About ME

Hello, my name is Carmel and I’m a self-confessed “Craft-oholic”.

Aqua-Licious didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with curiosity, a love of creating things, and a brain that never seems to stop asking, “I wonder if I could make that?”

Before Aqua-Licious, I spent many years as a market trader and even had a spell making Fairy Doors from scratch. My husband Pat used to say I was away with the fairies — and, to be fair, he probably wasn’t wrong.

Then curiosity took me in another direction.

“Curiosity is a bitch.”

It has also been one of the greatest driving forces behind everything I do.

My journey into natural skincare started over eight years ago when I began looking at what I was putting onto my granddaughter’s skin. One product led to another, then another... and before I knew it, I was studying ingredients, experimenting, learning, perfecting recipes and creating my own natural skincare.

I never actually wanted to be known as “the soap woman” — although, ironically, soap was part of where it all began!

Today, Aqua-Licious has grown into something much bigger.

I handcraft an extensive range of natural skincare and wellness products for the whole family — from teenagers finding their first simple skincare routine, to hardworking hands and feet, body care, shaving, sleep, menopause, sports and recovery, and even a little natural care for our four-legged family members.

But for me, it has never been about filling shelves with products.

I want people to understand what they are using.

Know what’s in it. Know why it’s there. Know how to use it.

I believe good skincare doesn't have to be complicated, and beautiful products don't need layers of fancy packaging. I would rather invest in what goes inside the jar.

That is why reusable, recyclable, biodegradable and sustainable choices have become such an important part of Aqua-Licious. Simple packaging, natural ingredients and products made with purpose.

In 2022, I packed up my ingredients and headed to Belmullet, Co. Mayo, where I opened a little pop-up shop on America Street. It was my way of finding out whether having my own shop was really for me.

Four months later I came home with even more products, even more ideas and one definite answer:

Yes. I wanted my own shop.

And so Aqua-Licious found its home in Leixlip Village.

Over time, the shop has grown beyond skincare too. By listening to my customers — something I believe every small business should do — Aqua-Licious has developed a holistic side, with crystals, pendulums, angel cards, sound and vibrational wellness, and lots more.

Sometimes people come through the door looking for a product.

Sometimes they come looking for advice.

And sometimes they just need a chat and a friendly ear.

All three are welcome.

Aqua-Licious is still a small Irish business. Products are still made by hand. Ideas are still scribbled down when they pop into my head. Pat is still listening to my latest mad plan, and there is a very good chance I am still making something, changing something or learning something new.

And that's exactly how I like it.

When you buy from a small business, you are doing so much more than buying a product. You are supporting the person behind it, the family behind them, the ideas, the mistakes, the late nights, the learning and the dream that keeps the whole thing moving.

I have been incredibly lucky to have wonderful people supporting Aqua-Licious, walking through my door, ordering online, recommending me to friends, sharing my posts and coming back again.

So from me to you —

Thank you.

And as for that new bucket list I promised myself?

Well...

I think Aqua-Licious may have become it. ❤️

Carmel
Aqua-Licious
Supporting mind, body & spirit naturally. 🍀

This is my happy place. Natural Skin Care & Holistic Wellness, Aqua-Licious. 8 Main Street, Leixlip,

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