Discover Benelux | Special Theme | Innovation and Knowledge in the Netherlands

Home-brewed beauty TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK | PHOTOS: ERICA LINGER

Ever wondered what is really in your beauty products? Making them yourself might be the only way to know for sure. Fed up with over-packaged cosmetics full of chemicals, Erica Linger decided to make the process of creating pure and natural beauty fixes easy and fun. Necessity and passion were the main ingredients Linger used to set up DIY Soap in 2015. “For years I have had trouble finding products that suit my daughter’s sensitive skin. Most companies use unnecessary packaging and are unclear about their products’ ingredients – bad for our skin and bad for our environment.” Finding the right amount of ingredients seemed more difficult than actually cooking up cosmetics. DIY Soap collects and measures out the right amounts, avoiding the fuss and leaving just the actual cooking. Every

product has a clear description of the ingredients attached to it, such as almond oil, coconut or orange extract.

Sustainable packaging and social responsibility are essential. Linger collaborates with a day activity centre for those with intellectual disabilities to help with the production process, and works exclusively with recyclable materials. “I hope that with DIY Soap I can support people in their independence, both by promoting homemade natural products and creating employment opportunities.” Linger’s favourite product? “The product that started off DIY Soap: the Rich Body Cream. Super for people with dry skin and fun to make.” More ideas are constantly in the making. “I would like to offer a homemade alternative for make-up. That’s where my inventive side kicks in,” she adds. “If you think and try hard enough, you can do anything yourself!”

www.diysoap.nl

Travelling on a whole other level TEXT: BERTHE VAN DEN HURK | PHOTO: THEO MOLENAAR

For those who want a great holiday without the large hotels and hordes of tourists, Better Places offers the chance to see a country and meet its inhabitants in an authentic style. Better Places is an online platform that connects adventurous voyagers with travel professionals living in a particular holiday destination. These can be Dutch, Belgians or other ‘real’ locals. What they have in common is a passion for travel and an expanse of knowledge about a destination. Together with the travel specialist you design your trip exactly as you want it, making it completely customised and tailor made. The local experts can offer advice and make recommendations about all kinds of special places, from small-scale accommodations to nice restaurants. Saskia Griep, founder 20 | Issue 29 | May 2016

of Better Places explains the company ethos: “We strongly believe in utilising local knowledge and experience. An expert, who knows all about the area, is someone who understands what you want, and arranges your customised trip.” These specialists are constantly looking for new places and locations and are always up to date. Real contact with real people While sightseeing is certainly enjoyable, it is not what makes a trip special. A holiday becomes extraordinary when we make unforgettable memories and meet wonderful people, some that may even become friends for life. This company’s special ‘Better Places’ are the spots where you stay longer and gain a completely different perspective on a country and its people - maybe even on your

own life. By cooperating with local travel professionals, you will have the chance to create a unique travel experience and memories that will last a lifetime. www.betterplaces.nl www.fairaway.de