This blog is in response to a reader, who specifically wanted clean beauty skincare products for a bride-to-be. The bride-to-be is of South East Asian, which means I am going to focus on “Indian” products.
There are only really two options: Kama Ayurveda and Forest Essentials. My view is that Kama Ayurveda make better quality products that are excellent for the skin. The only problem with Kama Ayurveda products is the packaging leaves a lot to be desired and they can stink. Forest Essentials’ smells amazing and I am yet to be convinced they make better products than Kama Ayurveda.
There is a third brand, Juicy CHemistry that uses ECOCERT Organic ingredients: personally, the products from this brand tick most of “clean” beauty box but they are plain rubbish (sorry, I am not sure how else to write that).
Skincare for the face
I am always reluctant to buy face products for (even) a close friend because skin is individual and you don’t know what they are allergic to. The last thing you want to do is give the bride-to-be a breakout. So I am suggesting products for super-sensitive skin (and for that reason alone) there are so few in this category.
From Left to Right you have
Kama Ayurveda brightening cleanser: this is oil based and is absolutely amazing at removing stubborn waterproof make-up. However, always patch test before use
Forest Essentials Tejasvi Emulsion: this product is genius. It uses aged ghee which is phenomenal for the skin. I use it once a week to massage my face and end up with a brighter and more even toned complexion.
Kama Ayurveda Rose Toner: this is hands-down the best rose toner that I would used. If you keep it in the fridge its exceedingly refreshing, especially if you live in a warm country.
For brides to be that DO NOT HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN
Essentially, I would suggest the entire Kumkumadi Range from Kama Ayurveda and its so reliant on them not having any underlying issues. E.g, this is completely unsuitable for oily skin or acne prone individuals. Also, depending on the time of the month, this can easily cause breakouts
Bodycare
Ayurveda is super big on bodycare, encouraging oil massages and ubtan packs for brides-to-be. As a bride-to-be I would be delighted to received any or all of these products.
From Left to Right clockwise you have:
Forest Essentials almond oil, followed by ubtans, a body polish and a soap. I’ve included the face ubtans because they should be repurposed as body exfoliators (and its cheap enough to do so). Finally, the FE body polish and silk soaps are phenomenal (but a bit more expensive).
Soundarya range
For new brides, Forest Essentials will push the Soundarya range. Quite frankly this is so heavily scented, irrespective of whether or not I was getting married, I would shoot myself rather than use it. However, it does contain saffron and sandalwood, which even in small quantities will even out skin tone and gives skin a radiant, bright look. I would cavaet that with saying, you would need to use the body oil very regularly.
If the bride-to-be is OK with strong smells then this would be an excellent gift. Click here to purchase
Fragrant bodycare
Forest Essentials used to make this range called Bengal Tuberose and it had this woody-jasmine note that is characteristic of softer tuberose smells. Alas, I was the only buyer as its now been discontinued.
The brand does nine fragrance notes and the only one that I like is Parijat. Parijat is a lightly fragrant jasmine with an orange stem and is extremely difficult to get any harvest of. The brand refers to “fragrance of Parijat” which to me means its a blend of fragrances that smell like this lightly fragrant jasmine.
I would buy the soap (because its divine), the scented body oil and body mist (which substitutes as a hair mist). As fragrant body oils are all the rage, you really can’t go wrong with this product. Click here to purchase
Should I buy a parfum for the bride-to-be?
The answer is “no” Parfums are expensive, deeply personal and unless you are obsessed with parfum spare yourself. However, if I were to gift a parfum, this is what I would choose from:
From left to right, going clockwise: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine (US$ 149 for 100ml), Chantecaille Petales (US$185 for 75ml), Poets of Berlin by Vilhelm Parfumerie (Euros 150 for 50ml), and Forest Essentials Chandani Raatein (INR 4,800 for 100ml)
