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Heather's holiday hopefuls
I always feel kind of funny about asking for beauty products as a gift, because even though my family and friends know me, I still feel like what I use in the shower is pretty personal. This year I've decided to put things on my list that I enjoy for a variety of reasons, whether it's something that smells nice, something that looks nice, or something that makes me look or smell nice.
Let's start with looking nice. I like to look nice,and I like my vanity to look nice, and this gift covers both. Sephora's Think Pink Vanity Brush Set
has six brushes in a pretty pink vanity case that has inside a spot for each brush to stand up, so the brushes don't flop all over the place. I also like that the brushes are shapes and sizes that I would actually use - none of those useless (IMHO) sponge applicators. And did I mention it's pink? Can't go wrong with pink :)
No wish list for me can be complete without asking for anything from Suki's Naturals. I just can't get enough of these products. All natural - truly - amazing smelling, feels great on the skin. I could go on and on. My current favs from the line include the hair care and the vitamin C brightening products. The shampoo and conditioner are hands-down the most amazing I've ever used. Both are free from all the nasty chemical ingredients that make me want to cringe every time I think about how much of it I've put on my skin and hair over the years. The Clean Balance shampoo doesn't strip your hair, suds really nicely with just a small amount, and rinses completely out in a snap. I love to use this on my kids because they don't have to stand under the shower forever to get their hair rinsed. The Clean Balance conditioner is also fantastic, light but nicely detangling, and also rinses easily leaving just soft hair behind. Since I am also trying to eliminate scary plastic-filled, gummy styling products from my routine, I now use the Clean Balance hair treatment oil on towel-dried hair and it gives my hair a little shine and calms any frizzy bits, like a leave-in conditioner.
For my skin, I love Suki's Complexion Brightening Cream with vitamin C, rose wax and shea butter. I've been using it for a few weeks now and have noticed that my skin looks fresher and less blotchy in the red-prone areas. The Bright Complexion Moisture Masque is also terrific. It goes on really fluid, like the moisturizers, but it dries and really seems to infuse the skin with moisture. My face looks more supple and hydrated after I use it.
Can you tell that I think that anything from Suki's Naturals would make a great gift? :)
Another idea for looking nice is apparel, and I've definitely had my eye on some goodies from The Hempest, namely the Bell Sleeve Turtleneck, Alpaca Zip Sweater, and Hemp Hoodlamb jacket. Oh, and a gift certificate to Moo Shoes vegan shoe store is always appreciated.
Now for smelling nice, and that means both me and my home. This time of year, I love candles, but in trying to keep a more eco-friendly home, I hate the idea of that nasty black smoke in my house from traditional paraffin wax candles. At a recent sustainable gift fair here in Portland, I had a the pleasure of meeting Kim from The Organic Candle Company and I picked up two of their Orenco Chai candles. Not only do they smell amazing, but they are clean-burning, have no synthetics, and they are hand-poured into recycled wine bottles so they look beautiful on your table or mantle. If you love candles, do yourself a favor and invest in a few of these for your holiday celebrations.
As for me and nice smelling things, I am very particular about my perfume. The only ones I wear are Aveda Pure-Fume Absolute Aveda Love and Clean Pure Perfume Oil, which was $82 but is now $25 at Sephora, but is out of stock. I've gotten it before from The Blush Beauty Bar, so I wonder if it's that cheap there, too... It's also online at nordstrom.com but at the regular price.
Now, for something fun: Sublime Stitching Embroidery Kits. I love working with my hands - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, sewing - so when I found this kit online that makes it so super easy to learn embroidery and get started right in on a project, I just can't resist. Creator Jenny Hart has put together kits with everything you need to stitch a tea towel, pillow, baby bib, or use your own fabric and her crazy, fun patterns. Some of my favorite funky pattern choices include Cat-a-Rama, Craftopia, Dachshunds, and Krazy Kitchen. This is a hip, cool gift for anyone crafty that you know.
Happy holidays!
Posted December 17, 2005
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