Let’s be honest – shopping during the holidays is stressful. However, COVID shopping is a whole other story. I’ve created a one-stop resource for the beauty, health, and wellness space focused on small and local brands that should make shopping a breeze. Getting your holiday shopping done early AND supporting small, women-owned companies? Yes please!

Note: Black Friday / Small Business Saturday deals have been noted in italics. A number of these retailers are participating in DC Shop Small Saturday so save those receipts! I have included links to service providers’ COVID-19 safety procedures, where available. 

Beauty Retailers

Take Care Shop: Georgetown-based beauty and wellness retailer focusing on smaller brands and personalized recommendations. Take Care is offering newly curated Gift Sets, which makes holiday shopping even easier. Shop in-store or online. **20% off your entire order with code SHOPSMALL. Gift bundle with purchases over $200 **

Ivy Wild: Trendy selection of niche brands in skincare and makeup. Retail has closed but shop online. ** $5 off orders $50 and up, $10 off orders $100 and up With Promo Code SMALL. Spend $30 on Vapour Organic Beauty and get another Vapour product of equal or lesser value for free (No promo code required) **

Brown Beauty Co-Op: Dupont retailer highlighting skincare and makeup from Black-owned businesses. Shop in-store or online. ** Offering in-store facials while you shop through the new Marjani Beauty Bar. **

Veer & Wander: Union Market outpost of San Francisco skincare apothecary, featuring cult brands like Ellis Faas and Dr. Loretta. Shop in-store or online.

Sense DC Apothecary: Apothecary-style boutique below Petworth hair salon Sense DC with focus on herbal remedies.

Beauty Brands

Skincando: Known for hero product Combat Balm and created by facialist Sara Damelio. Products available online and through a number of DC retailers including Take Care Shop.  **30% off Skincando products with code SKINCANDO30 **

Naturally London: Line of botanically-based foot care products, available online or through Take Care Shop. ** Free Furoshiki Gift Wrapping on Giftsets $50 & Up (*while supplies last); Free Gift with Purchase on $65 (Free Holiday Candle); Free Gift with Purchase on $99 & up for Cyber Monday (Free Hydrating Revitalize Cuticle Oil)**

HunnyBunny: Team of mother and daughters making soaps and body products out of Capitol Hill studio. Available in-store or online.

Shea Yeleen: Founded by a former Peace Corps volunteer, Shea Yeleen works directly with women-owned shea butter cooperatives in Ghana to create beautiful shea-based products. Available online or through various DC retailers.

Good Night Darling Co: Lifestyle products dedicated to sleep and wellness. Available online.

Nourish & Refine: Clean and classic facial and body care products available online. ** Currently offering curated gift sets which include complimentary gift wrapping and a handwritten note. **

The Sacral House: Botanical personal care products geared toward sensuality and wellness. Available online.

Service Providers

Green Revolution Skin Studios: Facial studio in Bethesda open with a new location featuring holistic facial treatments by a team of aestheticians headed by cult favorite Laura Correa. Book treatments over the phone or online, gift cards available. ** Online shop running a 15% off promotion ** COVID-19 policies available here.

The Garden Spa: Private studio run by facialist and Skincando founder Sara Damelio offering facials, massage, and reflexology. Book online here.

The Spa at Take Care: Facial studio connected to Take Care Shop offering facials from brands like Marie Veronique, Laurel Whole Plant Organics, and Sodashi. ** Facial memberships available that include discounts on Take Care purchases and complimentary add-on services ** COVID-19 procedures available here.

Nailsaloon: Nail salon carrying a full range of house brand polishes available for in-store purchase. Appointments can be made online, gift cards available. COVID-19 procedures available here.

Nothing in Between (NIB) Salon: Eco-friendly nail salon offering a range of customizable nail treatments. Appointments can be made online. COVID-19 procedures available here.

Varnish Lane: Chic nail salons around DC featuring waterless nail services and retail of natural beauty products, including in-house nailcare line. Appointments can be made online. ** Offering the Varnish Kit, with a full set of at-home manicure products for $66 and free shipping (normally $88). COVID-19 procedures available here.

Sense DC: Hair salon and healing studio located in Petworth, appointments available online. Huge range of hair products by Davines, Reverie, and Cult + King available.

Other Retailers & Brands

Handmade Habitat: Signature candles and wellness products available online or in-store at the Handmade Habitat studio. ** Offering flowers with purchases at the studio on Small Business Saturday, and a portion of the day’s sales will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. **

Nubian Hueman: Boutique inside the Anacostia Arts Center offering a wide variety of home and lifestyle goods. Curbside pickup available for online orders.

Three Littles: Union Market retailer offering a full array of baby items from smaller and sustainable brands. ** 10% off purchases up to $250; 15% off purchases $250+ **

This one is for all you fragrance lovers! One of the joys of staying at home for the last few months has been the ability to test out new perfumes without running the risk of offending co-workers or random strangers on the metro with scents that don’t sit right. To take advantage of this, I’ve been working my way through all of the rose-based perfumes from Heretic Parfum, one of my absolute favorite fragrance brands. Rose can easily go old lady or soapy, so I was thrilled when I realized this innovative company had done so many different variations. Here’s my take on Heretic’s take on rose!

*Note, some of these scents are limited edition and sell out quickly. 

Coco Rose – It may be the dual association with fleshy tropical coconut and Coco Chanel that makes me think of something a little fun yet sophisticated with Coco Rose. The drydown brings out the roundness (not quite literal) of the coconut, while the rose lifts it away from piña colada territory and into something much more playful. Awesome staying power.

R/Oud – Heretic does two rose and oud combinations, R/Oud and Amber Rose. R/Oud hits you with amber right on top and veers towards darker incense. With notes of Moroccan rose (my favorite of the rose varieties), I was expecting to dive headfirst into R/Oud, but the woody tones slightly overpower the delicate spiciness of the rose. If you lean towards a headier fragrance with rose in the background, this might be the perfect scent for you.

Amber Rose – Unlike R/Oud, the woodsy tones are pared back and the freshness of the rose shines a little brighter. The natural pairing of vanilla and benzoin give a warm, bourbon undertone. It’s mouthwatering without going too far down the gourmand route. Amber Rose is the kind of fragrance that subtly invites an embrace without being overpowering.

Naked Rose – As expected, Naked Rose is for the true rose lover. As a soliflore, the scent is subtle yet straightforward. The clarity and beauty of the Turkish rose is that it isn’t encumbered by the spiciness of a Moroccan rose or the honeyed depths of the Bulgarian variety. It is sweet and pure, hinting at the antique and the new: the freshness of crushed rose petals mixed with perfumery traditions that go back thousands of years. It is singular in every sense of the word.

Dirty Rose – You’d be forgiven for thinking the ‘dirty’ in Dirty Rose would be reminiscent of the woodsy or earthy tones found in Flower Porn, or even something spicy and sensual. However, this one really threw me for a loop. The first whiff gives off sprightly hints of fresh lemon and bergamot. As the rose emerges, it’s a gentle embrace of Rose de Mai (which always strikes me as one of the rounder, sweeter rose varieties). You also get the mouthwatering juiciness of apricot, a surprising player derived from Heretic’s infrequent but ingenious use of isolates. It’s surprisingly clean, and I found myself initially wanting a hint of smoke to dirty it up a bit (a quick spritz of Smudge would do the tricky nicely). Even on its own, however, it’s a beautiful and totally wearable fragrance that firmly stands within Heretic’s ‘Dirty’ range.

What do you think – has Heretic convinced you to try a rose fragrance? Or were you already a rose lover? Let me know in the comments below if there’s another fragrance you’d like me to review!

Maggie

It seems like overnight we went from eagerly anticipating the onset of spring and the first cherry blossom blooms to full-on quarantine and social distancing. While it can certainly feel like so much is out of our control, there are small ways in which we can make a difference in our community and supporting local businesses. Joining me in my quest for small business love are two of my favorite local beauty bloggers – Yenny from EcoChic Beauty and Stephanie from Beauty Unhyped. We’ve compiled a list of all of our favorite local beauty retailers, brands, and a few extra favorites, along with their current status and ways you can show them some love. Hopefully together we can make a difference.

This list is subject to change as circumstances evolve, and will be updated accordingly. 

Local Beauty Retailers

Take Care Shop owner Becky Waddell is currently offering virtual skincare and makeup consults.

Take Care Shop – Take Care Shop is currently closed, but you can still shop online. DMV orders ship free with purchases of $50 or more. You can purchase e-gift cards, shop online, or sign up for a Long Distance Consult with owner Becky Waddell. Becky has also published a fantastic guide for ways to support COVID-19 impacted business and communities, check it out here.

Follain Bethesda Row – Follain is currently closed until March 28th, but you can still shop online. Follain is paying their employees for their scheduled hours through the end of the month.

Ivy Wild – Ivy Wild is currently closed, but you can still shop online. Orders ship free with purchases of $50 or more, and they’re offering curated Care Packages with three hand-selected products with themes like Virtual Happy Hour and Out of Office.

Brown Beauty Co-Op – Brown Beauty Co-Op is currently closed, but you can still shop online. All orders ship free and you can also book an online product consultation.

Veer & Wander – Veer & Wander is currently closed, but you can still shop online from their San Francisco-based salon. All orders ship free.

Sense DC Apothecary – The Sense DC apothecary is currently closed.

Local Brands

Brands like Skincando are offering discounts on nourishing products aimed at dry hands.

Skincando – Skincando is fully operational and you can continue to purchase Skincando products online. Skincando is offering 10% off the cult-classic Combat-Ready Balm, and a portion of sales will go to We Are Family DC (a service that brings meals and companionship to senior citizens in the DMV).

Naturally London – Naturally London is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their botanically-based foot care products online (orders currently shipping free, no code needed) or through Take Care Shop.

Handmade Habitat – The Handmade Habitat studio is closed to the public, but you can continue to purchase their signature candles and body products online. Currently offering free USPS Priority Shipping on orders over $35 with the code “STAYHOME”. Candl making workshops are currently on hold.

Nourish & Refine – Nourish & Refine is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their facial and body care products online. Currently offering 15% off, free shipping, and a deluxe size sample with every order.

HunnyBunny – HunnyBunny is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their soaps and body products online for pickup, shipping, or free local delivery (in Washington, DC only).

Blue Lemon Beauty – Fully operational and you can continue to purchase their facial products online (free shipping on all orders).

Service Providers

Many salons and spas, like the Spa at Take Care, have started Virtual Tip Jars and GoFundMe pages for their estheticians and staff. 

Green Revolution Skin Studio – Currently closed until April 6th. Now offering select skincare products for sale via an online store, as well as virtual skincare appointments (email info.grskinstudio@gmail.com). You can also purchase gift cards for future use.

The Garden Spa – Currently closed.

Spa at Take Care – Currently closed. Have started a Virtual Tip Jar for estheticians. You can purchase e-gift cards for future services.

Nusta Spa – Currently closed and have suspended automatic membership dues until they reopen. Gift cards are still available online.

Nailsaloon –  Currently closed, have had to lay off staff. Asking for donations to the Team Nailsaloon Relief Fund. 100% of the money raised will go directly to technicians, front desk team and cleaning crews.

Nothing in Between (NIB) Salon – Currently closed through the end of March. Recommended ways of support include purchasing a gift card (20% of sales will go to team members), writing a positive review on Google or Yelp, and sharing via social media.

Varnish Lane – Currently closed. Customers can still purchase gift certificates online for future use. Have started a gofundme to raise money for staff.

Sense DC – Currently closed for 14 days with the goal to re-open on March 31st. Not currently offering gift cards or pre-payment for services.

Other Local Retailers

A number of retailers like Salt & Sundry are offering curated care packages and no-contact curbside pickup for orders. Photo courtesy of Salt & Sundry.

The Outrage – DC community space closed to the public, but they are offering the space for emergency mobilization (food distribution or resources centers). Email membership@the-outgrage.com. All merchandise is still available online and they are running a Postcard Project to employ people who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Shop Made in DC – Retail stores are closed, but you can shop online or purchase gift cards. Offering curated care packages (the DC Cherry Blossom Box currently ships free with code CREATIVEDISTANCE).

Steadfast Supply – Retail storefront closed. Now offering virtual shopping through their Instagram page, with curb-side pickup options (in Ballston and Navy Yard) or free delivery on orders over $50.

Salt & Sundry – Retails stores closed but you can shop online or buy a gift card, offering curb-side local pickup and delivery. Offering curated care packages and Goods to Go shopping options available Tues – Sat.

Three Littles – Union Market store closed, website should be operational by 3/26. You can shop via their Instagram, local delivery options available.

Cherry Blossom Creative – Retail store currently closed but you can still shop their collection of hand-painted DC neighborhood maps online. Also offering ‘Stay Home Kits‘ including a Local Writing Kit (which includes an Appointed Co. notebook and Handmade Habitat candle) and a Stay Home Correspondence Kit (mystery selection of five greeting cards), plus gift cards.

Fitness

Studios like East Side Yoga (above) have transitioned to online classes via apps like Trainerize and Zoom. Photo courtesy of East Side Yoga. 

Micha Shines – Personal trainer offering virtual sessions via the Trainerize App, including nutritional coaching. Also leading virtual Zumba and HIIT classes on Facebook for Balance Gym. Email michashines@gmail.com for training options.

East Side Yoga – Studio closed. Remote yoga classes available via regular class sign-up on MindBody (a link will be emailed prior to each class). Classes start at $25 for a drop in, and the studio is offering a 2-week unlimited pass for $35 (including prenatal yoga).

Down Dog Yoga – Studios closed. Remote yoga classes are available on live.downdogyoga.com with a recommended $15 donation per class. They will also be offering a several miniseries of classes available for $9.99 each.

Local Artists

Mural by Kelly Towles, kellytowles.com

Kelly Towles – Studio is open for limited visits (you can send a request for a visit direct on Instagram), and you can shop original artwork online at The Holy Bones.

She DC – Shop Made in DC’s women’s only exhibition with work from over 100 DC-based artists. Works are available online with $15 flat rate shipping in the US.

Maggie O’Neill – Studio at the Wharf is currently closed to visitors, but you can still shop her work online.

Meg Biram – You can shop a selection of prints (including the instant favorite Lady Tee) online.

A while back I posted on my Instagram page a quick comment about whether I’m a “crystal person.” Being in the natural beauty space seems to draw in quite a few lifestyle assumptions: vegan (nope, and you can blame chocolate and Parmesan for that); into meditation (probably should but way too restless); and a collector of crystals (not yet, but I do love some sparkle). Without diving too far down the woo-woo train, I was genuinely curious about what crystals mean to others and learn about some fan favorites (clear quartz seems to be a real winner). What I found particularly interesting in the conversation was one of my favorite topics – SOURCING!

Arguably, just as important as the type of crystal is where the crystal comes from. Crystals can be sourced from all over the world – from Morocco to Arizona. While some crystals are sourced from small-scale, low-impact operations, more are the byproduct of industrial mining operations where they are the secondary outgrowth of an already occurring industry. Certain stones may even have ties to major environmental damage and corruption – like Myanmar’s jade industry, which up until recently was sanctioned by the US government. ⁠

Just a few of the gorgeous crystal specimens from Take Care Shop!

Becky from Take Care Shop, my go-to skincare destination in Georgetown, has some great advice for crystal collectors:

“If you have concerns about sourcing, you can put parameters on your collection, like only sourcing pieces mined in the USA. Visit a local gem show and you may get to connect with the miners themselves!“

While it can seem daunting to dive into the murky waters of sourcing before you buy that next piece of tourmaline, the best I can offer you is one more reason to shop SMALL and shop LOCAL. Ask questions and verify that that person you’re buying from knows the source of their crystals, or sources from a reputable seller. Shopping responsibly is the best way to ensure that you’re getting #goodvibesonly⁠

It’s almost impossible to walk the cobbled streets of Lisbon without feeling like you’re in a modern day fairy tale. The proximity to the sea means that you can’t go a city block without finding some of the post incredible seafood straight from the Mediterranean. And even though the city is struggling with an influx of tourism, you can easily break away from the tourist traps to find special, secluded spots.

To Stay

Lisbon is filled with beautiful boutique hotels and guest houses. I particularly love staying in these types of cozy accommodations because it gives you a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers and get an authentic feel for the city you’re visiting. Here are the two that I stayed in and couldn’t recommend more highly.

The view from our Casa de Patio apartment.

Garam Lisboa – The Garam Lisboa guesthouse is located in the Estrela district of Lisbon. The owners have decked out each room in simple and elegant Balinese décor that immediately transports you to a completely zen-like atmosphere. My favorite part of the experience was gathering around the kitchen table to share a communal breakfast with the rest of the guests. Copenhagen Coffee House is only a few steps away so you can beat your jet lag with a delicious European-style coffee in the morning.

Casa de Patio – Where Garam Lisboa has a bit more of a sophisticated, grown-up feel (no kids allowed!), Casa de Patio is perfect for a group of when you want to feel a bit more at home. Located in the centrally-located Santa Catarina neighborhood, they offer a range of apartments and guest houses overlooking a shared courtyard. Because they’re a part of the larger Shaidu group of guesthouses, they have an incredible staff and network to help make plans around Lisbon (and beyond).

To Eat

Lisbon may get a reputation for being one of the pricier European capitals, but it’s easy to have a great meal at any price. Seafood is obviously Lisbon’s key selling point, and you cannot leave Lisbon without inhaling a few succulent and flaky pasteis de nata. Here are three places for some of my favorite meals

Alma ($$$) – Alma is certainly on the spendier side, but it’s absolutely worthy of its two Michelin stars. Tucked into an unassuming side street (and around the corner from an Organii!), this spot beautifully marries traditional Portuguese dishes with a modern twist. Avoiding the frenzy that was attempting to get a dinner reservation, we snagged a table for lunch instead – managing to have almost the same dishes from the dinner menu at a much more reasonable price. I would also recommend the a la carte menu over the tempting prix fixe meal. The couple next to us looked practically war-weary by the time their final prix fixe dish came and the a la carte options come with a number of gratis bites to round out the meal.

Time Out Market ($-$$) – I was wary of this Instagram hotspot but it ended up being a repeat visit. The sprawling food hall is the perfect choice when you can’t decide what you want to eat or just want to sample a little of everything. Grab a friend, a bunch of small plates, and the mental fortitude to jockey for seats at some of the communal tables. Alternatively, you can pony up to one of the cocktail bars and treat your road-weary limbs to an Aperol spritz (or three…). Just try to resist post-tipple souvenir shopping and save the gift purchases for the more reasonably priced boutiques around Lisbon.

Cervejaria Ramiro Seafood ($$) – Come for the seafood, stay for the coin-operated beer machine. Or maybe vice versa. If seafood is on your mind, this is your spot. Head straight to the entrance where you generate a deli-style ticket for your seat. The tickets are generated by language, and you’ll hear a panoply of names and numbers being called out. While you wait, grab a beer from the coin-operated machine (bring change!) and wait to hear the magic words. The menu is based on seafood ingredient, not dish, and the norm appeared to be pointing out other people’s food to your waiter in a polite yet enthusiastic manner. The jumbo prawns and a massive heap of garlic bread to sop up the rich, smoky sauce were a table favorite.

To Do

Port Tasting – What vodka is to Russia and sake is to Japan, port is to Portugal. You’ve got two options when it comes to port tastings – a stroll through the city center with visits to multiple locations or a sit-down experience at a single spot. We chose the latter (mostly because my feet couldn’t handle any more walking) and we drank for three. straight. hours. Accompanied by a spread of indulgent local cheeses, we opted for multiple flights of white, tawny, and ruby varieties to really understand the complexity of port. By the time our server came out with his ‘special’ bottle to celebrate his last day on the job, I was a complete port convert. Hot tip: ibuprofen and a slow morning the next day.

Day trip to Cascais – If you can’t make it to Porto, consider Cascais. A brisk train ride west of Lisbon and you’re right in the heart of this seaside resort, with long beach promenades and historical buildings held-over from the town’s time as the summer retreat for Portuguese nobility.

Exploring the city – The best way to experience any city is of course to lace up your most comfortable pair of shoes and hoof it around town. With winding alleys and jeweled tiles shimmering on each and every building, there is so much to see before you even make it inside the countless museums and shops that Lisbon is known for. Better yet, take a tuk tuk ride up to the highest part of the city and let gravity guide you down to the waterfront. When the sun finally starts to set, a cold beer and soulful fado music at a cozy bar will cap off your day of exploring.

To Enjoy

Shopping at Principe Real – Each Lisbon neighborhood has a very distinct personality and flair. My bar-none favorite, however, was Principe Real. The shopping was absolutely next level and a stroll down Rua Dom Pedro V immediately transports you away from the throngs of tourists swarming the city center. My must-visit is the Embaixada Shopping Gallery, a 19th century palace filled with boutiques showing off high-end Portuguese brands (including Organic Bio). Just down the street is the high-end 21PR Concept Store, a boutique carrying a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, housewares, and more for the perfect souvenir. And once you’ve had your fill of retail therapy, a coffee in the Principe Real Garden is the perfect way to end the afternoon.

Shopping at Organii – Organii is a organic products and natural clothes shop based in Lisbon that has been around for 15(!) years. They have a beautifully curated range of skincare and cosmetics, with product lines for men and baby. I was introduced to some new favorites (hello ila spa), and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their excellent in-house line of skincare. They also have a facial spa tucked in the back of their Principe Real store that I was dying to try, read on!

Organii has multiple locations throughout Lisbon and Porto, but if you can only visit one I recommend the Principe Real location in the Embaixada Shopping Gallery.

Organic Facial – There is simply no better way to beat the wear and tear of jetlag like a spa visit. By some stroke of serendipity, there happened to be an opening at the Organii Spa with the fabulous facialist Margarida on the day I visited. The prices for the in-house Organii services are insanely reasonable, and I couldn’t resist booking the Organii Bio Skin Ebssencial facial that swapped steaming and extractions for a 15 minute massage (this should be a thing everywhere).

The Organii Bio Day Spa is located in their Principe Real location at PRAÇA DO PRÍNCIPE REAL, Nº 26. Hours are Mon-Sat 12PM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.

LX Factory – When you want your first flavor of Lisbon, the LX Factory is a great place to start. An outdoor market filled with boutiques, food vendors, and galleries, we could have spent hours just wandering around and taking in the sights. In one building we managed to find a sustainable coffee house, a burlesque-themed escape room, and a gallery filled with impressionist art.

And there you have it – my favorite places in Lisbon! I hope you have a chance to fall in love with this magical city like I did. Have you been to Portugal? What have I missed? Already planning my next visit…

Photo Credit: Kjaer Weis 

Today’s post is a guest post I wrote for Sage & Seneca, a fantastic DC-based website promoting a natural and and sustainable lifestyle. 

Beauty brands are starting to realize that sustainability is key when it comes to creating beautiful, environmentally-friendly packaging. Gone are the days of single-use plastics being the norm. Now, brands are pushing themselves to raise the bar for sustainable packaging, and creating fantastic products in the process. Here are three of my favorite natural beauty brands that are killing it with their sustainable packaging.

Kjaer Weis

If there was ever a gold standard for sustainable packaging, it would be Kjaer Weis. This Danish line’s versatile makeup products are housed in chic, refillable metal compacts. Once empty, you can simply pop the empty container out of the compact and drop in a new one. They also make multi-product palettes that are fully customizable to suit your perfect color needs. They are pricey, but once you start using them you’ll be hard pressed to go back!

Want to see my other two picks? Head over to Sage & Seneca to read more!

Summer is fully upon us and there is so much going on! I’ve rounded up some great upcoming natural beauty events in the DMV, along with a few fun weekend reads and things I’m loving.

AUGUST CALENDAR

August 1 – Bridging Your Closet to your Truth. Join personal stylist and wellness consultant, Molly Fakoury of Pop of Wonder, for a wardrobe and confidence-building workshop. Take Care Shop, $33.

August 2 – Self-Care for Saturn. Woo Woo Company (greatest name ever) is hosting a 90-minute workshop on Saturn Return, complete with natal charts and guidance on personal growth. Sense DC, $35.

August 3 – Indego Africa Summer Pop-Up Shop. Join Indego Africa’s DC Regional Board and Shea Yeleen for a special summer pop-up shop! Featuring handcrafted home décor and accessories from Indego Africa + organic, fair trade skin care products from Shea Yeleen. Profits support education for women & youth. Shea Yeleen, FREE.

August 5 – Going Non-Toxic with Cult + King. The founder of Cult+King will go over the biggest toxins in the beauty industry and show you how to avoid them. Veer & Wander, FREE. 

August 14 – Wellness Speaker Series: CBD 101 with Carlene Thomas RDN. Join Follain Bethesda Row for the launch of their Wellness Speaker Series! Carlene Thomas RDN will be hosting an event all about CBD and how to use it for wellness. Follain Bethesda Row, $15 (can be used towards an in-store purchase).

August 22 – Tata Harper Master Class. Become your own skincare expert through this step-by-step session, where you’ll be guided through a complete facial treatment and discover which products are best for your personal regimen. Follan Bethesda Row, $30 ($15 can be used towards an in-store purchase). 

Photo Credit: Patricia Nevin for the Financial Times

THINGS I’M LOVING

How could you not want to dive into a big bowl of this beautiful peach bici bici? A floral and fragrant desert from Turkey, I had never heard of this icy treat before but now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it!

I know there are a lot of fellow fans of Bee Sapiro’s Skin Deep column for the New York Times, but did you know she is also the purveyor of a natural fragrance company? Ellis Brooklyn makes fragrance, candles, and body products, and I am currently debating which of their sample sets to get.

After a successful capsule wardrobe challenge during my 3 month stay in Seattle, I was recently discussing Project 333 with a friend and thought it might be time to do another wardrobe clean-out. Not only does it simplify getting ready in the morning, it makes shopping such a breeze and really helps craft your eye to your own personal style (turns out I consider both leopard print and polka dots a necessarily neutral!)

Photo credit: Garance Dore

WEEKEND READS

Getting Clean (Garance Dore) – I really enjoyed this measured discussion about the question “what is natural skincare?” It’s definitely hard to get into the natural vs. clean vs. green lexicon in such a short article, but it’s a lovely introduction for those who are still wrapping their heads around the conversation.

An Ethical Crocodile Handbag (FT) – We might not all be in the market for a designer handbag, but it’s definitely the case that luxury and mass market brands are moving towards more responsibly sourced animal products, if not making the switch to non-animal alternatives altogether.

Will Ingredient Sourcing Transparency Be The New Label Reading? (Beauty Independent) – If you aren’t already subscribed to Beauty Independent, I highly recommend it. Their industry insight covers a wide range of topics, including this piece filled with interviews on product sourcing and brands that are really excelling in ingredient transparency.

The Sunscreen Shakedown (Osmia Organics) – The Osmia team does great posts all about natural beauty and lifestyle, and this one is perfect for summer. Providing a full breakdown of natural SPF options for face, body, and sport, they have you covered from head to toe!

And that’s it! I hope you have a wonderful August and please pass along any fun events or natural lifestyle resources you’ve recently discovered!

Hello friends and welcome to another “Brands I Love”! I’m talking all about the absolutely magical skincare brand and retailer Essential Apothecary Alchemist.

I was lucky enough to stop in to the apothecary and spend a lovely afternoon with Kate Poole, the founder and creator behind Essential Apothecary Alchemist. Essential Apothecary Alchemist products are made with plant-based ingredients, the majority of which are organically sourced. All batches are handmade and feature essential oils targeted toward nourishing the skin. One of my favorite features is the prominence of hydrosols. These plant-infused waters replace the typical fillers that you might see in conventional beauty products, and add an extra dose of healing ingredients. You can read more about hydrosols on the Essential Apothecary Alchemist’s blog.

Kate and her daughter Jessie are well-known in the Seattle community, not only from Essential Apothecary Alchemist but also for their beautiful store E. Smith Mercantile. 

The dreamy store features clean beauty products by brands like Sundays and Ritual de Fille. 

What I love about the Essential Apothecary Alchemist line of products is that they follow the idea of making your own alchemy. They can all be mixed and matched depending on your skin type and needs. The Hydrate mist and Nectar serum, for example, can be mixed in the Radiance facial scrub to add a little extra oomph. I especially love mixing the Nectar serum with the Lush moisturizer for another layer of hydration.

One of the most special finds is what Kate calls her ‘5 Elements Blends’, essential oil jojoba blends based in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These blends are designed for the seasonal changes that our bodies go through during the year. After Kate walked me through the line, I was immediately drawn to the grounding Winter blend.

Another beautiful element to Essential Apothecary Alchemist is their collaboration with Seattle-based artist Olivia Knapp, whose intricate pen-and-ink logo is seen above. Her minimalist yet traditional designs offer a unique visual seen throughout the entire Essential Apothecary Alchemist line. I highly recommend you check her out if you’re interested in visual arts.

So what’s next for Essential Apothecary Alchemist? Kate hinted at a Baby Alchemy Company and an expansion into Northern Idaho to grow all the botanicals sourced for Essential Apothecary Alchemist products. I can’t wait to see what Kate’s brilliant mind comes up with next.

If you’re interested in learning more about Essential Apothecary Alchemist, you can check out their website and fantastic blog here. While the Seattle workshop is no longer open, for those in the Seattle area you can call Kate directly at 206-919-2983 for special times to visit. You can shop the Essential Apothecary Alchemist collection online or through a number of green beauty retailers. As always, I encourage you to shop local and support brands directly when you can!

This review was not posted for compensation. I will always disclose any paid or affiliated content. 

I frequently chat with friends about skincare questions, everything from the best place to find natural beauty treatments in a new city to total routine overhauls. I thought this would be a great resource to share with you all in a “Green My Routine” series. First up – sensitivity and redness!

Start your day off right – I’m a big fan of the morning cleanse, but too many products can agitate already sensitive skin. In order to keep your skin calm and happy, consider everything you’re starting the day off with. Do you wash your washcloths with a heavily-scented laundry detergent? How hot is the water you put on your face? All of these factors can aggravate the skin and potentially contribute to redness. A few tips:

Cleanse the skin with a quick swipe of rosewater on a cotton pad or washcloth (preferably one washed with unscented detergent). 

Alteya Organics Organic Bulgarian Rose Water ($25)

Kahina Giving Beauty Moroccan Rose Water ($38)

Tammy Fender Bulgarian Rose Water ($65)

If you want a deeper morning cleanse, consider a gentle creamy cleanser that can be washed off with warm, not hot, water. And remember, this includes avoiding a blast of hot water from your shower. As Caroline Hirons once put it, avoid your hot shower water like it has greatly offended you.

Trilogy Cream Cleanser ($38)

Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($50)

Osea Ocean Cleansing Milk ($54)

Feeling Blue – If you follow color theory, calm blue is the cool counterpart to fiery red. While I typically avoid lots of strong essential oils in skincare generally, I particularly love products with calming ingredients like Blue Tansy and Helycriseum when my skin is feeling painful or particularly inflamed.

Khus Khus Sans Age Face Serum ($80)

Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream ($85)

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon ($180)

Keep It Balanced – When your skin is feeling sensitive and perhaps undergoing a redness flareup, the last thing you want is a heavy layer of makeup caked on. I love products that help balance the skin and take down the redness before you even reach for the foundation.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator ($35) 

Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Calming Day Cream ($60)

Vapour Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfector ($60) 

There you have it – some of my favorite products for skin suffering from redness and sensitivity! I hope this was helpful and please let me know what products you would recommend, or which routine you would like to see next!

I’ll be the first to admit that Los Angeles has just never seemed to be my kind of city. It’s too big, too spread out, and that traffic! No thank you. Granted, I made up my mind before ever going which seems a bit unfair. Luckily my mom and I decided to make a girls trip out of a long weekend and did a whistle stop tour of all the green beauty that West LA had to offer. We were able to do this without a car which made the trip even better, thanks to comfy walking shoes and the occasional Lyft ride. Read on for more about our LA adventure!

To Stay: We stayed in an AirBnB right off of Abbott Kinney. Super chic and free beach cruisers – what more could you want? It was a little dark at night but overall we found the area safe and within walking distance to everything we needed.

To Eat: There was really no shortage of good food around Abbott Kinney. From food trucks serving the most delicious smoothies to gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free pastries that still tasted like heaven, this town really has it all. Here are some of our favorite spots – 

Kreation ($) – This was the only spot we managed to go to multiple times during a relatively brief trip. Highly recommend for a guilt-free, healthy meal.

The Butcher’s Daughter ($) – Perfect for a coffee to go, though waiting out the brunch line is not for the faint of heart. Hot tip: for being such an active city, no one seemed to be out before 9:30 am. Get there early and skip the line!

Loews Hotel Santa Monica ($$) – For amazing views of the ocean with a scenic mountain backdrop, we grabbed a poolside table at the Loews Hotel. Somehow a hotel that starts at $600/night has a ridiculously reasonable lunch menu and we got fish tacos and mushroom flatbreads for under $30.

Rose Cafe ($$$) – Our favorite meal was by far Rose Cafe. Gorgeous space and really creative food, but do not come hungry unless you plan on a real splurge. We mistakenly ordered a scallop dish to share before realizing that it literally had two scallops on the plate. No wonder LA people are so skinny…

To Do: Shopping on Abbott Kinney was a repeat favorite activity (read on for more below), and who could pass up people watching on the Santa Monica Pier? We also went to the Artists & Fleas vintage market (every Saturday 11 – 4 pm) and ate our way through the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. We were committed to minimizing car usage, so thank goodness for comfortable sandals. That being said, this area is incredibly walkable and our Lyft rides were no more than 10 minutes to get around Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. 

To Enjoy: One of the high points of the trip was definitely visiting the OSEA Malibu flagship for some shopping and their signature Cranial Wave Facials. My mom and I both booked the same treatment but the facialist made sure to customize each treatment. Plus, facials at the flagship come with a product credit so you won’t be leaving empty handed! After all that walking we also indulged in nontoxic pedicures at Alchemie Spa. Located right next to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, this was the perfect way to refresh road-weary toes!

Just off the traffic of Abbott Kinney is the most serene spot in town – OSEA Malibu! They almost had to drag us away after our facials, we could have stayed in this courtyard all afternoon.

Strange Invisible, so insanely chic.

To Buy: This was the real danger zone. We literally spent hours walking up and down Abbott Kinney doing a constant mental negotiation that we had both packed carry-on bags with limited spare room. While I didn’t make it to Credo and The Detox Market (both a little farther away), it gave me a chance to check out a few other retailers I might not have tried before. There were four definite high points:

Strange Invisible – Even in the “natural” space, I really avoid fragrance retailers because the smells just tend to be overwhelming. The Strange Invisible store was a breath of fresh air (pun very much intended). Perfume in the front, green skincare and makeup in the back, it was a total dream. Brands included Le Prunier, RMS, Habit, Little Barn Apothecary, and Kosas.

Hourglass Cosmetics – If you love Beauty Unhyped as much as I do, you’ll understand why I was drawn to the major glow that is Hourglass. I’ve been so intrigued by their illuminating powders that we stopped in for a *quick look* after our facials and ended up getting full makeovers. The products, the packaging, and the quality of service was totally on point. 

OSEA Malibu – Obviously we couldn’t resist using the product credit that came with our facials for skincare at OSEA. It was great to see the full OSEA line, although someone please tell me where I can buy their special seaweed! After debating the splurge, my mom and I teamed up our credit for a jar of the Vitamin C Probiotic Polish. It’s pretty tingly on my sensitive skin but she now swears by it. 

Saje – If you haven’t been to an outpost of the Canadian brand Saje, it’s kind of like Aveda but with a major emphasis on essential oils. The Saje Tingle Mint line is actually incredibly similar to the Aveda Rosemary Mint line. After resisting the hard upsell on $200 ultrasonic diffuser, we did walk away with an assortment of their essential oil blends and as many Tingle Mind body washes as we could carry.

And that is how it only took me a long weekend to fall in love with this part of LA. There were so many more things I left wanting to do and see – let me know if you have any recommendations for my next visit!