How I beat ME

To look at Lucy Russell with her perfect skin, bright smile and infectious sense of humour you wouldn’t know of her difficult 5 year battle with ME.  Lucy, founder of award winning organic skincare company, Lucy Russell Organics, is a shining example of how you can beat debilitating health problems and get your life back.

Lucy was diagnosed with ME in 2002, and attributes the onset of the condition to the stress of an extremely difficult job.  “I was working for social services with children with severe behavioural issues, which was extremely challenging,’ she explains, ‘I began to feel unwell, lost all my energy and suffered constant illness from headaches and sore throats to chest infections.’

‘I went from having a busy work and social life to nothing,’ says Lucy.  ‘I had to give up my job, I had no income and some days the most I could manage to do was to have a bath.’  She describes a state of ‘brain-fog’ which took over her life during this period.  ‘I couldn’t focus on anything, I hated noise and bright lights,’ she says. ‘I avoided social situations because I just couldn’t hold a conversation with anyone, I’d forget what they were saying half way through talking to them.’

No Closer

A year after diagnosis Lucy was still no closer to recovery but knew she had try and reclaim a small part of her life if she was going to make any progress.  ‘I was desperate to go back to work’ says Lucy, ‘I remember thinking that even if I just worked one day and had to sleep the rest of the week to recover, that it would be worth it.’  Lucy has always been interested in skincare and make up and had been making her own scrubs and balms for family and friends for years.

Rose Toner won Best Organic Facial Skincare

Career Options

This prompted her to explore career options in the beauty industry.  Soon after, she was offered a part time position with Jo Malone, the renowned luxury fragrance and skincare store on Bond Street.

‘I found working 3 days absolutely exhausting’ says Lucy.  ‘I had to take pain killers every few hours just to get through the day.’  But over time and with support from her work colleagues the days started to become marginally easier for Lucy.  After a year she was promoted to assistant manager, but it meant working full time and after a few months she knew it was too much for her.  Instead of cutting down her days, Lucy’s husband suggested that she start her own business making and selling products through her own treatment room.  ‘I couldn’t think of a good enough reason why not,’ says Lucy happily,’ and it’s clear that she hasn’t looked back.  ‘I knew exactly what I wanted to create.’ She says. ‘When you think of organic beauty, you don’t instantly imagine high-end luxury so I wanted to create a range of beautifully packaged products that would sit proudly on a bathroom shelf whilst still using the finest organic ingredients I could find.’  Lucy was determined that her range should obtain certification from the body overseeing organic products, the Soil Association.  ‘Becoming certified by the SA was an extremely rigorous process and it means lots of hard work every year to keep my certificate,’ says Lucy, ‘but it’s so important as there are so many products that claim to be organic but only contain a small percentage of organic ingredients, I wanted my customers to know they were buying the best.’

Lucy received an award from Jo Fairley

Feel Better

As Lucy’s business has grown, so her health has improved, but it wasn’t until her son was born last year that she really started to feel better.  Although there’s no cure for ME and she has to be careful – Lucy eats as organically as she can, doesn’t drink alcohol and is bed by 9pm every night – she has managed to get the condition under control and is now focusing on her developing her business while raising her son.

Demand for Lucy Russell Organics has been growing fast and in April, her  at the Natural and Organic Awards 2009.  Lucy had the award presented to her by Jo Fairley, author of The Beauty Bible, Green Beauty Bible and co-founder of Green and Blacks.  ‘I just can’t believe how well everything’s worked out,’ says Lucy. ‘A few years ago I would never have dreamed my life would turn out like this.  Now I have a beautiful family, my own company and a prestigious award under my belt!’   Lucy Russell is a Facialist offering the first treatments in the country to be certified by the Soil Association at her luxury treatment room near Battle.  Her gorgeous products are available to buy online at  www.lucyrussellorganics.co.uk