Times are tough. But does that mean you should hunt for cheaper and cheaper stuff? Not necessarily. Let us introduce you to a shopping hack that advocates for conscious consumerism, called “Buy Better, Buy Less”. Buy Better, Buy Less works on the principle of investing in fewer higher quality products that give you greater results, last waaay longer, delight your senses, honour your values and save your wallet over time. Basically, it’s shopping smarter, not harder. Spending more can save … [Read more...] about Why Buy Better = Buy Less
Voice of the Beehive Blog
The Castor Oil Miracle: Thicker Lashes, Fuller Brows & Babysoft Skin
An oil that can boost collagen, repair split ends and send blackheads packing. Too good to be true? Nope, it’s our old friend Castor Oil, a timeless beauty ally that has been quietly working its magic in Bees products for over three decades. 32 years ago our founder Jill recognised castor oil’s potential and started adding it to her handmade products, and lately this vintage oil has enjoyed a Fleetwood Mac moment (i.e. the kids are onto it) as a simple saviour for dry, irritated and worn … [Read more...] about The Castor Oil Miracle: Thicker Lashes, Fuller Brows & Babysoft Skin
Our Festive Gratitude Guide for 2024 [featuring bees, apples and you]
It’s summer and the air is suffused with the sound of honeybees. They’re feasting on nectar and pollen from so many flowering plants, filling their bellies and baskets with the raw materials that will become honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly. And we’re feeling intensely grateful for their tireless trips back and forth from the hive, the food crops and forests they pollinate and the healing products they share with us. Thank you, bees. What are you grateful for? As the year … [Read more...] about Our Festive Gratitude Guide for 2024 [featuring bees, apples and you]
Tap Into This Cute Island Tradition on Your Next Tassie Road Trip [Roadside Produce Stalls!]
If you’re taking a spring or summer road trip around Tasmania (or jumping on your mountain bike) here’s something beautiful to look out for. Roadside stalls are part of the fabric of rural Tassie culture, and will really refresh your faith in humanity – and your holiday produce stash. What are they? Roadside stalls are a way for growers and foodies to share delicious things directly with the public, usually right outside their front gate. You might see a sign saying Fresh … [Read more...] about Tap Into This Cute Island Tradition on Your Next Tassie Road Trip [Roadside Produce Stalls!]
Why we need more awe, wonderment & seaweed
You’ll never see seaweed the same way again after learning about its role in carbon sequestration, ocean restoration and skin regeneration. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a caring person – those who seek out simple, earthwise skincare usually are. What goes onto your skin, into your body, and by extension, out to sea matters to you… but perhaps, like us, you feel a little careworn at times. A little overwhelmed by the magnitude of our environmental to-dos; the critical and … [Read more...] about Why we need more awe, wonderment & seaweed
Mountain Biking : A Fun Way to Immerse Yourself in Tassie’s Beauty
So, you want to see Tassie… but not with your nose smushed against a tour bus window. You’re looking for a holiday that’s a little more active, a little more immersive, a little more memorable… …something that combines fresh air, tall trees, belly laughs and a healthy dose of adrenalin. Something the whole family will love! We have two words for you: mountain biking. Tas-biking-mania Did you know that our wild island is threaded with world class biking trails? North to south, … [Read more...] about Mountain Biking : A Fun Way to Immerse Yourself in Tassie’s Beauty
The Bitter Truth About Contaminated Beeswax + Four Sweet Beeswax Benefits for Skin
If you’ve ever wondered why beeswax is so great, this post will answer that for you. If you haven’t ever wondered where your beeswax comes from and why the source is outrageously important, this post will illuminate that for you. And for the time conscious folks who may not get further than this sentence (fair call; real life > reading life), if you take one thing away let it be this: Beeswax is one of nature’s most astonishing and intuitive beauty care ingredients. But all … [Read more...] about The Bitter Truth About Contaminated Beeswax + Four Sweet Beeswax Benefits for Skin
To Slug or not to Slug? Better yet, go beeswax
Folks love slugging because it’s a band-aid for distressed skin. Dermatologists have been using this trick since the Dawn of Dermatology to rapidly restore the skin’s barrier and moisture levels, but the cute/slimy name has helped slugging rise to fame in recent years. The thing is, any product with occlusive properties – that is, creates a barrier — can work for slugging, but you’ll generally see petroleum-based products being used because they’re inexpensive, widely available, … [Read more...] about To Slug or not to Slug? Better yet, go beeswax
This three ingredient, 2000 year old moisturiser cream is still the greatest of all time
Did your grandmother do this? I’m not the first witch in my family. My grandmother was a wise woman who understood herbs and medicine and made things from scratch, renowned for her healing lotions and salves. I still remember her luxurious face moisturiser based on rosewater, olive oil and beeswax, inspired by a traditional recipe known as ‘Galen’s Cold Cream’. Gran came across the recipe in a library book, promptly tore out the page and took it home. She whipped it up in the same stand … [Read more...] about This three ingredient, 2000 year old moisturiser cream is still the greatest of all time
When it comes to soap, solid beats liquid every time. But why?
Let’s take an imaginary trip to your bathroom sink. What kind of soap do you use? Is it a handmade bar on a little wooden rack or a liquid pump pack? We’re curious about why people opt for liquid soaps and washes when, objectively speaking, they have so few redeeming features. Sorry to sound judgy, but it’s a fair call when you look at the facts. Liquid vs. solid soap showdown Liquid soaps/washes: 🫤 Are up to 90% water 🫤 Come in single-use plastic packaging 🫤 Contain … [Read more...] about When it comes to soap, solid beats liquid every time. But why?
The timeless grace of putting fat on your face [Why we love old school oil-based cream cleansers]
Marie Antoinette’s favourite face mask was a combo of eggs, milk and cognac. Sophia Loren is a fan of head-to-toe olive oil. And Marilyn Monroe – the ultimate strawberries and cream goddess – gave herself regular glow ups with Vaseline. These iconic femmes knew one thing: fats and oils are a girl’s best friend, especially if you want Hollywood soft skin. Anoint yourself, fair maiden Despite what you may think, putting oils on your face doesn’t make you oily. Quite the … [Read more...] about The timeless grace of putting fat on your face [Why we love old school oil-based cream cleansers]
Why we refuse to make travel cases + how to upcycle your own
Every little thing you do to minimise waste makes a difference. Everything. Landfill is simply a vast (and smelly) collection of individual wrappers and packets and pieces of junk. Without our ongoing contributions, landfill would just be land. Not another product 😱 It’s easy to forget that the fourth R in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is Refuse – and refusal is a powerful weapon we can all wield in the ongoing war on waste. We’ve had plenty of requests to create travel cases for our … [Read more...] about Why we refuse to make travel cases + how to upcycle your own
Meet the everlasting alternative to single-use sheet masks
Who doesn’t love sheet masks? They’re cool, silky and make you feel like a glamorous Egyptian mummy… only less dead. But did you know that single use sheet masks are messing with our environment big time? Sure, they leave your skin plump and juicy, but once you’ve peeled them off and popped them innocently into the bin, they join millions of other discarded face masks piling up in landfill. The many costs of one-off sheet masks But wait, it gets uglier. Single use sheet masks … [Read more...] about Meet the everlasting alternative to single-use sheet masks
Introducing Blackcurrant Gemmo (Bud Extract)
Tasmanian Blackcurrant Bud Stem Cells, or in traditional European medicine : “Gemmo”, is a brand new BioActive ingredient in newly launched Bioactive Leatherwood Honey Jelly Mask. As opposed to a leaf, root or fruit, the tiny bud of a plant is pure intelligence, containing all the nutrients and genetic information required to reproduce. When concentrated and applied to the skin, bud extract can initiate powerful states of healing and regeneration; after all, they’re designed to … [Read more...] about Introducing Blackcurrant Gemmo (Bud Extract)
Saffron: Why to put the world’s most expensive spice on your face
Are you a fan of saffron rice? Sweet, nutty and the colour of sunshine, once you’ve had a bed of golden grains beneath your butter chicken there’s no going back. But why are we banging on about Indian food? Is this a skincare blog or what? Indeed it is. Turns out, the world’s most expensive (and delicious) spice can also make your skin luminous and it’s grown right here in Tasmania, in lush green Glaziers Bay! Discover TasSaff Saffron What is saffron? Saffron is a rare and … [Read more...] about Saffron: Why to put the world’s most expensive spice on your face
Washing Your Beard is Healthier Than You Think
What do an unwashed beard and a toilet seat have in common? A lot more than anyone with a beard would like to admit. A study conducted by ABC affiliate station KOAT had a microbiologist swab the beards of several men in the American southwest. The results found an alarming amount of bacteria–including some of the same critters found in feces–alive and well and living in the men’s beards. On a slightly less gross note, beards also attract allergens and pollen, which, if you suffer … [Read more...] about Washing Your Beard is Healthier Than You Think
The Lost Art of Hair Brushing
This Blog Will Make You Want To Brush Your Hair [Why Ye Olde Hairbrushing is the #1 Thing for Healthy Hair + How To Do It] People with shiny cars polish them. People with white teeth clean them. And people with beautiful hair run a good hairbrush from scalp to ends 100 times before bed. Regular brushing is how hair stays healthy. It’s an age-old collab between you and your scalp: your scalp produces sebum (hair’s natural moisturiser) and it’s your job to brush, brush, brush it through to … [Read more...] about The Lost Art of Hair Brushing
Helping You Quit Makeup in 2024!
Part One: The Why Do you know the hottest makeup trend for 2024? Not wearing any at all. Yep. Bare, dewy, fresh, natural and healthy skin is in – and we’re here to help you take a deep breath and step out in public… naked. Six sensational reasons to shun makeup SWEET FREEDOM Do you wish you could wake up, roll out of bed and start your day without consulting the mirror – or cosmetics bag? Do you dream of being one of those people who doesn’t wear a lick of foundation; who is free … [Read more...] about Helping You Quit Makeup in 2024!
Liquid Velvet: A Nourishing Kiss from the Bee Kingdom
I’m a woman in my mid 30s who spends half of her days writing (hey there 👋) and the rest on a farm in all weather: beating sun, sideways rain, drying winds. To add to the topical challenges, I have fair, delicate skin thanks to the genetic blessing that is ginger hair. Unlike my friends with double cream complexions that defy the passage of time, I’m starting to feel more like aged cheddar… only not quite so yellow. Why so dry? In your 30s, the skin’s production of natural … [Read more...] about Liquid Velvet: A Nourishing Kiss from the Bee Kingdom
Meet the Newbees! [A sneak peek at five exciting products landing in 2024]
There is so much involved in launching a new product. Dreaming, scheming, researching, bee-searching, hand crafting, testing (humans only!), more testing, tweaking, speaking to growers and suppliers, test test testing, puzzling over planet friendly packaging, tears, cheers, label design, writing, crafting at scale, website shenanigans, a sprinkling of heartfelt marketing, shipping logistics, unboxing the final product, happy tears, hitting “PUBLISH” on our product listing… Gosh, golly, … [Read more...] about Meet the Newbees! [A sneak peek at five exciting products landing in 2024]
We wish you a Tassie Christmas! Greetings + good things for summer
tassie As the skies brighten and cherries ripen down here in Van Diemen’s Land, we’re dreaming of our favourite things about summer in Tassie. Most people agree that it’s the best time of year to visit, with temperatures set at Goldilocks level – not too hot, not too cold, juuuust right. But even if you can’t catch a boat, plane or albatross to spend Christmas on the island, we hope you enjoy this vibrant and juicy Tassie to-do list that even Santa agrees is epic. Speaking of … [Read more...] about We wish you a Tassie Christmas! Greetings + good things for summer
10 Reasons to Spend Saturday Morning at Salamanca Market
It’s not uncommon for people to catch a flight to Hobart, hop off the plane, and hightail it straight to Salamanca Market. This iconic strip of hundreds of stalls along Hobart’s waterfront – held rain, hail or shine every Saturday – is just that good. While it’s a tourist mecca to be sure, that doesn’t mean you can’t live it up like a local. We’ve assembled our top 10 reasons to spend a blissful Saturday morn at Salamanca Market, making the most of its character, quirks and hidden gems. Go … [Read more...] about 10 Reasons to Spend Saturday Morning at Salamanca Market
Why are people paying actual money for empty bottles from Tasmania?
By now you probably know that we’re based in Tasmania, an island off an island at the bottom of the world. We share this wild space with towering trees, rugged peaks, sharp toothed marsupials, colourful locals and, occasionally, the disappearing tip of a Thylacine’s tail (this stripy dog/tiger has been extinct since the 1930s… allegedly). If you’ve ever put our beauty care on your bod, you’ve no doubt felt this touch of wildness too. Crafting lovely things from raw, rare and real … [Read more...] about Why are people paying actual money for empty bottles from Tasmania?
We’re fighting back against fake fragrances in skincare!
You smell amazing. No, really, your sense of smell is mind-bogglingly sensitive, able to detect over 1 trillion distinct scents – including the emotions and health of the people around you. Three cheers for your schnoz! The good, the bad & the funky With such a powerful sense, it’s no wonder that artificial or overly intense smells can make you feel sick. A passing jogger in a cloud of sports deodorant. A relative with perfume so strong it sticks to your clothes. Moth balls. Cat pee. Two … [Read more...] about We’re fighting back against fake fragrances in skincare!
7 Reasons to Exfoliate
Revealing radiance: Seven reasons to exfoliate tonight Things that are touching: 💗 When a lioness befriends a baby antelope 💗 An old married couple travelling the world 💗 You and your face after gentle exfoliation There are few things better than fondling your face after a layer of old dead cells has been sloughed. So smooth. So fresh. So touchable. But beyond the immediate sensory benefits of exfoliation, there’s a host of other perks that’ll have you adding it to your weekly … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons to Exfoliate
Scrub-a-dub don’t do it 😱
[The harsh truth about exfoliating scrubs + a big enzymatic peel reveal] You know those gritty exfoliants that make your face feel baby soft and oh-so-polished? We’re sorry to break it to you, but they can actually do your skin damage over time – kinda like popping pimples or standing with your face upturned under a scalding hot shower. Sure, it might feel cathartic, but mechanical exfoliation can cause micro trauma that’ll leave your precious epidermis dry, stressed and prematurely … [Read more...] about Scrub-a-dub don’t do it 😱
Bodycare that’s as Raw Rare and Real as you are
What’s the deal with Raw Rare Real? Let us put it this way. It’s thirty years of friendship with the van de Winckel family, the green-thumbed wonders who grow our organic herbs at the base of Mount Roland.It’s the colour of their healing calendula; an orange so bright it makes your eyes water, grown in soil so red it glows. It’s six weeks over high summer, deep in wild takayna, when the native Leatherwood trees erupt in white blossoms. It’s the sound of millions of bees … [Read more...] about Bodycare that’s as Raw Rare and Real as you are
How to Luxurify Your Life by Buying Less But Better
We all have that friend whose bathroom is pure bliss. There’s pillowy toilet paper, soft towels and some kind of heavenly soap that scents the air and leaves your hands feeling like satin. You find yourself "just popping to the loo" time after time to anoint yourself with their fancy moisturiser… …all the while wondering how this friend, who’s definitely not loaded, can afford such luxuries? Sexy Sexy Minimalism It’s likely that your friend is a wise buyer, someone who knows that … [Read more...] about How to Luxurify Your Life by Buying Less But Better
The dark side of anti-dandruff shampoo + deep healing for flaky scalps
One in two people deal with dandruff – the human being writing this article included (well, hey there 👋) – which is a lot of people suffering unnecessarily! Dandruff affects what you wear, how you show up in the world and your levels of awkwardness at the hairdresser (“please excuse my scalp! It’s never usually this flaky…”). To make matters worse, no one can agree on precisely what causes it. The anti-dandruff dead end. Whether your dandruff is triggered by dryness, chemical irritation, … [Read more...] about The dark side of anti-dandruff shampoo + deep healing for flaky scalps
5 Steps to Healthy Hair
Itchy Scalp? Epic Dandruff? Thinning hair? This Simple Five Step Routine Heals All 🙌 f you’ve ever dealt with dandruff, oiliness, thinning hair, frizz or dullness, you might wonder what’s really causing these issues. Surely you weren’t born with badly behaved hair… but all the expensive treatments and “hair vitamins” in the world never seem to work. What gives? The root cause of sad hair Here’s a simple little secret: most hair problems are actually scalp problems. Your scalp is where … [Read more...] about 5 Steps to Healthy Hair
The everyday condiment that resets, refreshes + revamps your hair and scalp
Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural wholefood that seems to be good for everything. Improving digestion and losing weight. Cleaning benchtops and dressing salads. Shrivelling warts and making you immortal. What can’t this tangy condiment do? Today we want to share what it can do for your hair – which is a lot. And better still, we have a really delightful way that you can apply it. First up, what is Apple Cider Vinegar? Apple Cider Vinegar (or ACV) is made from crushed apples fermented in … [Read more...] about The everyday condiment that resets, refreshes + revamps your hair and scalp
Magical Marleen Farms – One Secret of Our Success
Over the coming weeks and months, Beauty and the Bees will be sharing content about the unique Tasmanian businesses we work with and admire, from farmers and beekeepers to scientists and artisans. Our first piece focuses on Marleen Herbs, suppliers of some of our finest ingredients. From seaweed to goat’s milk to Leatherwood Honey, Beauty and the Bees’ natural products are built on our proximity to the wonderful raw ingredients of Tasmania. It’s science with a touch of magic. And some of … [Read more...] about Magical Marleen Farms – One Secret of Our Success
The Science Behind a Cure-All: How Leatherwood Honey is as Beneficial as it is Delicious
The next time you’re spreading some leatherwood honey across your morning toast or scone, make sure you’ve got a back-up supply. From digestive health to skincare, this amazing natural product has oh-so-many other uses. If you’re smart, you’ll keep a supply in your pantry and your medicine cabinet. In addition to its unique unmistakable silky and pungent flavor, it’s a reliable home remedy for a number of maladies. For years, Tasmanians have used it for everything from stomach aches to … [Read more...] about The Science Behind a Cure-All: How Leatherwood Honey is as Beneficial as it is Delicious
Six reasons why Aussies are giving bottled shampoo the flick
There’s a boom in the popularity of shampoo and conditioner bars in Australia, so why all the fuss over these no-nonsense alternatives to bottled shampoo? 1. Shampoo bars eliminate single use plastics Most people get through about 250 bottles of shampoo in their lifetime – and that’s not counting conditioner, body wash and other plastic-y bathroom staples. Times that by everyone in the world who likes being clean and you get this floating pile of crap. Shampoo and conditioner bars … [Read more...] about Six reasons why Aussies are giving bottled shampoo the flick
The Cold Hard Facts About Hard Water (And How To Stop The Carnage)
From plumbers and home economists to epidemiologists and dermatologists, experts have one message about the effects of hard water: watch out! Hard water is tough on dishes and fabrics, causes build up and damage to your pipes, and may contribute to a number of serious diseases. It’s also really bad for your hair and skin. Grungy Dishes and Heavy Metal Hair The term “hard water” means that your water supply has a high mineral content. It’s formed when water rises up (“percolates”) through … [Read more...] about The Cold Hard Facts About Hard Water (And How To Stop The Carnage)
The invisible imbalance that can wreck your hair (and how to correct it)
Have you ever wondered why some shampoos make your hair soft and shiny while others make it scary? Do you look at peoples’ perfect manes and feel silent rage because nothing you do seems to calm the frizzies? Do you battle brittle strands, boofy curls, an itchy scalp, dandruff, greasiness, brassiness, hair loss, tangles and generally hard-to-manage hair? There’s actually a pretty simple explanation that, for some mysterious reason, isn’t often talked about. It’s called pH. PH is … [Read more...] about The invisible imbalance that can wreck your hair (and how to correct it)
Tassie Rainforests Grow Some Awesome, Ancient Trees
Pub Quiz question: What’s the world’s oldest tree? If you guessed the mighty sequoia, ancient oak, swamp gum, or something equally majestic, you lose. No cheese tray and bottle of merlot for you! The winning answer is The Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii), an unassuming rainforest tree that can look more like a weeping willow than the king of the forest. And, with very few exceptions, it’s found only in the southwestern corner of Tasmania. Just How Old are we talking about … [Read more...] about Tassie Rainforests Grow Some Awesome, Ancient Trees
Kunzea – Tasmania’s Natural Wonder Oil Distilled From the Humble Tick Bush
As a user of natural products, you’re probably familiar with tea tree, eucalyptus, thyme, and other essential oils, but one Tasmanian ingredient you may not know about yet is Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua), part of the Myrtaceae family. Kunzea has a native sound, but the plant was actually named for German Botanist Gustav Kunze (1793-1851), a Zoology Professor and Director of the Botanical Gardens in Leipzig. Though the plants grow in Southern Australia, the most effective oil is derived from the … [Read more...] about Kunzea – Tasmania’s Natural Wonder Oil Distilled From the Humble Tick Bush
Bruny Island surf star Lizzie Stokely inspires raw, rare, real lifestyle
If there’s anywhere that epitomizes the very best of Tasmanian beach life it’s Bruny Island. And if there’s anyone who typifies the Tassie Beach woman, it’s Bruny-native and surf star Lizzie Stokely (23), who lives about 10 minutes from her favorite beach. Competing since her teens, she’s participated in dozens of junior and senior-level competitions across Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa, earning 3rd place in the 2018 Western Baja Qualifying Series. “The prize money from that year had … [Read more...] about Bruny Island surf star Lizzie Stokely inspires raw, rare, real lifestyle
