Q&A With Chloë Luxton

Q&A With Chloë Luxton

We recently had a chat with Chloë Luxton, founder of the natural bath & body brand Bramley. Just like us, Bramley is focused on using natural materials to create sustainable products made in the British countryside. We spoke to Chloë about starting a business, natural ingredients, and her sleep routine.

What inspired you to start Bramley?

A pub! My husband and I got married and moved out to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside to take on a pub, The Beckford Arms. It had eight bedrooms and when I was looking for products to put in the bathrooms I couldn’t find any - it was very much the era of miniature single use plastic bottles and artificial ingredients; so I decided to create my own. It was initially a capsule collection, entitled (in my head!) ‘everything you need for a night away’. I wanted each product to be the best it could be so, in my opinion, it’s the best hand wash, the most amazing hand cream and a gold medal winner shampoo!  

How is Bramley implementing its commitment to sustainability?

Sustainability is woven through everything that we do here at Bramley from the bottles we choose, to the ingredients we select, to where our warehouse waste goes - we like to have full transparency.  We are also hoping to achieve B Corp status later on this year, which is a very thorough programme that looks at all areas of your business and ensures you are doing the best you can in terms of people and planet. 

What is your favourite natural ingredient you use in your products?  

We use so many gorgeous ingredients in our products that it’s hard to choose but I think I have to say apple. We weave apple throughout our products as a nod to our name, but also because it is such a wonder ingredient, full of antioxidants and vitamins. We use every bit of the apple too, from the seed oil in our creams to the flesh and peel in our water based products and the blossom in our skincare; nothing goes to waste.  

What are your top tips to relax and unwind before sleep?

I like to start to wind down when I get back from work, so I will often take the dog out for a walk or go for a bike ride with one of my children (I love these longer, summer evenings). I also find cooking really relaxing so I will often choose a favourite recipe to cook for supper.  

If time allows, I will run a bath, light a candle and try to fully relax for 20 minutes (although often I’ll be interrupted by a child!). I make sure I take all of my make up off and nourish my skin with my favourite Raspberry Seed Illuminating Face Oil. 

Finally, I read a couple of chapters of my book, spritz my pillow with our Pillow Spray and put on my eye mask. I’m usually fast asleep within 30 seconds!

How does good quality sleep help you as a business owner? 

A good night’s sleep is so important to everyone as it’s whilst you sleep that your body gets to reset and repair, which allows you to wake up feeling rested and ready to go. It’s definitely the quality of the sleep that is important, rather than the quantity because sometimes I wake up early feeling like I can conquer the world and I check the clock and it’s still only 5.30 ( I should obviously just get up then but I do love the joy of a lie-in!).

As a business owner, sleep is key because you can make wrong decisions if you’re overtired. I do find that if something is worrying me I often wake in the early hours thinking about it. I find writing things down really helps so I have been known to write ‘to do’ lists or emails in the middle of the night. I know you’re not supposed to but it actually really helps me get back to sleep because it’s out of my head and not whirring around anymore. A spritz of our Pillow Spray and I’m off to the land of nod again!

To find out more about Bramley, visit their website at bramleyproducts.co.uk.