So what is Movember? Well, it’s a challenge to grow a moustache for a month to draw attention to mens health issues, and try to get sponsors to raise some money as you go. A good idea! “Maybe” yes, maybe it would be a laugh, maybe I’d look good, “maybe”.

So despite being a week in to the month I did start  a little late growing the moustache. I’ve never grown one before and I suppose always wondered what I would look like, I also had a deep down theory that it would be a red moustache (it wasn’t, it was more a drab mousey grey colour). Anyway, I started late with two other colleagues, Gareth and James, as competion. Well all was going well until Gareth accidentally shaved his off after seven days. At this point mine was coming on nicely but I was beginning to get pressure from the wife, none too kind were the comments. I have to admit, as my second week progressed I began to see her point of view!  Lets face it, it just doesn’t suit me. I felt like I was walking around with a major deformity right below my nose, and I had to face the public with this ratty hairy upper lip. Finally, three days into the third week I’d had enough, I know every one out there taking part was pretty pleased with their new masculine facial hair. But for me I could go no further, I had to shave it off and once the decision was made off it came. For me, the best thing about growing a moustache was shaving it off. And yes, of course I used my favourite Spanish Fig and Nutmeg shaving soap. I did the little hitler ‘tache part way through and even this was a disappointment, not even worth taking down stairs to scare the kids so off it came too. So I have to admit, Movember was a personal disaster. Well done to every one who took part, but a word of warning. From what I’ve seen so far there’s not too many that should become permanent. As for James, well done! He got through the whole month and his actually suits him. So from one who knows, from one who failed, who gave up, who couldn’t cope… well done! No really, well done! And no, I won’t be taking part next year. But good luck to all those that do.”

Nigel Brooks, Bath House Director

10% of all sales of Bath House shaving products in November have been donated to the Movember Foundation. We also ran a competition on Facebook to give £50 worth of shaving products to the owner of the best Mo photo, and would like to announce Russel Howard as the winner for this Mo-tastic entry!

A Yes, they are part of the ever-expanding range of products made in Sedbergh at the Grain Store; our head office and home to our showroom and shop. We’ve been making them for a while now and they are among our most popular products. We’ve continually refined the technique over the past couple of years and have found that the perfect lip balm is really moisturising without being greasy.

Q What makes your lip balms so special?

A We use high levels of nurturing ingredients not often found in other lip balms, like jojoba oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. All our lip balms contain 98% natural ingredients, and we also make them in small batches of just 400 to ensure high quality every time.

Q So explain the processes involved.

A Well we start off by creating a base mixture by warming and blending Castor Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Coconut Oil. As with all our products these come from a certified sustainable source, and these three fantastic oils create a highly moisturising base. We then add in the Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter; these have wonderful conditioning properties for the skin and are perfect for the lips. We also add a little natural Vitamin E which is considered the antioxidant superstar. This helps by reducing the formation of free radicals upon skin and minimises damage caused by exposure to UVA rays.

Q What gives them their fantastic flavours? I love some of the names.

A The flavours are made for us by a great company that’s just down the road in Lancashire. In the photographs we are making a mouthwatering Elderflower Lip Balm, with a little Natural Lemon Oil added.

Q So is that everything?

A No, no! The final part of the process is to add in a great ingredient called Carnuba Wax, which gives it a glossy finish. You’ll have seen this as the shiny finish on Palm Leaves, and it does exactly the same in our lip balm by creating the gloss that locks in the balm’s special moisturising properties into the lips – and as a bonus gives you great looking as well as conditioned lips. Whilst the mixture is still hot we hand pour it into containers which is the fiddly bit and requires a steady hand. It’s then left to cool before being transferred to one of our finishing rooms where they are packed with great attention to detail, ready to go out to our shops and onto the lips of the nation.

Q Wow, it all seems quite simple?

A In some ways it is very simple, very pure and clean, if you see what I mean. I’m proud of the fact that we use natural ingredients of a superb quality. They are beautifully pure which makes them lovely to work with. We have found that there’s an art to getting the mix and temperature just right, so that the final product is just fantastic. In our business this is so important as it’s why people become loyal to your product and your brand. Our customers know that Bath House always makes a great product.

Our new Velvet Orchid & Cardamom is a beautifully exotic fragrance that’s been very popular. This sophisticated fragrance, composed of orchid, night jasmine, cyclamen and crushed peony, is delicately spiced with vanilla pepper and cardamom. Discreet notes of musk, sandalwood and vetiver accentuate the sensuality of this fragrance. I have to say not one person has said anything negative about it. Now theres a challenge to all would be critics out there. We await your comments…

Nordic… A White Christmas Guaranteed!

Our new collection “Nordic” is a contemporary range inspired by retro Scandinavian graphics. Packaged to appeal to those Christmas shopping magpies who are looking for special stocking fillers and treats at affordable prices, this has had a great reaction and our stockists are already reordering to keep their lip balm stands full and window displays topped up. You can have endless fun with the multi-sided bath salt boxes, stacking them this way and that to show off their lovely silver and white artwork. You can also spell out “noel” and “love” with the fun foiled circus letters. I’m no Scrabble buff so I’m not sure what else you could spell out… answers and points on a postcard.

Glass, Beautiful Glass!

You may have noticed our beautiful new etched glass, printed with our flower motif for bath oils and salts. This is printed locally for us and makes these products look and feel especially luxurious. Our jars of Velvet Orchid and Cardamom salts disappeared off the shelves of our shops in record time (hopefully all legitimately purchased!) They are made with a special ingredient Natrosorb which allows the salts to easily disperse in the water. You’ll understand why they are called luxury when you try them!

NEW Cuban Cedar & Lime

As soon as we released our exceptionally popular Cuban Cedar & Lime cologne last year we were inundated with requests for more products, and so we were delighted to preview a much larger collection at Harrogate. Since then the fragrance has been on nearly everyone’s order and the feedback is that it could be as popular as Spanish Fig, which is great news! We had a slight hitch when ordering the bottle for the foam bath, but were really pleased with the replacement bottle which will probably be a limited edition so enjoy it while you can. I have to say, if this bottle was a film star you would think George Clooney had just walked into your shop. Mmm, maybe we should send him one!

Our New Making Machine!

This summer we commissioned our new making machine so we are now able to make a lot more of our products here at the Grain Store. It’s not got a name yet, any suggestions better than “Duncan” would be most welcome. Who’s to say it’s male anyway?! It’s a lovely bit of stainless steel, much better than a Kitchen Aid. Nigella eat your heart out!

And Finally…

We’re all very busy at the Grain Store packing your orders. No snow on the fells yet, but it won’t be long! We’d all like to wish you a pleasant Autumn, and look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Bath House Team x

Follow this link to view our body washes:

http://www.thebathhouseshop.com/bodycare/body-washes.html

Here is a link to our page on the MyCumbria website:

http://www.mycumbriacard.co.uk/offers/thedms.aspx?dms=13&feature=2&GroupId=15&venue=5098632&easi=true

We feel this collection will become our signature look, easily identifiable as Bath House. The packaging is as beautiful as ever, but will be easier to choose from based on the fragrance you like or the qualities of the product and its natural ingredients and plant extracts rather than the colour of the packaging.

We have had some parts of this collection in our shops already and the feedback been excellent! We are really excited about this and hope you will be too. We would love to hear your feedback!

the Bath House team

Our unique signature perfumes have proved to be incredibly popular and are being snapped up by customers visiting our  shops in Kirkby Lonsdale, Ambleside and Sedbergh. Sometimes it’s nice to buy a fragrance that’s a little bit different, not one of the usual high fashion names. Choose a Bath House perfume to define your own individuality.

Our top three fragrances at the moment have to be Frangipani & Grapefruit, a paradise fragrance of the Caribbean that is refreshing and perfect for that summer fly-away holiday to the sun. White Cedar & Pear is a sophisticated modern fragrance perfect for wearing throughout the day and a favourite of everyone here at Bath House. Our top seller is still Patchouli and Black Pepper, sensual and spicy this is a rich, heady scent ideal for wearing in the evening. All of our perfumes are available in a 50ml bottle and also in a 12ml handbag sized purse spray ideal for spritzing on whenever you need to throughout the day.

Prepare to be seduced this September by our new and exquisite perfume that is getting lots of positive feedback from everyone who has tried it. Velvet Orchid and Cardamom is a heavenly combination of floral notes with a delicate warm heart which radiates the mystery and sensuality of the East. This sophisticated fragrance, composed of orchid, night jasmine, cyclamen and crushed peony is delicately spiced with vanilla, pepper and cardamom. Discrete notes of musk, sandalwood and vetiver accentuate the sensuality of this fragrance. Look out for this around September on our website, or sign up to our newsletter and be the first to find out when it’s available.

Our new fragrance, bathing and natural skincare products also include bath oils and luxury bath salts, both presented in beautiful frosted glass jars and bottles. The perfect match of luxury and quality is always top of the list with Bath House. We are sure you will want one or two of our soothing bath time treats to sit on the side of your bath so you can soak away the stress and strains of the day.

We will update you with more fabulous new products soon.

The Bath House Team