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| A small overwiew of Ravenscourt Apothecary products (source: Ravenscourt Apothecary) |
I’m very pleased to announce a new series of posts, called “Little gems“, where I’ll “introduce” on my blog some lovely artisanal shops. If you read my post on being a green blogger, you’ll know that being able to buy handmade products from small or independent businesses is an absolute treat and pleasure. A few weeks ago, as I was browsing Etsy (aka every shopper’s danger zone!), I came accross this quirky, antique style shop called Ravenscourt Apothecary specialized in “mineral skincare and botanical perfumery”. All I can remember was…BOOM! Instant shop crush! Also, the combination of literature and natural beauty products had me immediately enthralled.
(Of course, I had to put Miss Bennett and Mr Darcy side by side 😉
Ravenscourt Apothecary is the brainchild of Tanya Kuznetsova. Being quite the globe-trotter, she had a rather eclectic path before setting up her own botanical shop. An English literature major, she also has a solid experience in the beauty industry (she managed a beauty department store in a large company in America). She first started making soaps and following the demand, she went on to concoct her own perfumes and other body products. With her husband Harry, they manage everything from A to Z. A fruitful collaboration, since everything is so tastefully done, from the sleek design to the quality fabrication. If you have a look at her products, you’ll notice the lovely literary references. They’re reminiscent of her English major background, but also add a nice edgy touch. The best has yet to come though! (for all the green people out there 🙂
Ravenscourt Apothecary is the brainchild of Tanya Kuznetsova. Being quite the globe-trotter, she had a rather eclectic path before setting up her own botanical shop. An English literature major, she also has a solid experience in the beauty industry (she managed a beauty department store in a large company in America). She first started making soaps and following the demand, she went on to concoct her own perfumes and other body products. With her husband Harry, they manage everything from A to Z. A fruitful collaboration, since everything is so tastefully done, from the sleek design to the quality fabrication. If you have a look at her products, you’ll notice the lovely literary references. They’re reminiscent of her English major background, but also add a nice edgy touch. The best has yet to come though! (for all the green people out there 🙂
Ravenscourt Apothecary take great pride in fashioning vegan and natural products, void of harmful substances and usingsustainable, recyclable materials for packaging. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds go to charities, with a focus on Orangutans, hence the “no palm oil” policy! After a tough time deciding what to buy, I opted for the Russian Valdai clay soap and the women’s fragrance kit.
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| My purchases: Russian Valdai clay + fragrance’s sample kit. Tanya kindly added two samples of her soaps |
Impressions:
My parcel arrived pretty quickly : the soaps were beautifully wrapped in a recycable brown paper packaging, and were sealed with the shop’s own red seal.
My parcel arrived pretty quickly : the soaps were beautifully wrapped in a recycable brown paper packaging, and were sealed with the shop’s own red seal.
Russian Valdai clay
I ordered the Russian Valdai clay out of curiosity (living dangerously ;). I had never heard of this type of clay before, but after a little bit of researches, I’ve learned that it has healing and rejuvenating properties. It’s used for minor blemishes, and also improves the skin’s tone and elasticity. The soap is both colorant and fragrance free, but you can smell the delicate aroma of coconut and sweet almond oil. The blue color comes from the clay itself. I haven’t used it as a facial soap yet, but as a body soap, I have to say that I’m impressed by this Russian clay. It’s particularly soothing and moisturizing, and it got rid of several spots that I had. I experienced no redness and it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Price: £4.00 Ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, organic unrefined shea butter, pure cold pressed unrefined avocado oil, sweet almond oil, Valdai Blue clay, lye, water.
I ordered the Russian Valdai clay out of curiosity (living dangerously ;). I had never heard of this type of clay before, but after a little bit of researches, I’ve learned that it has healing and rejuvenating properties. It’s used for minor blemishes, and also improves the skin’s tone and elasticity. The soap is both colorant and fragrance free, but you can smell the delicate aroma of coconut and sweet almond oil. The blue color comes from the clay itself. I haven’t used it as a facial soap yet, but as a body soap, I have to say that I’m impressed by this Russian clay. It’s particularly soothing and moisturizing, and it got rid of several spots that I had. I experienced no redness and it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Price: £4.00 Ingredients: olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, organic unrefined shea butter, pure cold pressed unrefined avocado oil, sweet almond oil, Valdai Blue clay, lye, water.
Price: £10.00
All the fragrances are vegan, alcohol-free, with a coconut oil base. Named after literary heroines and 19th century classics, the women’s fragrance kit I ordered, included : Jane Eyre (has notes of rose, bergamot and clary sage), Elizabeth Bennett (basil, anise, lemon and mandarin), The Secret garden (lavender) and Anne of Avonlea (ylang ylang, lavender and sweet mandarin).A
more thorough review of the perfumes will follow up – as I’m preparing a specific post about natural fragrances – but I’ll just give you a hint…they smell incredible!Aside from soaps and fragrances, Ravescourt Apothecary offers a range of bath salts, salves, lip balms, and body butters, all cruelty-free and handmade in the UK.
The little touch of Victorian literature adds to the shop it’s charm and uniqueness, which I particularly enjoy, since I’m a book worm. For a little green blogger like me, Ravenscourt Apothecary has become one of my go-to shops. The products are pure, made with simple ingredients, affordable and eco-friendly. Also Tanya is very friendly and attentive to customer’s enquiries. Therefore, I had to share this little gem! I had a great pleasure chatting with someone as eco-conscious and passionate as Tanya and I can only recommend having a look at Ravenscourt Apothecary. You can order through the Etsy shop (click) or via the website (click).
more thorough review of the perfumes will follow up – as I’m preparing a specific post about natural fragrances – but I’ll just give you a hint…they smell incredible!Aside from soaps and fragrances, Ravescourt Apothecary offers a range of bath salts, salves, lip balms, and body butters, all cruelty-free and handmade in the UK.
The little touch of Victorian literature adds to the shop it’s charm and uniqueness, which I particularly enjoy, since I’m a book worm. For a little green blogger like me, Ravenscourt Apothecary has become one of my go-to shops. The products are pure, made with simple ingredients, affordable and eco-friendly. Also Tanya is very friendly and attentive to customer’s enquiries. Therefore, I had to share this little gem! I had a great pleasure chatting with someone as eco-conscious and passionate as Tanya and I can only recommend having a look at Ravenscourt Apothecary. You can order through the Etsy shop (click) or via the website (click).
Had you heard of Ravenscourt Apothecary before? What is your favorite Etsy shop?Take care,
Liz
Liz
24 Comments
BOOM! I am in love!! Favouriting for a future sneaky purchase, I love facial soaps, so easy to use so always looking out for them 🙂
Always so happy to find handmade beauty on etsy and discover the shop is british, hello finally some cheap postage 😉
xx
Cupid struck again 😉 My pleasure, as I said I am seriously in love with her products too. Had I started my own prodcut line, I'd have wanted it to look exactly like this! Let me know what you get 🙂 xx
What an awesome find! I've scoured etsy over and over again but this one is completely new to me! Thanks so much for the intro 🙂
Mayah x
My pleasure! You're so welcome, you're always introducing to some lovely brands 🙂 When I came accross this shop, I was jumping up and down (euhm well slightly exagerrating 😉 but everything is so beautifully made, I had to share! xx
Cute little shop! I love exploring beauty stores on Etsy too!
Yes! And the more you explore, the more lovely products you discover. It's never-ending 🙂 xx
OMG they look absolutely perfect!<3 Now I'm dying to try them, thanks for sharing sweets 🙂 xx
It's dreamy, isn't it! My pleasure, it's so lovely, I had to share with all of you darlings 🙂 xx
Honestly, could this packaging BE any more adorable?? I love this idea! We've been obsessing over these handmade Etsy shops for awhile… what a great find. XO Kathryne at getunsullied
I know, right? The packaging is adorable and the products smell heavenly! Personnally I want to try everything. I absolutely love your Etsy finds as well 🙂 xx
I have not heard of them and they are based in UK! Really shame on me. Not sure if I should thank you for the introduction, I am trying to cut spending you know 🙂
The products look great. I really like the sound of Elizabeth Bennett perfume and she is one of my absolute favourite characters. Arr, why must you tempt me so? 😉
Haha my pleasure! *mischevious smile* 😉 Hehe, you are the one, that makes me want to buy everything (*cough* RMS *cough*). No more seriously, her products are absolutely lovely and Elizabeth Bennett smells great, just sayin' 😉 xx
Oh mon dieu quel article! Je veux essayer les fragrances sans aucun doute Merci Xx
Mais de rien 🙂 Content que cela te plaise! Les parfums sont super, très simples et pures. Quand je suis tombée sur cette boutique, j'étais conquise, du packaging aux ingrédients. xx
Looking wonderful! I browsed Etsy the other day…oh lala…I was really impressed by some brands and products that looked super cute! x
Haha it is wonderful indeed! Etsy is dangerous, to use with caution 😉 You are right, there are some lovely boutiques on Etsy! xx
You found a great little company, I checked out the website and now have the lavender & chocolate cream on my shopping list 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 The lavender & chocolate body cream's on mine too, that and pretty much everything else! 😉 xx
How very pretty – and beautifully presented by you! I work near to the Jane Austen Centre here in Bath, wonder if they're yet to discover this Etsy shop. x
Thank you so much lovely! What a great coincidence, I'm sure the Jane Austen Centre would love the Pride & Prejudice fragrances 🙂 xx
Lovely little find and great packaging, I have yet to shop on Etsy, I think I am missing out! 🙂 Xx
Thank you Ana 🙂 This was actually my first Etsy purchase! Etsy is such a fun platform but beware, one can easily spend several hours browsing the website, without even noticing 😉 xx
Etsy is SO dangerous! Great find with this store though x
Oooh yes, very dangerous indeed 😉 Thank you Annie. I'm glad you liked it 🙂 xx