A determined Colne entrepreneur has made positive use of the pandemic to refine and launch her own range of ethical skincare. Mum-of-two, Marie Stanworth, has worked tirelessly over the last year preparing for the launch of The Pure Skincare Co., offering vegan, cruelty free and organic skincare products, formulated using essential oil blends.
The owner of women’s fashion boutique, Eliza Luxe, on Keighley Road, was so upset when she was repeatedly forced to close her doors in line with several national and local restrictions. “All that effort building a brand and suddenly it all stopped,” she said. “I licked my wounds for a few days, then decided I wasn’t going to let the pandemic beat me; I just needed to divert my attentions to something else.
“I had already been working on my skincare range behind the scenes, but the pandemic gave me the time I needed to bring it to the fore.” The passion behind The Pure Skincare Co. was born some 20 years while Marie worked at the health food shop, Holland & Barrett. She said: “That’s when I started using essential oils and experimenting making my own body scrubs, bath and body oils and moisturisers, which I have continued to do ever since.
“I love how luxurious essential oils smell; it’s reminiscent of a day at spa, and I also love how good they are for the mind, body and spirit. “I knew I had the capability and knowledge to create my own products, but until the pandemic, as a busy, working mum, I just didn’t have the time.” The pandemic afforded her this time and she started to develop products which she could try out on enthusiastic friends and family.
Marie said: “It’s been a steep learning curve over the past year, but I’m so proud of what I have achieved and can’t wait to share The Pure Skincare Co. products with my customers.” While many would celebrate this huge achievement, entrepreneurial Marie continues to push her creative boundaries. She added: “I’ve grown the reed diffuser range which I started not long after I opened the shop. Again, this was brought about by me experimenting with essential oils.
“I have used the pandemic to expand the range and will be adding some fabulous candles, wax melts, soaps and hand creams to the range which I’m really excited about. “I’ve also started my own clothing range of slogan tees and hoodies, which has a mummy and mini range and I recently found out that the popular online Silk Fred clothing brand has agreed to stock it, which is just mind-blowing!”
