The throw down truth
As most of you know that little girl in the picture above is now my oldest child. She is the WHOLE basis of the company. In fact, her name is part of the business. We call her Belle. Now, before I make this into a huge sappy story....the name of my business is VERY important. If you didn't know, surprise... I am French. My family is french, and I speak it fluently. In fact, my grandmother really was the first to come to the States. Anyway, that aside, people would always say to me... 'wow your baby is just naturally beautiful'. Now, hold that thought.....
With her having chemically induced eczema on her leg, I set out to make everything better for her, since 'natural' things weren't helping. And once I figured out something on my own THROUGH RESEARCH and about 1 YEAR OF TESTING...I found my first product, which was the body butter. It legit healed her. NOT overnight....no magical healing at a snap of a finger....but after a few weeks....and then a few months....and bam, no eczema, no scarring. It was beautiful.
So the name? Well, in French the name means 'The natural beauty'....So, with what people always said to me and then incorporating Belle's name into it....I got La Belle Naturelle. Ta-Da.
I stated earlier that you were 'investing' in my product(s). Even though you consider it 'just buying' them...I don't. I take what I do very seriously. So, let's get down to the THROW DOWN TRUTH...shall we? Let me make this clear, I am NOT bashing on people that do not purchase my product(s), or anything else.
The thing I used to get most often when I first started out....was damn pinterest. 'I can just make that...I'll look it up on pinterest.' Or 'OMG, that's easy. I saw a recipe for that on pinterest.' Let me say, it's UNGODLY RUDE to say something like that to someone that puts at least 40hrs a week into product....
THEN it was... 'I can just get it at Walmart.' or 'Target has a natural line.' Once again....RUDE.
Let's hit these points separately shall we? (Truth Bombs Below - you're almost there)
1) Pinterest Issue:
All my products are done with research. I take HOURS (after having an idea) to look up information about the ingredients that I want to use in a product. To make sure it's even possible. Once I gather info, I then go into trying to make it (if I have the materials) to see if THAT is even possible. Because, some ideas, while great....can be nothing more than ideas. Whether it's because of the composition, the chemical reactions some ingredients paired together can make, or it just wont last long enough to make it worth anyone's time. Question for you....do you even think that people posting on pinterest do ANY research? Most fab recipes aren't just going to be thrown out there for free. Think of all the meme's out there now which have a pinterest photo and then their DIY next to it. HAHA...there's a reason for that. So, my process is: idea, research, gather materials, make, test (myself FIRST, if I like it, I branch out for testers), then launch. Think of that process.....think of the length in time it takes me...NOT A TEAM....just me, to put into ONE product.2) Other Commercial Stores Issue:
So after seeing the rise in need for natural products in the US...guess who wanted a piece of the pie? That's right....BIG name companies. Just think of how many Actress endorsed brands, commercial brands are out there now pushing their stuff. Here's the truth. Did you know that most products sold at those big stores sit for up to 3 years without being touched?! WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED! Now, my natural products last from 6 months to a year (with the exception of soaps). Do you think that TRULY NATURAL products could withstand sitting for 3 years? Oh, I didn't even mention the kicker....3 years before they get shipped TO the big stores to be sold. THAT'S RIGHT. Read that over again...I'll wait...
So, that's up to 3 years in the warehouse...then shipped to the big stores where they spend more time sitting until they're purchased. Yep....sounds natural to me! Slather me up with 3+ year product please....yum!
Truth Bomb....natural doesn't even mean anything. Which I'm sure by now....you know. Natural and organic... even regulated ones are allowed a percentage of chemicals into their products (hence the reason commercial natural products STILL weren't helping Belle's chemically induced eczema) . FDA only regulates cosmetics (lotions, lipsticks, perfumes, moisturizers, etc) for their language, packaging and labeling. Understand....there are countries that have banned over 1100 personal product ingredients, while the US has only banned 10. While it MAY sound like I am giving a spiel on 'buy my products' at this point, I am going to give you a link for 19 chemicals to avoid....that are still being used in 'natural' and 'organic' products.
Look, simpler is better. A lot of my products are simple...but they are quality. If I am unsure about the ingredient that I am purchasing from my supplier, I ask for documentation on the process of how it was processed....so I KNOW I am getting quality. The baking soda used is Aluminum Free, the bergamot that is used lacks the photosynthetic quality so it can be used in the sun without harming your skin. I would love to use Emulsifying wax to make an even better lotion than before...but, emulsifying IS NOT truly natural. Not even veggie. While plant derived, it's HIGHLY processed, and no longer resembles the plant material that they were derived. Via a health article: 'Vegetable Emulsifying Waxes are composed of Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetearyl Glucoside, and are considered low risk on EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, with Cetearyl Alcohol being a suspected Environmental Toxin. The best self emulsifying wax option is Natural Emulsifying Wax. This is Olive Oil derived and composed of Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate, also considered low risk and approved for use in certified organic products, however Material Safety Data Sheet of one manufacturer contained a skin irritation warning.' Make sense?
Truth Bomb....The market IS saturated. Yep, we're all aware of it. It hits us in the face on Tv, internet, social media...you name it. How do you know if what I am saying is true? Do the research. There was a lady in Murfreesboro, Tn at a farmers market that was selling 'truly natural' products. I went to look....she had a lotion. I had told her that I was working on one myself and was having a hell of a time. She kind of smiled, but didn't say much...other than she made it and it worked. After acknowledging that she hand made her products I asked her which natural wax did she use to make the lotion. She said 'you know, the natural wax'. I asked her if she used emulsifying wax....she replied 'yes'. I then told her that emulsifying wax wasn't truly natural and she said and I quote...'oh, it was the other one then'. I replied with 'you mean beeswax?'...to which her response was 'yes, if that's the natural one'. Hm....
While the market is saturated, know and trust that I scout the ingredients that I want to use. I do the research...and while these items ARE handmade...it takes me DAYS to do an order and sometimes to make ONE product because I know the length it takes for a substance to set. I know the ins and outs of my product(s) and I stand behind it.
Truth Bomb....natural products....even mine are NOT miracle workers. Most truly natural products, can't reverse time...but it can help the future! However, you can't apply it and wake up the next morning and all your wrinkles are gone....or you never have eczema again. That's not how it works. For Belle, it took weeks of applying, and then years before the scar was gone. I got results, but I was patient and persistent. I don't have to be truthful about that...but I am....because I WANT you to know it's not something that you should expect to work overnight. I KNOW my products work for most people...especially those that stick with it. This is a lifestyle change....a strive for better products going on the BIGGEST organ of your body....your SKIN! What goes on, goes in.
For example, I would get something like this...'well, it's been a week. I am seeing a difference, but the acne isn't completely gone'. I would tell them, even before they bought the item that if the acne is related to hormones, diet or stress (which goes back to hormones)....you're lucky to even see a difference.
You do not have to agree with me. But, know this. Every item that I put on my page has worked for me, my family, friends, testers, etc or else it would not have been launched. Of course, your happiness means the world to me, because you are investing in not only my product(s), but in me! In my process. So, if there is any issue, I am always here.
TRUTH BOMB....prices keep going up. Yep...I am trying to avoid it as much as possible. But, compared to years ago when I started, now that it's a saturated market...the price to get those raw...PURE ingredients has gone up. I am still not making enough to do much with. Case in point...completely water proof labels. I wanted the brand to be affordable to everyone, even SAHM. I still think it is...but some people have left because cindy lou has better prices. Does cindy lou do what I do? Does she put in the research and hours, and are you sure about the ingredients? I can lower price of product and then I can lower the quality of material....or up the price so I can afford what I KNOW will be amazing for your skin. The problem too is that I use the same products I launch, on myself and my family....if I lower the quality/price for you, I am doing that to my family...and I am not going to use lesser quality on my family. I've been a witness to too much good.TRUTH BOMB...Most people don't REALLY care that it's natural. It's so true. You know why people go to cindy lou who has better prices. Because of that reason...pricing. She can't offer the same quality of materials, but she has better pricing...so let's go with her. Here's why I choose to do better....
1) For myself. I know it's a tad selfish...but I know what good quality materials/ingredients can do for your skin. I use it on myself and my family.
2) My family. I want you to have the same thing my family has. I want to be able to back up my product with what we use....not do what most companies do and use cheap material so they can make money off of you, and then use your money to by their families something that you'll never be able to enjoy. How is that fair? How can I live up to my mission by doing that?
3) My conscious....yep. The main reason why I'll never get rich by doing this business. HAHA. No, but really....I can't in good conscious do what I stated above. Mark crappy quality up, to be able to live in the lap of luxury.
If you're still reading...after all this and this last truth bomb you're probably thinking, 'she never really answered that last truth bomb'. But here's the thing....if you read the article above, you'll know EXACTLY why you should care about what you're investing in. 'Ya, but cindy lou has better pricing AND it's still better than what I WAS using on my skin.' So true yall....so true. Anything is better than the chemical crap in commercial stores. There are tons of ways to explain it...but I'm going to use an analogy. Just stick with me:
It's a steamy hot day. Like, sweat in places you never knew you had, kind of day. You're thirsty. You have 3 places you can get water from. 1. go to the creek about 5 ft away 2. go to the hose about 20 ft away 3. walk to the house about 40 ft away, grab a glass and drink from the filtered water.
-Now, some people will NEVER care what is in that creek, they're thirsty, they'll drink. There are parasites, feces from birds, wildlife, eggs, etc in that water...but it doesn't matter to them...they'll always drink from it if it's the easiest, most convenient option.
-Some people don't mind the hose. It's still city water, contaminated with sediment, unseen parasites, lead, etc...but it's better than the creek stuff....95% of the time you can't SEE anything in there that would hurt you...hose is a good option.
-Most people, will take the trip inside the house and grab a filtered drink of water. You know it's safe, you know it tastes good. There aren't things floating in it, there isn't an after taste. Sure, occasionally you have to change the filter....but in the long run...it's better, healthier and so good. You've invested in it...and while it's not the cheapest, most convenient option...you know it's safe.
So I'll leave you with this. Who are you? The commercial buyer, the cindy lou buyer or the quality buyer? What would you do for a glass of filtered...clean...safe...water?
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