MARYSE – Plant-based Skincare from Auckland

MARYSE is a collection of considered, plant-based skincare preparations formulated by natural beauty specialist, Maryse O’Donnell. Drawing from natural and organic ingredients – including macadamia, avocado and kiwi seed oils amongst others – the brand’s naturally potent formulas are handmade in its studio in Auckland, New Zealand.

Each blend – from her Bio-Nutrient Face Oil and Bio-Boost to the Multi-Vitamin Body Oil and Enzyme Refine Cleansing Balm – delivers a refined combination of phytonutrients to not only optimise and encourage a beautiful and healthy skin but also to revitalise every complexion through its omega fatty acids, mineral, vitamins and anioxidants; without unwanted chemical additives.

Two of our hero products are the brand’s Bio-Nutrient Face Oil and Mineral Dew. A blend of nutrient-rich botanicals including kiwi and camellia seeds, the Bio-Nutrient Face Oil helps the skin maintain optimum hydration while delivering powerful, antioxidant (e.g. Vitamin E) properties. Unlike other face oils, MARYS’s formula is non-greasy and readily-absorbing. Drawing from broccoli and grape seeds, its silky Mineral Dew delivers a fresh finish. Infused with organic ingredients, the dew is a nice skin-enhancing formula for a post-facial glow.

MARYS’s botanical skincare collection currently includes eight products – all of which are prepared in small batches.

RHOECO – Greek Organic Herbal Tea

Introducing Rhoeco – an organic herbal tea company based in Thessaloniki, Greece, founded by agronomists and ecology enthusiasts Harry Kazas, Katerina Chatziangelaki and Vaya Mitsiou. Playing with the words rhoē (Gr.: flow), eco (for ecology) and co (for cooperation), Rhoeco is the result of a combined effort rooted in their wish to produce a product for the present while respecting the past and thinking about the future.

Inspired by the complexity of our ecosystem, the brand created five conceptual organic herbal tea blends that are hand-packaged in small batches. These include Mountain (distinctive lemon undernotes), Forest (smooth, full-bodied tisane), Sea (mellow sweet flavour with a subtle woody aftertaste), Agros (light-bodied, refreshing tisane with an earthy citrus aftertaste), and Urban (resin notes with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste).

The beauty of Rhoeco lies in that their packaging doubles as both herbal tea container and planter. With its ‘Drink it, plant it’ concept the brand encourages people to reuse its biodegradable containers to grow their own herbs. To do so, each package includes a seed stick containing a mix of organic herb seeds ready to be planted inside the container.

With respect to the young brand’s principles of fair trade, ethical and organic food production, the three entrepreneurs have developed a network of certified organic smallholder family farms across Greece, which supply them with raw dried herbs. Each of Rhoeco’s tea blends are produced and packaged by hand, safeguarding full integrity.