Supporting Local: My Favourite Natural Beauty Product Recommendations.

When it comes to caring for my skin, hair, and body, I stick to natural, gentle, and sustainable products — but I’m happy to leave beauty product creation to the amazing local businesses I trust and admire! I get asked all the time to recommend natural beauty products. I’ve been on a journey to reduce toxins and embrace simplicity, and I’m always thrilled to support those who share these values. I love knowing that the products I use are handmade with care and kindness, right here in Taranaki, New Zealand.

If you’re looking for natural beauty products to complement your eco-friendly lifestyle, here are some of my top recommendations! These businesses craft beautiful products that are safe, effective, and made with love.

(We are in no way affiliated with any of the Small Businesses mentioned in this Blog, we simply appreciate them and their mahi and want to share about their amazing products.)

1. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars by Still Milly

For luscious locks without the waste, Still Milly is my go-to for shampoo and conditioner bars. Based in New Plymouth, Still Milly crafts quality bars that are gentle on hair and kinder to the environment. While the ingredients aren’t completely non-toxic, they’re far better than many commercial brands, making them a wonderful step towards cleaner beauty. Plus, they last so long and eliminate the need for plastic bottles!

Why I Love Still Milly:

- Locally made with care

- Low-waste and eco-friendly

- Better ingredients compared to many conventional products

2. Deodorant by Everkind

For a natural deodorant that truly works, I wholeheartedly recommend Everkind. These deodorants are handcrafted with organic ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals. While they are a little on the pricier side, they’re worth every cent. One tin can last nearly a year! I personally use the version *without baking soda* since it irritates my skin (oh, the irony!).

Why I Love Everkind:

- Effective and long-lasting

- Free from toxins and synthetic additives

- Locally crafted with sustainable practices

3. Facial Care by Neat

Though I haven’t yet tried it myself, I’ve heard glowing reviews about Neat for facial care products. This local brand is known for its commitment to natural ingredients and gentle formulations. If you’re looking for a simple and nourishing facial routine, Neat is a great choice to explore!

Why I’m Excited About Neat:

- Highly recommended for quality natural skincare

- Locally made with a focus on purity and simplicity

4. Hand and Body Wash with Be Natural Castile Soap

For a versatile and gentle hand and body wash, you can’t go wrong with Be Natural Castile Soap. These liquid soaps come in delightful scents like Lime & Peppermint or Sweet Orange & Lavender and are perfect for your Glass Foaming Soap dispenser. Made with natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals, they’re a simple way to keep your skin happy and healthy.

Why I Love Be Natural Castile Soap:

- Gentle on sensitive skin

- Made from natural, eco-friendly ingredients

- Perfect for the whole whanau

Why Supporting Local Matters

Choosing to support these local businesses isn’t just about the products themselves — it’s about nurturing a community that values sustainability, authenticity, and kindness. Every purchase helps a passionate maker thrive and encourages more mindful, eco-conscious practices.

By combining these trusted beauty products with your own homemade natural cleaning products from Your Home, Naturally, you’re creating a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful home for you and your whanau.

Ready to Explore More?

I’m always here to help on your journey to a more natural lifestyle. If you have any questions or need tips for sustainable living, feel free to reach out or join one of our Natural Cleaning Workshops to learn how to create safe, effective cleaning products for your home.

Wishing you a life full of love, joy, and natural goodness! ✨

Stay Connected:

- Email: michelle@yourhomenaturally.co.nz

- Workshops and Products: Visit us at local markets or explore our offerings online.

☀️ Here’s to a greener, cleaner life, naturally!

Embracing Natural Cleaning: Our Guide to Safe and Sustainable Homes

As parents we instinctively prioritize the well-being of our families. We carefully choose what we feed them, what they wear, and even the environments they play in. Yet, when it comes to cleaning our homes, we might overlook the impact of the products we use. In our quest to create a safe haven, it's crucial to consider how conventional cleaning agents can affect our loved ones and our environment.

The Heart of the Matter: Health and Safety

Think about it: we clean our homes to protect our families from germs and allergens, but many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good. These substances can irritate skin, trigger allergies, and even lead to long-term health issues. As a parent, it’s vital to ensure that the spaces where our children play and our pets roam are free from harmful toxins.

By opting for natural cleaning products, such as good old-fashioned baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap, you’re choosing safety. These ingredients are not only effective but also gentle on the environment and your family. Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer and abrasive cleaner, vinegar cuts through grease and grime, and castile soap can tackle everything from kitchen surfaces to laundry.

Nurturing the Environment

The environment is our shared home, and as parents, we have a responsibility to nurture it for future generations. Conventional cleaning products often contain chemicals that can pollute waterways and harm wildlife. By making the switch to natural cleaning products, you’re contributing to a healthier environment.

• Imagine the impact of choosing a simple vinegar cleaner over a toxic chemical cleaner. Not only are you reducing waste and chemical runoff, but you’re also fostering a lifestyle that respects the environment. Your choice sets an example for your family, instilling values of sustainability and care for the environment.

Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Products

Creating a clean and safe home doesn’t have to break the bank. Natural cleaning products are often more affordable than their chemical-laden counterparts. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make effective cleaners that cost a fraction of store-bought options. Reusing spray bottles and glass jars to store your products saves costs too.

Here are a few easy recipes to get you started:

All-Purpose Cleaner: Natural Cleaning Spray

- 2 TBSN Castile Cleaning Soap

- 500ml Water

- Glass Spray Bottle 500ml

Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle, and you’ve got a versatile all purpose cleaner for countertops, sinks, walls, floors, carpet and more.

Toilet Cleaner

- Natural Cleaning Spray

- 2 TBSN Cleaning Grade Baking Soda

- 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

- 4 TBSN Cleaning Grade Vinegar 9.9%

For my toilet, I spray all surfaces with Natural Cleaning Spray, then add 2 tablespoons (or more) of Baking Soda to the toilet bowl, with about 5-10 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil, give it a scrub. Wipe the surfaces of the toilet with a damp cloth.

Then add 4 Tablespoons (or more) of Cleaning Grade Vinegar 9.9% in the toilet bowl, and while it is fizzing I scrub again. Flush clean. If you have brown stains in your toilet bowl, over time this should disappear, or add a little more Baking Soda to help. You should be left with the clean smell of Tea Tree oil, a natural disinfectant, antiseptic, antiviral and antifungal.

Creating a Safe Haven

As a parent, your priority is to provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for your family. By choosing natural cleaning products, you are not only safeguarding their health but also teaching them the importance of caring for themselves and the world around them.

Embrace the power of simple, natural ingredients in your cleaning routine. Your family will thank you, and so will the environment. Let’s make cleaning a positive, safe, and sustainable practice that benefits everyone. Together, we can create Your Home, Naturally spotless and filled with love and care.

Sustainability in Your Home, Naturally

When starting your sustainable journey in your home we advise that you start small and make a new habit, one product at a time.

Here is a basic list of 20 ideas to get you started!

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

2. Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush.

3. Rip up old worn out clothing for cleaning rags.

4. Open your windows to cool down your home or air it out daily.

5. Use Beeswax Wraps to keep your food fresh in the fridge.

6. Wash clothes when they are actually dirty, instead of after only one wear.

7. Try to avoid palm oil.

8. Switch to environmentally friendly dish washing liquid.

9. Don’t leave your house without a full reusable stainless steel water bottle.

10. Use Be Natural Soap in your Glass Foaming Soap Bottle - return the empty bottle of soap for a refill.

11. Start a backyard compost.

12. Learn to regrow kitchen scraps - Spring Onion is easy!

13. Reuse containers, refill Glass Bottles where ever possible.

14. Line dry a load instead of using the dryer.

15. Always run a full dishwasher or load of clothes.

16. Commit to bringing your reusable bags to the store. If you don’t have them, turn around and go get them! After forgetting them once, you won’t do it again.

17. Ditch sponges in lieu of compostable pot scrubbers or dish brushes.

18. Check out your local farmers market.

19. Learn how to make your own natural cleaning products at a workshop! It’s easy!

20. Beware of greenwashing, and always do your research - read the labels!

Our Sustainable Home & Living range is a great place to start your journey to creating a more sustainable home naturally. Otherwise have a look at Plastic Free July.