TGtB Meets... Sally Morton

We've been chatting to the founder of Real Beauty Parties, Sally Morton, on skincare, blogging and all round beauty goodness...

What inspired you to start Real Beauty 100% Natural Spa Parties, tell us your story?

The story began right back when I was a teenager; full of self-doubt with low self-esteem which, I realise now, affected my education, relationships, ambitions and life choices. It took until my late 30s before I gained any meaningful self-confidence.

When my own daughter reached the brink of puberty my thoughts were how to prevent her going through the same painful process. In addition, I worried that today’s media, with the widespread use of Photoshop, portrays an unobtainable and unrealistic standard of beauty. Together with the visual aspect of social media, young people are more inclined to value themselves on looks or likes than ever before. I wanted to teach my daughter self-acceptance; to be comfortable and confident in her own body so that image issues would not get in the way of her ambitions and achievements. 

Of course, the onset of puberty brings with it the first signs of skin problems and, with a background in commercial skin care, I knew that piling on cover-up and using chemical-based products tends only to make angry skin worse. So I began to research natural methods for cleansing young skin and I realised that teaching my daughter how to take care of her body naturally was key to her own self-respect. Taking pride in who she is, as she is.

The idea for the Real Beauty Spa party came from sharing this realisation with other mothers and daughters. I found I was not alone in my concerns and everyone I spoke to was keen to understand more. The first party took place around my kitchen table with a group of my daughter's class mates and before I knew it I was receiving calls from parents asking me to host similar parties for them. A business was born. Obviously there was a lot of trial, error and fine tuning before I found the right format focusing on mind, body and soul, and using 100% natural, organic products and what's in your kitchen cupboard. A party that would leave every guest feeling happy, relaxed and full of positive feelings about themselves.

Within months of launching I realised the concept was not just for teenagers either. It is an original, bonding and informative experience for women and girls of all ages. I have since hosted many successful hen parties and baby showers. I think the idea appeals to people because it is very inclusive, affordable and quite inspirational - everyone can gather around the kitchen table with a drink in hand, get a bit creative and have a lot of fun learning some brilliant natural beauty tips - and creating their own treatments.  

How did you come up with your product recipes? 

I am obsessive about scouring the internet, and natural beauty books old and new, for recipes and formulas that really work. Some of the best are real old wives tales. 

We know that everything you make and use is tried and tested, do lots of your friends and family’s offer to help?

I try the recipes out on myself, my daughters and all my friends and family. I need to know they have a positive effect across the age and skin type spectrum. My mum is now addicted to her weekly Manuka honey scrub.

The world of beauty is changing, people are caring more about what they put on their bodies as well as inside them, why do you think that is?

I just think awareness has been raised regarding the chemicals and preservatives found in products. We are more savvy beauty consumers now and understand ingredients such as Vit E etc a lot more due to advertising - and more readily available information via the net. Also the rise of authentic, honest, beauty bloggers such as Ella Woodward and Melanie Shaw has helped. Even though they both come from a starting point of diet they look at health holistically and promote natural beauty regimes. It stands to reason that if up to 60 - 70% of what you put on your face is absorbed directly into your skin, you should consider your beauty products carefully. 

For me it is simple. When I apply super food extracts via the skin their benefits are absorbed directly, and the nutrients are more concentrated. If you think about foods that go through your body, various other processes and organs absorb their goodness so the full effects won’t show on your skin in the same way.

We love the blog on your website, beauty consumers are driven more and more by online bloggers and less from glossy mags, what do you think has driven this change and who is your favourite blogger to read?

My favourite beauty blogger and all-round skin care expert is Caroline Hiron. She has been in the beauty business for 18 years - as were her mother and her grandmother. She’s third generation!

Her blog has a brilliant no-nonsense style and she is completely honest about all the products she reviews. She is an expert facialist, and just so well-informed.

Do you have a favourite ingredient for your beauty products, or a go-to?

That’s a tough decision. Can I have two? Coconut oil really is my all round natural beauty hero. I love the fact I can travel with one pot and be able to cleanse, moisturise and treat my hair; as well as cook with it!

However, Avocado oil really kicks it for skin care.  It has such an amazing affinity with the skin and can transform its tone and texture - especially if it’s on the dry side. If you look at its fat profile you would think that it would feel really heavy on the skin, but in reality, it absorbs beautifully and doesn’t leave greasy residues. As well as containing vitamins A, D and E, avocados also contain a high concentration of essential fatty acids (the building blocks of healthy skin) which repair and condition its surface.

For people that want to know more about what’s inside their products, what’s the best place to start (other than reading their labels)? 

I have to say Caroline Hirons again.  For me she is the No 1 skin care Guru and go-to for knowledge. This lady knows her skin care and ingredients; natural and not so natural inside and out. She is totally honest and easy to understand. I would also recommend reading what Claire Veno the founder of Aurelia has to say. This lady is an expert dermatologist and really knows her natural, active plant based ingredients. I highly recommend her range for more mature skin.

When you’re not busy working, how do you spend your time?

I swing between being a total introvert where I hunker down with the family and play board games, watch movies and box sets with heaps of home-made popcorn or cheese and wine. Or I have my mad, social weeks where the house is full of guests coming and going, out of town friends, girls' nights, dinner parties etc. Travel is my weakness though. I'm always plotting my next escape to somewhere new. This could be dreaming of Burma or discovering a new village half an hour away.

Tell us your favourite day out or evening in Bath?

I love an evening or lunch time spent in the garden at the White Hart in Widcombe. It’s a haven. My best friend Jo manages here. All the staff are lovely and fun, and the food is sublime. When the fairy lights are on in the evening and the jazz band is playing there is no better place to be in Bath. I also love to cycle or walk the canal - you never know who or what you are going to see.

If you had to describe Bath in three words, which would you choose? 

Uplifting, Surprising and Creative

You can read more from Sally on her blog here.