My Top Picks for Radiant Beauty

AKA Amazing Products From Awesome Women

Every once in awhile I come across a local company that offers a truly inspiring product line, and more often than not, that company is owned by a woman (the icing on the cake). I'd like to share some of my favorites. My recommendations are based on these products' unimpeachable ingredients, as well as the healthy and joyous living philosophy that inspired each of these women's creations. 

Golden Path Alchemy - The serums, exfoliants, masques and cleansers in this locally made skin care line are crafted entirely from plants and herbs - you won't find any parabens, pthalates or sulfates here. In the words of co-founder Ashley Beckman,"We combine different techniques and medicinals that span ancient traditions to modern knowledge; therapeutic grade essential oils, a variety of medicinals and herbs, Andean Orchid and Peruvian flower essences, gem elixirs, pure plant oils and extracts come together to awaken, purify, refine, renew, and illuminate the skin and spirit. We choose whole foods for the skin, opting for as little processing as possible. All of the ingredients in our handmade products must be nutrient- and vitamin-rich, completely unadulterated, truly natural and as fresh as can be." Music to my ears (and my skin's pretty happy too).
 

Chivas Skin Care - Another locally made skin care line, Chivas' main product ingredient is goats' milk. And you can be assured those goats are well cared for; they live on the family farm of Chivas mother-daughter team Donna and Lauren and are hand-milked to deliver this vitamin-packed, ultra-gentle and supremely nourishing elixir for the skin. Chivas keeps it simple with a line that includes goats' milk soap, moisturizing creme, bath salts and lip balm. And, of course, everything is free of pthalates, parabens and chemical preservatives. As an added bonus, each product is beautifully scented with essential oils and herbs. Where do those herbs come from? You guessed it: Donna and Lauren's garden. 
 

Nicobella Organics - Of course, we all know that what we put inside our bodies is as important to how we look and feel as what we put on our skin. Nicobella offers what I think might be the only true guilt-free indulgence, at least when it comes to sweets. Nutritionist and company founder Nichole Dandrea has crafted her dark chocolate truffles out of purely organic, vegan, whole-food ingredients, and each flavor delivers a delicious kick of antioxidants. Nicobella's innovative line includes the following varieties: green tea/ginger, pumpkin/chai, banana/sunflower seed, walnut/flaxseed, pure cocoa and blueberry/almond. My personal favorites are the spicy pumpkin chai and the slightly savory walnut/flaxseed. Before discovering Nicobella, I already considered dark chocolate to be a health food, but now I'm even more excited about getting my daily cocoa dose!
 

Naja Tea - Speaking of antioxidants, what better beverage to wash down your chocolate truffles than a cozy (or refreshingly iced) cup of tea? Naja Hayward is a bona-fide tea nut, and she's created some of the most inspiring loose leaf tea blends I've ever tasted. Pink Passion, an herbal tea crafted out of apples, peaches, apricots and hibiscus, may be my favorite, but I'm awfully fond of her Allure white tea (flavored with tangerines and berries), as well as her Sassafras Chai. Whatever your taste, Naja has a white, black, green, white, Rooibos or herbal tea to suit you. If you're toying with the idea of giving up coffee, I'm pretty confident Naja won't have any trouble converting you to tea. And you definitely won't want to mess around with those pre-made tea bags anymore, either.

Comments

[Ashley Beckman]

Thanks for the shout out Erin! These are some of my favorite beauty picks as well! I drink Naja tea every day (pink passion and butterfly wings) and I use the Chivas Lavender Oatmeal soap as well. Who knew goat milk soap could be so wonderful! I am in love with both of these products. I got a gift of NicoBella truffles once and they were delicious - my favorite was the pumpkin chai.

[moby wrap]

Thanks for the helpful information it sure will help me to adopt healthy habits.