When it comes to sustainable beauty essentials: Tabitha Eve is a brand that ticks all the boxes: eco-friendly makeup rounds, handmade, reusable products and beauty items that help make living a zero waste lifestyle easier than ever before. We chat with the founder, Debbie Rees, to find out how she stays grounded in the midst of raising a family, mindfully running a buzzing business and finding time to scuba dive.
What does creativity mean to you? How do you define it? What inspires you to be creative?
“Creativity in the world of Tabitha Eve could mean any number of things, from designing an item for a purpose or finding the perfect organic fabric and figuring out what best reusable it could be turned into. I don’t think creativity can be defined, everybody is so different.”
Where do you live at the moment? What does your city offer to you as a maker? Are there other places in the world that inspire you, why?
“I currently live in Somerset having moved just before Christmas from Cardiff. I was bought up in the countryside and it was always my dream to move back closer to the beach and live in a more rural setting. Cardiff is such a great place to be as a maker though, they have the Cardiff Indie Collective and a real sense of supporting local businesses. Now, and growing up, living by the beach is my inspiration every day. When I see the sea, or walk in the sand and spot litter, it reminds me why I do what I do.”
How did you get into this industry? What was your first job?
“I got into this industry through my own passion for the environment, I’m a scuba diver so I’ve experienced the litter pollution and plastic problem first hand. My background was in financial services and I fell into making reusables when on maternity leave and never went back to the corporate world.”
Why is it important for consumers to continue to seek out mindful and inclusive brands? What can they do to further support?
“I believe you get back what you put into life. That includes seeking out brands that align with your values. Often these brands are not big names or stocked in supermarkets so require the effort to seek them out but the reward is always better than a mass produced product, and you get to help the real local economies! I believe it is so important to seek out and buy from small indie brands – it’s good for the soul and it makes a real difference to people rather than just another £ in the pocket of a multi-national.”
Why is mindful and sustainable manufacturing important?
“For our world! This precious planet cannot sustain current manufacturing practices, each of us holds that responsibility.”
Finish these sentences: “Always …” and “Never …”
“Ahh I do this with my kids like a little mantra every night. Always be kind, to yourself, to others and to the planet. Never forget your values or who you are.”
What does yoga mean to you? What is your favourite pose? What are your other favourite ways to move or create movement on your own or with family/friends?
“Yoga for me, means time to myself: time to reflect, energise, clear and focus my mind, and to listen to my body. My favourite pose is Child’s Pose – it’s simple and grounding for me. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by countryside where we are right now and we love walking to explore it and see how the scenery changes weekly and from season to season.”
Favourite Yogamattersproduct(s)? Why?
“Aside from the Tabitha Eve range, I really LOVE the Eco Cork mats and the whole Eco Cork Collection.”
What’s your work uniform? What do you wear when you’re not at work?
“I’m usually found in leggings and a loose fit T-shirt. Comfort is always key to me, in and out of work. The only difference for me is that I rarely ever wear shoes when not in the studio!”
What gets you energised and keeps you recharged?
“I’ll assume you don’t mean coffee here! Honestly, yoga is my go to. Nothing strenuous, a gentle all over stretch can really reset my mind and outlook. I can really tell the difference in my energy if I don’t practice for a few days.”
Favourite movie, book, app, podcast, game at the moment? You can list one or many!
“Movie: I don’t really watch TV all that much except for during our family film night, we most recently watched the kids film “Luca” which I LOVED for its inclusivity message. Book: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Game: Avocado Smash. It’s a high energy game for the whole family. We love it!”
