Enter the world of sustainable cosmetics
We make sure that sustainability is embedded in all elements of the Nona Luisa® story, from the choice of ingredients to the final packaging. Since 2013.
We are a family business from Slovenia that builds its vision on trust
and customer satisfaction. Respect for nature and society has been an important guide for us on this path.
If you choose to use Nona Luisa®'s products, you also make a decision to pamper your body in an all-natural way, without polluting the environment.
Read more about our story
Our philosophy
Sustainable ingredients
We use ingredients from the shortest possible supply chain, so we produce many of them ourselves or get them from the local area. All ingredients are from ethical production and fair trade. They are also as little processed as possible. The products do not contain refined fats, palm oil and animal fats.
Traditional recipes
We respect the local tradition of making natural cosmetics. Soaps are made with the traditional cold process. They carry the Slovenian Handicraft Certificate. Cosmetics also contain extracts made by traditional maceration procedures.
The latest scientific findings
The products are created taking into account the latest scientific findings in the field of cosmetology, toxicology and ecology. We upgrade traditional recipes with sustainable ingredients, the effectiveness of which is supported by scientific research.
Face of the brand and the idea for making sustainable cosmetics
Hi, I'm Katjuša,
an ecologist by heart and education. Under the name of Nona Luisa®, I started a brand where we create sustainable cosmetics that are beneficial for our skin and are not harmful to our environment. All ingredients are carefully selected and 100% natural, so they don't accumulate in aquatic organisms.
I believe that everyone can emphasize their beauty with the help of the invaluable power of nature and without the use of harmful chemicals that endanger the health and pollute our Mother Earth.
When it comes to the packaging of our products, I always make sure that it can be recycled or reused. I also followed this principle when designing our physical store in Šmartno, where all the furniture is recycled. I love collecting old items, and upon your visit, you can notice the carefully selected ones. that were once used.
Interesting facts about our products
We have been producing sustainable cosmetics since 2013
The products are suitable for vegetarians, mostly also for vegans.
They apply to the needs of our modern society as they are effective, useful and as nurturing as possible.
Short supply and sale chain of ingredients and products.
All products are handmade, with great care and love.
They contain only natural dyes and fragrances.
They are made at low temperatures to preserve as many active ingredients as possible.
They are made in small batches, which means that the products are always fresh.
They follow the principle of zero waste.
They are nicely packaged in sustainable packaging that ensures the longest possible shelf life of the active ingredients in the products.
Why are Nona Luisa® cosmetics sustainable?
We use safe ingredients
During my doctoral studies in toxicology, I became more familiar with the ingredients that surround us every day. While analyzing cosmetics on the market, I found that many products contain unsustainable ingredients that can also be hazardous to health. In addition, they impoverish the skin in the long run and cause many skin problems.
That's why in my products I don't use mineral oils, artificial fragrances, parabens, aluminum, sulfates and other unsustainable ingredients that could be a danger to our health and skin.
We work in harmony with nature
As an ecologist, I am also concerned about the many negative effects of commercial cosmetics on the environment. Their main ingredients are from non-renewable sources, the products have a long mileage, are made with energy-intensive technological processes, are not biodegradable and are unsustainably packaged.
My artworks contain elements that respect sustainability and care deeply about the environment. The products have a minimal carbon footprint. They are concentrates, without unnecessary fillers, they consume less packaging and are more nourishing and durable.
We craft in a socially responsible way
Unfortunately, the economy of large cosmetic corporations is too often based on the exploitation of non-renewable resources, people and society as a whole.
The social aspect is also very important to me when it comes to choosing the ingredients. I always check their origins, make sure they are from fair trade, ethically sound, and I don’t use palm oil. I acquire, create and sell as many local products as possible. In this way, I can contribute the most to the local environment and at the same time provide fresh products of the highest quality. In business, I only work with socially responsible companies and family businesses.
Nona Luisa® store in Šmartno since 2013
Sustainability in the physical store
The concept of sustainability was also included in the construction of the store in Šmartno. The equipment of the store consists of carefully selected, restored old Brda cupboards and recycled old items.
Slovenian handicraft certificate
Nona Luisa® natural soaps
are labeled as cottage industry products. The expert commission of the section for cottage industry at the Chamber of Craft and Entrepreneurship of Slovenia ranked Nona Luisa®'s natural soaps among the products of cottage industry products. All soaps carry the Slovenian Handcraft Certificate on the basis of decision 7639-02 / 13.
The certificate is a confirmation of the authenticity and quality of the products.
family bussines
Why the name Nona Luisa?
I come from a farming family from Briška, and we have always been closely connected with nature. The hills of Goriška border Italy, which is why Italian is involved in our dialect. You've probably heard the word before "his", which comes from Italian and means "grandmother"? Both my nuns were called Alojzija. They called both of them affectionately »Luisa«. Brand name Ninth Louise it also combines the memory of ancestors and life in this wonderful region.
At the same time, it also covers our philosophy - we incorporate traditional knowledge into the modern needs of society. Our ancestors were well aware of the benefits of natural cosmetics. They also knew how to make it. With the advent of synthetic ingredients, traditional knowledge was forgotten or even lost. Nona Luisa's name represents a concept, where tradition is connected with modernity.
Our family business strives to revive old recipes, incorporating the latest scientific findings and sustainably grown ingredients.
Nona Luisa® in the media
Magazine Pomagaj si sam, number 66, 2024, article Something beautiful, fragrant, precious from Brd.
Metropolitan , the article When the family's only source of income dried up overnight, a new opportunity presented itself is available here .
ELLE Décoration, Fête des mères 2022, Top 40 ideas to buy a gift for Mother's Day. The article is available here .
Briški časnik, number 102, spring 2021. The article is available here .
Viva la vida , Katja Grudnik's blog. The recording is available here .
Success stories , Channel A. The recording is available here .
On to the nicer one , which is available here .
The contribution can be found from 19:20 min.
Radio Prvi, you can read the recording here .
Travel Valley , article available here
Netherlands tourism website , article is
accessible here .
Floral colored , blog. The recording is available here .
Impressions from Šmartny and the shop were summarized by the Russian visitor and
wrote here .
In the German newspaper Spiegl , the link is available here .
Briški časnik number 72/13 autumn 2013 on page 56.
The magazine is available here
Primorske novice, May 11, 2013, in Saturday
supplement: Natural soaps that pamper all the senses.
Briški časnik number 70/13/spring 2013 on page
32.
Diary, March 12, 2013: Have you tried washing your hands with
rebulo, figami?
Sunday, March 10, 2013, on page 27:
When the bathroom smells of coffee.
Primorski dnevnik Saturday March 9, 2013 no. 57
on page 14: Soap made from oil, ribula, nettle, figs...
Briška newspaper number 69/13/winter 2012 on the page
46 . The magazine is available here .