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SG's 2019 Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1!

By Capt SistaGurl and SG Team 
Happy Holidays SG!

Around this time of year. Magazines and bloggers around the globe clamor to feature their biggest and brightest Holiday Gift guides with much fanfare. However, larger markets rarely feature small businesses ran and/or operated by women, specifically women of color. Here at the SistaGurl, we wanted to make sure that when we decided to do a gift guide, it was going to be all about our femme-tastic melanin-laden sistas.


It's very important to ensure that small businesses get the exposure that they deserve and we are loving these queens. (We have a few kings in here too.) 

Skincare

Skincare becomes increasingly more important as we age. Women of color have the luxury of having higher amounts of melanin, which gives us more protection from the sun and keeps our skin tighter and younger longer.  However, effects on the skin in the colder months can be unforgiving to even the deepest skin tones.

Captain SistaGurl received few all-natural products marketed for women of color that the SistaGurl team reviewed to see how effective they would be in keeping the face and body rejuvenated and bright throughout the winter months.


GLEAMIN Vitamin C Clay Mask and Applicator 

Product Description: 

Vitamin C Clay Mask and Application Brush
Ingredients:
Kaolin Australian Clay, *Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, *Castor Oil, Saccharide Isomerate /Aqua /Citric Acid /Sodium Citrate, Betaine, *Almond Oil, *Grapeseed Oil, *Glyceryl Caprylate / Glyceryl Undecylenate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Yellow Australian Clay, *Turmeric Powder, Turmeric Extract, Kale Extract, *Desert Lime Extract, *Kakadu Plum Extract, *Finger Lime Extract, Bergamot Essential Oil, Jasmine Essential Oil, Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, Vitamin E - Natural, Vitamin B5, p-Anisic Acid *Certified Organic Ingredients
Product Review: Clay Masks are a hassle to apply, the applicator brush has soft bristles and helps apply the mask. The mask itself is lightweight and leaves the skin refreshed and bright. I noticed that the hyperpigmented spots on my skin went away after two applications.
Selected Hands Skincare Products 


Product Description: 
Selected Hands - Perfect 10 Oil Cleanser
Ingredients:
Avocado Oil, Castor oil, Apricot Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sclerocarya birrea Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Orange Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, and Vitamin E. 

About the owner: Mii'a is a licensed esthetician, makeup artist, and eyelash technician that has worked in the medical industry for over 21 years. A year ago she came to the realization that it was time to do something for herself and take the leap into entrepreneurship. Having a love for make she realized that foundation was better applied on great skin so with that thought she created her skincare line hands and create Selected Hands. This awesome lady is a mother of 4 and a grandma but she looks 19 y'all. So, perhaps she's onto something!  






Emerald Escape Spa Products 
Product Faves: 
Pure African Black Soap, Oatmeal Shea Butter Soap, Underarm Detox, and Natural Deodorant 
Ingredients:
Deodorant -Lavender Scent: Sweet Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Organic Sunflower Seed, Neem, Cypress, Tea Tree, and Zinc Oxide. 
Product Review: We will let you know! 
About the owner: Chan Harrell set out to create this product line because she has extremely sensitive skin, and grew tired of the mystery ingredient factor in the products she purchased. She combined that and the motivation to show her son that there was more to life than having a 9-5 job, and there Emerald Escape Spa Products emerged. Additionally, she also hosts monthly candle making classes at her store on Chicago's south side. For more details follow here. Pricing: $5 and up. 

The Ash - Fighters (AKA Shea Butter Babies) 

This section is of skincare needs it's OWN category. As we mentioned earlier, one of the most important things that people of color hold most dear year-round is a good, ASH FIGHTER. Yes, something that can take you from indoors to -20 weather without your body looking like you've been slapping flour. Some of us have our own regime that we never switch up but if you're in the mood for a change, or have family members that don't know the "butters", this is your section.



All Butter'd Up 
Product Description: 
Ingredients: Essential Oils: Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and a proprietary blend of fragrance oils. 
Product Review: We purchased this product months ago, and it immediately caught our attention because it looked like frosting. WE LOVE FROSTING. Further, the "Come Get Me" scent has an enticing smell that is sensual and subtle, already proving to not be your normal shea butter. Additionally, the product completely dries in 90 seconds, so you can apply and not have to worry about the oil/shea getting on your clothes. We loved it so much that we completely scraped the container clean. COMPLETELY. 
Price Range: $10-35

Image of Love Balm


Naturally Phased LLC
Product Description: 
Product Review: LoveBalm is exactly what it says. The perfect go-to all over balm with essential oils like lavender, chamomile, tea tree, and rosehip with the help of our own infused calendula oil and natural butter like mango to help keep your skin moisturized and to heal minor cuts, bruises, dry skin & eczema relief so what’s not to love about this balm?
Price Range: $12.22 

For the Inner YOU (The daughters of E.Badu) 

This section is dedicated to the brands that focus on the overall zen of the mind a body. We call these ladies CEOs and their brands, "The Daughters of Erykah Badu". They are of no blood relation, but their products are here to make sure you have the vibe of the ancestors on the inside and out. 

Nur Naturals 
Holistic Health and Wellness company that focuses on Traditional and Cultural Healing Practices.
Common Ingredients: Essential Oils: Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and a proprietary blend of fragrance oils. 
Product Review: If the characters Nova Bordelon from Queen Sugar and Nola Darling from "She's Gotta Have It'' were real people and joined forces and created a store, Nur Naturals would be that store. The products on the site range from beard oil for the man in your life, nipple cream for new moms, and a Yoni Healing Starter Pack. Anything related to holistic healing can be found right here in this store. We tried the CBD Bath Bombs, burned some sage, and oiled up with the body oil infused with gemstones. So yes. Center yourselves with Nur Naturals.  
Price Range: $5 - $80

Gifts for the man of a certain taste
Some say that the way to a man's heart is his stomach, while that may be true, most men, specifically men of color, love to make a statement with their clothing. The following brands have gear for women and men, but you can definitely find something for the guy in your life that commands a presence.
Alpha Male Tee
Rebellious Unicorn has several looks that we love. In addition to their femme powered apparel. They also have a male line. Which includes the Rebellious Unicorn signature t-shirt's "Alpha Male" t-shirt, and our favorite, the "T.H.U.G - Trust Healing Utilize Growth" t-shirt. We love this clothing line because the goal of Gwen Robinson's line is to heal from the outside in. She tackles words and phrases commonly known as negative attributes and turns them into light bringing lifestyle endeavors. What's not to love? Price Range: $14.99 - 34.99



Kulture Chicago is another site/store that we love. The store, which is located in Chicago at 217 E. 31st, Chicago, IL 60616 but for those of you outside the city, you're in luck. There is an online store. Each look on the site features a brand from a Chicago native and they are all FIRE. Brands like Fashion Geek, Success Junkie, and F#$k Fame, just to name a few. Check out this tye dyed "FF"(F&$k Fame) hoodie, in case you wanted to know what that means. PRICING: $40-150.



Indigenous Royalty's site page and description are enough for us to buy up the whole store. Check it out! "Indigenous Royalty is a brand designed to spark the subconscious mind in a way that influences everyday morals, ideals, and beliefs. We must UNLearn to RELearn! Our history is drenched in lost information that must be brought to light, taught to our children and shared in a way that positively molds the future- one message at a time! Open your eyes, Open your Minds! We are the Original people; We are a people of Royalty!". 
     We Slay  (Apparel & Jewelry)


Bold Addictions is our new fave jewelry site. It's bold, colorful, and packs in the flavor.  The site features bib necklaces, headwraps and BAWSE ear candy. The owner affectionately known as Candy Bee told us, that she initially started styling women for fun, and realized that a good piece of jewelry could reduce the cost of buying more clothes. One brown shirt could go from blah to glam in no time with a BANGING neckpiece. From there, she started branding Bold Addictions. While in the planning stages, her son was shot, she took off from work and nursed him back to health. (SUPERMOM STATUS). Once he was well, she never returned to work, with a renewed purpose she started her line. She hasn't turned back since. ****PROMO ALERT**** Use the code SISTAGURL for product discounts.  PRICING: $7-50.


CUSTOM JEWELRY ALERT! Tiphieany Starr Moore makes custom bracelets. Think of pandora, sans the TERRIBLE pendant options. We love her brand because it's personalized and it can be as bold and demure as you like. The items shown are examples of the personality of the pieces. Tiphieany, always created jewelry but it wasn't until recently that she decided to get back into the jewelry game and showcase her stuff. Her exclusive bracelets are sold via her Facebook page so follow her here. PRICING: $25 and Up. 

So, you've got your earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, but sis, we're not done. Whatever will you wear? Furthermore, can your glassware be fly? We're going to revisit a few sites we've already talked about because we think you might have missed these hot items! 



Rebellious Unicorn also has a BOTTLE BLING! So not only can you cop a fly shirt for your guy, or a hoodie for yourself, you can also get swag out your stocking stuffers with these cuties! What's best you're not breaking the bank for these. $15! 










Indigenous Royalty has a showcase full of our favorite TV/Film black couples in their "Black love like the 90's" collection. Dwayne and Whitley (as shown below),  the films Love Jones, and Brown Sugar. These looks are also available in sweatshirts, so you can stunt at the movies, or on your weekend errands.
90s Black Love Tee (A Different World)
Body Positive Fabulousness 

Let's face it, we don't all come in size IG! Brittany Washington and her clothing line My Beautiful Fluff were body positive well before LIZZO. (Cough cough). If we're being honest she's doing it the right way. A few years ago, as a budding naturalista Brittany looked everywhere for a natural hair shirt in her size. She couldn't find one in her size. That was when she decided to Curvalicious Curves. The idea and the mindset worked for her, but the name just didn't stick. She rebranded and went with a childhood nickname her mother gave her, Fluffy. She worked on her mission statement, "Empowering, Motivating, and Encouraging Women to love themselves AS THEY ARE." Phew. Just like that, My Beautiful Fluff was born. The site is for everyone, she also features affirmation journals and makeup accessories. 

Here at the SistaGurl, we want to make sure that all of us get the opportunity to support Black/Brown brands, moreover, we want to make sure that we cover a full variety of products to ensure that you'll give gifts that have a lasting impression. If you know any brands that you believe we should feature, stop by our facebook page and send us a message! Stay tuned for the next installment of our gift guide! We have MORE IN STORE. Up next... BOOKS and BOOZE!

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