By Ina Joseph

 

Holiday gift guide 2020 

As a small, new, women-of-color owned brand on the rise, we want nothing more than to celebrate our sister businesses this holiday season. Tis’ the season of giving, so we wanted to give our fellow WOC entrepreneurs a shout-out through our very own 2020 Holiday Gift Guide that our entire L’AMOURZINE community can enjoy. Happy shopping!  

 

Food (For Your Favorite Foodie...) 

Arlana’s Gourmet Cookies

 
$23.95  
Owner/Founder: Arlana Brooks 

Arlana Brooks’ Chocolate Reindeer Gourmet Cookie Collections are the perfect way to start the holidays. While the beautiful packaging and additional ornament make this cookie collection a great gift, we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to indulge on Arlana’s delicious gourmet cookies yourself.  

 

 

 

The Qui  

$79 
Owner/Founder: Lisa Li 

Remember at the start of quarantine when everyone was trying new things? Like cloud coffee and baking bread? Well what better way to end the year than with a holiday gift that gives one more new experience? The Qui’s “tisanes”, or herbal infusion teas, create an entire experience around tea drinking, not to mention a therapeutic experience to be shared with a loved one. Founder Lisa Li surely got it right when she called this wonderful product the Special Connection Set. 

 

  

Maya’s Cookies (Vegan) 

$50 
Owner/Founder: Maya Madsen 

Whether it’s hosting cookies exchanges or leaving fresh baked cookies for Santa Clause on Christmas Eve, cookies are a quintessential part of the holiday season. Luckily for us, Maya Madsen has expanded our options for holiday guilty pleasures! The Deluxe Holiday Cookie Tin make it a very happy holiday indeed for vegan friends and family...or anyone else for that matter!  

 

 

Golde

$45  
Owner/ Founder: Trinity Mouzon Wofford 

Who doesn’t love a good DIY? Golde’s Make Your Matcha Kit is the perfect all in one gift. Not only do you get a vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, delicious drink, but you also get a fun at-home experience! Who needs Starbucks when Trinity Mouzon Wofford’s provided us with our very own Matcha Kits (and plenty of other beverage kits)? 

 

 

Crystal's Famous Cobblers 

$40 large, $18 small  
Owner/Founder: Crystal Swearingen 

A newer endeavor among Crystal Swearingen’s serial entrepreneurship, Crystal’s Famous Cobblers brings a southern-style taste of home right to your front door. Whether you choose a favorite flavor or opt to try them all with the Surprise Cobbler of the Month subscription, you’ll be able to taste the love in this holiday gift.  

 

 

Beauty & Body (for the Makeup Tutorial watchers)

Mischo Beauty 

$40 
Owner/Founder: Kittiya King 

Until beauty establishments are safe to occupy again, we’ll have to get used to doing certain things, like our nails, by ourselves. Mischo Beauty founder Kiitiya King’s aiding us in the process with the Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in Worthy. Who says doing it on your own means sacrificing top quality?  

 

 

Propa Beauty 

$32.40 
Owner/Founder: Victoria Ndeshimana Fazio 

Another beautiful vegan makeup line, Victoria Ndeshimana Fazio’s Propa Beauty is everything you need in a lipstick collection. The Cocoa Browns Trio makes a lovely (and thematic) holiday gift. And if you’re looking for some stocking stuffers, the rest of Propa Beauty’s products are just as accessible, affordable and inclusive; all of our favorite things! 

 

 

Mented 

$40 
Owner/ Founder: KJ Miller & Amanda Johnson 

Any good job starts with the right tools. Makeup isn’t any different. KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson’s Skin By Mented Duo builds the best foundation (no pun intended) to your makeup look. And thanks to this Black owned-business' wide variety of shades, anyone can start their essential tool kit with products by Mented this holiday season.  

 

 

Blended Girl Cosmetics  

$35 
Owner/Founder: Shí-Fawn Chee  

As long as masks continue to be a part of the equation, the eyes are the deal breaker of any makeup look. With native-owned Blended Girl Cosmetics’ Native Glare Palette, you’ll be perfectly equipped to ace any look. Founder Shí-Fawn Chee created the ultimate combination of hues and shades to cater to makeup gurus and beginners alike. If you’re looking to help a loved one amplify their eye makeup look while supporting a WOC-owned business, this palette is the way to go. 

 

 

Mary Louise Cosmetics 

$32 
Owner/Founder: Akilah Mary-Louise Releford 

Nearly every depiction of the ultimate self-care day consists of three key items: cucumbers on the eyes, a towel on the head, and a mud mask. Thanks to Akilah Mary-Louise Releford, you can help make that happen this holiday season! Mary Louise Cosmetics’ Mississippi Mud Facial Mask is a one- way trip to the most picturesque self-care session. Cucumber eyes and towel wrap not included...but may not even be necessary.  

 

 

Mielle Organics 

$7.00-$13.00 
Owner/Founder: Monique Rodriguez 

When shopping for new beauty regimen products, hair is often forgotten. Mielle Organics’ Pomegranate & Honey Hair Care products are the perfect place to start! Monique Rodriguez’s collection of natural, affordable hair care products are for all hair types. There’s no better brand to invest in for a hair-day while you’re home for the holidays. 

 

 

Cocokind

$60  
Owner/Founder: Priscilla Tsai 

Cocokind’s Starter Skincare Set is the perfect way to start the new year off on a clean slate! Priscilla Tsai’s collection of clean skincare products gives you everything you need to give your face the fresh start we all deserve for 2021.  

 

 

Organic Bath Co. 

$36 
Owner/Founder: Gianne Doherty 

We’re all about natural products this year, especially when they’re WOC-owned. GIanne Doherty’s Organic Bath Co. Natural Shower Gift Set cleanses and moisturizes with its soothing scents and natural sea sponge. Complete with a holiday gift box, this is the perfect gift (for a loved one...or yourself)!  

 

 

Sequoia  

Owner/ Founder: Michaelee Lazore 
$15 

Michaelee Lazore’s Sequoia Soaps incorporate native legends and ingredients into your bath-time routine. The Skywoman Body Scrub does it all. Exfoliating while moisturizing with vibrant citrus and floral notes, you’ll never need another body scrub again.  

 

 

Alchemy Body Shop

 
Owner/ Founder: Veronica Smith 
$20 

What better way to fully escape into your tub than with some cosmic energy? Alchemy Body Shop’s Cosmic Dust Bath Soak completes the tranquility of any bath-time soak with its all-natural, aluminum and GMO-free bath bomb. When you’re soaking it up with the Cosmic Dust, feeling like royalty, make sure to send a little thank you to the universe (and to Alchemy Body Shop founder Veronica Smith).  

 

 

Home (For The New Homeowner / Home Improvement Enthusiast) 

 

Wing on Wo & Co. 

Owner/Founder: Nancy Seid/ Mei Lum  
$25 

Wing on Wo & Co is a family run mecca of modern takes on traditional Chinese pieces, like this Silk Lantern. Its simple accents spruce up any room. A hand-picked gem from Nancy Seid’s travels to Hong Kong & China, think of this as a gift from you and the rest of the W.O.W founding members!  

 

 

PUR Home 

Owner/Founder: Angela & Michelle Richardson 
$7 - $39 

Most cleaning products may not be considered a worthy holiday gift. But Angela & Michelle Richardson’s line of sustainable, truly green Non-Toxic Cleaning Products are definitely worth giving!  

 

 

By Liana Rae 

$15 per painting 
Owner/ Founder: Liana Rae 

Sometimes, it’s about the little things, like Liana Rae’s beautifully hand-crafted Mini paintings. Available in their original 4x4 to 5x5 sizes or as 8x11 prints, this African American artist’s body of work adds character to any space; her distinct painting style makes these paintings perfect both as individual pieces or as small collections!  

 

  

House of Art and Craft 

$35.98 
Owner/Founder: Steysy 

Between the spirited smell of pine trees and warm hot cocoa, scent is the number one sense that's activated during the holidays. House of Art and Craft has added some new scents to celebrate the season! The Tree Sap Holiday Candle Set makes a wonderful gift; it’ll be especially appreciated when February rolls around, the season has come to an end, and we're in need of a little holiday nostalgia. 

 

 

Wasi 

$15  
Owner/ Founder: Vanessa Acosta 

Winter time isn’t for everyone, so if you need a reminder of what sunshine and heat were like, WASI’s Desierto Art Print may be the perfect gift for you. Based in sunny Los Angeles, Vanessa Acosta’s one-woman, Bolivian-American business provides abstract prints, handcrafted textiles, and plenty of other ethical and sustainable home accessories and apparel. 

 

 

Fashion (for the fashionista in your life)

Back Beat Co. 

$34 
Owner/Founder: Isadora Alvarez 

The baby tee is a simple yet classic and fundamental piece of any wardrobe. Why not get it from a sustainable, ethical, WOC-owned brand? Back Beat Co.’s laid back lifestyle brand gives both integrity & a “cool factor” to the most laid-back pieces. Not only will you look good in the Recycled Cotton Baby Tee, but you’ll feel good wearing it.  

 

 

Most Prominent Co. (MPC)

$30 
Owner/ Founder: Avery Antonio and Mayra Moran 

Most Prominent Co’s Baggu Packable Backpack gives you function, fashion, and ethical production – everything you could need and more in a backpack! MPCo. founders Avery Antonio and Mayra Moran are bringing streetwear into the ethical fashion space, making them a brand to watch even after the holidays. 

 

 

The Wrap Life 

$24-40 
Owner/Founder: Nnenna Stella 

With The Wrap Life’s Classic Hair Wraps, you’ll never need to worry about a bad hair day again! Nnenna Stella has beautifully taken inspiration from West African styles of headdress and turned it into an inclusive and accessible line of head wraps. If you’re in need of stocking stuffers, check out The Wrap Life’s turbanettes and bundle deals!  

 

 

Amita Bhalla 

$65 
Owner/Founder: Amita Bhalla  

Amita Bhalla’s one-of-a-kind jeweled masterpieces are sculpted by hand and brought to life with exceptional stones. Like "La Romanzano", every piece is unique, paying homage to the natural landscape she’s experienced through her travels. Her holiday wish for you is that you’ll feel the love and joy she puts into every piece. 

 

 

Osaku Treasures 

$80
Owner/Founder: Victoria Omoregie  

What better time than the winter for a little bit of ice? Victoria Omoregie’s tennis necklaces from her new line, Osaku Treasures, are a timeless, elegant gift for anyone. Thee Serena is a classic piece to add to any loved one’s wardrobe; a stunning bit of ice and supporting a Black-owned business? What more can you ask for?