Must-try locally made beauty finds | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

ZENUTRIENTS CocoMint Foot Lotion
ZENUTRIENTS CocoMint Foot Lotion

When I was working as a beauty editor sometime ago, part of my job was to test and recommend new products out in the market.

 

Even though it’s been a few years since I’ve worked full-time in publishing, when I have the time to go around the mall or check the weekend markets, I’ve kept the habit of looking around for new products to try.

 

Of course, it also helps to have stayed in touch with industry friends and fellow former beauty editors—we always manage to touch on the topic of new discoveries to try whenever we see each other, all of which I’m sharing with you.

 

While some products are worth splurging on, like face creams and a good haircut, below are some finds that are all-natural, locally made and reasonably priced. Now who says you have to splurge to look and smell good?

 

Zenutrients body products

 

A brand that began in 2007, Zen was rebranded in 2011 under new management. It is known for its handcrafted organic bath, skincare, haircare and wellness products; but my picks from this brand are the body butters, balms and massage oils.

 

The massage oils are made with a coconut oil and virgin coconut oil blend. The variant I use, Ginger (P349.95), is actually infused with real ginger, which is great for tired legs and joints.

FAE Vegan Soaps

I use it all the time, and even my regular masseuse approved of this one.

 

The body butters are also made with a creamy coconut oil blend, and the texture isn’t greasy at all compared to some imported brands. The body butter comes in several scents, but the variant I like the most is Goat’s Milk (P215). The Coco-Mint Foot Lotion (P188), on the other hand, seems to be an unusual scent combination; but it helps moisturize dry skin on your feet.

 

FäE candles and soaps

 

There’s a certain enjoyment one feels from lighting a candle when one gets home after a long day, especially smelling its scent.

Before the brand FäE came along, the brands I would usually recommend are the imported (and pricey) ones, as most of the candles produced by local brands aren’t “potent” enough in terms of fragrance. But new brand FäE changed all that.

 

A brand name that means “fairy,” founder Macky Fah spent a year researching and developing the best natural ingredients to use and scents to layer.

 

FäE candles (P1,650) are made with beeswax, which last twice as long compared to soy ones, produce smokeless flames, and also help clean the air by emitting negative ions.

 

FäE Vegetable Soaps (P175), on the other hand, are not just all-natural products; they’re vegan soaps made of saponified premium coconut oil, purified water and organic essences that went through a gentle, cold process.

 

ZENUTRIENTS Ginger Massage Oil

Both the candles and soap come in four matching variants:  invigorating Winter’s Evening (pine, eucalyptus, nutmeg and peppermint);  sweet Wistful (peach, citrus and coconut);  fresh Riverbank (basil, dayap and carnation); and, my pick, the rich Silvergil (almond, vanilla, amber and pomegranate). Both come in nice recyclable packaging as well, which make them great gifts for friends.

 

Sparrow fragrances

 

A dream was realized by friends—makeup artist Cathy Cantada-Dizon and Isabel de Dios, co-owners of Belle and Cat Nail and Wax Studio—who have been in the beauty business for years. They thought of producing fragrances, since they were concocting their own scrubs and creams for their nail spa.

 

Like a humble sparrow, which is a representation of God’s love, both believe that no one is significant—they want their fragrances to rekindle memories of love and hope and inspire one’s everyday life.

 

The brand carries eau de toilette, room and linen fragrances, and scented pillows and several variants.

 

Summer Solstice (citrus and green tea) and Feather (green tea and aloe) are popular because of their light, refreshing scent for our humid weather. But my pick from the line is Faith’s (P450) floral-fruity combination with hints of jasmine.

 

Messy Bessy Hand and Body Wash

 

An all-natural brand of household products established in 2007, Messy Bessy makes products that remove dirt and bad bacteria in the home without leaving any toxic fumes and chemicals. If you have sensitive skin or skin allergies, the brand’s hand and body wash (P180 in four scents) is one of the purest soaps you can find locally, free of any parabens, sulfates

MESSY Bessy Aloe Hand and BodyWash

and colorants.

 

If you work out often, the His and Her Sports Spritzers (P130) can be used on your sweaty clothes, gym bags or even to disinfect your yoga mat.

 

Zenutrients is at The Greenhouse, 57 East Capitol Drive Bgy Kapitolyo, Pasig; Landmark TriNoma and Makati; select SM Malls; G/F Century City mall.

 

FäE is available at Cura V Mall and Philux Power Plant Mall.

 

Sparrow is at Belle & Cat Nail and Wax Studio, 131 G/F, Sterling Centre, Esteban cor. Dela Rosa Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City; and  Nail & Co., 2/F, Kensington Place, 1st Ave. cor. 29th St., Bonifacio Global City. Messy Bessy is at all Beauty Bar and selected Rustan’s outlets. Messy Bessy, FäE, and Sparrow are also available online at www.seektheuniq.com.

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