Festive Favourites
It’s that time of year again and the following are my top picks for Christmas and indeed anytime. I love these brands for many reasons, but mostly because I trust them all implicitly. Most of them I have written about before, with a couple of recent discoveries. Bear in mind, they are all small companies trying to make a living, while also making our world a better place, so please check them out and have a happy & peaceful Christmas.
Nunaia
This multi-award winning organic, vegan superfood facial oil serum is formulated from plant actives from the Peruvian Rainforest and Andes Mountains where Irish-born founder Nicola Connolly lived for many years. It's a deeply moisturising infusion created to balance the skin’s natural moisture levels, reduce redness and enhance skin radiance (£79/€94). The Superfood Cleansing Balm is her new baby which also overflows with Nunaia’s signature rainforest actives with added vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids to deeply cleanse and leave the skin soft and hydrated. (£47/€59)
One Ocean Beauty
Another recent discovery, this US-based brand is on a mission to protect our oceans through their partnership with Oceana. Naturally, the marine based ingredients are sustainably sourced and the products sing of glowing marine goodness . I’m about to try their marine collagen supplements and will keep you posted!
Slow Ageing Essentials
I adore this boutique skincare brand in its entirety - the ethos resonates and the products feel beautiful on my skin. If I was to choose (although quite difficult) the Essential Exfoliating Polish would be my favourite, along with the Essential Facial Essence (of course as its formulated from pure skin-nourishing oils!) Both £75/€89.
Irene Forte Skincare
A recent find, the ethos of this divine brand resonates and I love what the founder, Irene Forte, is on a mission to achieve. In essence, the products are a healthy, sustainable dose of the mediterranean diet for your face and body, and frankly we need every bit of it, especially during the colder winter months. Check out the complete range, but for a handy stocking filler the Pistachio Lip Balm, enriched with shea butter, mango butter and pistachio oil is perfect (£21/€25)
Cloon Keen Atelier
As regular readers will already know Margaret Mangan is my all-time favourite candle maker and an award-winning perfume creator too! All of her hand-crafted candles are divine and they last for hours, but her festive Noble Fir (£33/€40) is a real winner - if you can still get it (as it was sold out when I last looked). Spanish Arch continues to draw at my heart strings too - hardly surprising as my hometown of Galway on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coastline remains one of my favourite corners in our world #happyplace.
Modern Botany
As regular readers will know Modern Botany remains amongst my favourite skincare staples. Simon Jackson and John Murray are encyclopedia of natural plant knowledge, so every time I buy their oil and deodorant I know I am getting the very best of natural plant goodness, without the toxic extras. Their Christmas Gift set contains their fab multi award-winning natural deodorant (100ml) and super nourishing face/ body oil in a gift box with Christmas card (£50/€60)
Yogaclicks
This is my go-to online resource for all things yoga and wellbeing. Yogaclicks founder, Lucy Edge, (a passionate yogi herself!) sources the finest ethically made malas, oils, yoga mats and lifestyle clothing- all of which are great gifts as are the new life-affirming lavender-infused eye pillows, with microwaveable choices too comfort - all hand-crafted by yogis around the world (£25/€27)
Asquith
A love of nature and deep respect for the environment is the ethos of this boutique London brand. All of their clothing is ethically sourced and created using top quality, sustainable eco performance fabrics. The leggings and loungewear feel great on my skin - and they last. This jumpsuit is the current Christmas favourite (£95/€113)
Open Hive Honey
If in Dublin - why not gift some of the county’s best honey? This sustainable new start up is set for great things and the honey is the best yet, produced from apiaries in South Dublin and North Wicklow. Each jar is labelled with the apiary name with a flavour unique to that apiary ((£8/€10)Use it to on your skin too - a super effective cleansing facial mask - a super easy recipe in my GLOW book (of course another Christmas gift option too!!)