I’ve been meaning to do a “global beauty spotlight” for a few weeks now that the entries for the 2024 Awards are all wrapped up, because I’ve come across some absolute crackers, well worth sharing.
So here are 12 tried + loved” favourites, all of them very apt for the autumn/winter season ahead of us.
GERMANY
THE BODY SERUM CALLED “PEACE”
Fine Cosmetics Peace Body Serum (Giant Fir & Tonka)
Love the name, love the product.
Why? It’s silky, absorbent with a pretty much perfect texture while the fir and tonka blend is wonderfully warming and a bit different, making “Peace” is perfect for falling leaf season. (And for those who aren’t that keen on body oils, this definitely is one to try).
AUSTRIA
THE WINTER-PROOFING LIP BALM HERO
Phystine – Natural Lip Balm No.2
Why? Phystine has formulated a really effective “bodyguard” for lips. Ultra-protective, it stays on for ages and forms a protective barrier against chilly winds and cold weather or drying central heating indoors.
And like the entire all-natural, award-winning water-free Phystine skincare range it’s refreshingly plastic-free – so extra points for that too.
IRELAND
THE WINTER SANCTUARY CANDLE
VOYA – Lavender, Rose & Camomile Candle
VOYA’s Instagram is one of my favourites, it’s so evocative of the scenic wildness and natural “richness” of Ireland, I love a lot of VOYA products but I always crave their candles when autumn comes around.
Why? A summer garden in winter, this Lavender, Rose & Camomile candle is a natural calmer: light it when dusk gives way to darkness and settle in with a chai latte or warm mug of lemon, honey and ginger.
Focus on the flame while you let the day’s busy-ness fade…a lovely moment in which to count your blessings (especially right now when the world feels unpredictable, cruel and unhinged).
ITALY
THE “DOLOMITI DIGESTIVE” TEA + A GOLDEN BALM-TO-OIL BODY OIL
Team Dr Joseph – Dolomite Digestive Herbal Tea & Golden Glow Body Oil
Wow, I love this brand. A totally new discovery for me, Team Dr Joseph’s “home” is high in the mountains of Brunico (Bruneck) in the South Tyrol region. Which somehow makes sipping this beautiful (chamomile, mint, green anise and fennel) after-dinner digestive tea even more evocative and enjoyable.
Team Dr Joseph’s beauty offering is strong, too (I’ve been testing some skincare products). The Golden Glow Body Oil (a solid balm in the jar) melts upon contact with skin and to say it’s rich in delicious oils is understating things.
The stellar oils include olive, almond, borage, linseed, jojoba, macadamia and argan and in addition it gives a subtle shimmer along with its light, unobtrusive, pleasing fragrance.
Team Dr Joseph has been an Italian natural skincare pioneer since 1986, the brand is carbon and plastic neutral.
Why? This brand has a really good energy around it and its close connection to Nature is so tangible via the products #LOVE
FROM THE NETHERLANDS…TO NEW ZEALAND
THE “IN-ITS-OWN LEAGUE” ROOM SPRAY
Abel Home Fragrances (new launch)
Born in Holland, now in New Zealand, Abel recently launched 3 Home Fragrance Sprays – all 100% natural, plant-derived and toxin-free to elevate our living space and ease us into this brand new season.
They are:
Scene 01 – Green Tea, Yuzu, Verbena (my almost equal personal favourite with Scene 02 but as a devout fig fan, Scene 02 wins by a whisker)
Scene 02 – Fig, Marigold, Cedarwood
Scene 03 – Leather, Tonka, Vanilla
Why? They’re genuinely in a league of their own, making Abel one of the most exciting, original and innovative modern artisan fragrance brands around today.
FRANCE
LE “GREEN MANICURE” EST ARRIVÉ!
Manucurist Nail Polish
Why? Paris-based free-from nail brand Manucurist’s formulas are made with ingredients derived from wheat, corn, potato, cassava, sugarcane and cotton and while that’s innovative and commendable, it’s also the shades on offer that seal the deal (there are lots!)
Deep wine shade lovers will veer towards Hollyhock and Dark Pansy while shimmer-full Cosmic Rose doesn’t just lend itself to the chaise-longue days of summer, it’s a gorgeous non-burgundy choice for the upcoming festive season.
SPAIN
THE CLEMENTINE CLEANSING TREAT
Twelve Beauty Clementine Cleansing Balm
Oh my goodness. If I had to choose one cleanser “forever” this would be so high up the list.
Why? This deliciously creamy white “balm-cream” is a joy to use and the scent is, as Ayla Beauty store, who stocks Twelve Beauty, says: “like a creamsicle with an extra hit of clementine”.
The brand’s founder Dr Pedro Catalá adds, “I always formulate with sensitive skin in mind, but everyone can benefit from this balm as it helps to reduce the dreaded TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss)”
I’m going to borrow the words from Twelve’s website here to describe Pedro:
“He fuses his scientific knowledge in pharmacy, botany and cosmetology with 20 years of expertise in plants and herbology into a unique approach for modern urban skincare.
After years of extensive research he developed TWELVE BEAUTY – natural organic skincare. A revolutionary reward for radiant skin”.
I can’t say enough good things about his brand – or this divine(ly scented) cleansing balm.
GREECE
THE FANTASTIC MASTIC “EVERYTHING” SOAP
Kear Mastic Herbal Beauty Soap
Yiasou 🇬🇷 ☀️ Did you know the Greek Island of Chios is famous for its mastic, the resin from Pistacia Lentiscus, the mastic tree?
Like Twelve’s Clementine Cleansing Balm, this soap’s fragrance is one of its highlights.
Why? This Made In Greece artisan soap is one of those all-rounders that’s always useful to have on hand in the bathroom – it’s for the face, body AND hair. And it helps draw out impurities and although it’s great for photo-aged skin it also tackles oily/combination skin well.
SPAIN
THE EYE SERUM SAVIOUR
Dafna’s Skincare “Eye Care”
Dafna’s Skincare – named after its talented founder and skincare pioneer Dafna Shaham – is one of the most “consistently good” brands across its whole range, which in today’s competitive beauty market is quite something.
So the question is…which Dafna product to choose for this post?
If you like your eye care light-but-potent, plant-driven and cutting-edge, Dafna’s Eye Care is a light lotion-serum that covers lots of bases.
Why? Without delving into the well researched nature-meets-science behind it (and Dafna’s an expert at this), this high performance formula helps de-puff, revitalise, tone, boost collagen, calm inflammation, brighten/illuminate the under eye zone.
Everything you’d wish for in one bottle.
Here’s the INCI:
Ingredients: Aqua**, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Glycerin*****, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil*, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil**, Cetyl Alcohol*****, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil**, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil**, Xanthan Gum*****, Propanediol*****, Sodium Hyaluronate*****, Calendula Officinalis Extract*, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract**, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Extract*****, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Oligosaccharides**, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum*****, Caprylhydroxamic Acid****, Tocopherol**, Gluconolactone*****, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil***, Linalool****, Geraniol****, Citronellol****, Citral****.
* Bio certified ingredient ** 100% pure botanical source *** 100% pure essential oil **** Natural derived oil constituents ***** Certified botanical derived ingredient.
CZECH REPUBLIC
THE MUSHROOMS-MEET-CBD BRAIN BOOSTER
CBD Star Active – Adaptogens wellness supplement
10mg CBD per serving backed up by two brain-nourishing mushrooms – Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane – yes please, making this a great 3-in-1 de-stresser/endurance booster/cognitive enhancer with a positive domino effect of benefits.
Why? Love the CBD but also Cordyceps helps increase stamina and endurance (it helps the body consume more oxygen thereby combatting fatigue, including at high altitudes).
Meanwhile, Lion’s Mane has been appearing in a lot more cognitive health formulas in the past few years but it has other benefits aside from boosting the brain. It’s attributed to be good for liver, heart and kidney health, helps regulate blood pressure – and blood sugar – and it might even help slow ageing.
ESTONIA
THE SHINING LIP STAR
JOIK’s Colour, Gloss & Care Lip Oils
Yes #LIKE. One of JOIK’s more recent launches, these lip oils come in 7 shades (I think it’s seven? Not all are shown here) from a creamy nude (not shown) to deepest berry (far right).
Why? 100% natural and semi-transparent, wild mango butter and jojoba are the “stars” here and there’s no hint of stickiness. The colour comes from natural minerals/micas and these are XL size lip glosses so they last.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini beauty trip around Europe.
I’m rounding up some Scandinavian favourites for another post as well as a few Aussie and US stars, too.
Wishing you a happy November.
#PEACE
Everything looks great! Good luck to everyone participating, it’s amazing how much we are evolving in naturkosmetik! I can only be happy! Thank you!