The Beijing Flea Market

Oh yes! One of our favourite markets is back in town. Check old and new vendors serving delicious delights, artisan potions and lotions, arts and crafts, chutneys and spreads, and fashionista one-off buys for your summer wardrobe. All that you need to revamp, restock and revitalize with this season will be here. Stop by and get browsing and buying! For more information contact WeChat: @liubatje or email: thebeijingfleamarket@gmail.com.

Free Entrance. Saturday May 18. 12.00pm – 6.00pm.  TechTemple 3rd Floor, 80 Office, 4th Courtyard, Gongti North Road, Chaoyang District (behind Qmex) 朝阳区工体北路4号院机电研究院80office3层（Qmex后面）坐电梯上3层

Loreli Affordable Art Market

Loreli Affordable Market presents a spring market to be held at El Nido @ The Other Place, where all the art, booze, and music happens! This is one of the coolest and hippest markets in town, a kaleidoscope fusion of art and music, perfect for lovers of paintings, graphics and more.  You can look forward to tunes from DJs of the day Dan R, Bass Ventura, and Isastrongword. While browsing illustrations, cards, prints, originals, and paintings, groove to an eclectic mix of bass, percussion, and horn and enjoy the creative vibe of the day.

Free Entry. Sunday April 7. 1.00pm – 6.00pm. El-Nido, The Other Place, 1 Langjiahutong, Beiluoguxiang 时间 4月7日（周日）下午1-6点 地址 北锣鼓巷郎家胡同1号方糖隔壁

The BSB Shunyi Car Boot Sale

Come and grab a bargain and delight in shopping savviness at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) Car Boot Sale. There will be lots of interesting items for sale by parents in the parking lot, as they go old school and take you back to the weekends you spent with your folks looking through the boots of cars and finding treasure you didn’t even know you were looking for. A percentage of the proceeds from the event with go to the charity Roundabout. For more information call: 8047 3588 or contact: marketing@bsbshunyi.com.

Free Entry. Sunday 14 April. 10.00am – 1.00pm. BSB Shunyi, South Side, 9 An Hua Street. Shunyi District 顺义区天竺开发区安华 街9号南

Rumble in the Jumble, Blue Skies

Once again our resident star of the markets takes up proud space at Modernista with their Blue Skies edition Rumble in the Jumble! Everyone loves a good Rumble and once again you can look forward to the artisan creations of a whole host of awesome vendors who make up the wonderful community of creative, passionate, and driven creators in Beijing. The theme is Blue Skies, for wherever you are from, we all dream of beautiful skies and fresh air. This month’s market pays homage to those who are working to protect the environment. There will be handcrafted jewelry, tasty vegan treats, home remedies, aromatic spices, spreads, and books galore! Go and enjoy these and so much more on offer.

Free Entry. Saturday 13 April. 12.00pm – 6.00pm. Modernista, 44 Baochao Hu Tong 包超胡同44号

Photos: courtesy of organizers

The digital hemisphere has been rampant with all things green and sustainability-focused, and now it’s time to honor Earth Day and align that stream of consciousness of yours with everything zero waste and green. The emerging concept of green consumption is of a practice that is strongly influenced by consumer values, norms, and habits and is closely related to the wonderful notion of sustainable development.

How can we better safeguard the environment through our consumer behaviors? How can we impact climate change, our ever-polluted seas and oceans, and skies in a positive way? It all starts with small but significant individual and collective habits. Start ‘Green Buying’ and go and get some inspiration at this year’s Eco Spring Fair.

Earth Day is a global event each year. As global ecological awareness grows, individual agency to help support environmental protection has also developed throughout the world – in towns and cities, and local hubs.  Earth Day, depending on where you are in the world, is a day of political and civic participation. Whether its planting trees, cleaning up your local area, making a pledge to take sustainability measures in your home and communities, every act has great purpose and no matter how minute, culminates with the endeavors of others to produce real change.

The Bookworm has invited 35 vendors from across the city and from the local communities of fine artists, handicraft makers, fashion designers, organic food vendors, charity groups, and more to stop by and show us how one can produce and consume the green way. Support Earth Day, while celebrating the wonderful things our community has to offer and positively contribute to the campaign for further ecological awareness in Beijing.

The Bookworm Eco Spring Fair, Apr 21
Ages 16+. Free. Noon-6pm. The Bookworm, Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District. 北京市朝阳区三里屯南街4号

Photos: Pixabay, poster courtesy of JC Zhang and The Bookworm

I’m back with more winter remedies to help you fight dry skin and hair during Beijing’s winter and beyond. This week will feature a few new kids on the artisan block, and if you’re looking for inspired natural and organic products for your hair and skin, look no further.

Nuobelle, Whipped Shea Butter and Super Moist Leave-in Conditioner

Nuobelle’s premise is all about handmade products using natural ingredients native to Africa. This brand takes great pride in promoting all the gorgeous vitamin rich oils and butters from the Continent that help to heal, sooth, grow, and moisturize.

Their products are particularly good for folks like me, who have natural hair of the coily, curly, afro type but is equally good for those who just need to revamp their cosmetics shelves at home with earthy, nutrient rich staples for any hair and skin type.

I’m a huge fan of shea butter, which is a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea (karite) tree. In its raw form it is usually the color of Ivory. I would advise staying away from the processed versions, which will look whiter in color. Shea butter is completely organic, adds shine, soothes the skin, and helps with hair breakage while adding nutrients to the scalp.

With all its benefits, I have sometimes personally found that shea butter, in its raw form, would often fail to penetrate the skin or have a lasting nourishing effect throughout the day. Instead a translucent or oily residue would settle on the surface of the skin and quickly evaporate under clothing, so you can imagine my delight when I tried Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto, which delivered on calming and moisturizing dry patches.

Light as a mousse, Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto is exactly that, whipped into a cloud that’s a joy to use. When placed in the hands, little air bubbles collapse into a less heavy oil that’s easy to apply and soaks directly into the skin. The butter, which has been created using grape seed oil, coconut oil, and almond oil is fragrance-free, and as described on its packaging, definitely contains love.

The Super Moist Leave-In conditioner is super in more ways than one. I have genuinely struggled to find the best product for my naturally coily hair and previously spent many months out of the year speed-dating all kinds of products that draw you in with promises of softer tresses. Made with raw honey, green tea, mint, and other essential oils, this sweet concoction (it literally smells like a candy store) hydrates and is one of the best detangling products I’ve had the pleasure of using.

Handmade with African pride. What’s not to love? WeChat: ahneetah11

M.E Soufflé, Sensitive Skin Edition

Hair and skin care company M.E is all about Mother Earth; her goodness and love, which manifest in the way nature is a gift that keeps giving. All around us are all the essentials we need for outer and inner well-being. M.E. is an acronym for Mother Earth or the Shona derivative “Amai” Earth. All their products are one hundred percent natural and organic.

Their mission is to seek out the best natural and organic oils from around the world; help their customers feel empowered, beautiful, and confident; and provide necessary and essential care and information throughout a customer’s natural hair journey. The premise of your journey may be for longer, stronger, softer hair, or a combination of all the above. Whatever your needs may be, M.E will have something to support you getting to your personal hair destination.

The Sensitive Skin Soufflé is made using shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil and can be used for the body and hair. The fluffy and light moisturizer is natural and sensitive enough to use on babies’ skin and was perfect for use when fresh out of the shower, while the skin is still a little damp. If using on the hair, apply to damp or dry hair, comb through and style. If you have a sensitive or dry scalp, I would apply some directly to the scalp and massage in after washing your hair.

This product when used on the hair is designed to add moisture and works specifically well with natural hair. If you don’t need to add oils to the hair, stick to using this awesome soufflé on the skin! I really enjoyed using this on the hands, neck and chest area, and also after a salt sea scrub (see below) on the feet.

The cream was soufflé-like and really added a nice sheen to my skin as a soothing edition to my morning routine. It was warming with a nutty scent and indulgently rich texture that melts into skin for hours of ultra-rich moisture.Check M.E. out on their website www.official-me.com or WeChat: puricake208

Enjoy Mother Earth and all of her gifts.

Soap Fresh So Clean, Artisan Baby Face and Diaspora Soap, and Foot Scrub

I’ve been a fan of Soap Fresh So Clean, ever since I saw these goodies on the vendor circuit, featuring in all the best-known and loved artisan markets. If you don’t know, you better get to know, because these soaps and scrubs are pure Beijing-winter-fighting essentials, that leave skin clean, refreshed, smelling great, and soft.

The company is dedicated to bringing you “bath products that clean the body and soothe the soul”, they have bars of luscious soap for sensitive, dry, and cracked skin. Whether you need a bar that exfoliates, moisturises, or both, Soap Fresh So Clean will have what you’re looking for. Each of the line’s artisan soaps specialize in an area to help with common skin problems. This brand offers products that are free from perfume, dyes, and other harmful ingredients that can lead to irritable skin, dryness, rough patches, and blemishes. They soothe and over time support reviving the skin, making it supple and gleaming with nutrients.

Both the Baby Face and Diaspora Soap add moisture, and the Diaspora edition is particularly good at exfoliating the skin. Each one can be applied directly to the skin or used with a loofah, flannel, or sponge of your choice. They lather up pretty nicely and rinse off, leaving squeaky-clean skin that’s soft to the touch. The marbling effects on the soaps are gorgeous and the natural fragrances are earthy and pleasant. Layers of nutrients, essential oils and butters make for indulgent showers or baths and of course make great little gifts. The soaps use generous amounts of olive, coconut and almond oils, not to mention natural butters that are rich in vitamin C.

The piece de resistance has to be the Soap Fresh So Clean foot scrub. Made using Himalayan sea salt, turmeric, olive oil, shea butter, peppermint essential oil, and avocado, among others, this alchemic remedy for tired and dry feet is everything a foot scrub should be and more. The peppermint and bergamot oils heal and sooth the skin, while the Himalayan sea salt helps to scrub away dead skin cells and calluses on the heel and balls of the feet. Yes!

I loved using this foot scrub on an evening, followed by generously moisturizing the feet with M.E’s Sensitive Skin Soufflé or Nuobelle’s Whipped Nkoto. Whip on a 100 percent cotton pair of soaks, and wake in the morning to gloriously smooth and supple feet!

Top Tip

Try and keep shea butter products in a dry and cool place in the home. This helps the butter to keep a balanced consistency that’s easy to apply to the skin. Apply to damp skin and if using at night on the feet or hands, wear a pair of cotton socks or gloves for a deep conditioning night routine.

Photos: Anita Maala, London Treece, Olivia

I don’t know about you, but with each winter in Beijing, comes yet again another struggle to find the right remedies to fight dry skin and hair. My extremely coily hair and sensitive skin always adds a new dimension to this annual dilemma, and that’s why the discovery of the following inspired artisan creations has me reveling in suppleness and natural scents.

VERVE, Handcrafted Loofah Soap, Turmeric and Lemongrass Natural Soap, and Natural Body Butter

I have been conducting a lot of research lately into recycling, upcycling, and minimalism. I automatically associated the need for minimalism in my life with clothing and objects in the home, but Verve’s Citrus and Rosemary Loofah Soap could quite possibly be the answer to decluttering your bathroom shelves, and using this as your single go-to cleanse item for your morning showers.

I’m not sure if I’m the last to the soap-show, but combining a gentle exfoliating loofah with vitamin-enriched soap is inspired, and so what I needed to help tackle the removal of dry skin, while at the same time nourishing and cleaning the body

Throw out old flannels, sponges, and tired loofahs for something that will most likely cut your shower or bath time in half (having a different cleanser or soap for different parts of the body has made showering quite the morning process for me), and enjoy immediately smoother and softer skin. The scent of Citrus Rosemary is quite divine in addition to making your skin fragrant with herbal and tropical notes. I was already sold when I read “Loofah Soap” – who wudda thunk it!

From its beautifully presented floral packaging, I took out the Turmeric Lemongrass soap. Lemongrass has long been a favorite natural scent of mine, and before you even unravel the blue ribbon on the packaging, tropical fragrances belonging to the islands of South East Asia greet you. This will be a mainstay in my bathroom and soothes, cleans, and moisturizes all in one. Verve soaps are also so beautiful to look at. Buy them as gifts, and give the gift of supple skin this Beijing winter.

The body butter may look and feel literally like butter, but penetrates the skin without leaving any oily residue. I would recommend this to those who have medium to very dry skin. It’s sumptuous and makes for an indulgent bath-time routine (if you happen to have one of very rare baths that exist in Beijing). Take your time when applying as you really need to deeply massage the butter into the skin, and use in combination with the Loofah Soap.

Make your purchase through The Bulk House using the QR codes below or pop into the Roundabout Boutique, Mon-Sat. 9pm – 4pm. Cathay View Plaza, 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District 香江北路2号

The Green Room, Face Serum, Belly Oil and Balm

I think it’s common knowledge in most circles interested in artisan beauty products that The Green Room’s selections of alchemic oils have been redefining how many of us view essential oils and their all-round benefits. In little frosted glass bottles, which are beautifully labeled with Victorian-esque herbology illustrations, are well-balanced elixirs for dry hair and skin.

Smelling like a spa, the Super Hydr8 Face Serum, used in combination with the Face Balm, will transport you to fields of wild flowers, and breathe supple and dewy life back into your skin. The Balm can be used as a gentle cleanser, make-up remover, and massage oil; massage the oil in and gently wipe off excess before applying the Serum. If you use a foundation or concealer, add a few drops of the Serum, which for me brightened my look, left a lasting finish, and softened the skin. If expecting (or not), use the Belly Oil to help build and maintain elasticity, while at the same time adding moisture and nourishment. I applied it to damp skin and used it as a daily belly rub!

The Belly Oil can also combat dry skin in babies and kids. Use as a moisturizer on top of a water-based cream, or add to your kid’s bath. My little one, like his mommy, has very sensitive skin and has been battling with dry patches. This oil works wonders and is fragrance free.

This brand has clearly paid attention to the refinement of blending oils for different uses and needs. Essential oils are not only for popping into your diffuser. The Green Room, among others are leading the way in how to use these wonderfully natural and healing ingredients to remedy almost every kind of beauty need. Wechat: TheGreenRoom

Velveteen’s Secret Potions, Galaelia Cleanser and Oriental Wisdom Serum

It’s time to talk DIRT. When thinking about protecting your skin during the long winter months in Beijing, one cannot but think about the dreaded pollution that clogs up the pores and leads to outbreaks of spots and patches of dry skin.

The colorful and whimsical packaging with a bohemian aesthetic mirrors the very personally crafted lotions and potions in Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s skin care collection. You can also find organic sprays and treatments for the home and if you ask nicely, founder Fran Hanshing can also concoct a solution for specific needs and uses (Hanshing made an awesome organic nappy balm for my baby, which was the best for his new born skin and came in a beautiful Chinese ceramic pot).

I have been using generic facial wipes to remove makeup and dirt from the skin. However, it’s always a struggle to remove mascara, and my skin is left feeling moisture-less and clammy. Enter the Galaelia Cleanser. This cleanser has totally revamped my daily dirt removal routine, making the process less of a chore and more of a luxurious excuse to carve out a little time in the evening to cleanse and clean the skin.

Using a single cotton pad, and two to three drops of Galaelia Cleanser, the removal of dirt and pollution residue from the face, neck, and upper chest was a breeze and left my skin feeling refreshed and clog-free. For make-up removal your go-to has to be La Pocion No.2, which can gently remove waterproof mascara and for me, the shockingly stubborn liquid bronzer I use to feign sun-kissed skin.

To complete my facial cleanse and makeup removal routine, I applied a few drops of the Supreme Oriental Wisdom Serum to the face, massaged it in and enjoyed woody notes of argan, lingzhi mushroom, ginseng, and lovage essential oils.Your skin will feel renewed and refreshed and, I kid you not, may even make your sleep sounder.

Hands are important! Treat them well, using Velveteen’s Secret Potion’s Abethia Velvet Hand Glove cream. I recommend purchasing some organic cotton gloves, washing your hands thoroughly, and generously applying some of this moisturizer. Sleep overnight with the gloves on to really help heal severely dry and calloused hands. WeChat: franhanshing

Top Tip: Natural soaps need to be kept in a dry place when not in use. Keep handcrafted natural soaps on a wooden soap dish with slates, holes or graded drainage to help make your soaps last longer. A diatomaceous earth soap tray is best.

The Bulk House

The Green Room

Velveteen

Photos: Sydney Bishop, Sarah O’Connell

The Riviera Club House will be hosting yet another family-friendly Sunday market full of all the usual favorites and more.

The weather is getting colder, but this one is worth wrapping up and getting everyone out to do some New Year browsing, selecting, and sampling. There are offerings for both parents and the little ones, with fashion and accessories, and a bouncy castle. There will also be other fun and varied activities for the kids to participate in, and a wide selection of local foods and wine to tantalize the grown-ups.

Stock up on seasonal and fresh foods, while you peruse the carefully selected products from community vendors offering beautifully crafted gifts and artisan goods. There is always a little something for everyone at the Riviera Sunday Market, which takes place once a month in the lobby area of the Beijing Riviera Country Club in Shunyi. It’s worth making this a regular staple for family weekend outings.

Riviera Sunday Market, Jan 13
Free. January 13. 11am– 4pm. 1 Xiangjiangbeilu Beijing Riviera Country Club (18701371080)北京市朝阳区京密路香江北路一号香江花园俱乐部

Photo: Julia Chen