the unwash: trending
The holidays are just around the corner and gift guides are rampant. We’re switching it up this year with a guide to shopping small, micro businesses this holiday season. Now more than ever it’s important to put our dollars back into our community and there’s no better time than giving season. We’ve sourced some amazing small businesses from across the globe that value sustainability, giving back, and creating opportunities in their communities. Our gift guides are fueled by authenticity rather than being driven by clicks for a major brand. This list has some practical items, sustainable gems, and some little luxuries. If you have an expert gift giver in your life or a person who seemingly has everything, then this may be where you find their present.
Beauty and Personal Care
Unplain may be your newest obsession. Their gorgeous packaging and results-driven skincare formulation won us over. A luxury experience is engrained in Unplain’s ethos, their artful packaging could be a gift on its own. Of course, this new brand is sustainable, using recyclable materials and cruelty-free ingredients. Their products will be a favorite for the beauty lover in your life.
The minimalist in your life would appreciate Natural Kind’s multi-purpose oil. Whether you need to hydrate your body, hair, or face it has you covered. This all-in-one product is great for someone who doesn’t want a 28-step skincare routine but wants something simple yet effective. Natural Kind is a small business based in North Carolina that values community impact and sustainable practices.
“It’s easy to see why small businesses, not the less agile big guys, are leading the charge to net-zero.” – John Hall, Contributing Editor of Forbes
Clothing and Accessories
Copenhagen-based brand, Wette Mille is making some of the most unique, sustainable jewelry around. Their designs are inspired by nature, with every piece being different. The brand produces small batches and on-of-a-kind pieces of rings, necklaces, and earrings. Wette Mille is a brand that embraces self-expression and communication through design, perfect for a fashion or art aficionado.
As temperatures drop for the season along come the questions of how to stay warm but still stylish. Besa makes high-quality, ethically sourced cashmere headscarves, perfect for keeping warm. Their collection is produced in limited quantities to ensure a slow fashion process and sustainable practices. The brand is dedicated to quality design and craftsmanship and is committed to producing timeless pieces.
LOTI is a Peruvian-based clothing brand made completely out of upcycled materials. All of their pieces are made by hand by Peruvian artisans in Lima, where the brand is committed to investing in the community. The brand was founded in hopes of ending textile waste and giving new life to discarded fabrics. Their pieces are as chic and original as they are sustainable, making for a better way to gift clothing this season.
Vintage
Secondhand and vintage is one of the most sustainable gifting options. Little Sister NYC sources hard-to-find, vintage designer pieces. All of their products are at a reasonable price and are of great quality. Unique finds are their specialty, whether you’re looking for Chanel heels or Miu Miu purses there is a good chance Little Sister NYC has it.
A common critique of secondhand shopping is the lack of accessible sizing. Luvsick Plus is a plus-size-only secondhand store with sizes Large to 4XL. Luvsick Plus is working to make sustainable and vintage shopping more in reach for all bodies. A lot of clothing catered to plus-sized bodies is designed to conceal rather than embrace someone’s figure, all of the store’s pieces are meant to embrace confidence, curves, and personal style.
For the Home
Have someone in your life who loves collecting trinkets and odd homewares? BOMI can help you find just the thing for them. Their quirky and unique home goods make for pieces of art to have around your home. They have everything from funky glassware to sculptural silverware all made by small designers from around the world.
Olive oil has always been a staple gift, especially for those who love to cook or entertain. With the rise in popularity of oils in plastic bottles, Zero Acre Farms offers a more sustainable solution. Zero Acre Farm’s oil is a cultured all-purpose cooking oil with little environmental footprint and neutral taste making it a staple for any kitchen.
01
Aora Mexíco
You can kick the plastic buying habit for good with Aora Mexico, a zero-waste beauty brand that makes plastic-free look and feel luxurious. The brand highlights the beauty of Mexican culture with bright colors, shining formulas, and ingredients fueled by ingredients indigenous to the country.
02
INBAR+co
New skin and body care brand INBAR+co looks at this from an age-positive approach, creating a community around sustainability and skincare regardless of age. The brand is on a mission to combat the push of antiaging products and fear-mongering of aging from the beauty industry. INBAR+co is challenging the stigma zero-waste brands face by highlighting the possibilities of sustainable products.
03
MOB Beauty
MOB Beauty reinvisioned what it means to be an eco-conscious beauty brand. The brand is your one-stop shop for all things zero-waste beauty. Whether you want to try a new foundation, blush, cream eyeshadow, lip liner, or even more, they have you covered making choosing a sustainable beauty option easier than ever.
