Mee Beauty was born from her desire to create 100% natural beauty products. She has created 5 skincare products that are all infused with raw honey straight from her beehives. Honey is known to have 3 essential properties that are beneficial for the skin. As a natural humectant, honey attracts and retains moisture; its antibacterial quality inhibits bacterial growth; and as an antioxidant, it has the ability to clean up oxygen free radicals that may damage cells.
“Mee” is “Honey” in Chinese. Honey is created by honeybees as a food source. A honeybee first collects nectar from flowers then it is transferred to another honeybee; an enzymatic reaction takes place which turns the nectar into honey. It is then regurgitated and deposited into a cell within the honeycomb. Honey is formed when the honeybees fan the nectar until only approximately 16%-18% water is left. At this point, the honeybee will seal the honey by putting a layer of wax over the cell and it is now preserved. Honey is the only food on earth that will never spoil as long as the water content remains at a low level.
For Ruth, it all began when her children begged for a dog, but instead she bought them three chickens. Raising chickens was rewarding and soon beekeeping piqued her interest so much that she didn't hesitate to sign up for NYCBA's course in beekeeping. Timing was perfect! The ban against beekeeping in New York City was lifted just as Ruth completed her beekeeping course. Ruth has 9 beehives in Douglaston, Queens and on an organic farm on Staten Island. Being with her bees is meditative which allows her to reboot from a busy work week and raising her four children.
Ruth’s husband Matt enjoys spending time in the bee yard assisting Ruth among all the hundreds of thousands of bees. With Matt’s creative background, he designed all aspects of the website and packaging.
Permaculture is what Ruth and Matt strive for in Queens. They grow vegetables and flowers from seeds; they compost; use rain barrels; their pets with benefits reward them with fresh eggs and honey. Ruth also teaches kids yoga and works on mosaic tiling. She warns that next time someone begs you for a dog…you never know where it might lead.
Ruth is a core member of the New York City Beekeepers Association which teaches and advocates beekeeping.
Mee Beauty consists of
Bee Kissed lip balm (retail $5)
Bee Moisturized body lotion (retail $20)
Bee Hydrated face cream (retail $25)
Bee Nourished night cream (retail: $30)
Bee Rejuvented dry skin face cream (retail $25)
Complete skincare system (retail $99)