Holiday Shopping for the Ladies on your List
By Nora Mounce
With the fruits of their labor combined, a cluster of four body care companies have created a sophisticated menu of lotions, lip balms, perfumes and salves all made in Humboldt County. Among the many Humboldt Made members that practice sustainability as second nature, each of these female-owned businesses are committed to protecting the Humboldt ecosystem. By growing organic herbs, harvesting wild native plants and crafting beauty products in small batches, they create unique products designed to inspire beauty from the inside out. As the countdown to Christmas marches forward, pop in the North Coast Co-op, Wildberries Marketplace or Eureka Natural Foods to find the perfect gift for moms, wives, daughters and friends.
Witch in the Woods is the newest line of skincare products produced behind the redwood curtain. Using rich botanicals harvested from local organic farms, the witches are also dedicated beekeepers, incorporating their own honey into many of their skincare products. Ideal for gift-giving, Witch in the Woods makes beautiful soy candles in a variety of aromas including Lavender-Chamomile and Green Tea-Lemongrass. A deodorant balm and botanical facial toner round out a selection of traditional products, including their best-selling Rosemary-Lavender Lotion.
Tara Cooper created her skincare company, Ohana Organics, in 2000 to celebrate her love for the Hawaiian islands. Ohana is Hawaiian for family and Cooper’s business has grown organically from this philosophy. All the herbs used in her products are grown and harvested in the backyard of her Myrtletown home. Now teenagers, both of Cooper’s children help with drying the herbs, while other family members provide packaging and distribution. As Ohana Organics expands, Cooper has plans to plant a garden just outside the commercial kitchen where she creates her botanical salves and creams in Eureka. Though she started with Hawaiian scented perfumes, Cooper’s most recent star performer has been her Organic Tattoo Butter. Ink artists across the country have hailed the Ohana Organics post-tattoo salve as the best post-tattoo product for preservation and healing.
Tulip fragrances produces an eye-catching line of nostalgic, feminine perfumes. Started in 2007 by Victoria England, Tulip is the fruition of England’s life long obsession with scents. Using all natural oils, England crafts the cruelty-free sprays, roll-on oils and lotions in her redwood barn in Westhaven. A carefully curated and small selection of perfume blends allows England to keep quality high. Reasonably priced at $36, Tulip’s Amber Vanilla Bean is their number one seller. Unwrapping the magical aroma on Christmas morning will guarantee smiles from your loved one.
Rounding out the local selection of Humboldt Made spa gifts is Blue Heron Botanicals. All the company’s products are made on owner Theora Jackson’s off-the-grid farm. Raised in Vermont, Jackson named her botanical business after the blue herons peacefully wading on the shores of nearby Lake Champlain. Shortly after launching Blue Heron in 2001, Jackson discovered the abundant beauty of Humboldt County. Planting roots, she quickly immersed herself in green business community and expanded Blue Heron’s offerings. A licensed massage therapist since 2007 and certified yoga teacher since 2012, Jackson is committed to crafting eco-friendly botanical lip balms, lotions and salves that promote wellness. For perfect stocking stuffers, try her Cali-Orange Organic Lip Therapy, only $6.