Supporting Small Businesses

This year, more than ever, small businesses have needed our help to get started and keep going. Here are some of my favourite small businesses, all of which I found through Instagram

Stay Lashous is a UK based, female-owned cosmetics brand, selling affordable but luxury 3D lashes, and was the result of owner, Damia, being unable to find the perfect lashes in shops. After being brought up around a family business, Damia had the motivation to start her own business, offering a range of diverse lashes for every occasion, and is finally starting to live her dream.

Stay Lashous lashes are designed to ensure durability and glamour. Their 3D faux mink lashes are all handmade, and with the proper care, can last 20+ times! Hand-making these lashes ensures that they are of the highest quality, to match customers high expectations and bringing you the finest quality of lash their is. Stay Lashous believe that it is their duty to act responsibly and ethically, and as such, they ensure that all of their products are vegan and cruelty-free.

After launching in August 2020, with an amazing range of 15 different lash styles, one set of limited edition lashes, 9 different lash bundles, and lash accessories, along with offering international shipping, Damia has already teased that she is ready to add makeup to the brand: "I have makeup samples on the way to start adding to the brand at the beginning of 2021! I didn't think I would be in this position until next year. I knew it would take time until Stay Lashous took off, but the support we have received has put us ahead of schedule, so now we can take the next step by adding new products! I'm so grateful".

Damia says: "It's always been my dream to have my own cosmetics brand, because I've always loved makeup and beauty. I thought I would start off with eyelashes because I could never find the perfect lashes in shops, so I decided that was going to be the first thing I would work on! I didn't want to start out with a small collection because I know not everyone likes the same type of lash. I thought 15 different styles was the best option, and everyone loves them! I'm so overwhelmed by the support".

HoneyLux Silk is a Canadian environmentally conscious, female-owned luxury brand, selling the highest quality of pure mulberry silk accessories at an affordable price. HoneyLux was born after owner, Oana, who has always been passionate about luxury accessories and high-quality fabrics, noticed that recently, good quality clothing and accessories have increasingly started to come with a heft price tag. As a result, Oana wanted to use silk, one of the most luxurious natural fibres, to combine fashion and haircare at an affordable price. HoneyLux wants to "let real silk do the work".

HoneyLux prides itself on being an environmentally conscious brand, and as such, their packaging and shipping materials are completely reusable and recyclable, and their pure silk is biodegradable, ethical sourced and free from toxic dyes. The concept behind HoneyLux is to craft beautiful, luxury-quality pieces that allow you to feel confident about daily haircare and self-care routines. HoneyLux strives to make every woman feel pampered and luxurious, by making even the smallest detail perfect.

Despite only launching in April 2020, HoneyLux has already expanded into shops and salons in Canada, and offer international shipping. Initially launching with silk scrunchies, they soon added more products to their brand, and now offer a range of silk accessories, from scrunchies to pillowcases. HoneyLux offer a range of silk scrunchies in 5 different sizes and currently stock them in 13 different colours! They stock silk headbands in 2 different colours along with pillowcases in 5 different colours, which are both prefect for keeping your hair crease and frizz free. Finally, as a result of the pandemic, Oana decided to add two different styles of breathable silk face masks to the brand.

Oana says: "I've always wanted to have my own business! I love fabrics and accessories, and I'm so thankful I get to work with one of the most beautiful fabrics out there: silk. I got started with silk scrunchies, because I saw what was out there and I knew I could provide amazing quality scrunchies at a lower cost, so about a year ago I started the HoneyLux website and Instagram page".

Kiramoon is an upcoming American, female-owned skincare brand, and was born out of the joy skincare routines brought to owner Lindsey. Lindsey was inspired to start Kiramoon during a difficult chapter in her life when her self-care routine became a magical escape at the end of a long day. Kiramoon's motto is: "Good Skin, Better Mood", which is aligned with their mission: to spark joy through self-care and focus on skin positivity, not skin perfection.

Kiramoon's formulas are vegan, fragrance-free, gluten-free and cruelty-free. They formulate their products based on Clean at Sephora standards, and use research proven actives such as AHAs, BHAs, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. In addition, a portion of every sale is donated to Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit organisation on a mission to reduce the stigma around mental health. Lindsey has already teased the first two ingredients for Kiramoon's first two products; organic aloe vera juice and glycolic acid.

Although Kiramoon has not officially launched yet, they have already gained over 7,000 followers on Instagram, have thousands of people around the world eagerly anticipating their official launch of skincare products in early 2021, have two accessories available to purchase on their website; the Magic Pouch and the Heart Mirror, and offer international shipping.

The Magic Pouch has already become a viral Instagram sensation! Made from a holographic material, this pouch is the perfect size to carry the everyday essentials with you when you're on the go. Lindsey says it fits her keys, wallet, hand sanitiser, sunglasses and lipgloss! This beautiful pouch has been seen on many Instagram accounts, all showing how holographic and iridescent it really is.

Lindsey says: "At the height of my career in 2017, I was anxious, exhausted and trapped in a toxic work environment. After a long day, my skincare routine became a magical moment of joy and delight in a world filled with responsibility, anxiety and fear. When I realised that the packaging of my favourite skincare products didn't match the magic feeling they evoked, I knew the industry was missing something. The stars aligned, and my idea for Kiramoon was born. My approach to skincare is joyful, whimsical and playful. It comes from a place of self love and happiness. My dream is for Kiramoon to add some magic to your beauty routine and put a smile on your face after a long day".

All launching in 2020, these three brands, and their female owners, have done incredibly well to get their small businesses up and running, during what has possibly been the hardest, most anxious and economically stressful year in our lifetime. But small businesses continue to need our help. If you're on Instagram give them a follow (@staylashous, @honeyluxsilk, @kiramoonbeauty), make a purchase, however big or small, and spread their name to your friends, family and followers. This holiday season, why not buy from a small business, instead of buying from a large corporation. It's time to boycott the big, and shop small!

Finally, thank you to Damia, Oana and Lindsey for allowing me to take up their valuable time so I could write this post. You have all have amazing brands, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you! You will always have my support.