By Hannah Reimann
Several stores in the West Village cater to shoppers like me who prefer to avoid toxic ingredients, to know what they’re putting on their skin and into their bodies, to be safe from contaminants, carcinogens and to protect their health.
Since products in these stores tend to have a high price point, I started slowly to make sure each was worth the investment of time and money. I have no regrets and have thrown away all of my old makeup, skincare and shampoo, replacing them with clean products.
I’ve added personal reflections about each of these excellent stores preceded by quotes from their websites. Please visit them yourself to evaluate and enjoy what they have to offer, guided by each store’s informed and educated staff.
Bonberi
384 Bleecker Street on the corner of Perry Street
From the eponymous blog: “A curated guide to food and well-being.”
This pop-up convenience corner store offers fresh juices, smoothies, salads, grain bowls, daily soup, snacks and wellness-inspired homeware, clean beauty and skincare products. I stop in for kombucha on tap and delicious, meaty coconut water when I need to recharge with a healthy drink on busy days. They have a beautiful, small selection of health and beauty products that changes with the seasons, from Dr. Bronner’s soap to body brushes, Rodin face oils, Tata Harper glosses and more.
Cap Beauty
238 West 10th Street between Bleecker and Hudson Streets
“Beauty is Wellness. Wellness is Beauty”
A fun and beautiful, well-stocked store that carries reputable brands such as Kjaer Weis, RMS, Tata Harper, Dr. Alkaitis and many more, as well as teas, powders, medicines at Cap Grocery, located in the same store. Great customer service.
Follain
92 Greenwich Ave near West 12th Street
“No one should have to compromise their health for beauty.”
Founded in 2013 with stores in five US cities, Follain has been a fount of knowledge and guidance for me in my quest for clean cosmetics. Before Intelligent Nutrients closed its Fifth Avenue and West 8th Street Flagship store, one manager told me about Follain. Follain carries carefully selected products that meet their strict criteria including their own line of under $30 bestsellers.
The Organic Pharmacy
353 Bleecker Street between
West 10th and Charles Streets
“Science, quality and dosage means serious results.”
This trailblazer opened in London in 2002 by its founder, Margo Marrone, a pharmacist who specializes in medicinal herbs who later became a homeopath. She was shocked to find poisonous pesticides used in our food, questionable ingredients used in cosmetics and was moved to create The Organic Pharmacy. It sells only its own brand, and has worldwide distribution and stores. There are more skincare products than makeup here, all very high quality.
Sisley Paris Boutique
343 Bleecker Street between
Christopher and West 10th Streets
“Makeup that takes care of your skin.”
What’s a woman to do when her all-natural makeup doesn’t last long enough for a photo shoot or isn’t seen from afar while working on a stage show? Sisley has been my savior while I’ve searched for makeup good for my skin to wear professionally on stage and for jobs and events that require photography. The products are science-based with plant ingredients that contain some chemicals.
ninfabeautyandwellness.
Photos by Darielle Smolian.
