you need to promote your posts. This can be done through a variety of methods, but the most important thing is to make sure that your posts are engaging and interesting to your followers. If you can do this, then your following will grow organically over time.

Here are some tips for promoting your posts:

1. Use Hashtags: When you post a picture or video on Instagram, use relevant hashtags so that people who follow the corresponding account will find them. This allows your post to reach a wider audience than if it were simply posted without any tags.

2. Share Great

Conclusion

If you’re looking to increase your Instagram followers free without spending a penny, then this article is for you! In it, we’ll outline four effective methods for growing your following on Instagram. Whether you’re looking to grow your following organically or purchase fake followers, our tips will help you get the most out of your social media presence. So whether you’re wanting to up your game and show off all the great things that you’ve been up to or just want more people in touch with what’s going on in your life, read on and learn how to grow your Instagram following without breaking the bank.

It is Easter this week, we can indulge in chocolate for breakfast, chocolate for lunch, and chocolate for dinner without feeling guilty. What an exciting time to be alive!

Where do we begin with this Easter Gift Guide? Let’s start with some amazing chocolate Easter Eggs, because let’s be honest it’s all about the eggs.

Eggs

Harvey Nichols, Blonde Bombshell Egg & Blonde Chocolate Truffles, £25.50 from Harvey Nichols

Blondes have more fun this Easter with this textural, artisanal small-bath honeycomb and biscuit egg, housing six irresistible blonde chocolate truffles inside. Made by a small family-owned chocolatier in Somerset.

Selfridges, The Malty Egg, £19.99 from Selfridges

The Single Origin Blonde Chocolate & Malt Egg is an Easter must-have gift. For a friend, for family, or for you, this egg is irresistible.

Selfridges, Gåva Reusable Swedish Easter Egg with Pick & Mix, £19.99 from Selfridges

A beautifully decorated reusable egg from Gåva that is packed with chocolate pick & mix treasures to enjoy. To be reused each year with your favourite confectionary.

Cartwright & Butler, Belgian Chocolate Eggs, £15 from Cartwright & Butler

A fine selection of white, milk and dark chocolate eggs with rich praline cream filling, which deliver a truly velvety taste. These mini luxury Belgian Chocolate Eggs are displayed in this wonderful green window tin.

Terry’s, Chocolate Orange Egg with Exploding Candy, £5 from Tesco

A British staple Terry’s Chocolate Orange, re-imagined in egg shape with sweet exploding candy pieces within the chocolate orange flavoured segments. Exclusive to Tesco stores across the UK.

Toblerone, Edgy Egg Milk Chocolate Egg, £12 from Tesco (£10 Clubcard price)

A hollow milk chocolate Easter egg, with a twist. The shell is made from a pattern of small Toblerone triangles and contains chewy honey and almond nougat within the chocolate. Comes with three mini Toblerone bars to enjoy alongside the egg. Exclusive to Tesco stores across the UK.

KitKat, Caramel Cookie Collision Incredible Egg, £12 from Tesco

A caramel flavoured milk chocolate egg, with cookie and shortbread biscuit pieces within the shell. The pack also contains two KitKat Chunky Caramel Bars and a bag of Cookie Dough Mini Eggs. Exclusive to Tesco stores across the UK.

Hampers, Baskets, and Tins

Harvey Nichols, Eggs-tremely Yummy Easter Hamper, £80 from Harvey Nichols

All the decadent treats and lavish touches are packed into a gorgeous wicker hamper. Dozens of colourful eggs, oodles of chocolate, naughty nibbles, buttery shortbread and strawberry sweets. You won’t be able to keep your hands off it!

Snowdonia Cheese, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Basket, £45 from Snowdonia Cheese Company

Luxury cheesemaker Snowdonia Cheese Company has joined forces with artisan chocolate maker Willie’s Cacao to create the ultimate Cheese and Chocolate Tasting Basket. With four award-winning Snowdonia cheeses and four single-estate chocolate bars included. Snowdonia Cheese Company Red Devil (200g), Red Storm (200g), Black Bomber (200g), and Green Thunder (200g). Alongside, Willie’s Cacao El Blanco 36% white chocolate bar (50g), Milk of The Gods 44% milk chocolate bar (50g), Surabaya Gold 69% dark chocolate bar (50g), and Ginger Lime 70% dark chocolate bar (50g). Plus, a cheese & chocolate tasting guide.

Cartwright & Butler, Easter Indulgence Tin, £22.41 from Cartwright & Butler

Open this gorgeous copper tin of delicious Easter treats including, Cartwright & Butler’s delectable Easter Biscuits, utterly chocolatey Belgian Chocolate Eggs, Butter Fudge Bar, Marshmallow Stirrer and Chocolate Wafer Rounds. A perfectly indulgent tin if treats!

Easter Treats

Crosstown, Salted Caramel Truffles, £11.95 from Crosstown

These moreish Salted Caramel Truffles feature a liquid caramel centre, with a kiss of Noirmoutier island salt, all encased is an intense dark chocolate shell and dusted in cocoa powder. Melt in the mouth indulgence!

Chococo, Gold Chocolate Bunny in a Box, £9.50 from Chococo

Chococo, the Dorset based chocolate brand has released its epic Easter collection of eggs and other treats. The Gold Chocolate Bunny in a Box is the cutest, most adorable chocolate bunny ever. Caramelised white ‘gold’ chocolate, hand decorated with natural colours, which offers a nostalgic caramac taste. Simply delish!

Mozart, Chocolate Cream Liqueur, £22 from Harvey Nichols

The perfect grown-up gift for the chocolate lover in your life (or to keep for yourself), Mozart is the only multi-award-winning chocolate liqueur worth your time. Sit back, relax, and sip a delicious glass of pure chocolate liqueur. 500ml bottle, 17% volume.

If you are like us, you’re a sucker for a little self-care in the form of lighting a candle, running a bath and pouring a G&T. Next time you are looking for a new candle, take a look at creepy cute brand RinkyDink Candles run by Aimee Lauren who not only makes deliciously devilish candles and melts but is a loud supporter of mental health. We sat down with her for a chinwag…

HOC: Hi Aimee, can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming a business owner?

Aimee: Where do I start!? It’s been a whirlwind, honestly! I initially set out to become a business owner because I always wanted to be able to do something creative for a living. I have a degree in Digital Forensics, but a career in STEM just wasn’t for me! Too many men and too much misogyny.

I also wanted to be able to take mental health days off work without having to have any awkward conversations with managers who didn’t quite understand why I was struggling to work. I got put on probation in a previous job because I took time off for anxiety. That was the kick up the bum I needed to get out of there and set up a company for myself which puts mental health first.

I started posting my creative projects on Instagram in the 2020 pandemic, beginning at first with just with my artwork (at the time I wanted to be an artist). I started to make handmade candles as a fun side-project, but they ended up blowing up on Instagram and got a lot of interest! Three years later I’m a full-time candle business owner who sells her art on the side. It’s funny how the two basically swapped around!

HOC: Incredible. We know you are very vocal about mental health and combine that with your business, can you tell us more?

Aimee: Absolutely. The two of them are parallel to each other. As my business has grown, my mental recovery has too.

Like many, I got quite reflective and introspective over the 2020 lockdowns. I started to become more and more aware that my childhood had been extremely abnormal. I began opening up to a therapist about some of the things I’d experienced and was diagnosed with PTSD and GAD. That made SO MUCH sense to me and helped me to understand why I was struggling so much with life.

When my business started to blow up, I was simultaneously coming to all these deep realisations about myself, and I wanted to talk about it with my family. I wanted us to repair our relationships and explain why their actions in the past hurt me to this day. They essentially turned me away and refused to acknowledge any of my pain (that’s the polite way of putting it, mind you), which was utterly heart-breaking. I began to get a lot of negative attention from my family. They weren’t very supportive of me, and I became so depressed.

It was a crazy pendulum of two extremes, because on the one hand I was experiencing my business taking off, while my personal life was completely falling apart.

In the end, after a total breakdown, I made the choice in 2021 to go no contact with my whole family and put myself first. I moved to Leeds and put physical distance between me and my trauma. I started seeing a childhood trauma therapist (who I still see to this day), and I started to heal. It was slow, and very painful, but here I am three years later a totally different woman.

The job itself is so healing. Candle making is an extremely calming process and a wonderful way to spend my days. But as the business has grown and my mental health has improved, I started to use my platforms to raise awareness of childhood trauma and the importance of choosing yourself. To have to separate yourself out of self-preservation is an awful thing to do. You feel so wrong and selfish at first. However, I’d be lying if I said it was a bad choice. I feel safe, secure, and most importantly happy now.

HOC: Thank you for sharing that with us, Aimee. We love your ‘anti-anxiety/stress’ products and focus on mental health – how do you balance the demands of running your own business as well as life in general?

I’ve essentially come to learn that the whole ‘work-life balance’ thing is a myth. It doesn’t exist, or at least, not when you run your own business.

Things happen in waves. Sometimes, I’m flat out at work and I can’t do a lot of social stuff (Christmas is a good example of this, because we all love a good smelly candle at Christmas!). Other times, like in the summer, when it’s hot outside and the business is a little quieter (still busy! Just not manic), I get to do more social things and go out more.

I tried keeping things constant and holding myself to a consistent schedule, but it just didn’t work for me! I’m lucky in that I don’t have childcare to worry about, or a marriage, or anything grown up like that. I have INSANE levels of respect for business owners that juggle those things too!

I think there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer when it comes to a work-life balance. However, I can say, you should always work to live, and not live to work.

HOC: Finally, emo, it’s all the rage again. Talk us through your candle making playlist?

Aimee: This is one of the best questions I’ve been asked! My candle making playlists are sometimes nice soft classical music, or a bit of 80s pop, but most of the time it’s those emo jams I listened to as a sad greasy teenager! A bit of My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy and Bring Me The Horizon always make the day fly by! You can’t mosh while candle making, but you can certainly belt out your favourite happy-sad ballads!

And before anyone out there says ‘tHoSe ArE PoP PuNk BaNDsSsS’, I listened to them as an emo kid, so to me they’re emo bands! Now stop being so fussy!

Check out Aimee’s RinkyDink Candles here

Veo is the go-to marketplace for all things sustainable including a huge variety of ethical beauty products all made by independent businesses.

What’s not to love about finding a new beauty website that is dedicated to sustainability?

Veo stocks bath and body, skincare, haircare, fragrance and cosmetics products, most of which are vegan, clean, and ethical. So, if you’re looking to replace your usual beauty products with a more ethical collection, Veo should be on your radar.

There’s beauty and skincare for men and women, with plenty more besides, such as home décor and furnishing, clothes for adults and children, tasty food, plus health and wellness. It’s a website for all things ethical.

Veo are on a mission to make sustainable shopping easier and more accessible. Customers can be confident that by shopping on Veo they will find no greenwashing brands, no fast fashion, and zero products that are produced irresponsibly.

The Veo website showcases hundreds of small brands at reasonable prices. They include JAL Skin, Wild Rising, Douvall’s, Beauty Cleanses Skin, Fais, Soap daze, Pairfum London, Madekind and plenty more that offer climate positive and zero waste products.

Veo Sustainable Beauty Edit

A few of the beauty products at Veo we love include:

Wild Rising, Bath Salt Collection, £19

Wild Rising’s collection includes four superb sets of bath salts: Awaken (lavender, jasmine and rose), Unwind (chamomile and neroli), Uplift (orange, lemon and peppermint), and Hero (eucalyptus and lavender).

Nikki Hill Apothecary, Deep Comfort Bath & Body Oil, £17.50

Deep Comfort Bath & Body Oil relaxes muscular tension and headaches, plus it also eases period pain cramps. Containing clary sage, roman chamomile, sweet marjoram and lavender essential oils.

Soap Daze, Lavender & Orange Bath Oil, £15

A beautifully nourishing body oil with lavender to calm, and sweet orange to lift the mood and help with relaxation. Furthermore, the oil contains hempseed, grapeseed and jojoba.

JAL Skin, The Purifying Mist, £15

Rich in Vitamin C this toner helps to remove excess oils and impurities from the face, whilst helping to brighten and tone the skin. Moreover, the mist contains Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Vera, and Rose essential oil to cleanse deep into the pores.

MADEKIND, Natural Relax & Unwind Gift Box, £50

Perfectly packaged into a gift the MADEKIND trio includes mineral rich relaxing bath salts, a luxurious aromatherapy candle, and a mood enhancing room mist.

Dolma, Vegamusk Fragrance, £55.96

100% Vegan Musk fragrance from Dolma is a best seller. With soft notes of jasmine and lily enriched with nuances of sandalwood all layered on a bed of vegan honey and musk.

Visit Veo to check out all their sustainable products.

If you’re currently on TikTok you have no doubt seen the increase in popularity of the practice of ‘facial taping.’ This process has the user placing small pieces of tape over the top of creams and serums on their face – and is a temporary fix for small wrinkles.

The new way to MicroMask at home that doesn’t involve tape, Botox or a needle, is through the placement of unique patches on the surface of the skin.

Vice Reversa is the world’s first anti-ageing MicroMask brand uses a scientifically proven method of delivering a concentrated dose of active ingredients to layers of the skin that are not typically reached by using creams and serums alone.

Vice Reversa’s ground-breaking MicroMask treatments are a welcome relief to skincare aficionados across the UK. Over two thirds of people say they’re frustrated that their skincare products don’t do what they say they will. Compare that with a whopping 92% of Vice Reversa’s ground-breaking MicroMask treatment users who say that they saw visible results in just three weeks. In fact, 89% of users said Vice Reversa’s treatments performed better than any cream or serum they’ve tried.

MicroMasks use a scientific method of ingredient delivery that was initially designed for vaccinations (without the need of syringes or injectors). Vice Reversa adapted that very same technology to deliver active skincare ingredients directly to problem areas, making MicroMasking the most effective, non-invasive way of treating fine lines, wrinkles and spots.

These revolutionary at-home treatments offer one of the most concentrated skincare treatments on the market, bridging the gap between traditional skincare and invasive salon treatments – all with zero recovery time and zero pain.

The MicroMasks come in a range of different shapes, designed to treat specific skincare problems and problem areas. Each patch is covered with tiny MicroCrystals that contain a specific formulation to treat a range of concerns.

Active ingredients are crystallised into microscopic pyramids that easily (and painlessly) pass through the skin’s outer barrier. On application, these crystals create micro-channels into the epidermis where they fully dissolve into the deeper skin layers over the course of two hours.

Vice Reversa MicroMasks Include:

Eye Rejuvenator, £39.95 (4 x applications per pack)

An intensive under eye treatment programme, that hydrates, brightens and offers skin long term support. Contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, plus Vitamin C to reduce dark circles, and Collagen Boosting Peptides to promote the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production.

Crow De-Creaser, £49.95 (4 x applications per pack)

Offers an instant hydration and forming effect. Contains Retinal (more effective than Retinol), Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and plump, and Peptides for anti-ageing properties.


Pigment Fader
, £29.95 (12 x applications per pack)

Can be used for blemishes or dark spots. Contains Niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s barrier, boost hydration, and repair hyper-pigmentation. Also contains Glutathione to brighten and rejuvenate, and Tranexamic Acid to reduce pigmentation and improve the skin’s texture.

Spot Stoppa, £29.95 (12 x applications per pack)

These patches contain Salicylic Acid to unclog pores, reduce bacteria, and smooth swollen skin. They also contain Totarol to reinforce the skin’s natural defences, and Green Tea Extract to reduce sebum and sooth irritation.

All available to purchase from Vice Reversa. Also available from Harrods, Sephora UK, and Fenwick.

At House of Coco magazine, we take great pride in showcasing everything the north has to offer. As a company founded in Leeds and with a founder who has a passion for all things Yorkshire, we are committed to highlighting the best of the region. Luckily, we are not alone…

Curated by Kate Baxter, founder of editorial website Fabric of the North, the 10-day event will shine a light on 24 independent Northern brands who represent the best in contemporary design in the North today.

With representative brands from across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the product selection spans a diverse range of sectors from fashion, skincare and jewellery to homeware, stationery and publishing, highlighting the incredible wealth of creative talent operating in the North of England today.

As a collaborative venture between Yvonne Aboagye-Hobson, founder of TYRO (studios), and Baxter, North is Now will ultimately become a new community space for contemporary Northern brands to connect and gain access to small business support, advice and mentorship.

⁠For the inaugural North is Now event, Aboagye-Hobson and Baxter wanted to provide small independent businesses the opportunity to showcase their goods in a unique retail setting, bringing a curated edit of mindful, aesthetic and sustainable items from handpicked businesses from across the North to a brand new audience, offering a platform to reach new customers and forge valuable relationships with fellow local brands and business.⁠

The disparity between opportunities for small creative brands based in the South versus the North lies at the heart of the venture’s formation. In advance of the pop-up shop launch Aboagye-Hobson and Baxter hosted founders from four of the participating brands for a roundtable discussion about the challenges facing small businesses operating in the North today, with key soundbites from the discussion to be presented online and instore throughout the 10 day pop-up. Participating in the discussion were Chris Holden, founder of Manchester-based AJOTO; Emma Atherton, founder of Wirral-based luxury fashion brand EROSA; Habiba Desai and Sara Razzaq, founders of Bradford-based Fox & Windmill, the UK’s first independent book publishing company for British South Asian writers; and Charlotte Meek, Creative Director of The Stitch Society, based in Salts Mill, Saltaire.

The 24 Northern brands participating in the 10-day pop-up shop are:

Cheshire

Irene & Edith – founder Nichola Naylon creates hand built statement ceramics for the home combining textured clays, luxurious glazes and glimmers of gold and copper lustre.

Routes Interiors – timeless artisan textiles created by skilled workers and communities around the globe. Routes bring the natural world into the home, preserving traditional craftsmanship in products which are designed to last forever.

Utology – handcrafted shelving, storage and furniture which are simple in form, yet practical in function. Through clean lines, pared-back aesthetic and understated elegance, Utology offer timeless, high quality products which are designed to be valued and cherished forever.

Woodspring – hand poured soy wax candles, using essential and fragrance oils, presented in apothecary style amber glass jars.

Greater Manchester

AJOTO – combine the precision of advanced manufacture with the soul of craft, to offer sleek stylish pen designs for design lovers and modern travellers.

Ara the altar – With a circular economy in mind, founder Lauren King designs jewellery for longevity not trend, with minimal waste in mind, using only 100% recycled solid gold and silver

Cedar – an independent home fragrance and aromatherapy brand offering a range of hand-poured essential oils candles, essential oils blends for baths and diffusers, as well as ceramic air diffuser mood lamps.

Merseyside

EROSA – designed to celebrate the beauty of the human body and empower, Erosa is a luxury womenswear brand focusing on craftsmanship, innovation and fabric to deliver a modern feminine wardrobe with an edge.

Table Chocolate – Liverpool’s first bean-to-bar chocolate brand, working in micro-batches to develop deep flavours and a rich smooth texture.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Pamoja – an award-winning skincare range created by Sarah Taylor, a trained skincare formulator, designed to bring a dose of kindness into your daily routine with skincare rituals that nourish your skin and nurture you.

Ran by Nature – ethical athleisure you can actually work out in, designed for people who want to move mindfully and live sustainably. The collections are seasonless, inclusive and sustainable as standard.

North Yorkshire

Collette Haigh – Lightweight, hand-crafted polymer clay jewellery.

Emily Georgina Jones – jewellery designs crafted using traditional silversmithing techniques. Each piece is a stand alone design, sometimes retaining unique and varied imperfections made during the crafting process – a visible trace of the gestures and hand movements made while forging each piece.

Lot : e – Lottie Edgar handcrafts clothing and accessories that combine simplicity with comfort, curating small timeless collections from a mixture of organic, bio-washed and dead-stock materials.

Northumberland

Pith – a refined selection of sketchbooks, notebooks, planners and pads, designed in collaboration with artists, illustrators and designers spanning multiple fields of expertise.

West Yorkshire

Amy Thomas Ceramics – small-batch wheel-thrown and handmade pottery made in Amy’s small home ceramic studio in Haworth.

Anna Lisa Smith – simple, striking contemporary textiles for the home. All pieces are woven in local mills using the finest quality Lambswool and are hand finished in the studio.

Becca Macdonald – conceptual jewellery designs influenced by material experimentation. A common theme is documenting the ‘evidence of presence’ and human gesture.

Boniface – contemporary womenswear designed and made by Georgia Boniface prioritising high quality fabrics and structural simplicity to create elegant contemporary garments.

Fox & Windmill – the UK’s first independent book publishing company for British South Asian writers, dedicated to bridging the gap in the industry for writers from underrepresented backgrounds and sharing their unique stories and perspectives.

Klara Ceramics – small batch, handmade ceramics made in a small home studio in Shipley.

Modern Alchemy Jewellery – minimal handmade jewellery in sterling silver, designed for modern day wear.

NETT Exfoliator – originally from Ghana – where it is known as a ‘sapɔ’ – the NETT exfoliator’s unique texture is perfect for maintaining smooth, soft skin and the length and shape is great for getting to those hard-to-reach places.

The Stitch Society – comfortable and durable workwear made from locally sourced and manufactured fabrics with minimal environmental impact.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Introduction:

Honor has a lot of phones that fall into different categories. Each category has something special, and you will find several phones in each category. The top of this category is the flagship phone category. This category has the best phones of any brand. Honor also has this category. The HONOR flagship phone 2023 is known for the high performance of the phones, top-notch quality made smartphones, and many others. These phones are good for improving the lifestyle of many people because they have built-in advanced features. Honor Magic 5 Pro is the same phone that we are talking about.

In this article, you will see a bit about the overview of these phones, their functions, and the different ways by which they are improving your lifestyles. Let’s start reading about it.

An overview of Honor flagship phone 2023:

Honor flagship phone 2023 is all about a kind of honor smartphone that is yet to launch in world markets. Flagship phones have the following things you can find to confirm whether your phone is a flagship.

These phones have the best features compared to the previous smartphones and have a high retail price.

Above all, these phones are made with the latest hardware.

These phones are the most advanced products of any company. In this case, you can say that honor’s best phone is called Honor flagship phone, which is coming out to be Honor Magic 5 Pro.

What are the main functions of these honor flagship phones?

The main functions of honor flagship phones are mentioned below.

  • These phones are made with big screens for your fun.
  • These phones are used to give you the best Android experience because they are made with the latest Android version, 12 or 13.
  • These phones perform when it comes to photography because they have high MP cameras with additional effects and features.
  • These phones have standard weights that are easy to handle and carry for a long time.

How honor flagship phone 2023 is improving your lifestyle?

Honor Flagship phone is improving your lifestyle in various ways.

  1. This flagship phone is improving your lifestyle by providing you with a decent and quality made camera to capture all the beautiful moments of your life in them.
  2. This flagship phone is improving your lifestyle by giving you a high-performance device that will never disappoint you with its battery life, processors, and operating system of these devices.
  3. This flagship phone is improving your lifestyle with its low price point and beautiful display. Other features, such as full Google support, big screens, and decent cameras, make them stand as the best flagship phone of honor.

Epilogue:

Till now, we have discussed what honor flagship phones are, why they are considered highly functional, and how they are improving your lifestyle. The HONOR flagship phone 2023 is none other than HONOR Magic pro series phone, such as the honor magic 5 pro, which is launching soon in world tech markets. Grab your piece if you are interested in these honor flagship phones.