Looking for stylish, eco-friendly gifts this year? You already get an A+ in my book for simply considering products that are kind to our beloved Earth. From hair care to jewelry to bath and body products, the following is a list of environmentally savvy gift ideas to help you jump start your holiday shopping season. Each gift idea below has been vetted and tested by yours truly. I've done the research for you to ensure each product is truly Earth friendly, so shop on, sister.
Number 4 Hair Products
Let your eco-friendly enthusiast nix split ends while simultaneously showing respect to the Earth with a little nudge from Number 4 hair care products. This affordable, but luxurious, hair line offers high quality shampoos, conditioners and numerous styling products that are all eco-friendly.
"By combining nature's greatest ingredients, forward-edge technology and innovation, we make your hair be what it should be - the ultimate look that defines new stylistic territories," reads the company's manifesto.
Each product comes in minimalist-chic packaging. And as for the products themselves, they'll do wonders on tired hair. Dry-haired femmes will fall in love with their hydrating shampoo and conditioner ($36). If you're buying for thin or limp hair, opt for Number 4's volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner ($36). You can find the products on sites like Amazon and at various salons across the country.
Kigo Footwear
Any minimalist who appreciates high-quality footwear and the environment will get a kick out of Kigo Footwear (pun intended). Each shoe by Kigo boasts a lightweight frame -- perfect for everyday and active wear -- in addition to a low toe spring, sockless liner, flexible sole, wide toe box and a zero drop heel.Kigo also subscribes to an ecologically responsible mentality. Each shoe boasts a recycled outsole, post-consumer construction via Cyclepet uppers and certified non-toxic dyes and glues. If that weren't convincing enough, they're also made via a low-carbon output production process. The shoes themselves are exceptionally comfortable and stylish. Prices range from $69.99 to $91 per pair.
On 11/28, enter HOLIDAYKIGO for a 25% discount site wide.
Muichic Tagua Jewelry
Know someone who's addicted to color and appreciates sustainable and organic products? Meet Muichic Tagua jewelry, a handcrafted jewelry line from Columbia that's colorful enough to make rainbows jealous. Each piece incorporates Tagua, a wild nut grown in the tropical forests of South America that's considered the botanical alternative to ivory. It's relatively lightweight and, once polished, takes on the texture of a cool, smooth stone.
Because Tagua is a natural product, each varies in shape, texture and color, making each piece of jewelry truly one of a kind. Prices range from approximately $20 to $150. I'm particularly digging their splashy-hued earrings, all affordably priced and sure to earn the wearer a compliment or two. Purchase at Muichic.com.
Antho Bath and Beauty Products
Beauty purists will swoon over pretty much anything from Antho, a company that sells "truly organic, vegan and eco-friendly" bath and beauty products. All ingredients used are USDA certified organic and Antho never, ever uses preservatives, synthetics or cheap fillers.
You can shop by skin type, including normal, dry/mature, oily/combination and sensitive. An especially gift-worthy product are the face masks ($15.95), which come packaged in a container resembling a spice jar. Each mask is actually a powder that must be mixed with 1 to 2 tsp. of water before using, thereby eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and preservatives.
Your eco-friendly gift recipient will also love Antho's line of organic body scrubs ($18.95) that come in mouth-watering flavors like Coffee Bean, Raspberry Mint and Chocolate. Products available at MyAntho.com.
Spirit Beauty Lounge's PAI Tranquility Bath & Body Collection
Allow your eco-lover to sit back and relax with Spirit Beauty Lounge's Pai Tranquility Bath & Body Collection ($30). This all-natural gift set, priced at an affordable $30, combines luxurious Jasmine and May Chang into a rejuvenating body oil and a relaxing bath oil. Both moisturize dry, sensitive skin -- perfect for winter use and for anyone who could use a little extra moisture in their life.
Another green gift idea from Spirit Beauty Lounge is their Buddha Nose Girl Gift Set ($64), which includes 1 Girl Balm, 1 jar of Girl Bath Salts, 1 Lip Balm and 1 4oz Heart Spray in a lovely box. For the perfect stocking stuffer, opt for their All The Better to Kiss You With Holiday Kiss Kit ($14.99), a set of Certified Organic lip balms.
Bonus: All packaging supplies are recycled.
Myrtle Leaf Organic Skincare Products
All-natural skincare is important for several reasons. First and foremost, organic is always better -- especially when it comes to putting things in your mouth and applying products on your skin. It only follows that organic skincare products means better skin."After much experimentation using natural oils, butters, extracts and essential oils," says Kay Del Shelton, Myrtle Leaf founder, "I was seeing dramatic improvements in the texture and clarity of my skin."
She went on to develop numerous organic skincare products, including top sellers like the Organic Olive & Orange Blossom Foaming Face Wash ($22), the Organic Ginger Root Mist Moisturizer ($15) and "Nature's Chemistry" Organic Nutrients Hydrating Serum ($34). At those prices, Myrtle Leaf makes an affordable, eco-friendly gift for mom, sister, co-worker or best friend. Don't forget to snag a few goodies for yourself, either.
SIBU Beauty
Though you -- and your recipient -- may not be very familiar with the sea buckthorn berry, we highly recommend introducing yourself to it. Sibu Beauty uses the sea buckthorn berry in each of its all-natural, eco-friendly beauty products. The berry contains protective nutrient like vitamins A, C, E and K, minerals, antioxidants and essential omega fatty acids.
Along with those and the 190 other bio-active nutrients from the sea buckthorn berry, Sibu Beauty products work to revitalize, renew, and replenish skin. Your recipient will love the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser ($17.95), Replenishing Night Cream ($34.95) and Hydrating Serum ($39.95). Sibu Beauty's Cleanse & Detox facial soap bar would make the perfect stocking stuffer at $6.95.
Use the code SIBUONETIME for 20% off all orders through December 31st at SibuBeauty.com.
Dr. Doormat
OK, so this one's not exactly a beauty or fashion-related buy, but it's definitely a gift that'll make your environmentally savvy recipient look -- and feel -- better. While the Earth is wonderful, some of its components are not, including allergens, toxins, dirt and microbes that cause breathing difficulties and unpleasant skin reactions. That's where Dr. Doormat comes into play. It's the first antimicrobial doormat that safely blocks 99% of the debris on shoes from entering the home.Priced at $44.99 for the 2' x 3' house size and $24.99 for the 2' x 1 1/2' apartment size, this eco-friendly, EPA approved doormat is an affordable gift. Buy at DrDoormat.com or at Bed Bath and Beyond starting in February.
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