An all-natural conversation with Alexandra Hulley of Nectrous Botanicals
Alexandra Hulley’s life-long fascination with natural ingredients and the infinite ways they can be blended is what inspires each unique, expertly hand-crafted soap bar by Nectrous Botanicals.
Alexandra Hulley’s life-long fascination with natural ingredients and the infinite ways they can be blended is what inspires each unique, expertly hand-crafted soap bar by Nectrous Botanicals. As botanical lovers, working with Nectrous to craft the Grower’s Hand Soap for the first Marketplace collection was a natural fit. Inspired by the nourishing brilliance of the sun, Grower’s Hand Soap features fresh balsam fir, bright lemongrass, and sweet bergamot, all folded into a moisturizing blend of pure plant oils. This bright and aromatic soap revitalizes the skin and senses in an homage to long days in the greenhouse, tending to plants.
We wanted to dig a bit deeper into Alexandra’s passion for botanicals and natural ingredients, so we asked her a few questions to unearth her love of plants, because we can surely relate.
How did you get started with Nectrous Botanicals?
Nectrous started through an exploration of scent. I got really into perfumery and was playing around with different mediums, so I tried my hand at soap making one day. I was instantly obsessed. Things really escalated from there.
How did you get started with Nectrous Botanicals?
Plants are the core of everything that I create. When I realized I could create products using plants that nourished and moisturized skin while smelling and feeling incredible with no need for synthetics or harmful chemicals, it was a revelation. I am endlessly inspired by and in awe of the beneficial properties and potency of pure plant oils and extracts.
How do I want this scent to make me feel? Where do I want to be transported to? How do I want it to benefit my skin? Once I have a fully fleshed out concept, I move to my favourite part—formulation.
In what way does Nectrous fulfill you creatively?
Plants are the core of everything that I create. When I realized I could create products using plants that nourished and moisturized skin while smelling and feeling incredible with no need for synthetics or harmful chemicals, it was a revelation. I am endlessly inspireI’m so grateful I started experimenting with soap making, because Nectrous checks so many of my creative fulfillment boxes. I think of soap as a full sensory experience. Each varietal I create will start with me answering questions like: How do I want this scent to make me feel? Where do I want to be transported to? How do I want it to benefit my skin? Once I have a fully fleshed out concept, I move to my favourite part—formulation. I love figuring out what exact oil blend will produce the properties I want, and tweaking recipes until the scent and lather and feel is just right. The aesthetic side is so fun, too. There are endless designs to make and colours to experiment with. It never gets boring. d by and in awe of the beneficial properties and potency of pure plant oils and extracts.
What values do Nectrous and Pure Sunfarms share that encouraged a partnership?
Pure Sunfarms is dedicated to plants and plant cultivation in such a beautiful way, using a blend of traditional and state-of-the-art farming techniques that I think is fascinating, and can fully relate to. The other thing is the people at Pure Sunfarms. Everyone I’ve met from the team has reinforced that they’re good people, with good intentions, doing great things. These are qualities and values that we both share.
What inspired the aromas in the Grower’s Hand Soap?
The Grower’s Hand Soap is inspired by long days in the garden and the bright summer sun. Plants thriving under the nourishing sun makes me think of bright fresh citrus anchored by earthy green, woven together by subtle sweet calming scents—so that’s what I set out to make. I wanted to create something that brought on a bit of that summer feeling, regardless of the season.
