Spotlight on: Pure Lakes.
We pack a lot of things into our shop, online and in real life. We try our best to make sure that when you visit us you know that you’ll be able to find a gift for pretty much anyone, or even a little something for yourself or your home. We carefully research and hand-pick which brands we stock and ensure that what we offer to you is a carefully curated selection of things we would love and use ourselves or give as a gift to a friend or family member. We also hope that you find something that you wont find in every other shop you visit. We like to be a bit different aswell you see!
But there’s a lot to keep track of! So we thought it might be quite nice to pick out a few of our brands from time to time; and to share a little bit more about them. If you know them already and have bought their products before – from us or somewhere else - then you might just learn something new. And if you have never heard of them or they’re a new-to-you find, then lucky you because you’re in for a treat and you might just find a few extra things sneaking into your shopping basket. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
To shine a light on some of the ECO & WELLBEING products we’ve been gradually integrating into the shop, we’d love to introduce you to Pure Lakes. If you’re a regular customer, either online or in the shop you’ll have most likely already spotted a handful of these products sneaking onto our shelf at the end of September. Since they’re new to us, and probably to a lot of you: We thought we’d share a little bit more about them and pick out some of our favourite products for you too.
These ‘Spotlight’ posts are a great way to remind you what we have; teach you a little more about a brand you know and have loved and used for years and are also a fab way of introducing you to a new brand you might never have heard of before!
Let’s natter ‘Eco-beauty.’ Eco anything is a bit of a buzz word/phrase and is something that is talked about a lot at the moment. It can seem all a little bit overwhelming! We think that where eco products are concerned, the more we all talk about them, learn about them and use them; the more of us that are helping protect and preserve the planet. And that can only be a good thing. What do you reckon??!
Onto Pure Lakes! We were chuffed to bits to stumble across this new to us brand a few months ago. They instantly scored bonus points for being based just down the road from us in the The Lakes District! They’re a fairly new company and were founded in 2006 by husband and wife Sandra and Iain Blackburn. They were initially on the lookout for a product that was helpful for sensitive skin and couldn’t find one and so Sandra, a trained chemist; began creating her own products with plant-based ingredients. The company was bought by valued customers Claire and Gareth McKeever in 2016; also a twosome passionate about clean, plant-based skincare. To this day they still work closely with original founders Sandra and Iain to ensure that the brands core values and ethos remain true.
And they’re unbelievably exceptional values for such a small company! We thought we’d share just a few of them…
* All packaging used is either recycled material or is recyclable or able to be re-used in itself. Glass jars are used where possible but if and when this is not possible or appropriate, the plastic used is made from a ‘biopolymer.’ A ‘biopolymer’ is a plastic which is a by-product from making sugar and one used in place of oil. Our minds are blown!
* They try where possible to to use products that are either organically grown or with the very minimum use of pesticides.
* They choose to pay a premium to ensure that all of their essential oils used are traceable and are of a premium quality.
* They offer a refill scheme to all of their customers to cut down on waste.
* Where possible, UK suppliers are used for all raw materials and packing.
I mean we really could go on…the list is extensive to say the least. But by now we expect you’ve got the drift!
WHY DO WE STOCK THEM…
Ok so eco anything is a minefield. We want to take the hours of searching and researching great, ethical and sustainable products away from you! Whilst we’re not aiming to be the next one-stop shop for all things eco-beauty, just know that each and every brand we do stock - we’ll have done that hard work for you. We couldn’t wait to get this beautiful eco and local brand in the shop and out onto our shelves. We’re so passionate about stocking brands in the shop who’s values align with ours and Pure Lakes is just that! Plus the smell! You really are in for a treat!
PERFECT FOR…
Oh so many lovely things! Pure Lakes would make a really lovely gift for someone you know is passionate about clean and eco skincare and beauty. They would also make a lovely pick-you-up for anyone having a bit of a rough time as despite their reasonable prices; Pure Lakes has a very welcome ‘little bit of a spa feeling’ to it too! Or maybe just as a little self-gifting treat to brighten up the shorter days come this time of year….for YOU. There’s no judgment passed by us….
FAVOURITE PRODUCTS…
Since as they’re still super-duper new to us we will admit to not trying everything yet {we’re busy bees!} but there’s a few products we’d really recommend. The GRAPEFRUIT AND LEMONGRASS HYDRATING HAND BALM was the first thing we tried. Working in a shop with cold air and the door often flung open means a really good hand cream is essential. This soothing blends of avocado oil, Shea butter, Vitamin E, Beeswax and Aloe Vera soaks in straight away leaving a beautiful zesty scent lingering for a good while afterwards! We also couldn’t resist opening one of the beautiful reed diffusers to pop on the shelf in the shop and opted for the SWEET BASIL AND ORANGE REED DIFFUSER . Reed diffusers are a great way of scenting a room as they just realise a gentle waft of scent through their reeds every so often. This one is made from only essential oils and glycerin and smells just lovely: A perfect one for this time of year as the sweet orange really comes through and the basil keeps it smelling fresh and not too sweet.
SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW…(but that gets a Bruce-y bonus from us!)
That Pure Lakes support two charities, donating a portion of all of their online sales to each. They support Honeypot - a charity which provides respite for young carers at Farmhouses in the New Forest and Wales and one which Pure Lakes director, Gareth was a trustee of long before buying Pure Lakes. They also support West Cumbria Young carers and Carer Support South Lakes who provide support for socially deprived children in Cumbria by providing trips and activities regularly.
During the pandemic, these charities have all been life-lines for thousands of children and able to send them parcels and school books.
