I’m dedicating this week to the indie beauty brands that have slowly yet surely been taking over my vanity. They’ve managed to elbow out some pretty big names—and rightfully so. I couldn’t ask for anything more when it comes to ingredients, efficacy and packaging. I do a little happy dance every time I stumble upon one of these gems. They’re raising the bar on beauty by getting back to basics. It’s a beautiful thing! –Bets
Brand We Heart: Belmondo
Have you ever seen such killer packaging?! I love that modern yet homey chalkboard thing, plus those luxe frosted containers. It’s no wonder Anthro picked up this small-batch, hand-crafted line. Esthetician Daniela Belmondo was inspired by the gorgeous olive oil used in her native Italy, but she’s done equally amazing things with exotic floral essences and essential oils.
Best Bets: The Cloud ($52) face cream is impossibly velvety and imparts the perfect amount of dewiness. It’s dreamy. I’m also enthralled by The Rain ($33), an herbal facial cleanser that you apply with a cotton ball, toner-style. Once you get used to the apple cider vinegar (a natural exfoliant/wonder drug), and water-free approach, it’s so refreshing to swipe over your skin in the morning.
Where to Get it: Belmondo.ca and Anthropologie
Filed Under: belmondo, cleanser, moisturizer, organic skincare, the cloud, the rain, toner
Hello lovelies! I'm Elizabeth Dehn, a beauty writer + lifestyle editor who's equally fanatical about lip gloss as juice cleansing. I live in Minneapolis with Mr. Bets and our white lab, Molly Thomas . . . 
wow. as soon as i saw the first image load i knew i’d have to try this line out… it’s beautiful!
would you ever be willing to do a post on mixing brands? i get nervous that different ingredients/etc. in different products will counteract each other so i tend not to do it… but i know that i could benefit from doing so! are there any active ingredients that you shouldn’t use together?
@rita – GREAT question. It’s less about mixing brands and more about mixing ingredients. For example, you wouldn’t want to layer on a product containing glycolic acid and one with retinol. WAY to harsh. You also always need sunscreen if you’re using any products containing retinol or skin lighteners because they increase the sensitivity of your skin. In general though, just be careful not to overdo it with too many “active” products.
got it, thank you!