Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to discover some wonderful companies with amazing people working behind the scenes.  With the holidays almost here I feel that people tend to lose sight that it’s not about how many gifts you get or their value, it’s about taking the time to think of someone else besides yourself and finding that perfect gift to show  how much you appreciate them.  Below is a list I compiled of various cruelty-free, vegan products that are not just great to give as gifts during the holiday season, but are versatile enough as perfect gifts for all year round.

 

JulieApple

Created by Julie Applegate, JulieApple™ bags are high quality, lightweight and are printed with AirDye® technology which is an alternative to traditional dyeing that manages the application of color to textiles without the use of water. Applegate uses Repreve® recycled canvas on the outside of her bags and Repreve® sailcloth lining on the inside, thus making them green inside and out.  These bags are also made with organic hemp.

Favorite Products/Comments: The bags are light weight and feel soft and are surprisingly very durable. If you choose to purchase one of the bags in this line you can count on having it for a very long time. I actually put this bag on my Christmas wish list this year because the designs are as beautiful as they are trendy. What I like most about Julie Apple bags, is they have a vegan line in which they use cork instead of leather.

 

Epic Timepieces 

Epic Timepieces was founded by Jeff and Jackie Bird shortly after a trip the couple had made to help with disaster relief in Haiti after the 7.0 earthquake. The Birds’ were moved by what they had witnessed. They wanted to do what they could to help the Haitians that survived the earthquake that were now displaced and were dealing with a lack of food, clean water and medical aid.

Today through the sale of their watches the Birds’ are able to provide much needed resources in order to generate clean drinking water for individuals in Third World countries.

“Water is something that we take for granted, but for the people who live in Haiti it’s the difference between sickness and health, life and death. When people wear our watches they’re making an Epic Statement about what’s truly important … it’s not about the amount of money that they’re wearing on their wrist, but about the love, compassion and character within their hearts,” says Bird.   

Favorite Products/Comments:  Epic Timepieces are high quality, the proceeds from the purchase of the watch go to a great cause.

 

Nuworld Botanicals

Founded in Toronto Canada by Natalie Cascella, Nuworld Botanicals is an organic beauty and wellness company that specializes in aromatherapy-inspired spa grade body care and skin care products.

Favorite Products/Comments: Aphrodisiac Multi-Nutritive Oil for Body, Bath and Hair and Aromatherapy Personals™ Meditation. I like to apply the Meditation Oil before or after my Yoga and Pilates class.

 

Lotus Wei

Prior to creating her company, Katie Hess spent over 10 years doing one-on-one consultations for clients that came to her for custom formulas of flower essences.

”Flower remedy elixirs are an aqueous solution that when taken internally or applied on the body, works through the acupuncture meridian system. The science behind it is called sympathetic resonance: when you have two tuning forks of the same key and strike one of them, the other tuning fork starts to buzz even though it’s not touching the vibrating one. This is because the invisible sound waves expand out, causing the second fork to vibrate in resonance. The same happens with flowers. They are emanating waves that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but that strike a chord within us and as we re-balance our bodies and minds we experience more clarity, happiness, and peacefulness” says Hess.

Favorite Products/Comments:  From my personal experience I found that Joy Juice, Inspired Action Serum and Quiet Mind Serum products coincides with positive thinking and mediation. I have found my moods are better and I am a lot more productive during the day.

 

Wei of Chocolate

Wei of Chocolate was created by chocolatier Lisa Reinhardt in 2007, who was influenced by benefits and joys of meditation, living in a cave, spending months in retreat and studying and practicing the traditions of Nepal, India and Tibet for 11 years. Once she experienced the herb and spice infused chocolate created by Katie Hess of Lotus Wei her company was born. Wei of Chocolate line uses the essences of flowers and gems in their chocolate which is organic, fair trade and vegan.

Favorite Products/Comments: Wei Gratitude, Wei Joyful and Wei Relaxed. Wei of Chocolate is one of my favorite chocolate companies.

 

Lulu’s Chocolate

Based in Sedona, Arizona, Lulu’s Chocolate sources it’s fair trade organic cacao directly from Pacari farms in Ecuador.

Favorite Products: Sedona Spice and Smoked Almond and Sea Salt. Opening a bar of this raw chocolate is like looking at a piece of artwork. It is also unique in favor.

 

Gnosis Chocolate

Founded by Vanessa Barg, Gnosis Chocolate is a high end raw chocolate company that just like its chocolate has many notes to it.

The New York based company started out as a way for Barg who is a certified holistic health counselor to make chocolate for her clients as a way to replace unhealthy sweets. Due to popular demand Barg opened a store a in 2008. Today you can see Gnosis presence in over 200 stores including Whole Foods. However that has not affected the quality and integrity of her chocolate which is still done by hand by her team of employees.

Everyone who works for this chocolate company has such love and respect for the position they hold and it reflects in Gnosis final product.

Gnosis Chocolate is certified Organic, Vegan, Raw, Kosher, Forest Stewardship Council and donates 10 percent of its proceeds to Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.

Favorite Products/Comments: What I like about Gnosis shatters your perception of what a raw bar of chocolate should taste like.  The company has a wide variety of chocolate products that include Bars, Truffles, Trail Mix, and Hot Chocolate.

 

Indie Tea

Indie Tea is a small family owned company based in Las Vegas. The company combines unique organic ingredients into beautifully crafted blends of tea. Everything for this company is made by hand from the artwork on the labels to the blurbs about each special blend of tea.  This month 5 percent of the proceeds from the purchase of their tea will go to afan-Aid For Aids of Nevada

Favorite Products/Comments: The Layrinth and Hoopla. What I like about this company is the flavor combinations of a tea are unique and taste great. You can tell by the art work on the container that the owners are very creative people.

 

Mountain Rose Herbs

Mountain Rose Herbs is known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture. The company has been providing customers with everything from, herbs, spices and oils since 1987.  When you purchase one of Mountain Rose Herbs you can do so knowing you will receive a high quality product that was treated with the utmost care.

Favorite Products/Comments:  What I like about this company is that they have just about every organic herb and spice you can possibly image without the inflated prices. If you are looking to give someone a nice gift I recommend trying their Epicurean Collection.

 

The Ginger People

Established in 1984, The Ginger People is a family owned and operated company that believes in producing the world’s finest range of ginger products and ingredients.

The Ginger People also have a wonderful new skincare line called Go which uses ginger in each of its products making them luxurious and effective when it comes to treating various skincare issues.

Favorite Products/Comments: Organic Crystallized Ginger, Organic Ginger Syrup and Ginger Balm. I like to drink ginger tea about two hours before I go to bed because it helps me relax. Instead of using a tea bag I use Ginger Juice with a little lemon and Organic Ginger Syrup as a sweetener. If you are feeling under the weather drinking ginger tea will help too. For centuries herbalists have used ginger to restore vital energy, stimulate circulation, and relieve nausea and headaches.

Ginger Balm- is a multipurpose balm that can be used on the whole body. I recently injured my toe pretty bad and was out of Arnica gel, so I tried the balm on my toe. I found it reduced the swelling a lot faster than if I would have used nothing at all.

 

Steamcream

There is a lot that can be said about a name like Steamcream which uses steam to bind its ingredients together. Although fairly new to the US the cream has been available in the UK for quite some time.

Developed by Andrew Gerrie, CEO of LUSH, and Andrew Tone, Director of LUSH Japan, both men wanted to create an all in one cream that was not only made with high quality ingredients, but effective and affordable.

The result was Steamcream which is 100 percent vegan. The company goes a step further by making sure all ingredients sourced follow their strict ethical standard that suppliers do not test on animals. Guaranteeing their product is cruelty-free from start to finish. The packaging used for its tins are made to be environmentally friendly.

Favorite Products/Comments:  Besides the stunning look of the tins which can be reused once the cream is finished. I love using Steamcream every winter because it effectively soothes my dry winter hands.

 

Shea Radiance

Shea Radiance is a family owned company that has natural Bath and Body products. The company’s roots are in West Africa, where the owner’s husband grew up working alongside his father on the family cocoa farm. It was here that he became acquainted with the various uses of Shea butter and its healing properties. Shea Radiance creates great smelling products that leave your skin feeling silky soft and never dry.

Favorite Products/Comments: Ultra Rich Cream Coconut Cream and Whipped Butter Chocolate Truffle. I like using brand because I love the benefits of using Shea Butter. I hope to try their hair care line in the future.

 

Buddha Nose

Created by Amy Galper, Buddha Nose, uses only USDA certified organic ingredients when available and are very proud to have 4 out of their 12 products carry the USDA organic seal. All of the ingredients used in Buddha Nose are completely free of synthetics and chemical preservatives.

Favorite Products/Comments:  Bodhi Sugar Scrub, Organic Face and Body Cleanser smell amazing when used in the shower. Using their products is similar to treating yourself to a day at the spa. The oil blends are relaxing and luxurious and your skin will thank you after each use.

 

Maui Soap Company 

Maui Soap Company is a small Hawaiian company that is family owned and operated. All products are natural, organic and made by hand. Maui Soap Company is an environmentally friendly, dedicated to sustainability and stewardship reflecting Aloha ‘Aina (“love of the land”).

Favorite Product: Coconut Body Butter enriched with Green Tea, Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil. Besides the fact the body butter smells good enough to eat, I like that it is a little thicker than their body lotion, but not as thick as conventional body butters. This product adds a little extra moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy.

 

Pai Skincare

Launched in 2007 West London by Sarah Brown, Pai Skincare focus on sensitive, allergy-prone skin, Pai uses only organic naturally-derived ingredients that are approved by the Soil Association. All packaging is recycled and the company believes in testing their products on humans not animals. Pai was also the first company to ever have been accredited by The SEE Companies kitemark which recognizes the company’s social, ethical and environmental credentials.

Favorite Products/Comments: Chamomile & Rosehip Organic Moisturiser and Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. The Cleanser is great when it comes to removing eye makeup. The people that work at this company are also very approachable and willing to answer any question you might have.

 

Amal Oils

Founded by the incredibly sweet Jalila Bouchareb, Amal Oils  has a wonderful skincare line that all started with their 100% Pure Organic Argan Oil. The company employs Berber woman (indigenous people of Morocco) who are members of a cooperative to harvest the argan oil.  The cooperatives are women owned and run businesses which provide education, healthcare and income to these workers and their families. The process of cultivating the oil is still very traditional and not much has changed.

“Ever since I can remember I have used pure Argan oil as part of my daily beauty ritual. I use it for everything – my baths, after my showers, on my hair, and on my face before I go to sleep. It is so versatile,” says Bouchareb.

Bouchareb’s company is unique in the way that her products center on the use of simple ingredients that Moroccan woman have been using on their skin for centuries.

Favorite Products/Comments:  All the products in this line are equally wonderful and worth every penny. From my personal experience with using the skincare line for the last few months I can say, it is honestly my favorite for many reasons. If you have any breakouts or skin irritation try the 100% Organic Moroccan Rose Water Toning Mist.  

 

Arghand

Founded by Sarah Chayes, a former correspondent for National Public Radio who covered the fall of the Taliban and then chose to stay behind to help rebuild the country, Arghand features a line of luxurious natural soaps and moisturizers.  Each product is a unique blend of oils that are cold-pressed or steam-distilled from whole, hand-harvested plants. Arghand uses a blend of ingredients that Afghani woman have been using for centuries to protect their skin from the harsh climate. All products are 100 percent whole plant ingredients with no preservatives, parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates or GMO’s.

Arghand is a sustainable company whose profits go back into the Arghand Cooperative to support and sustain the men and women that work for equal pay.

Favorite Product/Comments:  Soap Stone is a soap that closely resembles the rocks you would find in a river bed. The soap smells great and although they look too pretty to use, when you eventually do open their package and use them they make your hands or face feel really soft.  On a personal note, as someone who is just starting to explore the news side of the journalism field, I have a lot of admiration for the work Sarah Chayes has done in the journalism field and in creating her company. It is so often  that we hear negative the things concerning Afghanistan  and  her company reminds us that the people living there are human and have good hearts  and by working for Arghand they are providing a better life for themselves as well as their families.

 

Hurraw!

Based in Whitefish, Montana Hurraw! Is a family owned company that’s  lip balms are all natural, organic, vegan and made with raw ingredients that are gluten free and contains no GMO’s.

Favorite Products/Comments: Moon Balm, Black Cherry, Vanilla  Bean and Green Tea. One of the things I really respect about Hurraw! is that they use no synthetic  flavors which means their product smells and tastes like their namesake. For example the Green Tea balm contains infused gunpowder green tea leaves.  If you are looking to tone down one of your lipsticks and add a soft shine I recommend purchasing Black Cherry. It is also a very nice color to wear on its own.

 

Wembé Soap

Wembé is a vegan, privately owned Paraguayan company based in NYC. The company’s soaps are handmade in Paraguay, which provides employment for locals. All soaps are Fair Trade and are organic. Wembé strives to help preserve the rainforest and its diversity by using indigenous and renewable rainforest ingredients.

Favorite Products/ Comments: Assai Berry Detox Soap and Loofah Massage Soap Blend, The Assai Berry is a really nice pick me up soap that is not drying and leaves your skin soft after you use it.

Sheswai 

Sheswai Lacquers was conceived by professional nail artist Debbie Leavitt, who was inspired by nature when she created her brand. Leavitt is no stranger to the nail industry.  In 2007 she began working for the renowned Cloutier Agency painting nails for international fashion campaigns, magazine editorials, and film, television, and “red carpet” events.

“What I love most about doing someone’s nails is the gratifications of making someone feel pretty and pleased just by caring for their nails. I feel the nails are our natural accessories and whether you paint them or not it can leave you feeling groomed & glamorous. Sheswai Lacquer is a goal/dream that I’ve had. To share my interpretation of color and packaging is truly exciting. I love being able to share with others and to feel their appreciation is a sweet blessing,” says Leavitt.

Favorite Products/Comments: Yowza and Badass, I found if you use Nail Aid’s Fast Dry Chip the color will last longer.

 

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics 

 

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics is a company that’s name says it all. The makeup line is a 100 percent vegan and carries a wide variety of different shades of eye shadow which goes on smooth and lasts all day. All of Cruelty-Free products contain no preservatives, parabens and artificial colors.

 Favorite Products/Comments:  The eyes shadows in this product line are very versatile and there is literally something for everyone. I don’t like using an eye pencil when it comes to lining my eyes and found that since these shadows come loose all you have to do is dampen your brush and apply the color and you can’t tell the difference.

 

 Image Courtesy: Epic Timepieces,Indie Tea,nuworld botanicals,Lotus Wei ,Mountain Rose Herbs,The Ginger People, Wei Chocolate, Lulu Chocolate,Steamcream,Shea Radiance, Pai Skincare,Go Skincare, Amal Oils, Buddha Nose, Wemde Soap,Julie Apple,Sheswai,Maui Soap Company,Cruelty-Free Cosmetics, Gnosis Chocolate and Arghand