Category: Brand Focus

‘In Africa, rain represents life. The arrival of the first rains after the long dry season is celebrated with much thanksgiving. When the rains come the rivers fill, the grass grows, the herds fatten and prosperity blooms. So profound is Africa’s gratitude for rain, that the Sotho people welcome visitors with the expression “Khotso, Pula, Nala” (Peace, Rain, Abundance) as part of their traditional greeting.’

Rain Africa is an amazing South African brand that I have grown to love and admire over the past couple of months.

Just in case you haven’t heard of them before…

‘We create handmade bath & body products and hand crafted home ware using natural ingredients with African origins. Rain products are responsibly handmade with love and care for our customers, craftspeople and the environment.’

This post isn’t going to be about the products that I have tried (you can read my first Rain review HERE) or the wonderful Rain Africa event I attended on Tuesday at the Platbos Forest, where this was our roof for the day:

This post is about the passion that the people of Rain have for their brand, their products and their people. You can’t help but get swooped up and get excited with them when you hear them talking about Rain Africa.

In South Africa we are really spoiled for choice when it comes to natural and organic body products. And we truly have amazing brands. I think what sets Rain Africa apart is their passion and their ethos. They pour their love into each and every product and that is what they want you to experience when using their products – love, caring, healing. Rain Africa goes out of their way to ensure that no harm comes to the environment (or any living soul for that matter – no animal testing!) when they make their products.

If you haven’t tried any Rain Africa products yet, I recommend you do so. You will not be disappointed.

Visit their website to see what they have to offer. You can shop online too. Note that they have a USA online store too and a beautiful store in New York. And loads more to come…

I can’t wait to visit one of their spas – have a look at the videos of the treatments that they offer. These are not your typical massages or mani’s and pedi’s. Each and every treatment engages all of your senses and is an experience you will not forget.

I wish you great success Rain Africa. May your journey be Blessed.

 

xoxo

I am a little sentimental. Or maybe a lot. And after I learnt the story behind the Maybelline brand, I fell in love a little. Or maybe a lot.

Over a century ago, a girl fell in love with a boy. The story is set in Chicago.

Mabel Williams had her sights set on Chet Hewes, but Chet had his heart set on someone else. Mabel made a plan to entice Chet with her dark, mysterious gaze.

And how did Mabel do this, you may ask? Mabel attempted to darken her lashes with soot from an oil lamp. Thomas L. Williams then decided to help his sister win the heart of the man she loves. Thomas, a pharmacist, concocted a mixture of Vaseline and carbon dust that Mabel used to darken her lashes. This is how the first mascara was born. A year later, Mabel and Chet were married.

I have read a couple of versions on line that just slightly differ from the above, but I definitely prefer this story. Don’t you?

‘Two years later, in 1915, T.L. Williams founded his cosmetics company and named it Maybelline. The name was derived from his sister’s name Mabel and Vaseline.’

Beautiful Maybelline ads with images of silent film beauties who became Maybelline models in the 1920’s:

Maybelline didn’t stop at mascara; they also created the first eyebrow pencil and first eye shadow.

I learnt all of the above at the fabulous Maybelline launch I attended last week. Thanks Maybelline! So many fabulous products to look forward to this year… watch this space.

xoxo

 

* I found all of these amazing images on http://www.maybellinebook.com