You can give loved ones the gift of beauty this holiday season and support local businesses while doing it. From hand-poured vegan candles to handmade lipsticks, there is no shortage of beautiful (not to mention wonderfully aromatic) local beauty products stocking stuffers for everyone on your shopping list.
[aromatherapy]
Cassie’s Fragrance Boutique and Scent Bar
For more than two decades, this spot in the Central West End has mastered the art of custom scents. Offering a bevy of perfume and aromatherapy oils, as well as bath and body products, owner Cassie Buell has turned her eponymous store into St. Louis’ one-stop shop for customizable scented products. She also carries name brand products like Crabtree & Evelyn’s Avocado Olive and Basil hand cream—a must-have this season thanks to its ultra-rich conditioning shea butter base and intoxicating myrrh fragrance.
Assorted products $8 to $20
[royal treatment]
Venin Royale
What do king cobra venom and anti-aging have in common? A lot, according to Venin Royale. One of the first anti-aging products to use pure king cobra venom, Venin Royale Concentrated Neuropeptide Extract is a lightweight serum made right here in St. Louis. Combining the power of 27 natural peptides, neuropeptides, hydrated silica, neurotoxins, red marine algae and vitamins A, B6, C, the serum works to combat fine lines, redness, dark spots and wrinkles while preventing future imperfections.
Venin Royale Concentrated Neuropeptide Extract $160, available online at veninroyale.com
[skin savers]
Blissoma
Founder Julie Longyear has dedicated the last decade to perfecting her all-natural skin care line and the proof is in the results. A self-proclaimed purist and perfectionist, Longyear and partner Frank Wilderspin personally produce every product in Blissoma’s line of toners, serums, moisturizers, lotions and more. Just one session with Lavish, Blissoma’s Loving Recovery Beta-glucan mask, and you may think twice before covering your noticeably rejuvenated skin with makeup. Blissoma travel kits are a good way to sample the products.
Travel Set $39.95, eye serum $45.99, mask $33.99; Available at Thirteenth and Washington Salon
[room rejuvenators]
K. Hall Designs
A beauty routine doesn’t stop with your body. Keep your home clean and smelling beautiful this season with K. Hall Designs’ Barr-Co. Fir & Grapefruit products. There’s the Room & Textile Spray, a pure soy and vegetable wax candle and more to add the scents of holiday cheer. Even dish soap comes in the cheery, evocative scent. Made with all-natural products, including lavender and citrus extract, Fir and Grapefruit products make great gifts.
Fir & Grapefruit products $18 to $25; Plaza Frontenac and Richmond Heights
[fragrant fun]
Maven Boutique
Nestled in downtown Maplewood, the quaint shop is filled with local goodies, including Maven’s very own beauty line. Handmade in St. Louis, Maven products like Salty Sea Air body soap are as fragrant as they are beautiful. There’s a sugar scrub and solid body lotion named for Don Draper that do him justice with their musky scent. The Sheer Lip Color is handmade in St. Louis with all-natural ingredients like coconut, jojoba and Vitaman E oils.
Assorted products $8.75 to $16
By Marylyn Simpson
Photo by Bill Barrett