Afrobella Gift Guide — Winter Skin Love

Every year we say the same thing, but seriously — does it not seem as though the holiday season just crept up on all of us? I am SO not ready for Christmas. But here it comes, with the lights and the festitivity and the expectation of presents. And so it’s time once again for the Afrobella gift guide!

This year I plan on featuring quality, not quantity — 12 gift posts, one for each day of Christmas. Expect to hear only about the products I truly think are unique, under the radar, and totally gift-worthy. Over the past twelve months I’ve been receiving and reviewing some amazing items, and I can truly recommend something fresh and fun for every kind of bella.

My first suggestions will combat your skin’s urgent needs as the weather grows colder. Because ashy isn’t a good look for the holiday season!

For Your Girlfriend Who Enjoys Her Cocktails — ain’t nothin’ wrong with that (as long as you’re over 21)!

This year, instead of getting your amiga bar tools or a bottle of booze, serve up something saucy from Miss She. Founded by Sheila Driver, the idea behind these decadent bath and body products is, “after a stressful day, it is time for happy hour for the body.” These handcrafted treatments are so perfect for a spa-at-home experience, and SO delicious. Her Buerre Mousse is a thick, whipped moisturizing body butter. It comes in flavors ranging from Berry Perry Daiquiri to 7 & 7, and all of them are supremely moisturizing and smell good enough to taste. And starting at $6.50 for 2 oz, they’re cheaper than a drink at a fancy bar anyway! Get your girlfriend the Buerre Mousse sampler gift set for $25 — it comes in three cocktail scents. Or if she’s a chocoholic, spring for the Chocolate Martini for Lovers spa gift set. $35 for 4 oz, $45 for 8 oz, and it includes bath/body/massage oil, buttercream body wash, creamy body oil, body spritz, the beurre mousse and a feather duster for those flirtatious evenings. Yummy head to toe!

For Your Girlfriend Who Gives Till it Hurts — bless her heart, but she can be hard to shop for. Do you have a friend who swears by anything that’s all natural, organic, vegan, and/or fair trade? Then you know how hard they can be to shop for! Treat your amiga to a product that meets her standards. Shea Yeleen is exactly what you’re looking for.

Shea Yeleen is the highly moisturizing, highly effacious product made by Shea Yeleen International, a non profit organization that works with and trains impoverished women in Burkino Faso, Ghana, and Mali to produce shea butter, earn an income, and provide for their families. You can donate to Shea Yeleen here through Global Giving, or click here to purchase. The lavender and honeysuckle body butter is pure decadence in a jar. Use sparingly — a little goes a long way.

For the Bella Who Has Everything — only the best will do! You can do some high end one-stop shopping at The Organic Pharmacy. This magnificent emporium prides itself in producing only the purest natural and organic products with which to pamper your body and spirit. And it just might get a little spiritual, when you catch a whiff of the jasmine bath oil. Just two capfuls in a warm bath is enough for a transportative experience.

The Spa Gift set would thrill any bella who loves the finer things in life. The set includes Cleopatra’s Milk Bath and Cleopatra’s Scrub. The concoctions are infused with rose petals, and essential oils of rose, jasmine, and ylang ylang. $110 for the set, but the “me” time that comes with such an indulgence = priceless.

Which kind of bella are you? Which of these products sound like they’d make you smile on Christmas Day?