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:
Salt by Hendrix Nourish + Revive
Hydration and healing on high. Nourish and Revive from Salt by Hendrix is a restoring blend of Rosehip, Argan and Marula Oils bringing life to my winter skin and deeply hydrating my hair. Also, the oil absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy residue. Lather and decompress. It also keeps the skin soft, and the ingredients help clarify skin tone — one to use if you have scarring (which I do). Based in Sydney, Salt by Hendrix is a vegan and cruelty-free brand and all their products are clean — 100% free of synthetic ingredients, products made from truly natural and organic ingredients.
UMA Oils Discovery Kit
These oils are an investment, so I started with the 3 ml testers, so I need to figure out what I'll do when I run out. UMA creates Ayurvedic and aromatherapeutic elixirs that are 100% organic botanicals — grown, distilled, formulated and bottled in small batches in India. For UMA luxury is born from exquisite craftsmanship. UMA tests their oils on real women and never animals. UMA Oils are full of healing botanicals, STRONG though — and for me, that's fine. Created with three of my favourite oils, sandalwood, rose and neroli absolute, I'll wear the Absolute Anti-Aging Body Oil as a fragrance. Who doesn't love a hardworking, multi-purpose buy?
I infrequently condition so massage 5-6 drops of the Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil directly onto my scalp, finger comb it through my ends, and twist my hair up in a bun. The greasy feeling is worth the future soft hair you'll have tomorrow. Indian Gooseberry and Cypriol work to preserve your strands' precious pigment to prevent premature greying. Go for this hair oil if your bank balance can take it.
UMA Pure Calm Wellness Oil smells like what you want your body to always smell like, intoxicating because of the vetiver and jasmine but ultimately herbal because of the Roman chamomile and geranium — all of which deliver radiance-boosting, anti-oxidants to the skin. Apply everywhere and de-stress. This one makes going to bed even more thrilling than it already is.
You feel UMA's Ultimate Brightening Face Oil working the minute you open the bottle and smell it. To be honest, 3 ml is not enough to see results. I'd purchase this one in all it's 30 ml glory though. You read the ingredients list — rose, neroli, sandalwood and frankincense essential oils — all potent botanicals — every single ingredient is 100% active, a multi-correctional powerhouse. Before SPF, I'm alternating between the Brightening and Absolute Anti Ageing Face Oil. Both deeply hydrate but absorb instantly. Also, my face smells expensive.
Olio E Osso Balm No. 6
Purchased this to claim my Mecca Beauty Loop box, truthfully I had wanted to try and need a neutral balm. As a freelance marketer, photographer and writer, I have worked from home for two years, then Covid, I don't go outside that much but still wash my face, I wrote about that here, skincare is my focus. I love Olio E Osso No. 6 —the pigment, and one stick lasts forever. The ultra-wide stick glides on, the texture super smooth — it's shea butter and olive oil. And yes there is beeswax, but you won't find petroleum. So no, Olio e Osso is not vegan.
Clean beauty is an umbrella term that has various layers sitting underneath. It's too complicated a term to define succinctly and, to be honest, my understanding of the term is forever evolving. I don't believe that buying sustainably or ethically is as simple as buying vegan. I think there needs to be space where we try to create a bridge between what you're doing and the values that you have.
Olio E Osso states the base for all their products are 100% natural with the exception Balm No. 2. And at the same time, they are looking to switch to a lab-produced mica over concerns they cannot obtain mica from a supplier willing to certify that there is no child labour involved. Olio E Osso products are made in small batches in Portland, Oregon. Any step towards those values is a huge step forward, and we need to support these brands.
Too Faced Hangover Primer
Too Faced has managed with Hangover to make a primer that is both skincare and makeup. Coconut water hydrates for plump cherub face while lauric acid — which has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, functions to clear acne and works more to moisturise skin while it exfoliates. Heavy on probiotics, Hangover does for your face what kimchi does for your gut — to help your skin regain its natural balance. Using probiotics topically is the health move your acneic, problematic skin needs. And yes, it smells like coconuts. For foundation, I'm an advocate of Hylamide Transparent Photography Foundation. It's $27, has the most beautiful light coverage, and never breaks me out. I'll take this and layer Hangover Primer underneath, and watch product glide right over. Dewy, seamless application, every time.
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.