Nicola Elliott worked as a journalist on glossy magazines before co-founding luxury, organic skincare range NEOM. StyleNest met up with the mumpreneur and mum-of two to talk shopping, home life and of course, to steal a few beauty secrets too.
Where did the idea come from for NEOM?
I worked as a journalist for 8 years but my sister worked for Friends of The Earth, I knew what she was telling me about products being full of nasty chemicals was true but I also knew, working in glossy magazines, that if products didn’t smell amazing, feel fabulous and really work then people wouldn’t buy them. NEOM was a merging together of those two worlds.
How do you juggle a successful business with two small children both under four years?
Day by day, hour by hour, a supportive family, great husband and not allowing myself to completely loose it.
NEOM uses only natural, organic ingredients. What is the importance of using organic skincare and products in your home?
The average woman is using over 250 chemicals on her body per day, many of these we know have links to everything from fertility and degenerative issues to cancers. Yet we don’t bother to look into the ingredients – it’s really time we started to wise up and have an idea about what’s going on, and into, our bodies.
Do you try to stick to ‘organic’ in all aspects of your life? Food, clothing, etc.
No I’m a realist – I choose organic where I can and I try to navigate through life picking the most important parts out – so milk and meat is important, bananas less so and so on.
What beauty products would you recommend to pregnant or nursing women?
NEOM body oil – absolutely amazing – I used it through both my pregnancies and not a mark in site. The oil is really rich with safflower and organic jojoba but no silicones, so it really nourishes yet sinks in. Everyone I’ve recommended it to has adored it.
Tell us about your home/interiors style. Has this had to change since becoming a mum?
Unfortunately it’s more practical – everything over 3ft high and no picture frames on the window sills. We opted for a dark grey carpet to hide crushed in grapes and a few modern utilitarian pieces that make us feel young and slightly cool.
Do you have any top tips for mums that need to relax and unwind?
Use our Tranquillity Candle alongside the bath oil – we call it our ‘organic sleeping pill’. You ingest so much English lavender, sweet basil and jasmine and you just flop after using it and have the most amazing night’s sleep. It’s not recommended to be used before bedtime though.
What book are you currently reading?
I am always reading about 10 books – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, If God Were a Rabbit, Stop Thinking and Start Living, The Writers Journey…wow, split personality perhaps?
Without giving too much away, what will be on your Christmas shopping list this year?
Toys, toys, toys…without spoiling them of course! Lexie is just into Upsy Daisy but Charlie wants a full Jurassic Park full of dinosaurs. I’m photocopying the list to Santa so we can cross-reference it on Christmas day and have no disappointments.
Here at StyleNest we’re always on the look out for family-friendly days out, hotels or restaurants. Any recommendations?
Sundown Park is fantastic, I only ever heard of it last year. We also went to Brancaster in Norfolk for a summer holiday this year and I can’t recommend it highly enough for family holidays.
Who or what inspires you?
My dad – every day.
For more information on NEOM Luxury Organics and the shop the collection visit www.neomorganics.com