Still in the midst of Christmas shopping, even though Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are in the rear-view mirror?
Dressing Room offers its list of Christmas 2019 Gift Suggestions, an eclectic hodgepodge of fashion, beauty and grooming products, from fancy-schmancy outfits to nice little self-care stocking stuffers. (And don't worry, you've still got Cyber Monday/Cyber Week.)
• Duds from Arkansas' independent and small-chain clothing retailers.
The Capital City offers a nice bunch of options, and there's no better way to see what these boutiques offer than at the annual Festival of Fashion benefiting CARTI, the statewide resource for cancer patients. Part of the Festival of Trees, this year's event took place Nov. 15 at Little Rock's Statehouse Convention Center and featured fashions by Barbara/Jean Ltd., B. Barnett, Bell & Sward, Beyond Cotton Two, E. Leigh's, Feinstein's, Indigo, Roberson's Fine Jewelry, Scarlet, SteamRoller Blues and Vesta's, as well as larger chains Dillard's and J. McLaughlin.
• Some really good makeup-taker-offers.
I recently sampled Cleansing Oil from Mad Hippie ($17.99, Madhippie.com). Begun by "hippies on a mission," the Mad Hippie advanced-skin-care line of natural products is dedicated to helping inspire people to make healthier choices as well as supporting social causes and the environment. The oil is described as a "radiance-boosting blend that softens and smooths while gently removing impurities and imperfections" and contains ginger, rosehip and pumpkin seed oil. I love it, but, suffering from middle-aged skin dryness, I've so far just used it as a base for makeup.
I also sampled EmergenC's Scientific Organic facial cleansing wipes (Emerginc.com). OK, yes, a package of 30 wipes costs a mind-blowing $19, but bear with me. Not only are these dirt-and-makeup removers packed with "organic aloe vera, witch hazel extract, a proprietary fruit extract blend, lacto-fermented radish root, and honeysuckle," they're made of "a sustainable, biodegradable, compostable, nonwoven wood fiber." That Christmas-list subject who wants to save the environment will appreciate it.
• Essential oils ... and more.
Fans of pure essential oils are sure to appreciate those from Aura Cacia (Auracacia.com). Part of a member-owned co-op, the line also features skin-care-and-more products "inspired by the power of positive change and infused with pure botanical ingredients that help unlock nature's ability to improve our well-being." Products are made from sustainable ingredients from around the world. Oils start at $5.49 and up. I'm in the midst of trying out several of them (love the lavender) and look forward to using the Clearing Eucalyptus Shower Salt ($14.99), one of several shower salts made to turn an ordinary shower into a fragrant, spa-like experience; and the Rose Hydrosol (also $14.99), one of several floral sprays that work like the essential oils.
• Gentlemen's casual and loungewear.
Men's-basics purveyor Mack Weldon (Mackweldon.com) awaits with a gaggle of garments in this category. Among them: Warmknit Waffle long-sleeve crew, $68. "Powered by Thermolite technology, this micro-waffle long sleeve provides all the warmth of a sweater without the weight." Its fabric makeup: modal, Thermolite polyester and wool, with a little Spandex thrown in. It comes in five colors, small to 2X. Then there's the Ace Sweatpant, $78, made of micro-sanded, cotton french terry, cut in a tailored fit and offered in a nice variety of colors. Need something to put on his feet? Try the One Mile Slipper, $58, a clog-style inside-outside slipper that comes in charcoal heather, navy and black, small to large. The memory foam footbed, anti-odor interior lining and waterproof, slip-resistant sole distinguish the One Mile-ers. My husband was provided with samples of these items and loves them so much, he's "saving" them to keep from wearing them out.
• Tights that may actually, like, fit somebody.
Don't be put off by the brand names: Snag Tights (Snagtights.com). The "solution-driven direct-to-consumer" tights brand from the United Kingdom recently hit the U.S. market. "Did you know that most tights sizes (S, M, L, XL, etc.) typically change in length, but stay the same width?" asks a news release. (As a bottom-heavy plus sizer who has issues getting the biggest "plus-size" tights to last even one wearing without developing holes or runs in the crotch area ... uh, yah.) Seems that in 2017, Snag founder and Chief Executive Officer Brie Read got good and fed up with the trouble she was having with tights and created Snag to fit all people ... "the tall and the small and everyone in between." The brand has a sizing system running from AB to G (sizes 2/4 to 32); tights are also available in different widths and lengths, not to mention colors. The tights, along with "chub rub" shorts, run $12-$15 and are marked as durable as well as stylish.
• A fashion book.
Elegance: The Beauty of French Fashion by fashion illustrator Megan Hess (Hardie Grant Books, $24.99), is the second in Hess' Masters of Fashion series, following last year's Iconic: The Masters of Italian Fashion. In Elegance, Hess uses her illustrative talents to explore the work of 10 of the most influential French designers: Chanel, Dior, Chloé, Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Balmain, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin and Hermes. Get it from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble ... the usual book outlets.
• For your giftee's New Year's glamour: Makeup products in rich jewel tones.
Lucky Chick Cosmetics (Luckychick.com) recently offered a gift set of eight of its jewel-tone eye shadow, matte lipstick and lip lacquer colors. That particular set, which I sampled, isn't available on the company's website anymore, but the products/shades can be had a la carte for $20-$25: lip lacquers in shades dubbed Fierce and Royal -- similar burgundy-ish shades; a lip lacquer in Desire, a blood-red; lipstick in a muted purple matte called Splendid and in a fuchsia matte called Joy; and the Gold Mine Liquid Eye Jewel, eye makeup that goes on like a paint. The lip colors aren't greasy; they have a texture that resembled lip inks I'd tried in the past. I combine them with lip balm for a fuller look.
Dressing Room appears monthly. Send fashion- and beauty-related news releases to:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
High Profile on 12/01/2019