I have always been drawn to natural soaps. There is something alluring about their fragrance, texture and even their abstract shape that pulls me in time after time. From spicy burgamot to subtle orchid; the organic, warm aromas can’t be duplicated by mechanical or chemical means.

Deep in the foothills of North Carolina, where the air is clean and the water sparkles, Julia and Wayne also understand the value of natural things. Eating only the food they grow and using only nature provided energy, they have created a sustainable small business that provides luxurious organic bath products with no negative impact on the environment.

I am very pleased to bring you this month’s spotlight review and giveaway : Belle Terre – Sustainable, Natural, Beautiful

 

 

Offering soaps, lotions, balms and scrubs – Belle Terre uses only hand crafted methods and 100% natural ingredients. Julia and Wayne strive to use sustainably harvested ingredients when possible and minimal packaging which is post-consumer recycled materials. Even though that is more than most big corporations do they go one step further and donate 5% of  sales to a local charity and buy carbon credits to offset their required use of fossil fuels while doing business.

 

 

With Belle Terre, natural and green aren’t just buzz words – they are a way of life. They use only natural ingredients in all of their soaps and lip balms; and essential organic oils to scent their items.  They are also making the transition to organic beeswax for all lip products. All of the packaging and containers they receive from ordering supplies and ingredients are reused in their own business or recycled.

THE REVIEW

I was asked to review the lip balm, body balm and soap. Being a natural bath care consumer, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with these products….but I had no idea how much I would come to love using them.

The Lemongrass soap was my absolute favorite. The scent alone was enough to have me singing it’s praises, but the rich and creamy lather sealed the deal. It felt so smooth against my skin that I didn’t want to get out of the tub! Afterwards, my skin felt soft and moisturized (you can definitely feel the organic, essential oils doing their job), but without any of the oily after-feel like some ‘natural’ products leave on your body. The naturally flavored vanilla lip balm was delicious and left my lips soft and supple for hours after just one application. The aroma was pleasant, but not overwhelming like store brand balms. And finally the lotion…. have I mentioned that I have unreasonably dry skin? I think I have…often. Most lotions and even thicker body butters seep right into my skin and within an hour I feel like I never applied them at all. The Belle Terre Sweet Almond lotion stayed the course. One application after bath time and my skin still felt smooth the next morning. The scent is extremely light and herbal – with a hint of sweetness. I’m use to a more powerful perfume in my creams, but I found that it didn’t detract from the experience at all. In fact, I enjoyed the fact that I could use a perfume or body oil afterwards without the smells clashing.

Buy It: http://www.etsy.com/shop/belleterre
$6 – $8

Disclosure: I received a free product and/or payment in exchange for hosting this review & giveaway.

 

Giveaway is closed: congrats to Dana W.