NOTO Botanics — a brand, a gem
NOTO Botanics — at first glance, their products instantly shout ‘cool girl.’ It is a brand that I truly appreciate and admire; their values, mission, and beliefs hold such importance. NOTO isn’t a brand that stays idle. They move to make change: in the beauty industry and the world. With deep roots for representation, minimal, high-performing ingredients, activism through identity, self-expression, vegan, cruelty free, and sustainably-made products, it’s surely beauty that gives back (I feel compelled to note that through a percentage of their Agender Oil sales, they strive to make an impact by donating to communities in need. Quite amazing!).
Their products make me feel good. Simply: good. Each jar or bottle or stick has its own personality — from its color, to its smell, to its name. I always feel some sort of magic when using them in the sense that they bring out elements of confidence, perhaps, or freedom of myself. Calming, uplifting, therapeutic — the beautiful, herbal ingredients that compose the contents of each glass really transports me. It isn’t a doubt that this is not self-care — self-love. I know that I’m indulging myself in good ingredients sourced from the earth. And I know that whatever I’m putting on my skin is good — for myself, and for the world.
( Touching upon a review I wrote quite a while ago on NOTO’s ONO-ONO multi-bene stain stick and HYDRA highlighter, they’re two staple make-up products that I own. They’re oh so nourishing and add the prettiest flush/glow on my skin. Just like all their other products, they smell beautifully calming — just wonderful! Highly recommend — )
BASIL YARROW MIST
With strong, herbal notes of ylang-ylang and undertones of basil, the unique-scented Basil Yarrow Mist will instantly cool and uplift your face, body, hair, and even environment. The watery-blue elixir contains hydrating Rose, balancing Witch-hazel, refreshing Sweet Basil, anti-inflammatory German Blue Chamomile, uplifting Ylang-Ylang, and calming Lavender. Definitely not your usual, sweet smelling mist of violets and oranges; this is surely a more herbal take. Though the scent lingers a little strong, it’s still so beautiful, at least to me, given that I love Ylang-Ylang. I usually mist my face, body, and hair after an exercise to freshen up. Cooling, uplifting, refreshing, hydrating, calming, the atmosphere feels less heavy after a few mists of Basil Yarrow. Inhale, exhale. Ahhh. (My friend described the smell as the ‘tropical rainforest side of a zoo BUT IN A GOOD WAY.’ She’s not completely wrong. I think that it’s a very, very herbal scent and really transports you back to nature. But it definitely gives me tropical rainforest vibes *wink*). On some nights before bed, I like to spray it on my pillow and around the room to bask in old memories I had with this scent — quite lovely.
(Tip: store in the fridge for an extra cooling effect!)
RESURFACE SCRUB
Scrubs are tricky from time to time — too harsh, not harsh enough, didn’t make a difference, ‘oh gosh I look like a tomato.’ NOTO’s Resurface Scrub is, really, a no-fuss option — it’s made with clean ingredients, the exfoliants are not too jagged, yet not too fine, has, both, physical and chemical exfoliants, it’s effective, you can use it just about anywhere, and smells of peppermint — so, so refreshing and uplifting. Take just a little on your palm and mix it with some water, rub your hands together until you have an airy lather, you can add some oil to it if it’s too harsh, gently scrub your face or/and body (Sometimes, I skip cleanser and use this in place of it! Just be cautious of the sensitive places like your eyes — we don’t want to be exfoliating those areas), let the fine walnut shells sit on your skin for around a minute to let the acids work, wash off with warm water, massage on some moisturizer, and voila! It will leave you feeling so, extremely fresh and awake, with your skin clean, yet not stripped (though I wouldn’t recommend this product for those whose skin leans more towards the sensitive side). Exfoliate once to three times a week. To me, it’s a true staple product at home, and out of home. Everything just feels so much more alive and awake after the scrub. An act of self-care, yes. A whisk in the atmosphere for a fresh start.
(Tip: after using the Resurface Scrub, apply a luxurious oil or moisturizer to leave your skin feeling extra soft.)
MOISTURE RISER CREAM
To be frank with you, I wish I were a tiny person and got the opportunity to jump into a perfectly sky-blue jar of Moisture Riser Cream. It’s just such a beautiful product. With hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, soothing Blue Tansy, healing Marula Oil, anti-inflammatory Rose Geranium, toning Clary Sage, regenerating Carrot Seed, and mineral-packed Blue Green Algae, an herbal blend it is. Arguably one of my favourite-smelling products, notes of luxurious Blue Tansy and sweet Rose Geranium come upon application. Runny in a warm environment, more solid when it’s cool, take a pea-sized amount of the silky cream on your palm, rub your hands together, breathe in the beautiful, beautiful product, and massage it wherever you need some care. I’ve tried this on my face but my skin seemed a little finicky about it and eventually didn’t like it as much as my nose does. Nonetheless, it’s still so lovely as a rich hand-cream, therapeutic body-cream, and for a neck massage — definitely not a waste. That’s the best thing about NOTO: everything is multi-purpose. The cream does absorb in, but leaves a dewey, nourishing layer on your skin. Love love love!
(Tip: like the Basil Yarrow Mist, store it in the fridge for a de-puffing effect!)
NOTO Botanics — a peek into its strong, vivid world.
It’s a precious brand — with precious things and precious values.
— Solaia