Archives: Gift Guides

If stubborn bumps on the backs of your arms or on your legs are driving you up a wall, it may be time to start using a gentle chemical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants sound scarier than they actually are: They use a gentle combination of ingredients to eat away at dead skin, promote new healthy skin growth, and moisturize all at the same time. This one is a favorite of commerce editor Katie P., who uses it to help smooth the keratosis pilaris on her arms. “The formula is gentle enough on my sensitive skin that it doesn’t burn or cause any redness, and I notice a difference overnight,” she says.

Right now, Oui the People is donating one percent of every purchase to one of four different charities, which you get to select. You can choose to donate a portion of your purchase to prevent human trafficking through Not for Sale, support sustainability initiatives through Cool Earth,  help protect reproductive rights through Holler Health Justice, or to support and protect LGBTQ+ rights through PFLAG.

If you’ve started to amass a collection of belt bags and fanny packs, you are in good company. Team KCM members love how convenient and easy to carry they are, and they instantly add a “cool” factor to any outfit. This one by Dagne Dover is made from a durable neoprene material that’s water-resistant, and it has plenty of pockets to keep you organized.

Face masks feel like the ultimate form of self-care, but they’re a pain to remove after 15-20 minutes. Yes, you just rinse them off, but something about the gritty, gloopy texture of them as you wash them away feels a little less luxurious than it did when you put it on. This one from Kiehl’s can actually stay on your face overnight, and because it goes on more like a moisturizer than a mask, you won’t notice any residue on your face the next day. It’s jam-packed with nourishing ingredients like glacial glycoprotein, which is derived from sea glaciers, and olive-derived squalane, which will leave your face feeling smooth and soft.

Love wearing sneakers but want to (literally) elevate your look? Opting for ones with a platform will give you height without having to sacrifice any comfort. This white pair by Steve Madden is a timeless style, so you can wear these for years to come.

Start your day off right by stepping into something soft and comfortable. Made from the same shearling that’s inside every UGG boot, these slippers will make you feel like you’re walking on clouds. The shearling will keep your feet warm, even though they’re sandals, and the sole is made from rubber, so you won’t slip and slide around on slick floors.

If the thought of putting on lace lingerie makes you more anxious than excited, it could be that you haven’t found the right style for you yet. On a mission to make everyone feel sexy in their own skin, Pinsy created lightly shaping lace bodysuits that give you support where you need it without making you feel like you’re being squeezed uncomfortably. Despite being made from lace and mesh, there’s plenty of support in the bust area of these bodysuits, and they actually have a full back, so you won’t feel like you’ve got a wedgie the entire time you wear it. If you don’t want any shaping or smoothing, Pinsy offers plenty of styles without, too.

Sometimes relaxing can start with something as simple as lighting a candle. When the room you’re in is filled with a fragrance that transports you to a certain place, moment in time, or memory, it’s a bit easier to take a second, inhale deeply, and allow yourself to unwind. This one by Brooklyn Candle Studio is made with 100 percent soy wax for a clean burn, and the Sunday Morning scent is the perfect blend of fruity and woodsy.

The best gift to yourself is one that helps you practice self-care. This bundle from Kindra includes both a soothing, moisturizing bath soak and their cult-favorite daily vaginal lotion to dramatically improve dryness down there. Draw yourself a hot bath and add the soak for a spa-like experience at home. The gentle yet effective peptide provides comfort to sensitive skin, especially for those going through menopause. After your bath, apply the fragrance-free vaginal lotion to support skin-moisture barrier healing and improve dryness in as little as two uses. This is a dynamic duo you’ll want to have at all times for sweet relief.

If you’ve found your hair looking and feeling a little more lackluster than usual, perhaps it’s time to switch up your shampoo. This shampoo specially formulated for thinning hair will add a tingly sensation to your scalp each time you use it, but that’s a good thing — it helps stimulate new growth. 

Give yourself a hug by wrapping yourself up in something cozy and warm, like this French terry sweatshirt from Thirdlove. It’s made with a light, breathable cotton that wicks away sweat after a workout, but manages to feel soft and comforting when you’re lounging on the couch. 

For those who want to swap their joggers or leggings for something in between, look no further. These luxuriously soft lounge pants are made from bamboo, which is breathable and smooth to the touch. A wide waistband and pleated legs give them a tailored look, even though they feel like pajama pants.

Exfoliating your skin is the key to keeping it soft and smooth. You can actually exfoliate before you shower with a dry brush, which gently removes flaky skin and promotes healthy circulation. This one from Cleanlogic has a long handle to help you easily reach areas like the backs of your legs. When using it, simply rub the brush in small circular motions, working in strokes toward your heart to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage, then shower and moisturize as normal.

Simplify your skincare routine with this one-and-done oil formulated for sensitive skin. Full of skin-nourishing ingredients like chamomile oil, apricot seed oil, and camellia seed oil, this formula soothes and calms red skin, moisturizes, and even acts as an anti-inflammatory.

If you’re like us, you probably have a plethora of reusable totes at home. Pare down your collection with this tote that can do it all. It’s made from sturdy TENCEL X REFIBRA (which is made from wood pulp and upcycled cotton), and it will actually stand up on its own so you can easily fill it with groceries or other goodies. When not in use, you can fold it flat like a regular tote. There are also tons of pockets on the inside, making it easy to stay organized.

How about a gift for you that also benefits your partner? These Foria bath salts are infused with relaxing CBD, which has been shown to help ease tension and even reduce pain during sex. Himalayan and Epsom salts help pain and muscle soreness melt away, while the intoxicating scents of rose, cocoa, and kava awaken your senses. Not only that, but taking a relaxing, sensual bath can help put you in the mood. You could even invite your partner to join you in the bath if you’re feeling bold.

A manicure always seems like an indulgent experience, especially if you pay extra for special treatments. If you want to give yourself a long-lasting manicure from the comfort of your own home, try investing in one of these DIY kits by Le Mini Macaron. It’s a woman-owned and -founded company that gives you everything you need for multiple manicures for the price of one.

Slip into something comfortable, like this silky smooth robe, and treat yourself to a glass of wine or your favorite dessert. A shorter length makes this easy to toss on over loungewear or pajamas, but a tie keeps it closed if you prefer to have nothing on underneath. It’s sustainably made from recycled Tencel and cotton, so you can feel good about wearing it, too.

Make your beauty rest count with a silk pillowcase. Not only do they look stunning on your bed, but silk is a naturally cooling material that can help reduce friction on your hair and skin while you sleep. You’ll find you wake up with fewer pillow lines and frizz when sleeping on silk, and it just feels nice to lay on.