A BUSINESS started in a kitchen with excess beeswax has scooped two national awards.

Sue Bagley has enjoyed a rise to the top after launching Bee Pure Products from her Haddington home.

Last month, the eco-beauty business was awarded two silver medals at the first ever Free From Gifts Awards.

Mum-of-four Sue said: “This all began when we started keeping bees three years ago and I made some natural skin balm from the excess beeswax.

“I’m beyond thrilled for my eco-beauty products to have been recognised by the Free From Gift Awards; I still can’t quite believe that something that started in my kitchen could have grown so fast.”

The awards were launched this year by the same team behind the annual Free From Skincare Awards.

The new awards ceremony, featuring businesses from across the country, aims to celebrate the best beauty gift sets, skincare trial packs and cosmetic stocking fillers from brands which manufacture products that are ‘free from’ some of the allergens, chemicals, additives and fragrances associated with skin sensitivities, allergies, and ethical, environmental and health concerns.

The announcements were made following a testing and assessment process which concluded with expert panel judging sessions, conducted via video-conferencing due to pandemic restrictions.

Mrs Bagley, whose husband Simon is a GP at Cromwell Harbour Medical Practice in Dunbar, took silver medals in the eco and green, and mixed skincare categories.

Her business, which was formed just over three years ago, makes soaps, skin balms, body butter and natural deodorants, all beeswax based, chemical and palm oil free, made with natural and organic oils and using biodegradable packaging with no plastic.

The 48-year-old started making the products in her home. They quickly proved popular with friends and family, who suggested she should branch out into the business.

The nurse practitioner said: “We have got a relative, Simon’s aunt, who keeps bees. We quite liked the idea and were both quite interested in wildlife conservation and ecological projects.”

The family moved into their home about 15 years ago and have spent time transforming the garden into a wildlife paradise.

As well as keeping bees, which are now kept at Boggs Holdings, the family have cats and dogs, and have also been involved in the rescue of a number of birds, including chickens, pigeons and a rook.

For more information, go to beepure.scot