There are few places in Greenpoint that I walk into and leave feeling more confident, more empowered, and essentially, more beautiful.
I usually leave Lake Street glassy-eyed, full of whiskey, and unable to ride my bike home. I walk into Lockwood with a glimmer in my eye and leave with a full tote in hand, wondering how I’ll pay rent this month. While my heart is so full to be a part of the family at Le Fanfare, let’s just say I’m not full of joy and radiant energy at the end of a crazy shift on a Saturday night. And… well, I don’t even want to talk about how I feel when I leave Chicken Pelicana. Just, if you see me walking out of there, look the other way.
That is why Zoe’s on Greenpoint Avenue is my tiny little oasis of hope. And why I chose them to be featured in this year’s gift guide; because giving the gift of that confident, beautiful hope to someone else is just what I’m looking to do this holiday season.
Find all of my favorite gifts, for him and her, below.
Gifts for Her
Flor de Venus Candle
I chose this magical Flor de Venus candle based on Mariola’s recommendation. The scent is seductive and mesmerizing and Zoe’s is the only shop in the country where you can find these highly-coveted Mexican candles. After meeting the maker, Mariola swears there’s some magic poured into each one. I use mine for my morning meditation to seep some magic into each day.
Eminence Facial Recovery Oil and Rose Quartz Roller
This amazing oil will forgive you for any topical sins you may have, and the roller helps your skin absorb all of the benefits. Leave the roller in the freezer and give your skin a healthy pick-me-up morning and night.
SOLU Salt Scrub Cleanser
This Davines salt scrub is part of there SOLU summer hair care line, but I find it to be the perfect weapon against dull winter tresses. Use it in place of shampoo every-other time you wash to invigorate your roots and inevitably, wash away days of dry shampoo residue.
Bare Minerals Eyeliner and Buxom Mascara
I have to admit I’m a big fan of a natural face with a bold eye. The best way to get and give all the looks start with Bare Minerals One Fine Line Eyeliner and Buxom’s bold mascara.
Ofra Highlighter
Keep that skin glowing even when Winter dullness threatens to set in with this amazing highlighter by Ofra. The natural pigments blend flawlessly with every skin tone and are subtle enough to look naturally illuminate. Keep glowing, baby.
Hair Styling Creams, Beautifying Oil and Dry Shampoo
And finally, all of my dirty little hair secrets. R+Co styling cream helps stretch my styling for a few extra days, and this sneaky little Glow cream by Bumble and Bumble keeps my brown hair strong and healthy, all season. Davines Oi Oil is my secret to maintaining a healthy glow and hiding split ends, and let’s just say if you smell Living Proof Dry Shampoo, I’m usually not far away. It’s my ultimate hair secret weapon and saves me about 4 hours a week in washing/blow drying time.
For stocking stuffers, grab a handful of Zoe’s minis (or as I like to refer to them, gateway drugs) to share your obsessions with the ones you love. Mine include Buxom mascara, anything in the Davines Oi line and plus their magic little hair mask packets, Eminence Facial Recovery Oil, BB Repair and Glow from Bumble and Bumble, R+Co Styling Cream, a skin-saving quartz roller, and this cute little Nugg lip balm that I think my cat likes more than me.
Zoe’s is also, sneakily, one of my favorite go-to spots for jewelry, and it’s rare that I can limit myself to my monthly fix of dry shampoo without being tempted to browse that sparkly little display by the door. Build a stack of bracelets for your favorite boho-chic friend, including this lucky little beaded bracelet, a jade-wrapped cuff, and a handmade brass bracelet made by Mariola, the owner and manager of the shop.
For your fancier friends, choose a pearl-and-rhinestone wrap, an elegant little gold knotted cuff, and this layered gold bracelet to enhance their holiday looks.
And for absolutely every woman on your list, these dangling petal earrings are my new favorite thing.
Gifts For Him
Give him a little space this holiday season. As in, space in the medicine cabinet. Because there’s almost nothing better to get for the holidays than a well-groomed man, so get him started with a few of my favorites. I love the Jack Black line of products for their simplicity and straight-forward, no bullshit ingredients. And I have to admit, we end up sharing a handful of “his” products. Have him try the Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser, the Double-Duty Face Moisturizer, and Post Shave Cooling Gel (a friend told me it’s also nice on your legs…).
I feel like we learned everything we know about grooming from Italian men, so I look no further than the Proraso Firenze line of products to keep his beard looking fresh and healthy. Plus, it smells just like a well-groomed Italian man, which is fine by me. He’ll love the Olio Cura Beard Oil, the Beard Balm, and the Beard Exfoliating Paste. And therefore, so will you.
Let Zoe’s be your go-to neighborhood shop for truly personal gifting. Still can’t decide? Tell their amazing staff a little bit about whoever’s on your list and have them recommend something. Trust me, you can trust them.
Zoe’s is located at 119 Greenpoint Ave. Follow them on Instagram for daily specials and beauty inspiration.
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