Rain Durban blogger meet

Hi lovelies,

On Saturday (15 March 2014) I was very lucky to attend the Rain Durban blogger meet.  The meet was hosted by Rain at the beautiful Makaranga Lodge.

Makaranga Lodge is one of the most beautiful venues.  Lush green gardens and beautiful decor.  I can hardly believe that such a beautiful place exists so close and in the middle of a residential area.  It looks like it is in the middle of nowhere in a gorgeous forest.  I also think it fits so perfectly with the Rain brand.

We also met Tracey from Tsonga. Tsonga is hand made, genuine leather shoes and bags.  The most beautiful shoes and bags you will ever see.  Tracey gave us each a shoe to try and hand stitch it ourselves.  It took us a good 10 – 15 minutes just to figure out how it is done and it is not easy.  The ladies who make these shoes can make a pair in 40 minutes!  From start to finish.  It is just incredible.  These shoes are also 100% genuine luxury leather so it makes your shoes breathable.  That means no more sweaty feet no matter how hot the day.  The bags are just exquisite too and Tsonga had one to give away which lucky Mika won.  Nicola won the voucher from Tsonga.    

I am a huge fan of Rain products.  I have been using the Rain aloe & avo hand butter (post coming soon) and it is amazing.  Going to the event I knew that the products are amazing and the brand is one I would and do support all the way. Hearing the Rain story and meeting some of the Rain family was just incredible.  If I wasn’t a big fan before I am now an enormous fan.  First we learnt about some of the ingredients they use and the health and beauty benefits of these.  Marula, Boabab and Kalahari Melon are just to name a few.  Ronel then shared with us how Rain started as a job creation project and all the Rainmakers were unemployed, homeless or live in abusive situations.  How Beverly Missing, the owner, does whatever it takes to create a job for someone who needs it desperately.  How these Rainmakers pour their love into the making of these products.  That’s right, Rain products are hand made in the factory in Swellendam by these very Rainmakers.  I am so incredibly humbled by their stories.

Ronel also treated us to a hand massage.  The products smell so amazing that the whole area smelt heavenly.  It really was such a treat.  We were also treated to amazing food.  With a view like Makaranga and the smells of Rain, how could you not feel completely relaxed and at ease.  Something else that can make you completely at ease when you shop and use Rain products is their accreditations:

• COFTA – Council for Fair Trade in Africa
• WFTO – World Fair Trade organisation
• BWC – Beauty without cruelty (No animal products used, no finished product testing conducted on animals, no raw materials and ingredients tested on animals)
• SA Vegan Society (Products are endorsed by the SA Vegan Society except for the honey and beeswax products)
• Unashamedly Ethical (commitment to ethical business practices, no bribery, no corruption, no tax evasion)
• Phytotrade (an organisation from whom Rain sources their wild harvested African oils)
• CFTA – Cosmetic and Toiletries federation in South Africa.  (Controlling body for all cosmetics manufactured in South Africa.  Rain are members of this body)

All of this means Rain not only lives what they stand for and gives back but also delivers 100% on their promise:

• No parabens
• No petroleum jelly
• No mineral oil
• No liquid paraffin
• No petrochemicals
• No animal testing
• No child labour

I don’t know about you but I want to support a brand that not only talks the talk but walks the walk.  I was always a Rain fan but I am, and will always be, an avid RainRainger.

If you also want to read more about the health and beauty benefits of some of the ingredients used by Rain please read here.

To find out more about the Rain spa and the treatments they offer please read here.

To watch some videos and find out more about some of the Rainmakers and their inspirational stories (as well as some more about their spa treatments) you can find it here.

I want to say a huge thank you to Tanya, Ronel and Ryan and Yusuf (from Rain Gateway)  for a fabulous day surrounded by true beauty.  And pink cake!  Also a huge thank you for the amazing gift bag we received.  The Tree Mist is just fabulous.  I can’t wait to pop into the store again (and maybe lick some fizz balls 😉 )

You can find Rain on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also shop online.  To find your nearest store you can look here.  For Durban readers, Rain is in Gateway (shop F238 Near Barnyard) They even have some international stores.

You can find Tsonga on Facebook and twitter.

You can find Makaranga on Facebook or twitter.

I can highly recommend Rain.  Not only for the great products but for everything the brand stands for.  If you haven’t tried Rain yet then I suggest you find your nearest store and go check it out.  They also sponsored the Durban Polish Party so all those ladies will know what I mean 😉

 

Thanks for reading,