Raconteuse – botanical beauty

From forest to flower

I’ve always like the Rumi phrase “what you seek, is seeking you.”

This botanical skincare line magically fell into my lap at exactly the right moment. Raconteuse sent me three full‑size products to try, and they arrived just as I’d scraped the last drops from my serum and night cream from another natural line I’d been using for months. I was debating whether to reorder or try something new. This is something new.

I gravitate toward clean, organic, cruelty‑free, sustainably sourced products that smell naturally beautiful and actually do something. At the end of the day, we want results. Skincare is a ritual, after all. I’ve even made my own products from scratch and sold them for a while – small‑batch, handcrafted, and ultimately more work than I bargained for.

And because I love a good story behind a brand, this part delighted me: Raconteuse means a woman who is a skilled storyteller. This storytelling happens to be blended with science.

On their website the descriptions of their producs are quite poetic. For instance, they ask you which skincare realm you think your skin belongs to – with a list of realms of course. More fun than asking your skin type. A list of what each product does and all the ingredients can be found on their website (link below).

For several weeks now I’ve been using “Grove of Goodness” – an invigorating day cream that smells heavenly. It’s an elixir brimming with antioxidants, nutrients, and a whisper of citrus. Lightweight yet deeply hydrating, it melts into skin leaving a dewy, radiant finish. I love it. Actually, I’m loving all the products.

At night I’m using “Cascade of Calm” which is a nourishing serum that does some of this: calms inflammation and soothes redness,
Stimulates collagen production for enhanced firmness, brightens tone and smooths texture. What’s not to love about that?

After that I use a soothing but rich night balm on dry patches called “Sea of Serenity.”

I haven’t seen a mermaid appear in my dreams offering me a sparkle from the sea’s hidden depths – but I have woken up to a smoother complexion.

Raconteuse feels like skincare created by someone who understands that beauty isn’t just about results – it’s about ritual, story, and the small moments of care we give ourselves. These products have slipped seamlessly into my routine, and for now, I’m happily staying in this forest-to-flower realm.

My skin is smoother, yes, but more than that, the experience feels like a story worth telling.

If you’d like to explore the line, Raconteuse has given me a code for my readers. Click on the link below and use code Debbie10 when completing your order to get 10% off your first order.

https://raconteuseskincare.com/

Girl Who Would be King, Health + LifeStyle

Health & Beauty benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Yes, beauty too.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a healthy, natural, inexpensive, effective, multi-use product you can get anywhere. Sound good so far?

It may not be so glamorous to keep on your bathroom shelf but you may thank me later:

Because as much as we love our Tom Ford makeup and La Mer skincare products, there is something naturally appealing about a simple item you probably already have at home stored in your fridge or cupboard. Something you may not use very often.

With multiple health-boosting benefits, the all-natural ingredient has been a go-to beauty remedy since ancient times.

Some reasons why you need to add this easy grocery staple to your daily routine:

Got a pesky pimple? Mix ACV with water and apply on a cotton pad to sweep across your face to remove bacteria, oil, dirt and leftover makeup.

Avoid the mid-day slump by opting for a glass of apple cider vinegar instead of coffee. Drink one tablespoon with a glass of water to allow its enzymes and potassium to wake you up sans the crash. Sometimes I switch up drinking warm lemon water in the morning for this.

Prevent bloating and discomfort post-meals by drinking two tablespoons of ACV with water 15-20 minutes prior to eating. This increases stomach acid, which is crucial in digesting all your food properly and completely.

Gargle one teaspoon of ACV with a cup of water to remove plaque, which is a major culprit of bad breath.

Refuse to spend $50 on a teeth whitening kit? Swish the vinegar through with water to remove stains and kill bacteria on teeth and gums – this apparently is as effective as using coconut oil.

No matter how cute your shoes are stinky feet are never desirable. Tackle foul odour by soaking your feet in half a cup of ACV and five cups of warm water for 15 minutes. Its anti-fungal properties will eliminate the stench.

Whether it’s a bug bite or a sunburn, its ability to balance pH levels soothes pain, swelling and redness.

Prevent dandruff and itching by combining two ounces of apple cider vinegar and equal parts water to apply on your scalp. Its acidity eliminates germs, flakes and dryness.

Bonus: rinse your hair with it to restore shine and remove product build up. I do this about once a month. Your hair will undoubtedly smell like ACV but it does dissipate after blow drying, thank god.

Last but not least, it’s a great addition for salad dressings.

Because as we all know, beauty happens on the inside first!

Have you tried it?

Use organic, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar

beauty, Girl Who Would be King

Beauty – la Dolce Vita

Nothing like sourcing beautiful body care & fragrance products from beautiful locales where lives beautiful women with a knack for looking after themselves. Which brings me to this place:

Santa Maria Novella, Florence – one of the oldest pharmacies in the world! They carry products with a meaning. They come with tradition and history which in my books makes them extra special.

In all fairness I didn’t know about this until my good friend came back from Florence and gifted me with an elegantly wrapped package of what appeared to be some amazing skincare…made in Italy. I could tell right away these were exceptional from the tasteful ribboned box they came in and even the bag. Of course I couldn’t wait to open it up and try them.

THEN:

The long name is Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It was established in 1221 by Dominican Monks shortly after their arrival in Florence. The friars began cultivating medicinal herbs in their gardens to prepare medications, balms and ointments for their convent’s small infirmary.

Once fame of their extraordinary products spread beyond Italy, it became opportune, in 1612, to open the pharmacy to the public.

The ingenuity of the formulas developed by the apothecary fathers, in the 18^th century became renowned and crossed numerous borders reaching Russia, the Indies, and as far away as China.

NOW:

Today the tradition is perpetuated and renewed. They use the highest quality natural raw materials and follow the artisanal procedures first established by the Dominican fathers.

The Officina is particularly attentive to the herbalist’s art which has triumphed since the enterprise began, basing all its preparations on herbs and natural lipids, with nothing tested on animals.

Each of the products has its own peculiar history. For instance one of the products “Acqua della Regina” is an essence that was created especially for Caterina de’ Medici (a noblewoman, crowned Queen of France after marrying Henry II).

There are other ancient recipes that deserve mention but perhaps that is the most popular perfume.

The original Via della Scala premises, where production took place until just a few years ago, while still a store, are genuine museum rooms. The museum’s purpose is not only to educate people about the Santa Maria Novella’s products but to benefit visitors who simply wish to see a “museum of tradition.”

The products are available in Florence. Address: (Via della Scala, 16, 50123 Firenze, Italy) and major cities in Italy. They have travelled to France, Spain, Belgium and England and a few locations in the United States.

In North America you can find them at:

Address: 285 Lafayette St #2, New York, NY 10012, United States

Phone:+1 212-271-0884

Address: 8411 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069, United States

Phone:+1 323-651-3754

Address: 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL 33154, United States

Phone:+1 305-865-3334

Tag: natural products