Zilfarni Soaps & Scents

19/08/2026

🥂✨ SIP & SHOP – CELEBRATE WITH US! ✨🥂

We’re joining forces for a very special evening at Lock29, Banbury!

On Thursday 27th August, from 5–8pm, Zilfarni Soaps & Scents, The Garden Studio and Essence Home are inviting you along for an evening of shopping, fizz and a little celebration. 🥂🛍️

And because a celebration needs a treat…

✨ Enjoy 20% OFF everything across all three shops for the evening! ✨

Come along, have a browse, discover beautiful handmade soaps, skincare and home fragrance, gorgeous artwork and wonderful pieces for your home — all while enjoying a glass of fizz with us. ❤️

📅 Thursday 27th August
⏰ 5pm–8pm
📍 Lock29, Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5UN
🎬 Opposite The Light Cinema, next to the canal

Bring a friend, have a wander and make an evening of it. 🥂

We'd absolutely love to see you there!

Zilfarni Soaps & Scents • The Garden Studio • Essence Home

18/08/2026

Good morning everyone, did to more doctors appointments and tests my opening hours are slightly different this week....

17/08/2026

🌿 SKIN SCHOOL WITH DEE 🌿

Your Skin Microbiome 🦠

I’ve always been fascinated by biology, so when I reached the section on the skin microbiome while reading Dr Anjali Mahto’s The Skincare Bible, I was hooked! 📖

Because our skin isn’t simply… skin.

It’s home to an entire microscopic ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms — collectively known as our skin microbiome.

And here’s the bit I find fascinating: healthy skin isn’t bacteria-free skin. Many of these microorganisms are completely normal residents and form part of the complex environment of healthy skin.

Our microbiome begins developing rapidly around birth and continues to change throughout our lives, influenced by things such as age, environment, hormones and even where on the body we’re looking.

But what happens when that ecosystem becomes disrupted?

This is where research into conditions such as acne and eczema becomes really interesting.

🦠 ACNE
You may have heard of P. acnes — now called Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). But C. acnes also lives on healthy skin! Acne isn’t simply about having “bad bacteria”; sebum, blocked follicles, inflammation, different bacterial strains and the surrounding microbiome all form part of a much bigger picture.

🌿 ECZEMA
Eczema has also been associated with changes in the microbiome. During some flares, microbial diversity can decrease while Staphylococcus aureus becomes more dominant. The skin barrier, immune system and microbiome can all influence one another.

So perhaps we need to stop thinking of our skin as something that needs to be scrubbed, stripped and sterilised.

Gentle cleansing, moisturising and looking after the skin barrier can all form part of caring for that incredible little ecosystem living on us.

🌿 DEE’S GENTLE SKINCARE PICK
Nourish • Soothe • Restore Soap — created with gentle cleansing in mind for skin that needs a little extra care.

Skincare cannot treat or cure eczema or acne. If you’re struggling with a skin condition, please speak to your GP or dermatologist.

🌐 Zilfarni Soaps & Scents

16/08/2026

🌿 A Little Botanical Collection Refresh! 🌿

You may notice a few changes coming to my Botanical Soap Collection...

Some of my usual fragrance oils are currently unavailable from my supplier, and rather than simply waiting for them to return, I've decided it's the perfect excuse for a little refresh! 💚

So, as the remaining Rose Garden, Jasmine and Cherry & Jasmine soaps sell through, I'll be introducing THREE new fragrances:

🥥 Coconut
🍋🌼 Neroli & Lime
🌸🍏 Gardenia & Green Apple

But don't worry if one of the outgoing fragrances is your favourite — they haven't necessarily gone forever! 🌹

Once the fragrance oils are available again and I'm ready to restock them, some old favourites may well make a return.

One of the lovely things about being a small handmade business is that my collections can change, evolve and have a little refresh from time to time. 🌿

Now the important question...

Which of the three new fragrances are you most excited to try? 👀

16/08/2026

❤️ Something Different Sunday ❤️

🎧 Living With Misophonia

Here's something you might not know about me...

I have misophonia.

Misophonia is when certain everyday sounds trigger an incredibly strong, involuntary emotional or physical reaction.

And my biggest trigger?

🍴 EATING SOUNDS.

Basically, if I can hear you eating, there's a good chance my brain is screaming:

MAKE. IT. STOP. 😂

Kissing sounds and snoring are up there too, but eating is by FAR the worst.

Logically, I know the person isn't doing anything wrong. They're literally just eating! 😂 But my brain doesn't particularly care about that.

The reaction can be instant — tension, irritation, anxiety, anger and an overwhelming need to get away from the sound.

And when I say intense, I mean it.

I've actually dug my fingernails into my palms so hard while trying to cope with a trigger that I've made them bleed.

🧠 And there's some fascinating science behind it.

Brain-imaging research has found differences in how people with misophonia respond to trigger sounds. One area involved is the anterior insular cortex, part of a brain network that helps decide what deserves our attention.

Put very simply, my brain can give ENORMOUS importance to a tiny, harmless sound.

Researchers have also found unusual connectivity between areas involved in hearing and those controlling movements of the mouth and face — particularly interesting when eating is my biggest trigger!

There's still lots to learn about misophonia, but research shows these reactions involve real differences in how the brain responds to certain sounds.

So my usual explanation isn't actually that far off:

😂 “I know you're only eating. My brain apparently thinks we're under attack.”

Sometimes I simply need to move away, add background noise or remove myself from the situation. I'm not angry with the person — it's the sound my brain is reacting to.

❤️ Misophonia is invisible, but the reaction can feel very real.

So tell me...

😂 **What's one completely normal sound that drives YOU absolutely insane? And does anyone else here have misophonia?**

15/08/2026

🕯️ CANDLE CLUB WITH DEE 🕯️

☕ Grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s talk candles.

This week we’re talking about one of the smallest bits of candle care that can make a surprisingly BIG difference...

✂️ Why should I trim my candle wick?

We’re always told to trim our wicks before lighting a candle, but have you ever wondered,why**?

A wick that’s become too long can create a larger, less controlled flame, cause smoking or soot and make your candle burn through its wax faster.

And wooden and cotton wicks need slightly different care too. 🕯️

So in this week’s Candle Club, I’m showing you:

✨ Why wick length matters
✨ What your wick should actually look like
✨ How to trim wooden and cotton wicks
✨ The warning signs that your wick needs attention
✨ And, of course, a little advice from the **Candle Doctor** 🩺😂

And remember — if you ever have a candle that just isn’t burning properly, even if you didn’t buy it from me, bring it into the shop. I’m always happy to have a look and hopefully work out what’s going on. 🤍

🌹 DEE’S FEATURED FRAGRANCE

This week I’ve chosen Velvet Rose & Oud.

Rich, warm and beautifully comforting, it combines soft rose and peony with spices, oud, patchouli, amber and musk.

It’s one of those fragrances made for cosy evenings, relaxing baths, soft lighting, a blanket and — obviously — a cuppa. ☕🌹🕯️

🌐 Explore my handmade soy candle collection:
zilfarni-soaps-and-scents.sumupstore.com

💬 CANDLE CLUB QUESTION

Be honest... 😂

Do you actually trim your candle wick before every burn?

Or have you always wondered whether it really makes that much difference?

Let me know below — and if you have any candle-care questions, pop those in the comments too. 👇

Until next Saturday...

Happy candle burning! 🕯️🤍

Dee x

15/08/2026

Happy 2nd Birthday Weekend. 20% off all products.

Open till 5pm.

lock29.banbury

14/08/2026

🎉 ZILFARNI IS TURNING TWO! 🎉

I still can't quite believe that this little shop of mine in Lock29 is about to celebrate its 2nd birthday! 🥹❤️

So I thought I'd give you a little wander around Zilfarni and show you what you'll find when you come and visit me — handmade soaps, skincare, candles, wax melts, gifts and lots more, all made with a huge amount of love. 🧼🕯️🌿

And because birthdays need presents... I'm giving one to YOU! 🎁

Throughout August, every purchase made in-store or online automatically gives you an entry into the draw to win a £100 Zilfarni Hamper filled with some of my favourites. 😍

🎂 PLUS — IT'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! 🎂

This Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August, there's 20% OFF EVERYTHING in the shop! 🎉

And then on Tuesday 18th August, Zilfarni officially turns TWO. 🥹

Thank you to every single person who has walked through my door, bought something I've made, recommended Zilfarni, followed my page, shared a post or simply stopped for a chat.

Two years of my little shop. ❤️

Here's to whatever comes next. 🥂

📍 Zilfarni Soaps & Scents
Lock29, Castle Quay, Banbury



lock29.banbury

12/08/2026

🎈 ZILFARNI AT LOCK 29 IS 2 YEARS OLD! 🎈

I honestly can't quite believe I'm writing this… on Tuesday 18th August, Zilfarni will have been at Lock 29 for TWO YEARS! 🎉🥂

As I'm closed on Tuesdays, I've decided we're celebrating a little early and making this weekend Zilfarni's Birthday Weekend! 🎂

🎈 Saturday 15th August
🎈 Sunday 16th August
🎉 20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS! 🎉

That's 20% off my handmade soaps, skincare, candles, wax melts, accessories and more throughout the weekend.

These last two years have certainly had their ups and downs, but I'm incredibly proud that my little business is still here, growing, changing and creating. ❤️

And a huge thank you to everyone who has walked into my shop, bought something from me, placed an order, recommended Zilfarni to somebody, followed my socials, stopped for a chat or simply told me to keep going.

Small businesses genuinely wouldn't exist without people choosing to support them, and I never take that support for granted.

So come and celebrate Zilfarni's second birthday with me at Lock 29, Banbury this weekend. 🎈🎊

20% OFF ALL PRODUCTS — Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August.

Here's to year THREE! 🥂🌿💚

11/08/2026