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+ **

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.

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!

Back at this “Green in the DMV” series with a newer addition to the green beauty scene – the uber chic Shaw outpost Ivy Wild. Tucked into the historic Manhattan Laundry Building just north of Florida Avenue, this boutique features a fantastic range of green beauty and skincare. 

Owner Rachel (seen above) has curated a perfect edit of brands that really speaks to the up-and-coming nature of the green beauty scene. While she stocks natural stalwarts like Vapour, Ursa Major, and Odacite, the real draw is discovering niche brands like Saint Cosmetics, Rituel de Fille, and Sans[ceuticals]. 

In my very humble opinion, there are two ways to get the full Ivy Wild experience. First, head to one of the many boutique gyms in the area for an early morning workout, grab a coffee next door at La Colombe, and go in for a pre-brunch makeup refresh. You’ll be glowing in every sense of the word! Second (and my personal favorite), grab a friend and stop by before drinks on 14th street. You’ll probably end up with a glass of gratis prosecco and a fabulous new lipstick to wear out on the town. Either way, Ivy Wild is where you want to be. 

Ivy Wild is located at the Manhattan Laundry Building at 1328 Florida Ave, NW

Hours:  Tuesday – Friday (11am – 8pm); Saturday (10am – 8pm); Sunday (10am – 6pm); Monday (CLOSED)

Kicking off this series “Green in the DMV” is one of my favorite local retailers – Take Care Shop in Georgetown. Nestled on Wisconsin Avenue just north of the M Street fray, Take Care’s dreamy minimalist aesthetic instantly transports you to a hygge skincare heaven.

Under owner Becky’s watchful eye, Take Care has become a hub for countless workshops and events, drawing some of the biggest names in green beauty. Above is store manager Savannah getting her makeup done by none other than Kristen Kjaer-Weis herself. I’ve celebrated some very big blog milestones at Take Care, including hosting my first DIY workshop with Laura from Green Revolution, and even my bridal shower!

Take Care offers a rotating selection of natural and organic makeup, skincare, and wellness products. They even offer refillable kitchen and laundry soaps which is great for transitioning to a lower-waste household. They carry products from well-known brands like May Lindstrom, Josh Rosebrook, and Ursa Major, as well as slightly more niche brands like Earthwise Beauty, Sodashi, and 8 Faces. Plus they have a fantastic range of nail colors from brands like Sundays, Habit, and Mischo Beauty.

Take Care epitomizes everything I love about this green beauty movement. As an independent, woman-owned business, the love and care that Becky put into this store is apparent in everything she does. The space she created nurtures a small but growing community in DC and I count a handful of friendships made over workshops, events, and parties hosted at Take Care. If you haven’t been, what are you waiting for?

Take Care is located at 1338 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC. They are open 11am – 7pm Monday – Sunday. 

I’ll admit it, for a long time I was not a perfume girl. It just seemed like something that never really clicked – maybe I didn’t quite have the nose for it. It wasn’t until I had the very fortunate circumstances of working alongside Susannah Compton of Florescent during my brief stint at Follain that I really started to appreciate fragrance for its artistry and ability to transform.

Cut to a year ago when I was furiously underway with plans for my wedding. I was trying to carve out a few special areas that would be truly and uniquely myself, little details that wouldn’t get lost in the fray. I decided to go as bold as I could, and reached out to Susannah to see if she would consider making a bespoke fragrance for my wedding day. I thank my lucky stars that she said yes!

We started with a phone call, that was half laughing and catching up and half getting down to business. We talked through my favorite perfumes and what I wanted to feel from something that would capture such a special moment. I envisioned a variation of Susannah’s classic Sundays perfume, a heady blend of jasmine that first captured my imagination years before. Instead of jasmine, a romantic rose mixed with a slightly sexy, grounding base was what we decided on. After that, it was time for the master to go to work.

A few days later, a box arrived with my first homework assignment. Susannah explained that there were three layers, or notes, to a perfume, consisting of the top, middle, and base. In addition to identifying the individual scents that I wanted, she would also need to come up with the right ratio to create a balanced fragrance. The first step was picking the ingredients.

This part of the process was like opening up a jumbo crayon box and realizing you’ve been coloring with a pencil. “Rose” became a husky version from Bulgaria, a sweet version from Turkey, and an absolutely magical version from Morocco. Base notes of Palo Santo and Frankincense travelled far and wide, and Italian Bergamot was like nothing I had ever encountered. I spent an evening closing my eyes and taking notes on each one, marveling at how different a single flower or wood could be. Dutifully scoring each one, I reported back with my favorites in each category. A few weeks later, a new box appeared and we repeated the process.

Before I knew it, the big day had arrived and so had my magical fragrance. After playing with a few variations of the final blend, Susannah created a mixture of two types of vetiver (giving it that spicy sexiness), two types of rose absolute (the romantic and traditional element), clary sage, clary sage absolute, styrax and benzoin. The high concentration of rose gave the perfume a beautiful deep gold color, and holding it up to the light made it look like molten sunshine. In the end, Susannah made a small rollerball to carry with me (shown above), a solid balm to warm up with the skin throughout the day, and a full size bottle to spray generously and often.

Now, every morning starts with a spritz (or four) of this beautiful perfume, taking me back to a day filled with love and friendship. With one whiff, I’m reminded of the generosity of a dear friend who turned me into a fragrance girl after all!

*Photo credit at the top goes to my amazing wedding photographer Joriann of Chris Joriann Photography.