Amidst the bustle of serving customers over the holidays and planning for next year, finding gifts that check every box — clean, sustainable, and insanely desirable — takes time most of us don’t have.
The Novi team has done the heavy lifting for you by sharing some of our absolute favorite gifts — all vetted on the Novi platform to be better for people and the planet.
Whether you’re just starting your shopping or wrapping it up (pun intended), it’s time to cross “find the perfect gift” off your to-do list.
Kimberly, Novi CEO
EcoPeaCo. Diapers at Target, $47.99: This might seem strange at first, but my brother actually gifted us a diaper subscription for both of my kids and it was THE BEST gift ever. It gives me total peace of mind to have environmentally friendly diapers reliably show up at the door, knowing they don’t contain harmful chemicals that would be against my kids’ skin 24 hours a day. Perfect gift for new parents!
Wet Brush - Go Green Detangler Brush at Ulta, $17.99: My daughter uses this brush all the time to detangle her own hair without crying — and any parents out there know how helpful that is! Complete with sustainable packaging, it’s super forgiving while getting through all the tangles. A great stocking stuffer.
Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Moisturizing Face Sunscreen at Credo Beauty, $48: Great for moms on the go! It takes me 30 seconds to put on and acts as my light foundation, moisturizer, and SPF all in one. It’s one of my “hall of fame” products — I’ve used it for years.”
Yashi, Novi Head of Chemistry and Sustainability
DedCool 01 “Taunt” Eau de Parfum at Sephora, $90: I get compliments on this perfume every time I wear it! DedCool is intentional about its sourcing and formulation, avoiding water in its products for a smaller carbon footprint and embracing energy-efficient processes. DedCool fragrances are genderless, which makes this perfume a thoughtful gift for anyone.
EcoTools Jade Roller + Gua Sha Stone Facial Duo at Ulta, $14.99: This gift is like giving someone permission to take a moment for themselves. I’ve found gua sha and jade rolling to be incredibly therapeutic — perfect practices for self-care and relaxation.
Youth To The People Superberry Firm + Glow Dream Body Butter at Sephora, $48: I’m on my third jar of this luxurious body butter. Honestly, it makes me look forward to my showers! It delivers incredible hydration and glow — and the brand truly walks the talk when it comes to sustainability by using better sourcing practices, reducing carbon emissions, and donating money via its Planet Fund initiative.”
Ally, Novi VP of Marketing
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Play Body Wash at Ulta, $26: This top-rated body wash from super-buzzy Sol de Janeiro would make a perfect gift for a new mom or any friend who loves self-care.
Outside Dusk Eau de Parfum at Credo Beauty, $196: Treat the guy on your list to this crowd favorite fragrance from a black woman-founded perfumery.
Kate McCloud The Body Moisturizer Stone Mini Sampler Set at Sephora, $42: I’m really into this new brand founded by a mom and former pastry chef in the Hudson Valley who focuses on cocoa butter formulations. I discovered the line through the Sephora Clean + Planet Aware program. This discovery set featuring four solid lotion bars — so no water added — is perfect for travel and camping. I’m gifting these to my besties.”
Giana, Novi Growth Marketing Manager
Caftari Scent of Nirvana candle at Credo Beauty, $58: Clean candles are hard to get right and to me, this one hits all the marks. A thoughtful, substantial gift for nearly anyone.
Exa All Smiles Universal Glow Lip Oil at Credo Beauty, $15: This lip oil is the best thing that ever happened to me! It feels like a true oil on your lips, meaning it doesn’t crust or give you lines of demarcation like some lipsticks. Gift it to your girlfriends or pick it up as a stocking stuffer.
Ellis Brooklyn FAIRY TALES Fragrance Rollerball Gift Set at Ulta Beauty, $60: Ellis Brooklyn scents are decadent, and this 5-star-rated set lets your loved one try a lot of different options.”
Novi’s platform powers values-based shopping for leading CPG retailers and brands. Retailers can learn more about how Novi accelerates the speed, accuracy, and revenue of values-based shopping programs here. Brands can learn how Novi helps capture growing customer demand for values-based products here.
Ally’s List (For Her Mom)
I’ve been eyeing these woven flats for months and have decided to get them for my mom. These are pricey so it’s good that the chartreuse metallic ones I want are out of stock. I have had a pair of their loafers for over 5 years now and still wear them all the time. The styles are artisan-made, sustainable, and timeless. This brand was founded by two women best friends in Sausalito so it’s local and women-owned. They have a new store on Fillmore in SF that my financial planner has asked me to avoid.
Price: $395
Get it at: fredasalvador.com, Shopbop
Notable attributes: Leather tannery is a Leather Working Group approved trader, handmade at a family-owned factory in the traditional footwear town of Elda, Spain
My mom will spend lots of money on beauty products for me but has a really hard time spending on herself. This stuff is well worth the price for anyone with dry or damaged hair. My amazing colorist Cory at Pony Salon in Oakland introduced me to it and now I don’t want to live without it. IMHO, this puts OLAPLEX to shame.
Price: $29
Get it at: Target, Sephora, Amazon, TikTokShop
Notable attributes: Headquartered in SF, vegan, no silicones
Verified by Novi
I got this at a Credo Beauty while visiting LA on the recommendation of a salesperson. This clean mascara contains peptides and actually works—and I've tried them all.
Price: $29
Get it at: Sephora, TikTokShop
Notable attributes: Vegan, cruelty-free
Verified by Novi
My mom actually introduced me to this one! Her friends were all talking about it because it’s supposed to be a great brightener for mature skin (and dry skin). Can be used as a highlighter on cheeks, lips, and eyes. This is Bobbi Brown’s latest company and the whole ethos is “no-makeup makeup.” They follow guidelines even more stringent than those of the E.U. to eliminate over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients.
Price: $40
Get it at: jonesroadbeauty.com, TikTokShop
Notable attributes: Women-founded, no phthalates, no sulfates, no petrolatum, no PEGs, no cyclic silicones, no EDTA, no BPA
Cool brand, cool packaging with a cool brush applicator to paint on/rub in the powder. Critical for moms on the go but good that their kids or grandkids don’t have to ingest talc or polymers.
Price: $42
Get it at: crownaffair.com, Sephora, goop, Moda Operandi
Notable attributes: Refillable packaging, clean formula
Verified by Novi
My stepmom saw mine last time we went on a trip together and wanted it. She has a much more classic style than me but we both like the timeless and unique look of this. Something different than the Away suitcase most of my friends have.
Price: $295 (on sale from $445)
Get it at: tourparavel.com
Notable attributes: Small business, carbon neutral, vegan leather detail
My mom doesn’t sleep as well as she used to so I was thinking this might help her understand her body better. The previous versions looked too bulky to me but the v3 horizon style is sleeker and the gold finish would go with the rest of the jewelry she wears since she’s not a mixed metal fan.
Price: $395
Get it at: ouraring.com, Amazon
Notable attributes: Responsible sourcing and production
Ally’s List (For Ally)
During my last trip to NYC, a very cool soon-to-be mom friend brought me to this little shop on Elizabeth Street. I instantly fell in love with these shoes. The brand was founded by two lawyers who started out making men’s neckties but ended up making comfy, unique shoes from globally-sourced textiles inspired by their travels. They now also have stores in Aspen, Nantucket, Paris, and LA.
Price: $245
Get it at: resipsa.com
Notable attributes: Handmade using repurposed textiles
Fun sunnies, handmade in Marin. They used to be called Wolfspout but recently rebranded. I found these through one of the cool mom influencers whose content I actually still enjoy:
Meredith Peck | sparkandpepper.
Price: $147
Get it at: sardine.net
Notable attributes: UVA and UVB protection
A very cool New Yorker recently turned me on to this unisex clean perfume brand that started as a boutique hotel chain. Fragrance is the least regulated of beauty products and thus, the hardest to find in clean options. They just joined Sephora’s Clean + Planet Aware programs
Price: $42
Get it at: themaker.com, Sephora
Notable attributes: Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, formaldehyde-free, phthalate-free, synthetic dye-free, glass packaging
Verified by Novi
I love this site because it features global indie designers, many of whom make their goods by hand. A lot of my favorite pieces have come from London-based jewelry designers. This one is by Elk & Bloom.
Price: $116
Get it at: wolfandbadger.com
Notable attributes: Handmade, 14k gold plating over sterling silver
My very cool little sister and the Gen Z folks on my team tell me I have to ditch my no-show socks at the gym or I’m outing myself as a millennial. And so, I have embraced higher socks alongside my higher purpose. I especially like these ones with retro varsity vibes.
Price: $54
Get it at: bombas.com
Notable attributes: One purchased = one donated
Clean self tanning from Canada, so you know it must be good. Swimsuit season is coming, and I haven’t been great about toning it, so I will tan it.
Price: $119
Get it at: saltyface.com
Notable attributes: Vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable packaging, non-clogging, safe for all skin types
I got a smaller black version with the hypnotic straps about five years ago and still wear it all the time. I now want a bigger one that fits my work laptop but I’m waiting for their seasonal sale. These are pricey but the quality of the leather is amazing. The pops of color in the woven handles give me a dopamine hit every time I use it. Each bag is handcrafted in Argentina by skilled artisans who have passed techniques down through generations.
Price: $460
Get it at: mechamendez.com
Notable attributes: Vegetable-tanned cow leather, dyed with anilines, 100% cotton lining
