“Since 1988,my work has been the testimony of an ancient tradition of Italian Herbalism in the U.S.”.
“From a dream of quality, herbs and alchemy came a business.”Ms Carmen Miraglia
continuing......
Born and raised in the Southern Italy, into a centuries old tradition, I
refined my knowledge studying herbs and their therapeutical benefits for the
health and beauty, with herbalist monks in the Italian country side.This
allowed me to discover and access a vast library of information and philosophy
of the Authentic Italian Beauty Culture, with all its history, practices and
work of herbalist monks and physicians from the 15th century.
Part inherited part collected, I accumulate a considerable knowledge and
methods of the phyto/aroma cosmetics, improving and optimizing classic
formulations, combining science with nature to make the world’s finest
cosmetics and perfumes. After spending several years working in the family
pharmacy, where each cream was made of fresh fruits, essential oils and herbs
with no preservatives that expired after two to three weeks.
I remember as a
young girl in the summer my aunts making me creams out of fresh herbs and
fruits and how amazing that was every summer. I expanded into making custom
cosmetics for some of Italy’s leading families. These custom cosmetics caused a
sensation, being that each product was custom blended specifically for each
client’s skin type. Of course all was done on a small scale and before I
dedicate my entire time in developing ERBE, I collaborate part time as a
product developer for some of Europe’s most prestigious cosmetic companies, I
found myself frustrated with the synthetic nature of the products I was
developing under request, so I decided to do what my ancestors have been doing
for centuries and put it in packages and sell it on a larger scale.
· Growing up in Italy it was customary to be acquainted with
the natural healing methods from the folk medicine, everyone knows that
Chamomile soothes and Rosemary stimulates. These plants are our foundations
applied in the everyday life, including beauty receipts used for centuries and
improved overtime. As a former product developer, for other cosmetic companies,
I became more and more disenchanted with this world of ordinary formulations
with no functional activity but only for commercial purposes. I felt I had to
go back to what I knew best, personalized natural formulations, ready to use
receipts for beauty and personal hygiene, based on extremely pure ingredients
and without additives or chemicals but no shelf life. They were classic
preparations previously available only custom made in local pharmacies. Soon my
small artisan activity became a business and started researching for the
appropriated additives to incorporate in my formulations, without altering or
diminishing the effects of the botanical ingredients but, enhancing their
efficacy to convey and maintain the properties of our herbs, roots and flowers.
We rely on the work of family
owned business for years who are determined to continue and maintain a
traditional method of manufacturing passed on from generation to generation. We
work very close for over 25 years now. Actually the new generation is more
dedicated to quality, they have chosen to improve and grow with particular
attention to quality and integrity. From our sources of the plants, their
transformation and their employment, we control every aspect of production,
including our packaging and designs. My suppliers, my graphic designer, my lab
collaborators and I have formed a trustworthy team and by learning from each
other, we create these products that are designed to be safe, functional and
pleasant to use.
ERBE specializes in plants
transformation, extractions and distillation.
Our product lines have their origin in the methods and practices of
Phyto/therapy (healing with plants) and Aromatherapy (healing with essential
oils)
That branch of Aromatherapy known
as aroma/cosmetica uses the power of
penetration through the tissues of the essences, to
establish beauty treatments that are not limited to the
surface of the skin but, to be corrected in a
stable cells renewal process. The therapeutic properties of
the essential oils in pharmacology are also the foundation
of their special and profound action in dermo-cosmetics.
Essential oils perform the function of stimulating the exhausted
tissues, promote cell renewal and maintain constant the level of
purification. The best results are obtained with blends
of essential oils that work synergy with oils or
creams or emulsions and extractions. The most recent
research has developed dermo-cosmetic functional
products based on specific essences for various
treatments that integrate the therapeutic
aspect-base with the aesthetic. More practically, the
plants can be considered as a laboratory containing many
chemicals, extractable in different ways depending on the
method used. From each of these methods it is possible
to obtain a final product with specific requirements
and characteristics, with specific therapeutic
indications. The extractive techniques applied
to material of vegetable nature, are employed as well
as for obtaining the pure active principle, removing unwanted
components from the plants. Aroma-cosmetics are based on the
therapeutic action of extracted herbs and flowers and essentials oils. The
sources and quality of the row natural ingredients play a primary role, harvest
must occur in season and in the (balsamic time) when the plants offer the most
of their therapeutic properties
I think the absolute pure scent of
the products is a consistence positive first approach.
The natural, delicate and elegant smell that characterizes all our products, is
inviting and evocative, creating an immediate feeling of trust and confidence
for a traditional and solid history of cosmetic manufacturing and not just
another cosmetic brand with no other origin but a lab born chemical
product.Texture also plays a big role and after using ERBE products, the
biggest comment I hear “ it really worked for me, cannot go back to other
commercial products” . What is remarkable is that I still have a
faithful and growing clientele for so many years without ever making an
advertising campaign.
There
are “chemicals” deriving from plants and “transformed” into a preservatives or
antibacterial that may complete or enhance the functional activity of the
plants. Essential oils, in their pure form and extracted in a safe way, are
great preservatives and anti-oxidants, if we extract the active principal of
the Lemon, we obtain the “ascorbic acid” used as a preservative and so on. Many
plants, once they go under a transformation process may assume a fantasy name,
we rigorously select the additives to incorporate in our products. The process
of “transformation”, of vegetal origin ingredients, is fundamental to realize
our line of products.
The first “ maestro” is the work
of famous herbalist physicians from the 15th centuries.
They were the first to codify and create beauty products as we know them today.
But, I must say that the fascinating and charming word of the women in my life
as I was growing up, had the strongest influence in my future chooses. Their life
style, the attention they had towards beauty and health, my mother exchanging
receipts and beauty secrets with friend, and the smell of the flowers in our
evenings promenades, made me realize that that was the world I
wanted to leave in, a simple and elegant life style made of quality and care.
Confidence and trust are the major
assets we have had all along our retail operation. I learned that people are
not just consumers, I felt all the way that there is a lack of professional
skills among retail operators, they undervalue the power of honesty
and loving approach with clients. Is all aimed to make a quick sale and not to
cultivate a clientele. When I was running the retail operation, I found that
people need to feel unique and important, they have to trust that the product
suggested is the perfect and appropriate product for them. Of course this have
to be sustained by a trained personnel
There are many good memories starting
with my clients bringing their teen age children from great compliments I had
from several celebrity clients but, the most moving thing is when I saw people
regaining a youthful skin and appearance a see their total satisfaction and happiness.
I have to admit that most of the people who have been using ERBE
products methodically for a long time, they kept a younger skin and vs. people
who did not.
Everyone knows Chamomile soothes, Rosemary
stimulates, Mallow soothes if the gums are irritated, or Calendula cream helps
if your skin is flaking dry. In Italy it is our everyday life, we always used
natural remedies to cure minor ailments, mixing and blending mixtures of herbs
for all kinds of needs. The association of various different herbs in one
single product is the key to aim at various skin conditions. These associations
and relative ratio of dosages is a precise science and this is what makes all ERBE’sMoisturizers the best appreciated products in our
lines. Our skin care products contain a blend of truly precious essential oils
and extracts, designed to target a wide range of skin conditions. Our blends
contribute in enhancing the skin’s immune system, improve the appearance of
dull skin, refresh and rejuvenate, while also delaying signs of aging.
I see there is an empty space
in the market for true herbal products, I would like to cover that market.
There is a growing public seeking natural products but it is difficult to
discern among the many so called “ natural” “organic” brands. There is a lot of
confusion and I feel is important for me to be distinguished by that type of
categories because, regardless of their claim, in reality most cosmetic company
uses the same commercial bases as everyone else, synthetic or “reconstructed”
essential oils and inert row ingredients. So far ERBE has been recognized as
the only brand reflecting the Authentic Italian Beauty Culture and my plan is
try to pursue this concept with integrity and innovations.
ERBE has been bringing the Italian cosmetics in the United States by embracing and modernizing the work of 15th and 16th century Italian herbalists, physicians and herbalist monks from celebrated monasteries,and combining our local and centuries-old knowledge of the Italian beauty culture formulations with the most recent cosmetics preparation's procedures and modern technology. Our practices are informed by the accumulation of information that has been researched, tested, improved, and enhanced over hundreds of years.
for more information about our exlcusively made in Italy skin care line go to
