Welcome Our Favourite Products, a monthly feature of the products keeping our skin glowing, mood lifted and health high. It's a combination of the new things we've tried over the previous month and historic repeat purchases that we think you might love too. And as part of our editorial policy, every product we write about is vegan, cruelty-free and 100% natural and where possible organic. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of incorporating clean beauty and wellness products into your daily routine — or even finding them, we hope you find the following helpful. And as a reminder, a constant favourite of mine — clean filtered water. Drink it frequently, daily. Here's what I'm loving this month:
Le Labo Body Cream (Hinoki)
This is not an ordinary body cream. Texturally, it's dense, whipped like buttercream and the scent — earthy, a tad spicy with musk. Perfectly unisex. I use this on damp skin after a shower. Hinoki is not available as a standalone fragrance though the scent lasts quite a while so that sort of makes up for it. All Le Labo's formulas are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. This plant-based body cream is deeply restorative, a reparative blend of shea butter, avocado and coconut oils to nourish and energise while encouraging deep hydration. This cream is also paraben-free, phthalate-free and artificial colourant-free. I almost lost this to air security at Melbourne airport and at that moment understood how this woman felt who lost her Le Labo fragrance down an NYC subway gap. I purchased my cream at Le Labo in Melbourne, subsequent Le Labo purchases will be from behind a screen via Mecca.
Grandiflora Queen of the Night
I fell so hard for this Grandiflora fragrance, wearing it almost exclusively for several months. It's gone now. I'm contemplating between purchasing another or trying Burning Barbershop from D.S. & Dugra. Inevitably I will wear this scent again. Created by Grandiflora and Bertrand Duchaufour, Queen of the Night or Selenicereus Grandiflorus takes inspiration from the rare cactus that blooms for one night a year and dies in the dawn. At first, a vibrant floral that settles into a humid evening of must and wood. Grandiflora's Queen of the Night confirmed via an Instagram D.M. is a 100% vegan fragrance. Owned by Saskia Havekes, Grandiflora began as a florist in Sydney's Potts Point and remains. Queen of the Night was launched in 2016 under a rare pink moon in the historic Roudnitska family garden, Cabris, France. That's the vibe—a darker nuanced aroma. And I usually like a bit of musk and patchouli in whatever I'm wearing. If this sounds like a bit of you, World retails Grandiflora in New Zealand, elsewhere visit Grandiflora Fragrances.
Aesop States of Being: Aromatique Room Spray Trio
Initially, I purchased Aesop’s Cythera room spray, committed to the 100ml which is a woody, spicy, oriental scent. When I exhausted that bottle, I decided to buy the discovery set and so now, I rotate them as part of my new evening routine. For those infatuated with woody fragrances, just a few sprays of Olous delivers an earthy scent paired with unusual citrusy qualities. Istros I'll also spray on my bed linen (at a distance) — which is a vibrant floral with a hint of smoke. And if you just aren't responsible enough for candles, room fragrance is your solution. Sweaty gym clothes and poor ventilation? I can corroborate the website copy; instantly, any space smells like the brands' stores. And since many of us are spending more time (or, all the time) at home right now, we might as well have our spaces smell like we've escaped to an Aesop store.
D.S. & Durga Concrete After Lightning
Hard to describe, think electrically charged asphalt and weeds cooled by rain. NYC after a thunderstorm — muggy, the smell of rain and grass. Uniquely intoxicating, this scent invades space. Equally impressive is how the candle burns; there was no residual wax; only the woven cotton wick remained. I’ve reused the vessel to hold nail files. Brooklyn perfume pioneers, David (D.S.) and Kavi Moltz (Durga) have forged a cult following for their uniquely refined, fantastical fragrances. Born out of Brooklyn, created in small batches in Brooklyn — all D.S. & Durga formulas are 100% vegan. The boxes, engineered to be foam-free are made from recyclable paper and their shipping materials — biodegradable. I purchased my candle from Mecca. D.S & Durga ship internationally and if you have a Prime account, you’ll find select products on Amazon.
Everything we create is an effort to participate in a culture shift. All products featured are independently selected and curated by the authors, and we only feature items we use or would use ourselves that align with our values. As part of our business model, we do work with affiliates such as Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases if you decide to purchase through our links. The price would be the same to you either way, but if you find value in our work, then these affiliate links are a way to support it. We only recommend brands, makers and products we use — that we support. Transparency is important to us, so if you have any questions, please reach out to us.