Naturalla Beauty

Today, for the final part of my gift guide, I want to feature some of my favorite luxury buys of this season.  I've labelled this part $50 and up, but several of these are a good bit more expensive than that.  Save these for the people you really, really like...



Forager Botanicals Natural Perfume Rollerball Collection ($88)
This limited edition gift set comes with rollerballs of all four of Forager's natural eau de parfum signature scents: Nectar, Bloom, Island Lei and Woodland.  These scents - which usually sell for $38 each - are all handcrafted, vegan, and free of harmful synthetics, colors, parabens, sulfates, and preservatives.  You guys know I'm not a big perfume gal myself, but out of all the natural perfumes I've sniffed, Forager's Woodland would definitely be one of my top picks.

Lina Hanson Global Body Serum / Global Face Serum ($63 / $85)
When it comes to creating beautiful oil blends, Lina Hanson is one of the best.  The Global Body Serum is deeply nourishing with avocado, argan and brazil nut oils (and many more!) and it smells like a deliciously grown up, sophisticated creamsicle.  I haven't tried the Global Face Serum yet, but with baobab, argan, marula and more, it sounds pretty dreamy too.  Lina's products also support fair trade and sustainable harvesting and many of the key ingredients are produced by women's cooperatives and farmers worldwide. 

Kahina Giving Beauty Antioxidant Face Mask ($62)
The Antioxidant Mask is a gorgeous mask made with rhassoul clay, Kahina's signature argan oil, aloe, pomegranate seed extract and more, it's the perfect treat for anyone who enjoys a good pamper night.  The mask is full of antioxidants, trace minerals and essential fatty acids and is both excellent at drawing out impurities and gentle enough for sensitive skin.  

Sigma Best of Sigma Brush Set ($97)
I only have one Sigma brush - the F80 Flat Top Kabuki - but it's definitely one of the best brushes I own.  This kit comes with the F80, plus six of Sigma's other top selling brushes and would make an excellent gift for anyone looking to upgrade their makeup brushes or just to add a few more good ones to their collection. 

Studio 78 Here Comes Santa Claus Gift Set ($140)
Studio 78 is a French luxury makeup line that's gaining popularity in North America.  The kit comes with the company's liquid foundation, a pressed eyeshadow, a loose eyeshadow and a liquid lipstick.  It's just about everything you need for a smokier, nighttime look, plus you get a pretty evening bag to go with it.

SkinnySkinny Luminous You Gift Set ($114)
SkinnySkinny's cleanser is a pretty new favorite of mine, which has, of course, left me eager to try more products from their line.  Along with The Cleanser, the kit comes with the Organic Exfoliating Face Scrub, Organic Daily Moisture, and your choice of one of the company's three Organic Toners.  It looks like a fab way to see what the line has to offer - you're basically getting a complete skincare routine in a box!

Suki Personal Faves Kit ($71)
I really like Suki's products, but I remember initially feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of products they have to offer.  This kit solves that.  It contains four full size products that are Suki Kramer's - Suki's founder, president, and formulator's - personal favorites from the line.  Her picks?  The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, Ultra Protect Body Balm, Ultra Protect Eye Balm and 4-Swipe Lip Care.  

One Love Organics Tropical Getaway Kit ($129)
The Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Collection has gotten a lot of hype this year, and no product more so than the Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil.  I - along with seemingly everyone else who's tried it - fell hard for this emulsifying oil that effortlessly whisks away every last trace of makeup, all the while making your bathroom smell like a tropical island.  The Tropical Getaway Kit also includes the Vitamin C Body Oil, which has the same gorgeous scent, and a new addition to the line: the Vitamin C Body Polish.  The Body Polish won't be available outside of the kit until the spring.

That about wraps it up!  I hope you found these gift guides helpful if you're still hunting for gifts and an enjoyable read even if you're not!  If you haven't seen the earlier two parts yet, you can find them here and here.
 

Badger Organic Balm Sampler ($29.99)
I think really highly of Badger - both because of their high quality products and the way the company is run.  Whether you're buying for someone who's already familiar with these balms or someone who hasn't tried them yet, the Balm Sampler is a great way to give six of the company's most popular balms a try.  The kit comes with 0.75 ounces each of the Classic Badger Balm, Cuticle Care, Sleep Balm, Sore Muscle Rub, Aromatic Chest Rub, and Foot Balm, packaged in a 100% recycled paper box.  

LuSa Organics Nourish and Lavish Gift Collections ($32.50 and $48.00)
I became aware of LuSa Organics through following Rachel's personal blog, Clean, which I've read for a couple years now.  LuSa makes natural bath, body, and baby products and is a true family run business.  The Nourish Collection (pictured above) comes with a soap, sugar scrub, body oil, and holiday ornament diffuser, while the Lavish Collection includes all that, PLUS fizzing bath salts and an allover body balm.  Both sets are available in your choice of two holiday scents: Clementine & Clove and Frankincense & Myrrh.  

Pai Rosehip Collection: Intensive Nourishing Facial Kit ($50)
Pai's Rosehip Bioregenerate oil is pretty iconic at this point and the Intensive Nourishing Kit is a great opportunity to get it, plus the limited edition Bioregenerate Face Mask, which is described as a "buttery, ultra-hydrating treatment [that] quenches thirsty skin, helping to accelerate cell repair for instant rejuvenation."  Sounds pretty great, right?  You also only pay $10 more for the set than you would for a solo bottle of the rosehip oil, so it really is a fantastic value as well.

Balm Balm Lip Balm Cracker (£15.25)
The Lip Balm Cracker is a great way to try the entire range of Balm Balm's tube lip balms.  These are wonderful multi-purpose balms that can be used not only on your lips, but also on your cuticles, face, and anywhere else that needs a little extra care.  The Frankincense Cracker, which comes with Balm Balm's complete Frankincense skincare range, looks lovely as well.

Bare Minerals READY to Go Complexion Perfection Kit ($49)
Bare Minerals is what I class as a borderline natural company, but they do have some products I feel comfortable using.  The Complexion Perfection Kit is an ultra-portable palette  of Bare Minerals' READY pressed products.  Colors vary - there are eight sets to choose from - but each palette includes a Foundation, Touch Up Veil, Bronzer, Luminizer, and Correcting Concealer, as well as a mini Precision Face Brush and mini Tapered Face Brush.  The concealer has some ingredients I don't like, but even if you weren't to use that one item, I think the set is good value as a whole.  

Kaia Bamboo Tapioca Beads ($38)
The Bamboo Tapioca Beads are a dry powder that you activate with some kind of liquid - anything from water to tea, honey, an oil or liquid cleanser - and then use as either a cleanser or face mask.  The beads, which smell fresh and citrusy, gently exfoliate, leaving behind super soft and smooth skin.  Kaia has given the beads a makeover for the holidays and they now come adorably packaged with a small vial of moringa oil and a tiny wooden spoon.

Juice Beauty Best of Juice Beauty Set ($48)
I haven't actually tried anything from Juice Beauty before, but their holiday sets tempt me every single year.  The Best of Set is a 10-day advent-type gift that comes with ten of Juice Beauty's best-selling products.  You get full sizes of the Green Apple Age Defy Handcream, SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer and Reflecting Gloss in Fig, plus various samples from their skincare line.

Yarok Holiday Quartet ($32)
This quartet, which I believe is exclusive to EcoDivaBeauty, comes with travel sizes of Yarok's mousse, leave-in conditioner, hairspray, and shine serum.  I've used two of the four and have only good things to say.  Yarok is definitely one of the best when it comes to natural hair products. 

Blissoma Aromatherapy Candle Gift Trio ($45)
Candles always make a good wintertime gift and Blissoma's 100% botanical, vegan, natural, and anti-allergenic candles are a great choice.  Made of clean-burning soy wax, they use a cotton wick and contain no dyes, synthetic scents or burn extenders.  The candles, which burn for 20-25 hours each, are small batch poured with completely hand blended scents.  Pictured here are the candles in Peace, Love and Calm, but there are also two other trios: Balance, Happiness and Energize and Celebrate, Delight and Harmony.  

Lily Lolo Laid Bare Palette ($34)
Lily Lolo has really stepped up their game recently with a classy rebranding and awesome new pressed makeup products.  With wearable neutral shades (both matte and shimmer) and a good sized mirror, the Laid Bare palette is a great alternative to the ever-popular Naked palettes, only more portable (it's only about 4.5 inches long) and without the nasty ingredients.  I've barely had mine for 24 hours, so I can't speak much to how it wears, but if you have someone on your list that's struggling to transition to natural makeup - or someone who needs some convincing to make the switch - this might just be the ticket.  There's also a second palette, the Enchanted Palette, which features darker, smokier shades and a mix of neutrals and colors.

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you check out Part 1 of my Gift Guide, and keep an eye out for the last part, coming on Friday.  

How are your holiday gifts coming?  I managed to cross off most of my list over the weekend, and was even able to take advantage of some of the great sales that were going on.  If you're still shopping, I've put together my yearly gift guide for green beauty lovers.  I decided to split the guide into three parts this year, so make sure you check back for the other two posts on Wednesday and Friday.  



Dr. Sponge Konjac Sponge ($8.50)
A konjac sponge is a great inexpensive gift for any skincare lover on your list.  Made from an Asian root, the sponges are an eco-friendly, fully compostable tool that gently exfoliates the skin whilst whisking away dirt, makeup, and other impurities.  Different varieties like green tea, charcoal, and aloe vera mean there's a sponge to target almost any skin concern you might have.

Gabriel / Zuzu Luxe Holiday Duos ($15.50 / $18.50)
These holiday duos are a great (and cute) way to try out one - or both - of these lines.  Depending which set you choose, you get either Gabriel or Zuzu's black mascara, plus one of four different lip glosses.  The sets cost roughly the same as one mascara or lip gloss, so you're getting a crazy deal on the pair.  

Rachel's Plan Bee Body Oil ($24)
This body oil, created at customers' request, is a gorgeous oil that's equal parts practical and indulgent.  It hydrates like a dream, but also feels super luxurious going on.  The scent is amazing too: a blend of citrus and vanilla that combines into a great vanilla cake/bakery scent.  It's sweet but not overpowering.

Hugo Naturals Holiday Soaps ($4.30-6.15)
Shaped like snowflakes and Christmas trees, these soaps would make great stocking stuffers.  The soaps are scented with essential oils and colored with mineral and plant pigments and are pretty readily available at Whole Foods and other health food stores.  I have the Vanilla Peppermint Snowflake in my bathroom right now, where it looks adorable and smells like a candy cane.  

Petit Vour Subscription Box ($15-30, varies by location)
Subscription boxes are a great gift for the beauty lover and Petit Vour is one of the best.  Each month brings a carefully curated selection of luxury vegan, cruelty free, and natural products.  Check out my past reviews/unboxings to get an idea of what comes in the box.

Crazy Rumors Festive Collection ($13.49)
Lip balm is a staple for almost everyone, especially in the colder months and Crazy Rumors are a great vegan choice.  The Festive Collection includes flavours like Candy Cane and Plum & Peppermint, which sound pretty perfect for this time of year.

Deep Steep Candy Mint Foot Lotion ($6-10)
I'm pretty sure this made it into last year's gift guide, but even so, I wanted to include it here.  Deep Steep's Candy Mint products smell like sweet peppermint and are lovely in the winter months.  The foot lotion is my favorite from the line - it's super rich and great on dry feet, and it's actually one of my favorite lotions to use as a hand cream too!  If you can get your hands on them, Deep Steep also came out with a couple limited edition scents for the holidays: Sugar Plum and Peppermint Vanilla (which actually smells pretty similar to the Candy Mint.)

Pretty Bath Fizzes in Chamomile Dream and Three Wise Men ($6.50 / $7.50)
Pretty is a small Toronto company with some of the cutest packaging around.  The Bath Fizzes use a base of baking soda and citric acid, along with moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil.  Whether you opt for one of the permanent scents like Chamomile Dream or a seasonal one like the frankincense-infused Three Wise Men, I don't think you (or your gift recipient) will be disappointed!

Vapour Organics Elixir Lip Gloss ($22)
If I had to pick one favorite lip gloss brand, I think it would be Vapour Beauty.  The glosses won't dry out your lips and they have a perfect, creamy consistency.  The packaging is elegant - with a brush as opposed to a regular doe foot applicator - and there's a great selection of colors to choose from.   

Have you already finished your holiday shopping?  Or are you a late shopper, just getting started now?   

Also, don't forget to check back for the final two parts of my gift guide later in the week!