Welcome to the Luxuriate Life Guide to International Women’s Day 2022, where we join together to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women on 8 March 2022.
International Women’s Day was inaugurated in 1911 and the theme this year is #BreaktheBias with a call to level the playing fields and accelerate gender parity. Luxuriate Life has hand-picked some innovative products – from outstanding experiences to fragrances, clothing, drinks and food. They all have one thing in common – the amazing women at the heart of each company.
Looking and Feeling Our Best
Grey Wolfe – Wellness Space
Co-founded and developed by seasoned health and wellbeing expert, Sarah Jones, and award-winning hair salon owner and self-care practitioner Sinéad Johnson, Grey Wolfe is a new wellness space located in Barnes, West London offering the highest level of holistic experiences through its pioneering self-titled Grey Wolfe Method.
The Grey Wolfe Method is focused on using self-love, self-care and soul-care to restore, reset and nourish the whole self, for a more balanced and beautiful existence. It uses a combination of energy medicine and traditional earth elements to restore a natural state of wellbeing. These include wellness touch, smudging therapy, chakra balancing, breathwork, visualisation, crystals, numerology, body and foot mapping, as well as skin reading.
From – Grey Wolfe
Price | £180 for 60 minutes
EPC – Le Petite Parfum 1:1 Experience
The Experimental Perfume Club, founded by in-house perfumer and classically trained nose Emmanuelle Moeglin, is inviting individuals looking for a bespoke fragrance to join her in a one-on-one consultation at a boutique in Covent Garden, London.
Using a selection of ingredient blends, Emmanuelle will help you discover your scent profile for your own unique scent or as she herself tells it, “Access the behind the scenes of perfume creation.” You will even be able to take home two bottles of your fragrance: a 15 ml refillable travel spray and a 50 ml eau de parfum bottle. You can also purchase their incredible readymade fragrances too.
From – EPC Lab
Price | £300 for an individual one-and-a-half-hour session
Hot Tools Pro Signature Dryer and Volumiser
In colours of lilac, gold and black, the Hot Tools Pro Signature range is designed with at-home grooming in mind. The Volumiser is unlike any other blow dryer, offering professional styles without the need to go to a salon.
Designed for adding volume and shape to all hair types, this easy-to-use tool delivers fast results, with Direct ION® Technology and Thermaglide™ Ceramic Coating leaving hair looking healthy and shiny. What’s more, the detachable design makes this the perfect styling tool for both travel and storage.
From – Argos
Price | £80
The Organic Pharmacy – Rose Diamond
Formulated with Diamond Powder to restore luminosity and radiance as well as Rose Extract, these creams are an essential part of your daily regime. The magical eye cream lifts and contours the upper eyelids, reduces puffiness, under eye bags, dark circles and wrinkles, whilst the innovative face cream with Ceramides, Hibiscus and Linseed Polysaccharides aids elasticity and smooth lines.
These products are from The Organic Pharmacy co-founded by Margo Marrone, a Pharmacist and Homeopath, in 2002 with the aim of allowing everyone to access healthy, scientific and results driven products and treatments to heal the mind and body.
From – The Organic Pharmacy
Price | From £90
Bloch
For the body conscious and physically active, what can be better than wearing the comfortable clothing designed by dancewear brand, Bloch? Designed for professional dancers, workouts will be so much more stylish in one of their leotards, particularly their Wild Collection. Or perhaps The Zise by Bloch workout clothing range is more your thing. It’s fashioned in their soft Sculpt-Line fabric which moulds to the body like a second skin and has a superior 360° stretch for unlimited range of movement.
There’s also a fabulous range of stylish ballet pumps for casual out and about using supple Nappa leather uppers for all day comfort. The company after all was originally founded by crafting footwear for ballet companies such as the famous Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.
From – Bloch
Price | Leotards from £40 / Leggings from £53 / Pumps from £68.50
Green People Personal Care Products
Charlotte Vøhtz, trusted pioneer of organic beauty, and Founder of Green People first began her mission to launch a range of organic personal care products in 1997 having moved from her native Denmark to the UK. Twenty five years on and Green People’s multi award-winning range is one of the front-runners in the organic beauty industry with more than 140 natural, organic products including the new Alexandra Kay wellbeing collection – a range of pure, natural wellbeing products to soothe the mind, body and soul.
For younger looking skin, try the Age Defy tinted SPF15 daily defence DD moisturiser developed to protect against sun damage and offering flawless coverage – one of Charlotte’s signature ranges for those aged 35+. Alternatively, for me time, check out the ceramic essential oil diffuser from Alexandra Kay, emitting a fresh mist of essential oil blends at the touch of a button.
From – Green People
Price | £39 for Age Defy tinted moisturiser / £75 for the diffuser
WeTwo London
The idea behind WeTwo London originally came from Kelly Simpkin (former hairdresser at Nicky Clarke Mayfair) when she was pregnant and looking for a range of products she could safely use and which she enjoyed. She joined forces with Claire Mellon (the world’s leading gynaecologist and obstetrician), and together they created a line of revolutionary skin and haircare products, designed for women, by women.
The brand has now developed the idea further to encompass products formulated with a medley of essential oils, natural ingredients and a blend of science for womenkind at every stage of life from birth right up to post-menopause. The ingredients used are both visibly effective and have divine scents designed to uplift moods.
From – We Two London
Price | £22 for 250 ml Beyond Luxury Hydrating Shampoo
Ciaté London – Beauty Kit Curated by Lisa Snowdon edit
British brand Ciaté London has collaborated with seasoned beauty guru Lisa Snowdon to celebrate her 50th birthday with a special limited-edition beauty edit. Lisa has hand-picked her top beauty must-haves from the brand to allow others to recreate her iconic looks from smoky, sultry glam to soft natural chic in the Curated by Lisa Snowdon edit.
The collection includes a Dewy Skin Vitamin C Glass Glow Primer, Triple Shot XXL Mascara, The Editor Palette in St Tropez; a Dewy Stix, a Glow to Blush Perfect Match, a Watermelon setting spray and a Pump Plump in Honey Dew. Ciaté London is proud to be PETA certified and cruelty free.
From – Ciaté London
Price | £45 – worth £158
The SUSS EDIT – Classic Sweater
The SUSS Edit is a unique fashion brand born out of a desire to do things differently, creating a range of luxurious and timeless wardrobe essentials with a unique business model that champions slow fashion. With elegant wardrobe staples of perfect everyday tees, cosy chunky knits and winter accessories and the ultimate silk blouse, The SUSS Edit is the ideal curated shopping destination.
Founded by entrepreneur, Jenny Johnston, The SUSS Edit plans to become fully circular with full transparency and traceability across processes and materials, while offering a unique pre-order business model that looks to eliminate over-production as well as an end-of-life recycling service for own-collection pieces that are no longer wanted.
From – The Suss Edit
Price | €109 for the classic sweater in mocha
Celebratory food and drink
Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar female forward wine list
Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar is launching a very special wine menu in celebration of International Women’s Day at its debut wine bar in Mayfair. Exclusively available throughout March, the menu will showcase an impressive selection of wines created by successful female winemakers, highlighting the importance and great value of women in the often male-dominated industry.
You can enjoy a range of sparkling wines, white and red wines , available at a range of price points, alongside dishes such as sharing plates of anchovies, English-cured charcuterie and seasonal French and English cheeses. The use of the revolutionary Coravin preservation systems at the Wine & Bubbles Bar allows guests to experience a true journey through the world of female-led wines, sampling a selection of wines by the glass.
Sparkling wines include an American Cuvée 20 by talented winemaker Nicole Hitchcock at J Vineyards. White wines include a 2022 Sauvignon blanc from Vanya Cullen, Chief Winemaker of boutique Australian winery, Cullen Wines. There are also five red wines including a 2018 Siccagno Rosso by Arianna Occhipinti, the celebrated Italian winemaker who first impressively released vintages under her own label at the age of 16.
From – Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar
Price | Varies
Macknade Fine Foods – International Women’s Day Hamper
This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, the team at Macknade have created a hamper that showcases a handful of the hard-working, passionate women who create mind-blowing produce – the ideal gift for the strong and inspiring women in our own lives.
This includes Quinta da Mariposa, Dão Branco Wine, led by oenologist Lúcia Freitas; Choc Affair, Dark Chocolate – founded by Linda Barrie; Brindisa, Salted Marcona Almonds – from Founder & Owner,Monika Linton; Goupie, Ginger Vegan Chocolates – founded by Janet Simpson, with all recipes developed by her mother; Teastones Peace Mother Tea – led by Owner & Tea Connoisseur, Sev Michaels; Fudge Kitchen Rocksalt Peanut Brittle – led by Managing Director, Sian Holt; Benchmark Brewery, Pale Ale – from female Brewer, Amelia and Kent Crisps, Oyster & Vinegar – from Owner, Laura Bounds MBE.
From – Macknade Fine Foods
Price | £60
Etan Rum
Etan Rum, a West-African premium spiced rum, has been lovingly created by the five Fosang sisters of Cameroonian heritage, who are a doctor, lawyer, dentist, teacher and accountant – Laura, Briget, Noella, Caroliine and Kareen. Raised in London with a family history rooted in Cameroon, West Africa, they wanted to do a project together apart from their day jobs, becoming rum aficionados.
Etan means ‘five’ in their parents’ native Mungaka dialect in Cameroon. As there are five sisters, there are also five botanicals in every bottle – Fever Grass, Ginger, Vanilla, Cassia and Orange Peel, creating a uniquely-smooth spicy rum. Try this award-winning rum over ice for straight sipping or mixed in cocktails.
From – Amazon UK
Price | £45
Mockingbird Spirit
Now we all love a little tequila but this one is a little different, allowing you to have a margherita without the next day hangover! Mockingbird Spirit is a tequila inspired Agave based spirit but is alcohol free. Called Mockingbird for a simple reason – just as the mockingbird mimics the calls of other birds, Mockingbird Spirit mimics the taste of tequila.
Ferne McCoy, the brand founder, used authentic Mexican Blue Weber Agave direct from Mexico, which mimics the taste of tequila. This passionately produced Alcoternative™ is made with all vegan ingredients to support health and happiness. It also has another advantage – it features pure Ashwagandha ,which is an adaptogen that helps your mind and body manage stress and anxiety. Margheritas all round!
From – Mockingbirdspirit
Price | £22.99
Raimes Sparkling Wine
Augusta and Robert are the fifth generation of the family to farm the fields now flourishing with vines. With land farmed on the historic Tichborne Estate, the farm stretches from the protected and ecologically diverse weater meadows of the River Itchen to the grassy rolling hills of the South Downs near Winchester. As they say, “growing good produce is in our soul,” and the terroir of the South Downs is perfect for producing the finest English Sparkling Wine.
The good news is that they’ve just released their first Demi Sec now available online, which is a beautifully balanced, semi-sweet sparkling wine with hints of citrus and stone fruit, small bubbles and a brioche finish. It’s extra special as the Spring frosts and a destructive hail stone of 2017 led to a small harvest and the first Demi-Sec is the only style produced from that year.
From – Raimes
Price | £40
Maison Mirabeau’s limited edition Petit Dry Gin and Twilly gift set
Maison Mirabeau has collaborated with French artist, Tiffany Bouelle, to create a stunning twilly gift set. The gift set includes a 20cl petite bottle of Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin and a silk twilly scarf designed by Paris-based, Franco-Japanese artist, Tiffany.
Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin is a classic Dry Gin with a pale pink colour, built on a base of 100% grape neutral spirit, made from up-cycled grape skins which adds roundness and subtle fruitiness to the palate. This original Rosé Gin is inspired by the abundance of botanicals growing throughout the French Riviera as well as more precious ones used in the famous local perfumery trade.
The twilly is aptly named “Les joues roses” (rosy cheeks) as its design takes inspiration from Provençal Rosés and golden hour on the Riviera. The twilly was founded in the late 1930s and is now a quintessentially French fashion accessory and can be used as a chic head accessory, neck scarf or bag embellishment.
From – Harvey Nichols
Price | £65
Catoctin Creek – Roundstone Rye
Becky Harris is the Founder and Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek, a women-owned and operated craft distillery since 2009. As a chemical engineer, and President of the American Craft Spirits Association, Becky is regarded as one of the best distillers in the country, having won multiple international medals for her spirits. She is also a tireless advocate for the entire craft spirits industry.
Becky is known best for her single barrel 100% rye whisky, Roundstone Rye, which uses heritage grains from local farms and is 100% copper pot distilled and never sourced.
From – Native Spirits
Price | From £37
The Karma Tea Co.
Alison Tran is leading the way in responsible tea drinking. The Karma Tea Co. is a London based loose-leaf tea company that sources high quality artisanal leaves directly from socially responsible and planet friendly tea gardens in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It’s time we all brewed a fairer, greener cup. So why not sit down and relax knowing you can enjoy a good cuppa immune boosting, warming, soothing Kolkata chai that is ethicality and sustainably sourced.
From – The Karma Tea Co.
Price: £7
Put some pep in your step
Vital Proteins
Vital Proteins helps people feel better and live fuller lives through high-quality nutrition products, promoting natural beauty by providing nourishing collagen and promoting the production of collagen, an ingredient stripped from our diets by modern food-processing. Although our bodies’ collagen production slows as we age, our need for it only grows as we maintain a vibrant life as our bodies grow less efficient.
Collagen peptides are small pieces of protein derived from animal collagen, sourced in this case from bovine hide and fish scales. Vital Protein’s formulas are unflavoured and odourless, which also makes them ultra-versatile. By taking collagen )perhaps a couple of scoops in your daily coffee like their new Chief Creative Officer actress Jennifer Aniston does), you can put more of a spring in your step and be a catalyst for a better life.
From – Vital Proteins
Price | £21.30 for 284g
Jomo London – CBD Arousal Oil
A new product has just launched from Made in Chelsea’s Liv Bennet and celebrity makeup artist, Bella Campbell – Jomo London. The concept of JOMO first came about when founders Liv and Bella began to discuss how, despite the fact we are encouraged to be open about our sexual curiosities as well as our hang-ups, for many women, that is far easier said than done.
The co-founders are on a quest to redefine female sexual wellness and empower women on their sexual journey. They aim to put the focus back on women, what women need and what women want, enabling women to facilitate sexual exploration, remove shameful and embarrassing connotations, and shift the cultural narrative surrounding sexual pleasure. So check out their Jomo London CBD Arousal Oil before heading out to play.
From – JomoLondon
Price | £48 for 30 ml
And finally
Bondi Laser @ Home
Tired of going to the salon for hair removal? Well, the renowned Fulham-based go-to-waxing studio, Bondi Wax, has gone one step further and developed an At-Home permanent hair reduction solution – Bondi Laser @ Home.
The most effective way to manage excess body hair is by using an IPL laser and the Bondi Laser @ Home device. It’s not only the most powerful on the market, but also has a dual skin rejuvenation function for silky smooth skin.
In just five weeks for your underarms, bikini line and stray “terminal” hairs, and in twelve weeks for your leg hair, you can permanently reduce your body hair and never need to shave or wax again. It is attracted to dark hairs and travels down the root, effectively killing it. It also only works on live hair. As 80% of your hair is dormant at any one time, this is why it takes a few sessions for noticeable hair reduction. Even better, your skin will look better too! Win win.
From – Bondi-Body
Price | £199
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured. Leading image courtesy of The Suss Edit.