The most special thing about turning 51 is that I'm now older than both my mom and dad were. It's strange, and I feel a little bit of it today.
At the same time, I feel strongly that they are with me in this transformation – from the cold ghost farm my father took over from his uncle, to today's vibrant Vossabia with regenerative drive and enthusiasm. In the spirit of my great-grandparents. I am proud, and I know they are proud too.
Jonathan is a flower that had to fit in the basket. And amidst the rose, the ant, and the nettle, I couldn't fool him into believing that I'm 31 today.
Picking in unstable western weather 🌿
Finally some nice days came! We have been out every day picking and picking – on the absolutely essential plants that are the foundation of Vossabia. The weather in Westland has been particularly bad this year, so I am a little worried about whether we will get enough nettles.. But, it always works out, it's just a matter of persevering as we say in Voss.
Ylva and I had a particularly nice picking day two days ago. We were in great shape and also experienced perfect timing where we got the most beautiful and largest red clovers there are! Furry, thick, plum-sized red clovers that stood out and also spread a dizzying sweet scent, absolutely magical! Just a shame for Ylva who had a stuffy nose, poor thing 😉
Great joy when perfect red clover appears in large quantities! And it makes your back, butt and thighs strong from standing bent over for hours!!
Yesterday the capricious weather really showed its "fun" side, when I sent Ylva and Helene out to pick the first St. John's wort of the year, in brilliant sunshine and lovely warmth. 5 minutes later it was lightning, thunder and torrential rain. So there was a handful of St. John's wort that quickly went into alcohol to be made into a tincture when we might get to pick a lot more today. Or wait, there was a shower... 🌧️
The bright yellow flower yields a bright red tincture, even before we can properly fill the glass.
That's how summer is going here! Because we DO NOT pick in bad weather! It's not good for the plant, and it won't be good for the product. Only the best quality here, and of course it's about how we treat the plants from meadow to pot.
European Natural Beauty Awards ✨
It is perhaps precisely this honest, manual and regenerative process – from meadow to pot – that has led us to be nominated again this year for one of the strictest and most credible awards for natural beauty in Europe: the European Natural Beauty Awards !
These three products achieved the Excellence Award at the European Natural Beauty Awards last year – and of course we have collected them in a Star Pack !
Not just any brand or product has a chance to be in this competition. The whole goal of ENBA is to celebrate those who truly contribute and are pioneers in Europe in the field of genuine natural cosmetics, and to prevent greenwashing (which is very common).
Last year, Vossabia was the only Norwegian brand to participate, but this year it is great that a total of 3 Norwegian brands have been nominated. Finland and France are the countries in Europe that really excel with natural cosmetics and they have dozens of brands and products in the competition.
This year, Vossabia is nominated with four good old classics I have developed over the years:
- Mint Lips – our very first product (other than honey), almost became a cult product
- Chamomile balm from 2004 - a brilliant all-in-one balm that helped with everything from dry heels to difficult psoriasis and troublesome itching
- Eye balm from 2007 - soothing for swollen and sensitive eyes, a life-saver
- Rosemary Hair Serum – full of herbs from the garden that nourish both hair, skin and scalp.
These four products are nominated this year!
What does ENBA say about what it means to be nominated?
"The European Natural Beauty Awards (ENBA) is an international award that honors the best natural beauty products in Europe. What makes ENBA truly unique is its strict selection criteria: Only products made with at least 99% ingredients of natural origin are considered.
Being nominated for ENBA is a major seal of quality. It means that the product has passed a thorough review of the ingredients, meets the highest requirements for natural formulation, and is among the most conscious beauty products in Europe. On average, less than 20% of submitted products make it through the eyes of the experts each year.
What happens next?
The jury is made up of 100 people – 50 European profiles from 36 countries representing conscious consumers, as well as retailers, certification bodies, sustainability experts and leading journalists in the beauty industry. This unique blend of professional knowledge and consumer perspective ensures a fair, open and credible assessment.
The full shortlist for 2025 is now public, marking the official start of the awards journey. ✨ Out of over a thousand applications, these 219 products have distinguished themselves for their quality, integrity and commitment to natural beauty.
Last year, Vossabia came home with the Excellence Award for three products , and it was great to be at the award ceremony!
