It is hard to find the right skin cream or soap to suit your skin. Despite going through countless supermarket creams and trying out the more expensive salon brands, it is rare to find a product you like so much you will keep using it for life.

So why not try your hand at making your own organic beauty products, tailored to suit your skin type? That is exactly what Tortue Rouge is aiming to help you do. The company (whose name translates as Red Turtle) is owned by Petre Sefton, who was a successful businesswoman in the UK before learning first-hand about the power of plants to heal. An attack of septicemia left her with head-to-toe sores. "I looked like a plague victim " Petre told me. "I trudged the length of Harley Street seeing one dermatologist after another. And all they could do was pump me full of chemicals that wrecked my insides. Then a girlfriend recommended I see an aromatherapist. This amazing lady made me a balm full of essential oils and mixed herbal tinctures to kill the bacteria still coursing through my system. The effects were rapid and amazing. Within weeks I looked human again and I had a new purpose.
Convalescence turned into a quest to know as much as possible about the power of plants to heal; the Tortue Rouge project was born! "

Now, Petre passes on her knowledge to others through practical workshops that require no previous experience of participants, who come from literally all over the world. There's an introductory two-day Make Your Own Organic Beauty Products course which teaches the principles of soap making and the preparation of hand balms, massage bars, and body oils - all with the aim of encouraging people to think about what they are putting on their skin. Petre demonstrates how to make simple but effective products that are easily produced at home.

And "home from home" is a good way to describe the beautiful old buildings that make up Alabrena in the idyllic setting of Laval de Nize, just outside the pretty village of Lunas. Not 15 minutes from the A75 and a further 40 to Montpellier International Airport, this secret sylvan valley offers a tranquility and charm rarely found these days. Two characterful old buildings have been lovingly renovated to a high standard and furnished with antiques from all over the world. The effect is stylish, but rustically so - the aim being to retain the charm and character of the originals.
One delighted holiday-maker explained: "I came expecting to learn about making my own beauty products but I really wasn't expecting the beauty of the area, the gorgeous food, and to leave again feeling as if I'd had a holiday and not just a workshop".

Other courses on offer include an ‘Introduction to Aromatherapy', ‘Applied Aromatherapy' for those already familiar with the basics and ‘Unwind for Life' which shows you how to use plants to control your stress levels and teaches techniques which assiduously applied will ban stress from your life forever!

And it's not only us mere mortals who are looking for ways to save money on our beauty regimes. British singer Janey Lee Grace spoke recently on the Steve Wright show on BBC Radio 2 about how much she enjoyed participating in the course ‘Where Art meets Science', and how thrilled she was to be able to make her own signature organic fragrance. They also offer Perfume weekends - men welcome too - where you can learn the role plants can play in our emotional healing.

The Domaine d'Alabrena was named after the old occitan word for salamander - increasingly threatened, they thrive in the pure waters of the river that runs through the domaine. The gorgeous main building features four ensuite bedrooms (two of which have their own sun terraces) a swimming pool, wild flower gardens and riverside terraces. A second old stone building houses seven double/twin ensuite rooms, and has its own private kitchen and dining area, which will open next year, making it the most perfect place for private parties. With an onsite massage therapist and the facilities of the main building guests can be as independent or as pampered as they wish!

While prices (ranging around the €350 mark pp for a weekend) may seem expensive for making a few beauty products they include ensuite accommodation at the domaine, breakfast and lunch and all the materials you use during your stay. And remember, despite the payout now, think of all the money you will save in the long run through making your own beauty products at home!

FR2DAY will be sending a reporter down to meet Petre and the team soon so be sure to keep your eye out here for more about Tortue Rouge.

For more visit the Tortue Rouge website or for perfume courses check out Golearnto.com