When spring’s warmer weather and rain showers start rolling in, I start rolling out all the junk in my life. I’m a heavy spring cleaner that uses the changing season as an excuse to downsize the clutter and tackle those home projects.
Part of that spring cleaning includes discarding old home and beauty products and purchasing little items that make me smile. Am I crazy for thinking there’s sort of nothing more special than lighting a brand new candle that fills your home with the scents of the season?
I’m a big fan of supporting local makers and curating sustainable, handmade goods. Since many of the items in my home come from the Pacific Northwest, I thought I’d share what I think are the best handmade home and beauty products from the upper left USA.
The Best Handmade Home & Beauty Products from the PNW
1. Fig & Pepper Candle from Marigold & Mint
Marigold & Mint is a Seattle-based organic farm and retail shop located in Melrose Market up on Capitol Hill. It’s best known for growing flowers and edibles, which owner Katherine Anderson then uses to create stunning flower arrangements. But one of my favorite items from the shop is its candles. There are a few really interesting scents, like cannabis and coffee or sweet orange and basil, but my favorite is the black fig and pepper.
Find It: Marigold & Mint candles – $18 (image courtesy of Seattle Met)
2. Mocha Body Butter from Whiskey, Ink, & Lace
I’m incredibly picky when it comes to the consistency of anything you put on your body. You should see me when I stop in a curiosities or beauty shop. I smell and try as many hand lotions as I can trying to find that balance of a great smell and something that feels great on your skin. Then I discovered Whiskey, Ink, & Lace’s mocha body butter while doing some Christmas shopping at the Urban Craft Uprising fair a few years ago. I instantly fell in love with the chocolate-coffee scent and the smooth whipped texture. And it actually works!
To give you an idea of how universally pleasing this hand cream is, my 5-year-old niece constantly smells my hands and says, “Mmmm chocolate,” when I’m wearing it. She’ll then beg me to put it on her. If a five year old likes this, you know it’s gotta smell good!
Find It: mocha body butter – $18
3. Grapefruit + Bergamot Hand Soap from Handmade. La Conner
Speaking of awesome textures and scents, another goodie is the grapefruit and bergamot hand soap from Handmade. La Conner. This is another Urban Craft Uprising find. I’m absolutely obsessed with the bright, citrus scent and the consistency of this hand wash. Plus, it is made with only natural essential oils and comes in the most beautiful glass bottle.
PS – If you’re not on the market for hand wash, this scent is also available in other products like body lotion and bar soap!
Find It: grapefruit + bergamot hand wash – $14
4. Nude Lip Gloss from Nutty by Nature
I’m very bare bones when it comes to makeup, but I’ll usually always put on a sheer lip color. I love the consistency of this 100% natural lip gloss. All of the colors are lovely, but the nude is especially subtle. Plus, it has a very slight shimmer that accentuates your lips.
Find It: lip balm & gloss kit – $17
What other Pacific Northwest makers have the best handmade home and beauty products? I’m always on the look out. Let me know in the comments!
